Thong Nai Pan Guide

Thong Nai Pan is a popular holiday destination located in the northwest corner of Phangan Island in southern Thailand. With its beautiful beaches, crystal clear water, towering palm trees, hidden waterfalls, and massive granite boulders, it is a nature lover’s paradise. The two beaches, Thong Nai Pan Noi and Thong Nai Pan Yai, are considered to be among the best in Thailand and have been popular among travelers for over 20 years.

Thong Nai Pan is named after the semi-legendary man, Pan, who was said to have done a great service for the King and was rewarded with the bay area. Thong Nai Pan means “the bay of Pan,” while Thong Nai Pan Noi and Thong Nai Pan Yai mean “small” and “big” bay of Pan, respectively. The businesses in Thong Nai Pan Noi often use the name “Pan” in their names, while those in Thong Nai Pan Yai tend to forego it.

Both Thong Nai Pan Noi and Thong Nai Pan Yai have small tidal changes and do not have coral reefs, making them great for swimming all year round, except during the monsoon. Thong Nai Pan Yai is the administrative center of the area and is home to a middle school, a small clinic, a temple, a post office, a local mayor, and a policeman. There are many activities to enjoy in Thong Nai Pan, including relaxing on the beach, exploring the scenery, visiting waterfalls, trying different restaurants and bars, kayaking, bodyboarding, practicing yoga, and cooking Thai food.

Accommodation on Thong Nai Pan Noi is typically aimed at the high end of the market, while Thong Nai Pan Yai has more budget options. Prices have gone up in Thong Nai Pan over the last 10 years, and as an absolute minimum, one can expect to spend 1,500 Thai Baht a day on food, drink, and accommodation. There are cheap local restaurants in both Thong Nai Pan Noi and Yai, as well as shops where you can buy food and drink, although everything is more expensive than in the main town of Thongsala.