Ao Thong Nai Pan Noi, Sand beach in Koh Phangan, Thailand
Ao Thong Nai Pan Noi is a crescent-shaped beach on the northeastern shore of Koh Phangan with fine white sand and turquoise waters that curve along a compact cove. Wooded hills descend to the water's edge, creating an enclosed setting with clear views across the bay.
The name comes from fishermen who established the first settlements in this area of Koh Phangan during the early 1900s. The bay remained a place of modest human activity until tourism brought gradual change in recent decades.
A handful of local families still operate small fishing businesses here, selling their daily catches directly to nearby restaurants and maintaining practices passed down through generations. This quiet working tradition shapes the everyday character of the bay.
You can reach this beach by speedboat from Koh Samui or by driving through mountainous terrain from Thongsala pier. The access road is narrow and winding, so plan for slower travel during rainy season.
Natural rock pools formed by granite boulders at the northern end of the beach fill with warm seawater during high tide. These pools offer a sheltered swimming experience separate from the main shoreline.
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