Friday, October 26, 2012

Kan Air will fly to Ko Pha Ngan from Bangkok


Travellers will soon have a better option to travel to Thailand's beautiful island of Ko Pha Ngan, the birth place of infamous full moon party. According to Bangkok Post Kan Air, a new Thai commuter airline, is building a 700 million baht (22.7 million US Dollar) airport on Koh Pha Ngan located in Surat Thani in the Gulf of Thailand. Kan Air is planning to operate regular flights between Bangkok's Don Mueang airport and Koh Phangan. The airline has recently acquired its first jet, the Beechcraft Premier I light aircraft which can carry 6-7 passengers. The airline is planning to lease two ATR 42, a turboprop which can carry 50 people. Currently Ko Pha Ngan is accessible by speed boat and ferry from Ko Samui, Surat Thani and Ko Tao. Bangkok Airways operates frequent flights to Ko Samui from Bangkok. Ko Pha Ngan is halfway between the islands of Ko Samui and Ko Tao.

Thailand's famous all-night beach party, Full Moon Party, has originated in Haad Rin on Ko Pha Ngan. The Full Moon parties are held on the night before or after every full moon and the first one was organized in a wooden disco not far from the Haad Rin beach in 1985 for giving thanks to about 20-30 travelers. Thanks to word of mouth, the event quickly became a hit and now draws 20,000-30,000 every full moon evening.

Full moon party Haad Rin on Ko Pha Ngan
Full moon party Haad Rin on Ko Pha Ngan
Construction of the airport in Ko Pha Ngan is in full swing and the airport will be up and running in the second half of 2013. This will be the first time direct air access to Koh Phangan:
The airport, with a 1,100-metre runway and thatched-roof terminal, is located on the eastern side of Koh Phangan.Because of its relatively short runway, the airport is not required to have an environmental impact assessment that may take a long time and subject the development to opponents, Mr Somphong said. 
Kan Air is also discussing the lease of two Brazilian-made Embraer ERJ 145 jets, each with 50 seats, to support its plan to expand its network through its new hub of Don Mueang in addition to its current base in Chiang Mai.[1]

[1] - Kan Air ready for take-off

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