Page 4 - พะงน Eng hi _Neat
P. 4
Ko Pha-ngan: From Past to Present
Ko Pha-ngan is a large island near Samui Island, located in
Ang Thong Channel, off Surat Thani’s coast in the Gulf of Thailand.
Dominating 122 square kilometers, it is the country’s fifth largest
island after Phuket, Samui, Chang and Tarutao.
Based on historical and archaeological evidences,
Ko Pha-ngan was believed to be first settled by men over 1,300-
2,000 years ago. The first group of people arriving in this island
was believed to be Chola explorers, better known as Tamils,
who were natives of southern India and whose realm prospered
th
during the 14 -18 Buddhist centuries. During the reign of King
th
Rajaraja Chola I and Rajendra Chola I, their influence expanded
to Malay Peninsula, coinciding with the Thai kingdom of Srivichai.
The Chola people often navigated to the peninsula for trade
and finally settled on several islands in the area including
Ko Pha-ngan.
6 7
