Bubblegum Island

We’re all here by choice, well we hope so anyway but why do so many people find themselves stuck here?

What is it exactly that brings people back to the island time and time and again? Many places in the world have beaches and parties but what is it about Phangan that has that ‘je ne sais quoi’.

It’s the usual story for many, you come to check out the infamous full moon, or for a few days island hopping or to see a friend and before you know it you’ve stayed three months.

Then you go home.

Next year you plan a bit more and decide you will come to Koh Phangan for a while, you save up enough money to keep you going whilst enjoying the fruits of island life. Maybe you do this every year from now on.

OR

You decide to go live the dream and live on Koh Phangan permanently.

Bubblegum island, you come, leave, come back again, leave, then come back and stay here. For good.

Every time you leave, you lose something in your heart, you leave a piece of it here, then when you’re back again it’s like coming home!

It’s very hard to find another place that combines all the things that Phangan does, the island, nature, the beaches, the parties and the culture.

The social circle is also a very important element, if you come for a second or third time then you have high chances of meeting people you already know.

It gets people stuck, like bubblegum. Many people just go back to their home countries for the amount of time it takes them to save up enough money to then come and live on Phangan for a while, so they return, until the money runs out, so then the cycle starts over again. But they always come back.

Some, surprisingly, leave. They’ve found a new adventure to embark on or a new country that looks good to travel so off they go. Sad goodbyes are had as they say ‘I won’t be back for a while’ but secretly you know they’ll be back within one month.

Resident and Artist Christopher Thomas is actually the person who came up with the phrase ‘Bubblegum Island’ (well that’s where we heard it anyway). So here is what he thinks about this sticky paradise…

‘I cannot talk for everyone but there are certain aspects of the island that have kept me coming back time and time again.

People - The community of people that live here are amazing!! Whether seasonal or long term, you meet people from all walks of life. Not too dissimilar to the film - The Beach

Parties - Phangan has it all, dancing in the jungle, or on a beach, or mountain top. It’s a one of a kind party scene.

Thailand - In general a beautiful country, so if you’re going to live here it might as well be on the liveliest part. (food, weather, locals, wildlife etc)

Energy - Yoga, meditation, detox programs, spiritual consciousness…

Escaping the '9 - 5' - Whether you work in a bar, in a resort, a dj, photographer, artist, or instructor you have made the transition to a better lifestyle choice.

and finally Love - there’s a lot flowing around on the island’.

Thank you for your wise words Mr Chris!

The fact is that Koh Phangan is heaven on earth, it is so simple.

You can meet people who have been coming for fifteen years. Go to Coral Bar in Chaloklum and you will hear thousands of stories and meet the same people coming back year after year.

People go back to their home countries and for the whole time they’re there, all they are thinking about is Koh Phangan.

Whatever it is, we have to be thankful that we have the privilege of being able to enjoy the wonders on Phangan.

What is it that makes you keep coming back? We would love to know!