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Flora and Fauna of Koh Phangan Island
Tropical rainforest
Natural rainforest filled with tropical hardwoods and wild orchids (Thailand's national floral symbol) still covers large central areas of Koh Phangan. And there are still a few mangrove swamps with many bird species along the coast. The island boasts an incredible array of fruit trees and many species of bamboo.
Scary Forna - Koh Phangan
- Gingue - These have a hard black shell and red legs. They are harmless and roll up when they feel threatened.
- Centipedes or Dakkaap - Beware of these orange/red centipedes with a flat body and legs visible to the side. They can grow up to 20 cm in length, move very quickly, and will bite you if attacked. The bite is not dangerous but is extremely painful. The bitten area may swell and throb for up to a week.
- Scorpions - Their bite is painful, something like a wasp sting, but not dangerous.
- Spiders - All spiders can bite, but there are no venemous spiders on Koh Phangan.
- Mosquitoes - Try to avoid mosquito bites. An allergic reaction can be very itchy, and they are vectors for all kinds of nasty diseases.
- Snakes - There are many different kinds of snakes living on the island, both harmless and venomous. Variations between individual snakes can make them difficult to identify. The Green Pit Viper with a red/brown tail and yellow eyes is very dangerous, whereas the Coconut Tree snake, also green, is totally harmless. Koh Phangan is also home to the highly venemous Cobra and King Cobra. Reticulated pythons can grow to lengths of up to 10 metres, and sometimes come around houses to take chicken and cats.
- Jelly fish - At certain times of year the bays fill up with jelly fish. If you go swimming when there are jelly fish in the water you are sure to get stung. In such a case, wash the area quickly and thoroughly. Then pour on vinegar.
- Bees and wasps - There many flying insects capable of giving you a sting. They are not normally aggressive unless you disturb the nest. And some of the grubs are quite tasy!
Flora - Koh Phangan
- Fruit trees - Koh Phangan is home to an astonishing variety of fruit trees and plants. There is the pungent yet delicious meaty fruit from the spiny durian, huge jackfruit, colourful rambutan, sweet mangosteen, pineapples, watermelons, many species of delicious bananas, every kind of mango, tamarind and pomello to name but a few.
- Orchids - The national floral symbol of Thailand. The forest and gardens everywhere are filled with beautifully coloured flowering orchids.
- Coconuts - The swaying coconut palms lining most of the coast and covering some inland areas are a dominant feature of the Koh Phangan lanscape. The coconuts are used by the local people to make their daily spicy coconut curries.
