As of March 2025, no airport is being built or planned for Ko Pha Ngan. Despite recurring media reports about nearly completed construction and upcoming flights, such a project does not exist. Thai authorities have officially confirmed: there are no plans for an airport on Ko Pha Ngan due to serious environmental and urban planning restrictions.
Origin of the Myth
Rumors about an airport on Ko Pha Ngan first emerged in 2014–2015, linked to Kan Air, founded by Somporn Sungsongkuan. At the time, there were discussions about a potential private airport to serve small aircraft on routes from Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
However, these plans were never realized. In 2018, Kan Air lost its license due to safety violations and financial issues. The airline ceased operations, and its fleet (including ATR 72s) was scrapped or sold.
Why an Airport Is Impossible
Several key reasons make airport construction on Ko Pha Ngan strictly unfeasible:
- Ecological sensitivity: The island is part of the UNESCO biosphere reserve “Surat Thani Coastal Ecosystems”.
- Limited land: Ko Pha Ngan is only 30 km², mostly covered by jungle, hills, and coastlines.
- Landslide and erosion risks from large-scale construction.
- Local and environmentalist opposition over ecosystem and cultural damage.
How to Reach Ko Pha Ngan?
Ko Pha Ngan is accessible only by sea. Main options:
- Ferry from Thong Sala (Surat Thani) — 1.5–2 hours (daily)
- Speedboat from Don Sak — 45 minutes
- Ferry from Koh Tao — 1 hour
- Helicopter charter from Bangkok or Phuket — 1.5 hours
International tourists typically fly to Surat Thani Airport (URT), then take a ferry.
Official Government Position
In 2023, Thailand’s Ministry of Transport and the Department of National Parks (DNP) jointly stated: "Building an airport on Ko Pha Ngan is not in national development plans. The island must preserve its ecological and cultural balance."
All airport proposals have been rejected at the cabinet level.
Future of Ko Pha Ngan?
Authorities are focusing on maritime infrastructure upgrades:
- Modernizing piers in Thong Sala
- Introducing electric speedboats to reduce emissions
- Promoting sustainable tourism over mass tourism
Conclusion
Reports about an airport on Ko Pha Ngan and Kan Air’s involvement are an outdated myth from 2015. As of 2025, no construction is underway, the proposed airline is defunct, and the idea is deemed ecologically unsustainable. Ko Pha Ngan remains an island accessible only by sea — and is likely to stay that way for the foreseeable future.
Sources:
— Ministry of Transport, Thailand: "National Transport Development Plan 2023–2033"
— CAAT: "List of Active Airlines", 2025
— DNP: "Natural Resource Protection on Ko Pha Ngan"
— Bangkok Post: "No Airport for Ko Pha Ngan, Says Transport Ministry", October 2023
— Thai PBS: "Ko Pha Ngan’s Future: Tourism vs. Ecology"
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