Ko Pha-ngan - TourismThailand.org

6
However, permanent settlements on Ko Pha-ngan
were believed to begin in late Ayutthaya period. During
early Rattanakosin period, Ko Pha-ngan was affiliated
to Chaiya Town while Ko Samui was subordinate to
Nakhon Si Thammarat. In the reign of King Rama IV,
Ko Samui and Ko Pha-ngan were merged into one district
called Amphoe Ko Samui, on 10 May B.E. 1897. The new
district was under the jurisdiction of Kanchanadit Town,
which later became Surat Thani Province. Ko Samui and
Ko Pha-ngan had been made one district for 63 years,
before Ko Pha-ngan was reorganized as a sub-district
(king-amphoe) in 1970. Ko Pha-ngan was upgraded to
Amphoe Ko Pha-ngan in 1977.
The word ‘Pha Ngan’ is said to have many origins.
Some said it was an inconsistent form of an Indian or Malay
word ‘Rahan’ used for sand bars. Rahan means indistinct
shadow. Others believed this island was originally called
Ko Ngan, a native word meaning sand bars which emerge
around the island when tides are low. The phenomenon
was specific to this island, resulting in locals to call the
island ‘Lang Ngan’ (after tide), which was later shortened
to Ph-ngan. When Ko Ph-ngan Sub-district was established
as a district, vowel ‘A’ was added after ‘Ph’. The name
‘Ko Pha-ngan’ has been used since then.
7