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Koh Phangan

CNN Does a Feature on My Home Koh Phangan (I’m Quoted)

March 30, 2021 by briangruber No Comments

CNN’s Bangkok-based Hunter Forgan did a thoughtful long-form piece on the economic and social prospects for my home island of Koh Phangan, Thailand this week. He and photographer Aidan Dockery stopped by my house for an extended afternoon feed. My dear Supansa Boonmatum whipped up a feast, which Hunter said was the best Thai meal he had had for weeks. Of course it was. 

Here is an excerpt, with my short quote. 

 

“There’s Far More to Koh Phangan than the party”
 
While a “same, same, but just slightly different” attitude appears to prevail (for now at least) in Haad Rin, Koh Phangan as a whole has witnessed a more nuanced evolution in recent times.
 
The party has, in the past, tended to define the entire island, with many regarding it as a feral wild child, especially in comparison with more polished Thai tourist destinations like Phuket or Koh Samui.
 
A blissed-out counter-culture-friendly vibe remains. But the island has broadened its appeal beyond backpackers to attract high net worth holidaymakers, families, yogis attracted by a vibrant wellness community centered on the village of Sri Thanu, digital entrepreneurs and Bangkokians seeking refuge from city life.
 
“The image of the island presented by the Full Moon Party is potent,” admits island-based author and writing coach Brian Gruber, one of the administrators of the Koh Phangan Conscious Community Facebook page, an online hub for island-relevant events, information and discussion with over 50,000 active members.
 
“But I think that the message that there’s far more to Koh Phangan than the party has been filtering through for a while.”
 
The economic pain caused by the pandemic has, of course, been acute for many people. But in some ways, Koh Phangan appears to be not just surviving but thriving.
 
 
Hunter promises to pick up my bar tab next time I am in Bangkok. 
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Koh Phangan•Phangan Forum

First PHANGAN Forum Event Slated for Earth Day, April 22 at Jaran’s

by briangruber No Comments

I launched Koh Phangan’s public forum Phangan Forum in February after getting 500 responses to a post.  On Earth Day, 22 April, 2021, we will hold our first program, a 3-hour event at Jaran’s.

We will use the TED format, all talks under 18 minutes, focused on one brilliant idea, artfully presented. A license application to TED for a TEDxKoh Phangan event in July is pending. 

The theme of the event is focused on Koh Phangan’s ecological future:

How do we help keep our gorgeous island protected, pristine, and unpolluted? What are the rich eco-initiatives deserving attention and support? How do we live a life contributing to rather than despoiling Phangan’s natural beauty? Who are the eco-heroes doing the work, and how might we participate?

For more on Phangan Forum, go to our Facebook page, 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/phanganforum

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Brian Gruber is an author, writing coach, and marketing consultant living on the Thai island of Koh Phangan. He has spent 40 years studying, leading, and founding new media companies and projects.

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