Some historians and archaeologists believe that the first group to migrate to Ko Pha-ngan were Austronesian peoples who traveled by boat from the Malay Peninsula.

Kan Air has spent 500 million baht to acquire about 32 ha (79 acres) of land to build a passenger terminal capable of handling 1,000 passengers a day and a 1,095 m (3,593 ft) runway to accommodate turboprop aircraft such as Kan Air's ATR 72-600 series.

Onep deputy secretary-general Noppadol Thiyajai said, "We hope the declaration will at least help maintain the environment on the islands.

[9] The fauna and flora of the island of Koh Phangan is exceptional, rare pink dolphins are even spotted its waters.

[11] Ko Pha-ngan featured prominently in Alex Garland's 1996 novel The Beach and is also mentioned in the 2006 song Magick by the new rave band Klaxons (but probably[original research?]

The song "Vision in Blue" on the album The Golden Ratio by Ace of Base mentions Ko Pha-ngan.

In 2022, Vice reporter Tir Dhondy visited the island and enrolled in multiple sexual, tantric classes run by various Gurus.

Si Ri Panya International School opened in 2012 provides education for children 5 to 11 years old (Key stages 1 & 3).

Wisdom College Tutorial and Vocational School mirrors the Cambridge curriculum for children 10 to 18 years old (Key stage 3).