Sukon, a 62-year-old local woman, has witnessed the transformation of Koh Phangan over the decades. Born in the Ban Tai area, she recalls a time when the island was vastly different. "There was no concrete, only dirt roads and few cars," she says. "We had no electricity, no supermarkets, and no Seven-Eleven. Only local people lived here, and it was rare for outsiders to visit."
In those days, life on Koh Phangan was simple. The locals relied on their gardens for vegetables and fruits and fished in the sea. They grew coconut trees and sold the coconuts, transporting them to Samui by tail boat. "Everyone was very poor, living simple lives," Sukon remembers. The island had just a few hundred people, mostly residing in Ban Tai, Thong Sala, and Haad Rin. Many lived in Chaloklum because of its thriving fishing industry.
Sukon attended Ban Tai School from age 6 to 10 before she had to leave to help support her family. She worked long hours at a noodle shop in Chaloklum for 600 Baht per month, from 8 AM to 11 PM. "It was tough, but we did what we had to do," she reflects.
At the age of 11, Sukon moved to Nakhon Si Thammarat to live with her father's sister's family. There, she joined a group that performed the traditional Manora dance, helping with makeup before shows. "We traveled all over southern Thailand—Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Koh Samui, Hua Hin, Chumphon," she says. "I did this for seven years until I met my husband, Anan."
Sukon met Anan, a singer in the band accompanying the Manora dance group, when she first arrived in Nakhon Si Thammarat. "It was love at first sight," she smiles. They knew each other for seven years before marrying. After their marriage and the birth of their first daughter, Araya, Sukon decided to follow Anan into the barber profession. "Anan was also a barber, and he taught me the basics," she says.
At the age of 19, Sukon attended barber school in Nakhon Si Thammarat, traveling by bus each morning and returning to C Shon in the evening. "I worked as a makeup artist and a hairdresser during the day," she recalls.
By the age of 29, after separating from Anan, Sukon returned to Koh Phangan with her three children: Araya, Anna, and Air. "We lived with my family, and I started working in other barber shops," she says. The shop owners charged 50 Baht for a haircut, and Sukon earned 20 Baht from each one. "Many people liked to get their hair cut by me because of my talent and also because of my beauty, which was famous on Koh Phangan," she adds with a modest laugh.
At 32, Sukon opened her own shop in Ban Tai, where she continues to work to this day. She also expanded her skills to cut women's hair, thanks to her training in Nakhon. "I became famous for my haircuts, and many locals came to my shop," she says proudly.
In the early 1990s, when many foreigners (farangs) began visiting the island, Sukon was initially worried due to her limited English. "When a farang came to the shop, I called my cousin Mark to communicate with them on my behalf," she explains. Over time, she grew more comfortable and confident in her interactions with the diverse clientele.
"I love making people look good and feel good," Sukon says. "Their smiles after a haircut make me happy."
Today, Sukon is well-known and respected by both locals and long-term foreign residents. Her first daughter lives in Bangkok, the second in Thong Nai Pan, and the youngest in Samui. "They all visit me when possible," she says.
Sukon cherishes her life on Koh Phangan, serving the local community and newcomers alike. "I love the people of Koh Phangan; they are free in mind compared to mainlanders," she says.
Sukon's story is one of resilience, hard work, and dedication. From her humble beginnings to becoming a beloved hairdresser in Ban Tai, she has touched many lives with her skill and kindness. Her journey is a testament to the enduring spirit of Koh Phangan and its people.
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