Even the official KohPhangan tourist website says "violence is frequent" on the island, and warns foreigners to walk away from any potential conflict with local people.
Probably the greatest danger to tourists on KohPhangan is posed by the vast amounts of alcohol and other stimulants during the monthly full-moon parties on Haad Rin, which have become one of the biggest attractions on the so-called 'backpacker trail' through South East Asia.