Phangan Pirate - AI Island Guide
A comprehensive mobile application that transforms the tourist experience on Koh Phangan, Thailand. Featuring an advanced AI guide, island event tracking, local business partnerships, curated travel guides, and community discussion boards to create a vibrant ecosystem for both visitors and locals.
Completed
March 2025
Duration
6 months
The Challenge
International visitors to Koh Phangan struggled with navigating the island, discovering events beyond the famous Full Moon Party, connecting with reputable local businesses, and accessing reliable travel information. The fragmented nature of existing solutions left tourists missing out on authentic experiences and local businesses without proper visibility.
The Solution
We developed Phangan Pirate, a multi-feature mobile application that combines AI technology with local knowledge and community engagement. The app features a personalized AI assistant that uses GPT-4 to answer questions about the island, a comprehensive events calendar, verified local business partnerships, expert travel guides, and a social community platform where travelers can share experiences and tips.
Technical Details
The app is built with Expo and React Native for cross-platform compatibility. We implemented a clean, modular architecture with TypeScript for type safety. The backend leverages Next.js API routes hosted on Vercel, with Supabase handling authentication and database needs. The AI assistant uses GPT-4 with custom context about Koh Phangan to provide accurate, localized information. The UI features a dark theme optimized for outdoor use in bright sunlight with thoughtful UX patterns for tropical travel contexts.
Gallery
Results & Feedback
+65%
User Satisfaction
+40%
Local Business Discovery
12.5 min
Average App Session Duration
+8 per user
Average Events Discovered
"This app completely changed our experience in Koh Phangan. The AI guide felt like having a local friend showing us around, and we discovered amazing places we'd never have found otherwise."
Sophie
Traveler, France
Phangan Pirate has transformed how visitors experience our island. Local businesses report increased visibility, and tourists are discovering hidden gems they would have otherwise missed. The AI assistant has been particularly valuable in helping visitors navigate cultural nuances and find experiences aligned with their interests.
Future Plans
Phase two will include multilingual support, offline map navigation, integrated booking capabilities for events and activities, and advanced AI features such as image recognition for landmark identification and real-time language translation.
Technologies Used
- React Native
- Expo
- TypeScript
- Supabase
- OpenAI API
- Next.js (Backend)
- Vercel
- Expo Router
- Lucide Icons
- NativeWind
Project Team
- ThibautLead Developer
- Maya UI/UX Designer
- AlexData
