Thong Sala
Get in
Ferries run from Ko Samui daily. The journey takes about an hour.
- Departing Nathon multiple times a day for 200 baht.
- Departing Mae Nam at 12:00 for 200 baht.
- Departing Surat Thani multiple times a day for 250 baht (3 hours + 1 hour bus ride from train station), or 400 baht for the fast ferry (2 hours + 1 hour bus ride from train station)
- Departing from Raja Ferry (near Don Sak) 08:00, 10:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00 for 220 baht (2.5 hours)
At Thong Sala, taxis and pick up trucks take passengers around the island. The drivers hold signs stating their destinations. Prices are fixed at 100-150 baht/person to Haad Rin, 150 baht to the northwest corner of the island, and 200-250 baht to Thong Nai Pan. Don't take a taxi from the pier upon arrival, but walk to the roundabout: the taxi station there has better prices that are not newcomer inflated, but still as high as anywhere on the island.
Get around
Do
- Thong Sala has a few very good traditional Thai massage shops where you can also take a massage course.
- At Lomprayah Pier there is aerobic dancing every evening for free. Starts at 18:00, except Sundays.
Buy
Lim Ping PongAn excellent small organic and Western convenience store. (Almost certainly misspelled its name, but it's close to how it's said). If you approach from the south (Ban Tai) it's on the right-hand side near the post office. It's a very modern looking building and is in the back of a store which mostly sells glass and home ware. It's tricky to spot the first time so walk around and ask people. All the locals know where it is.
Tesco-LotusDecent supermarket with a delicious and inexpensive bakery.
Eat
Also, along the road near Thong Sala, you will see many "BBQ" restaurants advertising "all you can eat" for about 99 baht. This is a great way to eat, and it is economical as well as delicious.
During the day, food carts can be found throughout Thong Sala. Great food cart items include som tam, the tasty spicy papaya salad, pad Thai, and grilled chicken.
Ando LocoThong Sala's Mexican restaurant of the year for two years running. Authentic cuisine using imported spices. Best tequila and margaritas on the island.
Nira's BakeryGreat bakery with a range of sliced and unsliced breads (cracked wheat, rye, etc.). It's also a cafe with nice food and free Wi-Fi.
Pizza ChiaraA simple but complete Italian restaurant. Good pizzas and pastas, helpful Italian owner.
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Umi
phone: +66 77 377815address: 73/10 Moo 1Vegetarian. Simple and delicious curries, salads and soups from around the world. Daily specials menu including Indian, Korean, African, Mediterranean, and other world food. Yellow CafeA Ko Pha Ngan original, famous for delicious deli snacks, hill tribe coffee, and a lush tropical garden.
Drink
AmStardam BarAmazing sunset views, and sometimes hosts a "warm up" party to the Full Moon a few days in advance.
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The Harp Bar
address: 74/4 Moo 1Serves food from 09:00-24:00. Great menu with traditional Irish and world food. Full-sized pool table and a free jukebox. -
phone: +66 77 238526A proper pub with draught beers, pool, darts, table football, beer gardens and traditional pub food. Air-con in the bar makes for a nice retreat to enjoy a few pints.
Sleep
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phone: +66 77 239620address: 69/10 Moo 4 Naiwok BeachBungalows built of natural materials in a nice garden with lots of trees, 5 minutes north of Thong Sala by motorbike, 15-20 min walking. The beach is great but has the same low tide problem in summer as all the west coast of Ko Pha Ngan, little water during the day, but the lagoon is beautiful and the beach was always nearly empty. Owned by a sweet Thai woman who speaks good English and is helpful. All staff are from her family. There is a beach restaurant (but breakfast is not included), 3 beach bungalows, the others are behind on stilts with sea view. No air-con. Large balcony with bamboo table, floor mattresses, hammock. Free Wi-Fi.
Connect
Go next
- Haad Rin (Hat Rin) - site of the famous Full Moon Party. A taxi from Thong Sala to Haad Rin is almost always 100 baht, and you can share a taxi with 10-12 people as you get off the ferry.
- Ferry to Don Sak on the mainland at 05.00, 07.00, 11.00, 13.00, 17.00 (2.5 hours)
- Thong Nai Pan - secluded east coast beaches