Thong Sala is the principal town of Koh Phangan and its biggest residential area, featuring a wide variety of shops, restaurants, bars and cafees; a market; and a ferry terminal. Ferries and boats from neighbouring Koh Samui and Koh Tao, as well as from the mainland ports at Surat Thani and Chumporn, all pass through Thong Sala port, whereas the little terminal in Haad Rin serves only local boats and ferries from Koh Samui.

As an urban center in the full sense of the word, Thong Sala will not be my first recommendation for Koh Phangan travelers, since most Koh Phangan visitors during their vacation usually expect to be captured by a magic ambience of picturesque tropical beaches – a value that Thong Sala apparently doesn’t offer. On the other hand, you have lots of reasons to come to Thong Sala for a visit, not including passing there on your way from one side of the island to the other (which is unavoidable due to the fact that all roads on the island lead to Thong Sala, just like Rome):

1. To make some shopping. In Thong Sala one has the best choice of clothes, tourist equipment, souvenirs, jewellery, cooked and plain raw food and so one. The prices in Thong Sala are reasonable and some of the goods are of very impressive quality. Since I didn’t enjoy dragging big bag in the island very much, I’ve bought a wonderful “North Face” backpack in Thong Sala for 2,300 baht, which is apparently less than you would pay in Europe or Asia.

2. To visit the local market. Despite of being small sized, this market has a unique ambience of a genuine Thai market. In the middle of the market you can find an area with numerous tables and chairs, designated for those who prefer to have a meal right here. Yours truly had enjoyed a delicious meal in the market of Thong Sala, although there were some downsides. Notice that the market is crowdie, and it’s not unusial to be pushed by somebody else. Since I didn’t come to the market in my lucky day, my whole table was pushed by some youth, so that my plate flew from the table. The flying plate landed exactly on my head, leaving some little squids on my ears. Be aware of these young lively people…

3. To make your financial arrangements. If your resort is located in Haad Rin area, the trip to Thong Sala isn’t required; but if your accomodation choice was one of the remote beaches in Koh Phangan, you can always take advantage of the local banks, exchange points and ATMs.

4. To see a Thai Boxing match. The Thai boxing is the most popular local sport and a source of pride for Thai people. The Thai Boxing matches are held in the evenings on a regular basis.

5. To rent a bicycle. Mountain biking is one of the most exiting activities in the island, and in Thong Sala you can rent a good quality bicycle for as low as 80 – 120 baht.

6. To buy a chicken, fish, seafood or pork skewer on the street and eat it next to the stand. Wipe your hands on your clothes – back home, you have nothing to do with it anyway. These skewers (15 – 25 baht each) are the most tasty things I’ve ever eaten. Does it sound too dramatic to be true? Buy one and you’ll see.

To sum up, there are lots of reasons to visit Thong Sala – the capital city of Koh Phangan. I’m sure you’ll find even more…

Useful Information

Accomodation

Useful Information

Emergency Services

Koh Phangan Hospital
Thong Sala, tel. 077-377034
Koh Phangan Police Station
Thong Sala, tel. 077-377114
Activities

Jungle Jym
Thong Sala, tel. 06-9520814
Thai Boxing School
Thong Sala, tel. 06-9538253

Travel Services

Lomprayah - Ferry service to/from Samui/Tao
Thong Sala, tel. 077-238412
Phangan Cruiser - Ferry service to/from Samui/Tao
Thong Sala, tel. 077-377274
Raja Ferry - Ferry service to/from Suratthani
Thong Sala, tel. 077-377452
Seatran Ferry - Ferry service to/from Suratthani/Samui
Thong Sala, tel. 077-238129
Songserm Express Boat - Ferry service to/from Suratthani/Samui
Thong Sala, tel. 077-377704 

Financial Services

Bank of Ayuddhya
Thong Sala, tel. 077-377044
Siam City Bank
Thong Sala, tel. 077-377051
Siam Commercial Bank
Thong Sala, tel. 077-377111

Pictures of Thailand fishing boats were the main purpose of my first attempt to carry out the “photograph tour”. Since I’ve noticed the fishing boats next to the Ao Chaloklum during the Boat Trip, I was really curious about the fishermen’s way of life. The only problem was, that as a Leela Beach’s resident I neither had an idea about the fishermen’s village location, nor have I known that it’s name was Chaloklum.

So I picked up my camera and went to the only place in Koh Phangan I knew an access to at that time: Haad Rin. On Haad Rin, I made a call home and ask the phone center operator for the exact location of the “local villages”. The operator, 40 years old cheerful lady, said, “You can’t go there. It’s extremely dangerous”. I refused to believe her, but she explained, “It’s in the heart of the jungle. You put yourself at a risk of being bitten by snake, and even being attacked by tiger!”

I probably looked disappointed to her, as she asked, “Want to take a picture?” – “Yes” – “Go straight to the beach, turn left, turn right – you have an excellent view”. On my way back to the resort I wondered whether my question was too ethnocentric. Anyway, I decided to never ask local people again about local villages’ location. The paradox was that everything I had to do was to open the guidebook. The fishermen village Chaloklum, surrounded by resorts and picturesque beaches, is one of the most famous sites in Koh Phangan.

This village features some cheap and very fine seafood restaurants; these restaurants usually serve dishes made of fresh locally caught fish and seafood. There are also several bars and diving schools, and of course the fishing boats located near the beach.