June 18, 2011. Paul Hixon
credit: williamchoThong Sala is the main port town on the island of Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand. Since the island does not have an airport, it is the first place most people arriving on Koh Phangan see.
In most cases these people will only return to Thong Sala to catch a boat when they leave the island. This is a shame because there are some interesting places to visit in Thong Sala and some good places to stay.
As with many port towns in Thailand, it is a place that is only busy when the boats arrive and leave. The rest of the time it is a town without hustle or bustle. There are shops, supermarkets, banks, restaurants and bars. This is where the main post office is and the hospital is too. Thong Sala is the place to hire a car. In short it is the place to get things done.
Many people stay in Thong Sala or just outside of Thong Sala in places like Grand Sea Resort because of convenience. All the amenities and facilities of the main port are always to hand and it is just 10 or 20 minutes by motorbike to get to such beaches as Ban Tai, Bankai, Wok Tum and Hin Kong. At night time, those who stay in Thong Sala can experience the small night market where a plate of Thai curry can be bought for just over a dollar.
Also the best places for Western food are found in Thong Sala such as A’s Restaurant and The Mason’s Arms (Mock Tudor English pub). The best seafood restaurant (at the end of walking street) is also located in Thong Sala. At night there are also some lively bars to enjoy, the small cinema of Jumanji and a few ‘bar beer’ places on the way to Ban Tai.
Finally, Thong Sala is the place to stay if you want to go to a Muay Thai fight night. These are just some of the reasons why you might want to stay in Thong Sala.
Updated June 18, 2011. Published June 6, 2011. Paul Hixon
