Thong Sala Koh Phangan: What You Need To Know
Thong Sala Koh Phangan, is the gateway to the island and is filled with things to do, great bars, and a fantastic selection of restaurants, including the must-visit Thong Sala Night Market.
Although most tourists will arrive on the island via Thong Sala Pier, many won’t explore the small town surrounding the port. For us, after spending time on Koh Phangan we feel it deserves a visit due to the variety of things you can do and see.
Some of the main draws to Thong Sala include that it is home to the only two Muay Thai boxing stadiums on the island, it has two markets for you to browse, day stalls and a night market, plus it is home to a variety of appetizing restaurants.
Although we wouldn’t recommend staying in Thong Sala, as other areas boast better beaches than Thong Sala Beach, we do think this lively town is a must-visit during your time on Koh Phangan. Read on to discover everything Thong Sala, Koh Phangan has to offer!
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Where Is Thong Sala, Koh Phangan?
Koh Phangan is a small island in the gulf of Thailand that draws backpackers from all over the world, close to the famous Koh Samui, this smaller island has now made its mark on the map as a must visit due to the monthly full moon parties!
Thong Sala, Phangan is located on the south west of the island. The island is made up of different areas, some of which are Haad Rin, Mae Haad and Thong Sala.
How To Get To Thong Sala, Koh Phangan?
If you’re not already on the island then you’ll need to catch a ferry over to Koh Phangan. You can catch ferries from Koa Tao, Koh Samui and Donsak over to Thong Sala Pier, the main port for tourists.
If you’re already on the island and want to get to the area for Thong Sala Night Market, Thong Sala Pier, or Thong Sala Beach then you will need to either get a taxi or scooter. The main roads on the island are concreted and in good condition, when picking a route by scooter choose the larger roads as the smaller roads tend to be trickier and less maintained.
If you want to hire a taxi there are two types, songthaews (pick up trucks) and motorbike taxis. Motorbike taxi drivers should be clearly labeled and you will usually find lots around Thong Sala Port and other main hubs. To grab a ride in a shared songthaew flag down the vehicle or pre arrange it with your accommodation.
We recommend using 12Go to book Ferries & Busses
Thong Sala Koh Phangan Town & Area
Thong Sala is a hub of restaurants, shops and services. You can find motorbike rental, banks, post offices, travel agencies and other services all useful to the long term traveller or digital nomad. There are plenty of souvenir shops plus clothes shops as well.
The town is also home to two Thai boxing stadiums which are popular with both locals and tourists.
In Thong Sala, you'll find plenty of dining options, from traditional Thai dishes to Western cuisine, although with Thai food being some of the best in the world, we'd highly recommend indulging in the local flavors! Some of our top recommendations are Nine Restaurant and Bar and Salt, Seafood & Restaurant.
Thong Sala Night Market
There are two markets, the morning stalls and the more known Thong Sala Night Market which is open daily from 4pm-10pm. Here you buy a variety of fresh produce such as meat, fruit & veg and seafood.
As you enter the Thong Sala night market each of your senses will be triggered and overwhelmed by Thai street food, handcrafted souvenirs and bustling vendors all wanting to sell you their product.
If you’re a foodie then this is one of the best places to try authentic Thai street food. We recommend trying the grilled meat skewers, pad thai and crispy spring rolls. If you want a more adventurous culinary experience you could opt for the fried insects or keep it safe with mango sticky rice. The food here is cheap and cheerful around 30-100 baht making it a great evening out destination.
Thong Sala Beach
Although Thong Sala Beach isn’t the best on Koh Pangan, our favourites are bottle beach and Malibu Beach, you can still soak up the gorgeous Thai sunshine if you’re in the area. You have to make your way south from the pier away from the boats to find a sandy scratch of sand where you can relax, walk and watch the beautiful sunsets in the distance.
There are also a few beachfront resorts lining Thong Sala beach including Tiki Beach which is an adult only hotel with a swimming pool, fitness centre and bar.
Thong Sala Pier Koh Phangan
You’re probably going to visit the Thong Sala pier on your way on and off the island. It is the main entry point and a well travelled route by many. The pier is attached to the town of Thong Sala where you can find all the attractions mentioned above.
Boats from the pier arrive and leave to destinations such as Surat Thani, Koh Samui, Chumphon and Koh Tao. As this is where locals see the most footfall there will always be taxis lined up ready to take you to your accommodation, just make sure you agree on a price first!
Where To Stay In Thong Sala Koh Phangan
Although Thong Sala is a great area to visit for the night market, Muay Thai or shops, we think there are better areas to stay on the island. For your accommodation head down to Baan Tai, Baan Kair or Haad Rin.
However if you do choose to stay in this area, perhaps to be close to Thong Sala Pier we recommend Lime & Soda Beachfront Resort or Tea Moon Beach House.
Final Thoughts on Thong Sala, Koh Phangan
Thong Sala Koh Phangan is a vital hub for the island. With Thong Sala Pier being the main port for the arrival of tourists, nearly everyone will pass through. We think it is worth spending some time here to experience the vibrant night market with its delicious street food, Muay Thai boxing and row of affordable shops. However, we don’t recommend you stay here as there are much nicer beaches than Thong Sala Beach, quieter areas and more to discover on the island of Koh Phangan!
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