Thong Sala
Encyclopedia
Thong Sala is the principal town and administrative centre of Ko Pha Ngan
, an island in the Gulf of Thailand
. While Haad Rin
hosts the Full Moon Party
and attracts many of the island's more hedonistic visitors, Thong Sala is mostly used by tourists as a ferry terminal and jumping off point rather than a destination in itself.
The port area has three main piers, one of which is able to handle medium to large sized container and passenger craft while the others deal with the smaller passenger and dive boats that flit between the islands of Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Samui
and Ko Tao
, and the mainland ports at Surat Thani
and Chumphon
, the latter connecting with the daily bus service to Bangkok
.
All roads on the island lead to Thong Sala and anyone planning on visiting the south, west and north coasts of the island - basically anywhere other than Haad Rin - would be well advised to head for Thong Sala and avoid the rollercoaster jeep-taxi ride from Haad Rin to the main part of the island. Motorbike rental is available at many of the guesthouses in the town, which largely cater to those waiting for early boats or arriving on late ones. There is not much of a "scene" for backpackers or bungalow joints in the town itself but a few pubs have popped up and the signs advertising Premiership football and English breakfasts are visible enough on several sidestreets. The town is also the best place on the island to find banking / currency services, pharmacies and assistance from the authorities. Ko Pha Ngan's main post office is located in Thong Sala
Ko Pha Ngan
Ko Pha Ngan is an island in the Gulf of Thailand in South East Thailand. It is famous for its full moon party at Haad Rin Beach and as a backpackers destination. Ko Pha Ngan has two sister islands: the larger Ko Samui to the south and the smaller Ko Tao to the north.* Area: about 168 km²*...
, an island in the Gulf of Thailand
Gulf of Thailand
The Gulf of Thailand , also known in to Malays as Teluk Siam literally meant Gulf of Siam, is a shallow arm of the South China Sea.-Geography:...
. While Haad Rin
Haad Rin
Haad Rin is a peninsular beach area and town on the southern tip of Ko Pha Ngan, an island in the Gulf of Thailand. Its two main beaches are Sunset Beach to the south and the larger Sunrise Beach to the north...
hosts the Full Moon Party
Full Moon Party
The Full Moon Party is an all-night beach party that originated in Haad Rin on the island of Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand on the night before or after every full moon....
and attracts many of the island's more hedonistic visitors, Thong Sala is mostly used by tourists as a ferry terminal and jumping off point rather than a destination in itself.
The port area has three main piers, one of which is able to handle medium to large sized container and passenger craft while the others deal with the smaller passenger and dive boats that flit between the islands of Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Samui
Ko Samui
Ko Samui island of Surat Thani Province , or often, simply Samui as it is referred to by locals, is an island off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus in Thailand, close to the mainland Surat Thani town. It is Thailand's second largest island, with an area of 228.7 km2 and a population of over...
and Ko Tao
Ko Tao
Ko Tao is an island in Thailand located near the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand. It covers an area of about 21 km². Administratively it forms a tambon within the district Ko Pha Ngan of Surat Thani Province. As of 2006 its official population is 1382...
, and the mainland ports at Surat Thani
Surat Thani
Surat Thani is a city in Amphoe Mueang Surat Thani, Surat Thani Province, southern Thailand. It is the capital of the province Surat Thani. The city has a population of 128,179 , and an area of 68.97 square kilometers. The city's population density is 1,858.47 inhabitants per km².Suran Thani is...
and Chumphon
Chumphon
Chumphon is a town in southern Thailand, capital of the Chumphon Province and the Mueang Chumphon district. The city is located about 463 kilometers away from Bangkok...
, the latter connecting with the daily bus service to Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
.
All roads on the island lead to Thong Sala and anyone planning on visiting the south, west and north coasts of the island - basically anywhere other than Haad Rin - would be well advised to head for Thong Sala and avoid the rollercoaster jeep-taxi ride from Haad Rin to the main part of the island. Motorbike rental is available at many of the guesthouses in the town, which largely cater to those waiting for early boats or arriving on late ones. There is not much of a "scene" for backpackers or bungalow joints in the town itself but a few pubs have popped up and the signs advertising Premiership football and English breakfasts are visible enough on several sidestreets. The town is also the best place on the island to find banking / currency services, pharmacies and assistance from the authorities. Ko Pha Ngan's main post office is located in Thong Sala
External links
- Ko Pha Ngan info page at WikiTravel.org
- Thongsala main village of Phangan Island at WikiTravel.org