Thong Sala (ท้องศาลา) is the main port and largest settlement on Ko Pha Ngan.
- 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.
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.
- Lim Ping Pong. An 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-Lotus. 10:00-22:00.. Decent supermarket with a delicious and inexpensive bakery.
Lim Ping Pong. An 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-Lotus. 10:00-22:00.. Decent supermarket with a delicious and inexpensive bakery.
Thong Sala has a food night market which consists of multiple food carts ranging from ready made curry stalls, made-to-order restaurant carts, noodle carts, chicken vendors, and desserts such as Thai confections and banana rotee (pancakes).
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 Loco. Thong 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 Bakery. Great 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 Chiara. A simple but complete Italian restaurant. Good pizzas and pastas, helpful Italian owner.
- Umi, 73/10 Moo 1, +66 77 377815. 10:00-18:00. Vegetarian. Simple and delicious curries, salads and soups from around the world. Daily specials menu including Indian, Korean, African, Mediterranean, and other world food.
- Yellow Cafe. 07:30-17:00. A Ko Pha Ngan original, famous for delicious deli snacks, hill tribe coffee, and a lush tropical garden.
Ando Loco. Thong 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 Bakery. Great 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 Chiara. A simple but complete Italian restaurant. Good pizzas and pastas, helpful Italian owner.
Umi, 73/10 Moo 1, +66 77 377815. 10:00-18:00. Vegetarian. Simple and delicious curries, salads and soups from around the world. Daily specials menu including Indian, Korean, African, Mediterranean, and other world food.
Yellow Cafe. 07:30-17:00. A Ko Pha Ngan original, famous for delicious deli snacks, hill tribe coffee, and a lush tropical garden.
- AmStardam Bar. Amazing sunset views, and sometimes hosts a "warm up" party to the Full Moon a few days in advance.
- The Harp Bar, 74/4 Moo 1 (opposite the pier. 09:00-02:00. Serves food from 09:00-24:00. Great menu with traditional Irish and world food. Full-sized pool table and a free jukebox.
- The Masons Arms, +66 77 238526. A 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.
AmStardam Bar. Amazing sunset views, and sometimes hosts a "warm up" party to the Full Moon a few days in advance.
The Harp Bar, 74/4 Moo 1 (opposite the pier. 09:00-02:00. Serves food from 09:00-24:00. Great menu with traditional Irish and world food. Full-sized pool table and a free jukebox.
The Masons Arms, +66 77 238526. A 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.
Thong Sala is well serviced and has numerous facilities. There is a police station, hospital (with English speaking doctors and staff), laundries, pharmacies, a post office, five banks, ATMs, money exchanges, and Western Union.
- 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