Thong Sala

The main town on Koh Phangan, most people will just pass through Thong Sala on the way to one of Koh Phangan's many beaches. It's packed with the standard port town stuff - travel agents, tourist shops, restaurants and bars suitable for an hour or so while you wait for a ferry, banks and exchange facilities, internet cafes and medical clinics.

If you're staying close by or need to kill a few hours while waiting for a boat there are a few things to keep you busy - including a newly opened cinema, a gym where you can get Thai boxing lessons, and a paintball battlefield.

With all of the reasons why you may find yourself in Thong Sala, there are very few (if any) reasons why you would choose to stay in Thong Sala. Accommodation options in the town's centre consist mainly of large impersonal hotels and a couple of laid back guest houses. Even if you have an early ferry departure, the resorts on the closest beaches are a better value than the places in town and are still within reach of the pier and Thong Sala's many services.

The town has everything visitors could possibly need. Several banks, ATMs and money exchange kiosks are located a short walk from the pier, as are a countless array of travel agents, markets, pharmacies, internet cafes and some decent shopping. Most places also offer motorbike and jeep rentals.