Major city · Thailand
Thong Salaท้องศาลา
Spend one day in Thong Sala to see the night market, grab a cheap all‑you‑can‑BBQ, then catch a ferry to Haad Rin or Thong Nai Pan.
Thong Sala is the main port of Ko Pha‑ngan. Ferries arrive from Ko Samui, Surat Thani and Don Sak, and the village offers a night market, cheap eateries and basic accommodation. One full day covers the market, a quick massage or dance session, and a ferry connection to the island’s main attractions.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- THB
- Best months
- Feb–Sep (dry season on the Gulf side)
- avoid Oct–Dec (monsoon season, rough seas and frequent ferry cancellations)
- Airport
- USM
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Thailand ↗Check entry rules and any arrival card on the official Thai government sites for your passport; visa-exempt stays and pre-arrival forms change.
- Thailand ↗Do not criticise or mock the monarchy: insulting the royal family is a criminal offence.
- Thailand ↗Temples and palaces: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off before entering halls.
- Thailand ↗E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal to import or use; do not pack them.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Thong Sala191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Thong Sala, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Thai baht (THB, ฿).Thailand-wide
- SIM or eSIMAIS and TrueMove H sell tourist SIMs at airport arrivals; passport registration is required.Thailand-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Thailand-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: Leave ฿20–100 (≈ US$1–4) or the coins; skip it if a 10% service charge is on the bill.Thailand-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/O. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Thailand-wide
- SafetyThong Sala is generally safe; keep an eye on your belongings in night‑market crowds and agree taxi fares before boarding.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in malls and hotels; squat toilets with a water bucket in rural stops.Thailand-wide
- Emergency numbers191 police · 1669 ambulance · 1155 tourist police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany Bangkok street-food vendors stay off the main roads on Mondays (street-cleaning day in several districts)…Thailand-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportUSM Samui International Airport (Main gateway for Ko Samui ferries to Thong Sala (≈1 h boat).).
- Getting aroundTaxis from the pier cost 100–150 baht (≈ US$4–5) to Haad Rin, 150 baht (≈ US$5) to the island’s northwest, 200–250 baht (≈ US$7–8) to Thong Nai Pan.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealFood market snack (pad Thai, som tam)฿30–70 (≈ US$1–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from pier to Haad Rin฿100–150 (≈ US$4–5)
- Budget bedShambhala bungalow, a night, per room฿600 (≈ US$19)
- Mid-range bedShambhala bungalow, a night, per room฿900 (≈ US$30)
- High-end bedShambhala bungalow, a night, per room฿1,200 (≈ US$40)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ฿300 (≈ US$10) · Mid ฿600 (≈ US$19) · High ฿900 (≈ US$30)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- USM Samui International Airport (Main gateway for Ko Samui ferries to Thong Sala (≈1 h boat).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Feb–Sep. Avoid: Oct–Dec. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C) low), wettest Jul (9 rain days), driest Apr (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Thong Sala: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
5 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
5 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
4 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
5 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
7 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
9 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
9 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
8 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
6 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxis from the pier cost 100–150 baht to Haad Rin, 150 baht to the island’s northwest, 200–250 baht to Thong Nai Pan. Scooter rentals 100–150 baht per day and may require a passport deposit.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Haad Rin (Full Moon Party area)
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Taxi from Thong Sala pier, 100–150 baht (≈ US$4–5)
Share a taxi with 10–12 people to keep cost low.
Thong Nai Pan (secluded east‑coast beaches)
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Taxi 200–250 baht (≈ US$7–8)
Best for a quiet beach day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Shambhala Bungalow Village
Bungalows 2 km (1.2 mi) north of Thong Sala, 600–1,200 baht per night, no air‑con, free Wi‑Fi.Bungalows 1.2 mi (2 km) north of Thong Sala, 600–1,200 baht per night, no air‑con, free Wi‑Fi.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ฿300–500 (≈ US$10–16) excl. bed
- Mid
- ฿600–900 (≈ US$19–30) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Shambhala bungalow1 × 1 night × ฿600 | ฿600 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ฿300 | ฿300 |
| Ferry from Ko Samui to Thong Sala1 × ฿200 · Standard ferry, 1 h. | ฿200 |
| Scooter rental (1 day)1 × ฿100 · Check passport deposit. | ฿100 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ฿120 |
| Trip total≈ ฿1,320 per person per day, bed included | ฿1,320≈ US$45 |
Check seasonal rates.
2026 estimate in baht; flights and inter‑island ferries excluded.
Prices of common things
| Food market snack (pad Thai, som tam) | ฿30–70 (≈ US$1–3) |
| All‑you‑can‑BBQ plate | ฿99 (≈ US$4) |
| Traditional Thai massage (60 min) | ฿200–300 (≈ US$7–10) |
| Taxi from pier to Haad Rin | ฿100–150 (≈ US$4–5) |
| Scooter rental (per day) | ฿100–150 (≈ US$4–5) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Taxi prices are fixed but can be high for newcomers; walk to the roundabout taxi station for better rates.
- Scooter hire requires passport deposit and strict damage fees.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Ambulance
- 1669
- Tourist police
- 1155
Pocket card
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Thong Salaท้องศาลา
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
ไปที่นี่ได้ไหมTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Ambulance1669
- Tourist police1155
Embassy
US consular services are in Surat Thani (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ferry Ko Samui → Thong Sala: ≈฿200, 1 h (check schedule)
- Taxi pier → Haad Rin: ≈฿100, 15 min
Say or show
- เท่าไหร่ — How much is this? (tâo‑rài)
- ที่จุดรับแท็กซี่อยู่ที่ไหน — Where is the taxi stand? (tîi jùt ráp táek‑sîi yùu têe năi)
- ขอเช่าสกู๊ตเตอร์ — I would like a scooter, please (kŏr châo sà‑gûut‑têr)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Thong Sala. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Feb–Sep (dry season on the Gulf side) · avoid Oct–Dec (monsoon season, rough seas and frequent ferry cancellations) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Thong Sala
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