Know Your Landmarks from Thong Sala to Ban Tai

Welcome to Koh Phangan! We hope you enjoyed your ferry trip here and that the sea was not so choppy.

Want to figure your way around a little? Well let’s start with a drive from the pier at Thong Sala to Ban Tai with a few interesting landmarks for you to know on the way.

When you get off the pier you will be hounded by taxi drivers, maybe you find the one that is booked for your resort, good on you. But maybe you want to start your adventure on your own bike, bike rented or on foot you will see this road as you come out of the pier.
 
This road will take you to the centre of Thong Sala, but we’re taking the shortcut to Ban Tai through walking street so follow us!

When you turn right here you can stop at one of Koh Phangan's most estblished and loved businesses Nira's Bakery.

Have a coffee and some breakfast and enjoy the air con before you move on...

On your right as you go towards Walking Street there is a large area where you will find the daily Thai exercise classes being held and a great view out on the ocean.

Keep going straight and you will find yourself at the start of Walking Street.

This is the road where the famous Saturday Market is held, selling all sorts of goods from clothes to stalls from 4 - 10pm each Saturday.

It's quite a narrow street but it has some interesting shops located here that you may want to check out on your way, or later.

A useful thing to know is that this is where Koh Phangan's main Post Office is, if you're coming from Thong Sala as we are then it's about half way up on your right.

Keep on going up this street and you will pass all of the shops but a little way up, take a look back to see this beautiful creation on the wall.

Right so now we are at the top of the street, be careful here as there will be traffic turning on to this road from the left to join you going straight ahead.

Here the road becomes a main one, wider and with more traffic so be aware if you're on a bike.

Well also if you're walking on the sides of the road!

On this road you will find many bars, shops and places to stay on the way.

Some of the first you will see will be The Local, with it's vinyl nights and Esco Bar, these are on the left hand side as you head towards Ban Tai.

Good places to note along the way are Makro, a wholesale store but you can also shop there if you are not a business.

If you're staying for a while and want to cook at home then you can by stuff from here.

It is located on the left next to this boxing stadium...

Another good thing to know about this road is this is where First Western Hospital is.

This is a modern hospital and the newest with Western and Thai staff.

We hope you don't need to go here but it's worth knowing the location of the hospitals closest to you.

Keep going down this road and you will go past one of the newest accomodation places First & Frang in the area on your right.

And next door is a kind of garden centre, selling all sorts from plants to building materials.

As you move further down this is where it gets more bustling.

You'll go past Outlaws Saloon, a great place for steak, burgers and roast dinners with a western comfy theme inside.

And next to this again on the left is Big C, one of Phangan's major supermarkets.

It's not wholesale and also sells things like deodorant, beauty products and kitchenware etc...

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday there is a market in the front car park where you can find food and also things like sunglasses and clothes including second hand goods.

Carry on and on your right you will go past Food Factory, a 24 place to eat or watch sports and lots of bars.

There is also a place selling beautiful Thai statues...

As you go further this will get you to the main part of Ban Tai.

Look out for the Moulin Rouge and its red windmill on the left, this is when you know you've got to Ban Tai area.

There are some large hostels in this area where you can stay with great facilities.

It is a good location as it's not far from Haad Rin or Thong Sala, nicely situated in the southern central part of the island.

What few people may know is that Thong Sala and Ban Tai have some great artwork pieces.

Like with the Elephant on Walking Street, don't forget to look out for painted hostels on this road...

So now you're fully in Ban Tai.

As you continue down the road gets slightly narrower but is still main.

Enjoy the ocean view as the buldings get smaller.

Look out for this statue.

Tucked away on the left...

Hope you've enjoyed the ride and now can navigate this road better and you know where a few things are.

We will leave you here at the 7/11 Ban Tai, opposite Fisherman's restaurant.

Enjoy your adventures in Thong Sala and Ban Tai!