Thong Nai Pan Night Market

Thong Nai Pan Night Market was started at the end of 2016. It has already proved a hit with both locals and tourists. It provides more income for local businesses as well as an opportunity for visitors to experience an important part of Thai culture. Since its inception the night market has been well attended and it looks like it will continue to be for the foreseeable future.

The night market is located opposite the 7-11 in Thong Nai Pan Yai. You will find it easily if you walk down the main road heading north (see map below). At present there are in total 8 stalls and a bar. As with many night markets in Thailand and South East Asia the focus is on food. In tropical weather it is pleasing to take the cool air and stroll around food stalls deliberating over what delicacy to try. It is a chance to socialise and court for Thais. It is also a chance for tourists to Thong Nai Pan to experience the gentle atmosphere of a Thai night market in a beach setting. What could be better?

There are 3 stalls selling Thai food. There is 1 Issan food stall. Another option is the crepe stall. Those looking for a sweet snack can try the 2 stalls selling fresh juice and mango with sticky rice. The final stall sells Thai snack food.

You browse the stalls, make your purchase and then grab a table and chairs in the centre of the market. There is seating for about 40 people. Those who fancy a drink have the options of using the bar stall or nipping over to the 7-11. The bar shuts at 21.00. Food dishes cost between 30 and 80 Thai Baht depending on what you have. The beer prices at the bar are the same as in the resorts. The 7-11 option is slightly cheaper.

Thong Nai Pan Night Market is held daily from 16.00 to 22.00. It is run by locals and the food is cooked fresh. It is one of the best ways to try a wider range of Thai dishes than is offered by the resorts and restaurants. Moreover, it is cheap, fun and a unique part of Thai culture.

For those who get the 'night market' bug and want to try other night markets we recommend Suratthani Night Market and Hua Hin Night Market.

 

Flora and Fauna in Thong Nai Pan

I was aimlessly surfing the net today and discovered the official website for the Department of National Parks and Plant Conservation – www.dnp.go.th. It’s a really clunky website; typical of government websites in Thailand, but it does contain some interesting information.

I have always been curious about what flora and fauna you can expect to see in Thong Nai Pan. I have seen large birds, snakes, lizards and a plethora of insects. I have also spotted lots of different types of tree and flower. But beyond personal experience and anecdotal accounts of huge snakes etc., I have been unable to get a definitive list of what you might hope to see in the Thong Nai Pan area. That is until now. The national parks website has a page about Than Sadet, just a few kilometers down the coast. It is a safe bet to say that most of what Than Sadet has got Thong Nai Pan also has.

Here is what the website lists for Than Sadet:

Flora and Geography

Interior: lush primary forests filled with evergreen trees. The forest floor is important as it contains such flora as hopea odorata.

Hillside: dry primary forest with stone channels where important plants such as chukrasia velutina are found. It is a limestone mountain containing Portia tree and hibiscus.

Fauna

Mammals: cervus unicolour (deer), monkey, spectacled langur, slow Loris and Javan mongoose

Birds: brahminy kite, white-bellied sea eagle, hill myna

Snakes: both venomous and non-venomous such as cobra, king cobra, green cat snake, python.

Amphibians: frogs, Blyth’s mountain frog

Other aquatic life: striped sea catfish, striped snake-head fish, crab, shrimp, land tortoise, splendid squid, rainbow cuttle fish.

Shell: oyster, scaly giant clam, abalone.

Sea turtle: green turtle and hawksbill turtle.

Notes

1) The deer, as legend has it, were released under the orders of King Rama V around Than Sadet. I’ve never met anyone who has seen one of these deer. They are protected by royal edict but who knows if they established themselves into the island’s eco-system.
2) To this list I would add monitor lizards, geckos and numerous birds (see bird’s of Thong Nai Pan post) and water buffalo (domesticated), dogs (domesticated) and cats (domesticated)

Football on the Beach

It’s the battle of the resorts. A football competition to decide the resort with the most skillful football players. Yes, the annual Thong Nai Pan Football competition was held a few weeks ago.

The level of play is never particularly high. You can watch for a long time before you witness a goal. It makes a pleasant enough spectacle when you have a cold beverage to enjoy. Part of the problem is the soft white sand – it’s great for lying on, but not an ideal football playing surface. Your feet tend to drag in the sand when you try to kick the ball.

Perhaps the Brazilian sport of playing keepy uppy volleyball with a football is a better activity for the beach.

Anyway the workers of Panviman, Santhiya, Rasananda etc. take the competition with an exemplary amount of seriousness. Both beaches take part.

In case the suspense is killing you, Buri Rasa won this year. Well done Buri Rasa. We know very little about the Buri Rasa Resort since it is not finished, but we do know the resort staff are champions.

Sri Achala House is finished

Exciting news. Sri Achala House near the beautiful beach of Ao Thong Nai Pan Noi on the tropical island of Koh Phangan is finished. Just a few snags and a bit of gardening to do and this unique luxury villa will be ready for occupancy. It's looking stunning. The concept of the villa is exactly right for the location. The sea views have been maximised and the house blends naturally into the hill side. 

New blog website

Check out: www.thongnaipan.wordpress.com

For lots of information about accommodation, bars and restaurants; as well as travel information and galleries. A good resource for the great beaches of Thong Nai Pan on the lush, unspoiled island of Koh Phangan.