The End of Flip Flop Pharmacy and Baan Pongs

Flip Flop Pharmacy and Baan Pongs were two businesses next to each other that looked like one business. This continually led to people getting confused about having to go to the bar to get a draft beer with their food because Baan Pong only sold bottled beer.

Despite this confusion they were great places to hang out on Thong Nai Pan Noi, both beach front in the middle of the beach.

Flip Flop served cold Tiger and Singha and had a free pool table and was perfect for a mid-day boozy beverage. Baan Pong had an excellent menu of Thai, Burmese and Western Cuisine. The presentation was just a little better than other restaurants on the beach. The water feature, mood lighting and bean bags made the restaurant stylish.

Now both Flip Flop and Baan Pongs are shut. They had their last night of business April 7th. It seems the owner of the land has decided not to renew the lease. He obviously fancies tapping into the tourist bucks these places produce. Fair enough. I hope he does it as well as his predecessors did.

Wedding on Thong Nai Pan

A touching blog I read recently - My impromptu Wedding on Thong Nai Pan Noi. It is good to see the art of catering for strangers' needs is not dead. This Dutch couple got married on Thong Nai Pan Noi beach. Baan Panburi have been known to do a wedding or two in their time. Big up to Baan Panburi for sending newly weds off into the journey of matrimony on the right note!

Beginnings and Ends

The Doors Bar and Restaurant in Thong Nai Pan Noi has closed down. It is a shame - the beautiful wooden building was a positive asset to the beach. I guess the location was the biggest problem for the commercial viability of the business - it was simply too far from the beach front. The same can be said for the Otto Bungalows next door and the Pankaew Restaurant. These two businesses seem to survive on near zero customers.

Another change is the KP Property Office. Recently it was re-designed so the front entrance was facing the main thorough-fare in Thong Nai Pan Noi. Now rumour has it that it is closing down and the premises are to be taken over and turned into a cafe.

The final piece of news is that Thong Nai Pan Magazine now has links to hotel booking engines so you can read independent reviews about accommodation in Thong Nai Pan and then book on-line. Obviously, old school places such as Tapan Noi and Pen's Bungalows continue to opt out of internet booking schemes. If you want to book the very popular Dolphin Bungalows then you have to contact the owners by email.