Nathon

Located on the island's northwest coast, Nathon is Ko Samui's administrative and business centre along with its primary ferry port. A bustling, typical mid-sized Thai town, visitors are most likely to find themselves here on a transit basis, for a spot of shopping, or, in the past, to perhaps to visit the immigration office (which has now moved to Mae Nam) – it does not otherwise offer much in the way of recreation.

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This said, if you're looking for a reason to peel yourself off the beach for a day but are stuck for a destination, Nathon is a good candidate, due to its abundance of shops offering goods at far cheaper prices than in Samui's tourist centres.

Beach running south from Nathon. Photo taken in or around Nathon, Ko Samui, Thailand by Stuart McDonald.

Beach running south from Nathon. Photo: Stuart McDonald

Wooden Chinese shophouses dot the main road, and sell clothing, wood carvings, silk items, arts and crafts and other tourist paraphernalia. Nathon's walking street market is held at the main ferry pier every Saturday night, and is popular with locals and offers cheap street food among other bits ... Travelfish members only (Full text is around 300 words.)

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