The main road (in fact, the only road) continues west and south from Bang Po, climbing the steep hill that constitutes a formidable demarcation between the popular resort towns of the island’s northern coast, before descending into the tranquil scruffiness of Nathon and the under-touristed beaches of the west. Located on the north west seaboard of Samui, Nathon is the island’s capital and seat of the municipality and local government. The town also houses the offices of the utility companies; it’s where we pay our bills, and the main branches of the banks, where we have to go when we need a new cheque book.
Nathon is Samui’s principal coastal settlement, the major port and where express and night ferries from piers in Suratthani arrive, disgorging visitors impatient to continue their journey to other of Samui’s resorts or neighbouring islands in the Gulf. Except in transit, hospital or jail – nobody stays in Nathon longer than they have to.
Without much, if any, tourist population of its own, Nathon does a good job preying off the tourist spend of the more popular resorts. The same souvenirs, holiday clothing and nick-nacks available everywhere else on the island are usually quite a bit cheaper in Nathon. The intentionally early morning departure times of ferries to the mainland can make a last night in Nathon an attractive option.
We still haven’t figured out which days of the week Nathon plays host in one of the port car parks to local cooks and cafes, but it’s worth the trip. Similar to a Singapore style hawker’s centre the variety and quality of food is excellent.
Nathon has preserved many of the old teak Chinese shop-houses and cafes, and the town is compact for the most part and walkable. Away from the touristic hustle and bustle of the port one can still sense a village atmosphere and in the side streets and covered market experience a glimpse of (almost) authentic village life.
Nathon
The main road (in fact, the only road) continues west and south from Bang Po, climbing the steep hill that constitutes a formidable demarcation between the popular resort towns of the island’s northern coast, before descending into the tranquil scruffiness of Nathon and the under-touristed beaches of the west. Located on the north west seaboard of Samui, Nathon is the island’s capital and seat of the municipality and local government. The town also houses the offices of the utility companies; it’s where we pay our bills, and the main branches of the banks, where we have to go when we need a new cheque book.
Nathon is Samui’s principal coastal settlement, the major port and where express and night ferries from piers in Suratthani arrive, disgorging visitors impatient to continue their journey to other of Samui’s resorts or neighbouring islands in the Gulf. Except in transit, hospital or jail – nobody stays in Nathon longer than they have to.
Without much, if any, tourist population of its own, Nathon does a good job preying off the tourist spend of the more popular resorts. The same souvenirs, holiday clothing and nick-nacks available everywhere else on the island are usually quite a bit cheaper in Nathon. The intentionally early morning departure times of ferries to the mainland can make a last night in Nathon an attractive option.
We still haven’t figured out which days of the week Nathon plays host in one of the port car parks to local cooks and cafes, but it’s worth the trip. Similar to a Singapore style hawker’s centre the variety and quality of food is excellent.
Nathon has preserved many of the old teak Chinese shop-houses and cafes, and the town is compact for the most part and walkable. Away from the touristic hustle and bustle of the port one can still sense a village atmosphere and in the side streets and covered market experience a glimpse of (almost) authentic village life.
Photo source: Kinumi Yoshida コサムイ現地ガイド