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Samui's administrative and business centre doesn't offer a great
deal to the short stay tourist. ATM's and postal facilities are
now available in most other places on the island, but Nathon is
the place to go for full banking services and the main Post Office,
which also has a telecoms centre for overseas calls.
For anyone arriving by boat as a passenger, Nathon is also the
island's main port (car ferries dock at Lipa Noi, a few kilometres
south) and jumping off point for the islands of Koh Tao, Koh Phangan
and mainland Surat Thani. To service the backpacker trade, a small
cottage industry of sarong shops, bakeries, second hand bookshops,
travel agents and internet cafes have sprung up along the waterfront.
Nathon is also the only place on Samui to find 'head' shops selling
opium pipes, bongs, king size rizlas and all other manner of dope
paraphernalia. Given the Thais increasingly hardline attitude
towards drugs, it's wise to exercise caution with the use of any
purchases.
The town's main tourist attraction for day trippers is its old
wooden Chinese shophouses that line the middle road, selling an
esoteric range of goods, including a lot of gold. Souvenirs bought
here will also be considerably cheaper than elsewhere on the island.
Food wise, any of the waterfront seafood restaurants are recommended
for a taste of truly authentic and very spicy, local cuisine.
Hotel accommodation is cheap and plentiful, but as few tourists
have any need to stay the night, it's primarily aimed at the local
market.
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