The English spelling is Thongson Bay or Tongson Bay. The Russian transliteration is more diverse: Tong-Son, Thongson, Thong-Son and Tongson.
If you look at the beach using Google Maps in satellite mode you can see that Thongson Bay stretches more than 0.5 miles (half a kilometre) from west to east along the northern edge of Koh Samui island.
Beach Overview
Thongson from left to right:
- The first 820 feet (250 metres) consist of a rocky area.
- The next 820 feet (250 metres) are a sandy beach where most holidaymakers gather.
- A small rocky area and Thongson bay’s bonus – a small secret beach on private territory.
The width of the beach remains practically unchanged throughout its length. The sand at Thongson beach is greyish. It’s very soft, clingy and fine like semolina – impossible to shake off wet skin and clothes. Closer to the water in the surf zone lies coarser sand with very small pebbles and shells.
Cleanliness at Thongson is maintained by the staff of Melati Beach Resort & SPA 5 so opposite the hotel itself in the centre of the beach and in its eastern part it’s very clean with no dry seaweed, old coconuts or plastic bottles. Towards the western edge of the beach it’s slightly dirtier but the rubbish is of natural origin.
Also there are no stormwater drainage outlets, water intake pipes, electric wires and no smelly streams throughout the beach area. Unlike on Chaweng Noi beach for example.
During high season Thongson beach doesn’t have as many people as Chaweng, Lamai and Maenam. Here you can see or rather hear many European-speaking tourists who come to the beach with their families. The number of people doesn’t force you to look for distant corners of the beach for privacy.
10 feet (3 metres) from a large shady tree there’s a natural paddling pool for little ones. You can let the kids play there while keeping an eye on them relaxing on your beach mat rather than frozen in a sprinter’s starting position. The water in the paddling pool recedes with the tide so by noon only a puddle with stones and hot water remains.
Swimming
Before low tide the entrance to the sea is relatively free from stones and corals which are further from the shore and don’t interfere with swimming. The sea depth allows adults to swim 100 feet (30 metres) from the shore without touching the bottom.
After the tide goes out the sea recedes closer to underwater surprises and you have to look for clean patches of sandy bottom where it’s safe to walk barefoot. The sea becomes much shallower which is perfect for pre-school children but older people have to walk 150-300 feet (50-100 metres) further out.
At the peak of low tide 150 feet (50 metres) from the shore the water depth for an adult is just above the knee. Large waves don’t often occur at Thongson beach there are no seasonal underwater currents as observed at Lamai and no dangerous creatures underwater.
Despite this it’s not recommended to swim far from shore in the evening and especially at night to avoid encounters with jellyfish.
Sunbeds and Shade
The sunbeds not for public use belong to the hotel. There’s no sunbed rental on the beach. There are only two natural sources of shade on the beach: a palm tree opposite Melati Beach Resort & SPA 5 and a spreading tree at the eastern edge of Thongson.
Beach Photos
Thongson itself
Hidden beach
To the right of the main beach there are about 300 feet (100 metres) of rocky terrain and behind them is a section of Thongson beach hidden from prying eyes where mainly nudist sunbathers wander. Access to this little beach is only possible through the rocks but the rocks aren’t slippery although you probably wouldn’t go there with children.
Amenities
Thongson Bay is located in the north of Koh Samui in its least populated part. Right by the beach is the large Melati Beach Resort & SPA 5 hotel whose territory stretches 1000 feet (300 metres) from the sea.
To get to the nearest Thai shop you need to drive 0.3 miles (half a kilometre). The shop’s range is strikingly minimalist: beer, crisps and instant noodles. There’s also a water dispenser there. To get to the nearest “7\11” mini-market you’ll have to travel almost 0.6 miles (1 kilometre) to the intersection with Ring Road.
On the way to the ring road there are laundries, water dispensers and Thai cafes. Large supermarkets are about 6 miles (9-10 kilometres) away which is a twenty-minute drive if there’s no traffic and you’re not in a hurry.
The nearest attractions for those living in the Thongson area are a ten-minute drive from the beach: Plah Laem Sor temple and Big Buddha. Koh Samui airport is located 3 miles (5 kilometres) from Thongson.
Planes can’t be heard on the beach itself and no discomfort is felt from such proximity. But the taxi fare to the airport is the most reasonable on the island. Entertainment is represented by kayak rentals and a single restaurant with affordable cocktail prices.
Accommodation
If you look at the sea while lying on a sunbed at Melati Beach Resort & SPA 5 to the right of the hotel there’s a resort with about ten bungalow-type cottages.
Within 0.6 miles (1 kilometre) of Melati in this area there are several resorts and one recently built condominium Tse Residence by Samui Emerald Condominiums 3 . Currently there are more jungles than buildings in this area.
On the right in the mountains road construction is in full swing and soon development will begin along it. If you want to book a hotel here in advance or look for accommodation on other beaches I have a selection of hotels on Koh Samui with good ratings and reviews.
How to find the beach
You need to drive to the arch located above the road leading to Big Buddha. Near this arch the road turns right and about 1600 feet (500 metres) along the way there will be a Family Market. Turn left after it and continue until you reach a large wooden stela with the name of Melati Beach Resort & SPA 5 .
From there signs will guide you to Nantra Thongson Bay Resort & Villas 3 . Before the beach entrance there’s a fairly large free shaded car park with space for about ten cars.
