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CHUMPHON is a useful departure point for Ko Tao, but of little other interest. Buses from Bangkok arrive at the terminal on Thanon Tha Tapao, one block west of Chumphon's main thoroughfare, Thanon Sala Daeng. Trains stop at the station about 500m further north. Most guesthouses sell tickets for boats to Ko Tao ; otherwise, try Songserm Travel (tel 077/502023) or Infinity Travel (tel 077/501937), both on Thanon Tha Tapao. There are two departure points for Ko Tao boats, both from the port area at Pak Nam, 14km southeast of Chumphon. Songthaews to the Tha Yang pier leave from Chumpon's Thanon Paramin Manda, but for the Tha Reua Ko Tao pier you'll need to take the taxi vans arranged by guesthouses. Chumphon's guesthouses are used to accommodating Ko Tao-bound travellers, so it's generally no problem to check into a room for half a day before catching the night boat. Most places will also store luggage for you until your return to the mainland. Mayaze's Resthouse, off Thanon Sala Daeng at 111/35 Soi Bangkok Bank (tel 077/504452; $5-10) is friendly and highly recommended, with nicely maintained rooms. Staff at New Chumphon Guesthouse (aka Miao), on the quiet, residential Komluang Chumphon Soi 1 (tel 077/502900; under $5), are also friendly and clued-up; rooms are small, with shared facilities. Sooksamer Guesthouse at 118/4 Thanon Sooksamer (tel 077/502430; under $5) is cheap but rather rundown. The best value of the town's mid-range hotels is Paradorm Inn at 180/12 Thanon Paradorm, east off Thanon Sala Daeng (tel 077/511597; $5-15); all rooms have air con, TV and there's a pool. The night market sets up along both sides of Thanon Sala Daeng. There is an Internet service at Ban's Diving offices on Thanon Tha Tapao, a couple of minutes' walk south of Songserm Travel.
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