Just to let people know the annual food festival is running for the next few days if anybody is looking for something to do on an evening. Some really good food and entertainment to boot. Its set up at the Seatran pier car park. Well worth a look

What time does most of the stalls starts selling?

Will there be some songthiew transportation running in the evening to Chaweng?

Not only food festival, I guess a Miss Samui 2010 event will also take place? Thanks for reminder Dunc.

Just be aware that, as in most Thai market food festivals, there is probably no clean running water. So just remember that the plates, forks, spoons, glasses etc are being washed in the same water that passing dogs drink from. Hardly hygenic.

Songthiew transport is always available in Samui, it just depends how much you are prepared to pay.

Totally agree about the lack of hygiene,

Just be aware that, as in most Thai market food festivals, there is probably no clean running water. So just remember that the plates, forks, spoons, glasses etc are being washed in the same water that passing dogs drink from. Hardly hygenic.

Songthiew transport is always available in Samui, it just depends how much you are prepared to pay.

Another doom and death merchant that has obviously never been to Nathon. There is a regular food market every night. Water to wash the cutlery is widely available. Just where is this water that passing dogs drink from as living here for a while I seem to have missed it I have eaten there many times and never had any trouble.

How do you people survive in this country. There is also zero refrigeration at any of the markets I buy my food at and it is often wrapped in a banana leaf that has not been sterilised at all. Get real people this is Thailand.

Transport is available from Chawang by songthow for those BRAVE enough to risk it

I have seen vendors washing dishes in tubs of water on the ground during the day, but most of the food I saw at the event was served in disposable containers. Bring your own plate and spoon and everyone will be happy Advantage of an event like this for food safety is high turnover. Especially good for fried foods as oil is more likely to replaced during same night rather than later. No guarantees but hygiene seems to have improved in Thailand over the years and most expats do eat at least sometimes at such events. Incidence of unsafe food is probably lower than we fear here, but it is certainly higher than most realize in America (the only other country for which I am familiar with statistics on food safety issues). My partner loved the glass noodle casserole and wants to go back for more. Miss Samui contest has been a feature all week with winner announced tonight. Does anyone know what variety of English accent the current Miss Samui has (she has spent much of her life in England, speaks fluently, but with a definite accent I don't know enough to recognize).

Just be aware that, as in most Thai market food festivals, there is probably no clean running water. So just remember that the plates, forks, spoons, glasses etc are being washed in the same water that passing dogs drink from. Hardly hygenic.

Songthiew transport is always available in Samui, it just depends how much you are prepared to pay.

Another doom and death merchant that has obviously never been to Nathon. There is a regular food market every night. Water to wash the cutlery is widely available. Just where is this water that passing dogs drink from as living here for a while I seem to have missed it I have eaten there many times and never had any trouble.

How do you people survive in this country. There is also zero refrigeration at any of the markets I buy my food at and it is often wrapped in a banana leaf that has not been sterilised at all. Get real people this is Thailand.

Transport is available from Chawang by songthow for those BRAVE enough to risk it

There are probably many people here that only eat KFC, Pizza, McDonalds etc and only ever buy food from Tesco. SAD

I have had more upset stomachs and food poisoning from dodgy Indians, kebabs and Chinese takeaways back home than I have ever had here. I can guarantee the posters warning of the hygiene will be allergic to something or have a " hyper sensitivity " to something or other. I know of several

It was a good festival enjoyed my lots of people and to date I know of nobody that died of Botulism or other related food HYGIENE problem. A job well done.

I ate numerous times at Nathon food market, never had any health problem. The only bad food experience at Samui was at an Indian restaurant in Lamai.