Ko Samui , often called just Samui is an island in the Gulf of Thailand, some 700km south of Bangkok and about 80km from the eastern coastline of southern Thailand.
Koh Samui or Samui Island (in Thai language "Koh" means "Island") is in general considered as the second most beautiful tourism spot in Thailand. But those who want to enjoy the natural beauties with serene environment will be sceptic of this opinion. Koh Samui is simply the best place for them. Over the years it has attracted many foreigners, especially from Europe. It's interesting that many foreign travellers who came to Koh Samui just to pass vacation, couldn't avoid falling in love of its beauty. Eventually they settled there and this is reflected from a large number of foreign residents there.
When we first wrote about Koh Samui in the mid 1980s we predicted that the building of an airport on the island would forever change its character—and not for the better. Well Samui has its airport and though there have been some significant changes it’s still a very pleasant place to go. The only people likely to complain are those who spent time there when it was in its undeveloped state. Samui still has lovely clean beaches with magical blue-green colored water and an idyllic atmosphere—it’s just that there are now three to four times as many people enjoying it as before.
Koh Samui is at 295 mile or 475 km south of Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.
History
An island of great natural beauty and variety, Samui is home to about 40,000 full-time inhabitants, 90% of whom are Buddhist. The palm fringed shoreline and coconut and fruit cultivation of the coastal lowlands rise to a central granite massive, the slopes of which are cloaked in virgin rainforest.
At 247km² Samui is the third largest island in Thailand and the largest island in an archipelago of over 80 (mostly uninhabited) islands which form the Ang Thong National Marine Park, a kayaking and snorkeling paradise. At 25km long and 21km wide, Samui is big enough for serious exploration by the adventurous and fit, but can be circumnavigated in just a couple of hours by motorbike or car.
The island was probably first inhabited about 15 centuries ago, settled by fishermen from the Malay Peninsula and Southern China. It appears on Chinese maps dating back to 1687, under the name Pulo Cornam. The name Samui is mysterious in itself. Perhaps it is an extension of the name of one of the native trees, mui, or it is a corruption of the Chinese word Saboey, meaning "safe haven".
Until the late 20th century, Samui was an isolated self-sufficient community, having little connection with the mainland of Thailand. The island was even without roads until the early 1970s, and the 15km journey from one side of the island to the other involved a whole-day trek through the mountainous central jungles.
In the early 1970s the first backpackers traveling on the back of a coconut boat arrived on Ko Samui. For years after that the island just had a few bungalows and a trickle of travelers. Things started to change in the early 1990s when tourists started arriving in full boats and since then the place grew substantially. Samui is now the second most popular place as an island destination in Thailand (first is Phuket). Ko Samui may not be the country’s most beautiful island but it is still an oasis of natural beauty with its white sandy beaches, dazzling coral, luscious lagoons, picturesque waterfalls, swaying coconut trees and crystal clear water.
Unfortunately, development on Ko Samui is starting to take its toll and the beaches of Chaweng and Lamai are overcrowded in the high season.
When to go
Samui's weather patterns are a little different from the rest of Thailand. In April through September, when most of the country has its monsoon, Samui stays fairly dry, but from October to December, it's wet in Samui and drier elsewhere. The driest season of all, though, is January through March.
What to see
Beaches
Ko Samui is all in all a fairly big island. The most popular and commercialised beaches are Chaweng and Lamai, while the northern beaches and their adjacent villages of Mae Nam, Bophut, Bang Rak (Big Buddha) and Choeng Mon are more peaceful choices, and the west coast beaches are still (comparatively) quiet.
Clockwise from Nathon on the west coast, the main beaches are:
Nathon - Samui's port and administrative center, but with little to attract the tourist
Mae Nam - a quiet and beautiful beach on the northern coast
Bophut - known for its Fisherman's Village, laid-back but growing fast
Bang Rak - at the northeastern tip, home of the Big Buddha
Choeng Mon - quiet North shore beach
Chaweng - the largest and most-developed beach, with a curious mix of luxury hotels and backpacker guesthouses and a hopping nightlife
Lamai - Samui's "second" beach south of Chaweng, more backpackery than Chaweng
South Coast - the small beaches of Ban Hua Thanon, Na Khai, Laem Set, Bang Kao and Thong Krut
How to get there
A 300 baht surcharge is levied on domestic departures, as well as the 500 baht surcharge on international departures. If you fly via Bangkok to an international destination the tax is only 200 baht as the Bangkok international departure tax is already included in your ticket ex Bangkok. These charges are not included in the ticket price.
Samui Airport
By plane
Ko Samui Airport (USM) is a private airport originally built by Bangkok Airways, which is still the main operator and was for a long time the only airline with services to Ko Samui from Thailand until Thai Airways started in April 2008 to operate some flights between Bangkok and Ko Samui. They have near-hourly departures to/from Bangkok and tickets are expensive by Thai standards, with advance bookings costing 2000-3500 baht, while a walk-in booking may be twice as much. There are also daily flights to/from Phuket for 2200 baht, U-Tapao, and Singapore; four direct flights a week from Chiang Mai (but no direct flights in the opposite direction); and twice weekly flights to/from Hong Kong.
In addition to Bangkok Air, Ko Samui is served two flights a day from Bangkok with Thai Airways as well as by Berjaya Air from Kuala Lumpur and Firefly from Penang and Subang airport (Kuala Lumpur) in Malaysia.
Visa-on-Arrival and Visa-Free entry is available at Samui Airport for some nationalities - see Thailand for more information.
Ground transportation from the airport is readily available. A seat in a minibus for the 20-minute ride to Chaweng costing 100 baht/person; a faster taxi will cost 150-300 baht. Be sure to negotiate the rate to your destination before you get into the taxi since many drivers refuse to use their meters.
A cheaper but less convenient option is to fly to Surat Thani and connect by road and then ferry.
By boat
From Surat Thani train station and Surat Thani Airport (URT), there are combined bus/ferry services to Ko Samui cost 200-300 baht - some entail a 60 minute bus ride followed by a 90 minute ferry crossing, others a 30 minute bus ride but the ferry takes extra time. Tickets are sold by numerous agents that meet each train and airport. Should cost less than 300 baht (return combo ticket to either Surat Thani city, airport or train station bought on the Na Thon pier on Samui normally costs 220 baht) There are 2 Ferry companies (departures every 30 mins).
Numerous ferry services are direct from mainland Surat Thani include an express boat (3 departures daily, taking around 3 hours and costing 150 baht) and slow night boats (taking 6-7 hours). Call operator Songserm Travel (252 9654 in Bangkok) for the latest schedules, which vary according to the season.
There are also regular speedboats and ferries to Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao.
Lomprayah offers a combined bus/high speed catamaran ferry service from Bangkok to Ko Samui which takes about 11 hours (5.5 of them by boat) and costs around 1250 baht (1000 baht in the opposite direction). The bus pauses in Hua Hin and then stops at Chumphon, where it connects with the ferry, which calls at Ko Nang Yuan, Ko Tao and Ko Pha Ngan on its way to Ko Samui.
Getting around
As on many islands in Thailand, small motorbikes are available for rental. Compared to other nearby islands, Samui's road systems is very developed and there are plenty of taxis cruising about, although it's a challenge to get them to use their meters.
Taxi
The Ko Samui Taxi Service is a public taxi service, which cost around 50 Baht.
By bus
Pickup trucks/public passenger pick-up vehicles (songthaews) also serve as group taxis. Hail one on any major road with a wave or yell, negotiate a fare, and sit down on the bench in the back. Fares are around 10 Baht per person. In the event you wish to hire own personally then you ought to negotiate the cost first.
Motorbike
Motorbikes can be rented virtually anywhere on Ko Samui for between 120-700 Baht per day depending on the size. It is recommended though, to hire only from a reputable company as there have been reports of scams; that is where some places deliberately steal bikes that they have rented out. If hiring a bike doesn’t appeal to you then there are motorbike-taxis willing to take you around for a small fee.
Bicycles Bicycles can be hired very cheaply on Ko Samui, one shouldn’t cost any more than a couple of US dollars per day.
What to See
Grandfather and grandmother stones Ko Samui
The major reason why people come to Samui is, quite simply, to enjoy the beaches. Even though the two main beaches of Chaweng and Lamai have generally suffered due to mass development over the past decade they are still relatively impressive. Development has been thwarted slightly because of the island’s regulation governing height restriction.
Other than lying on the beach with a cold beer in hand and ogling at the babes and hunks sauntering past, there isn't all that much to see on the island. A certain pair of rocks on Lamai amuses some visitors, Bang Rak has a large but nondescript Buddha statue, and there are some waterfalls (notably Na Muang) of minor interest.
Chaweng Beach is the major beach on Ko Samui and one that has developed tremendously since the early 1990s. Just 20 years ago the beach was home to just a sprinkle of wooden bungalows but now the place is swamped with 4-5 star hotels, Italian pizza joints, Irish pubs and even go-go bars. Samui’s nightlife is becoming legendary but unfortunately not always attracting the best standard of tourist. Chaweng’s once ‘hippy’ only backpackers have given way to a lot of ‘lager louts’. Chaweng is the place to be if you are looking for a rowdy reckless party scene.
Lamai Beach Like Chaweng, Lamai has transformed from a ‘hippy’ hangout into a fun, party place packed out with bars and exciting nightlife. The beach though, is still in better condition than Chaweng and the place doesn’t get quite so crowded. If it’s a quiet relaxing location you are after, then Lamai won’t be the ideal place for you. At the southern end of Lamai, there are some odd-looking rock formations.
Maenam Beach This quite beach, located in the north of the island is decent enough for swimming and sunbathing especially for families with children due to the shallow water.
Bophut Beach situated in the north of the island, is a popular starting point for diving tours. The place isn’t in any way as developed as Chaweng but there are still plenty of restaurants, shops and bars.
Choengmon Beach is in the North-East of Samui just 10 minutes from Chaweng. Unlike the latter it is a perfect place for relaxing.
Big Buddha Beach Located in the north-east of Samui, Big Buddha offers visitors good swimming and lovely views. The area has developed a lot over the past few years and there are now a plentitude of restaurants, shops and bars.
Na Thon - The island's major seafront settlement where shops, restaurants and tour agencies are concentrated.
Namtok Hin Lat – This waterfall is easily accessible by car. Some of the numerous tiny levels have a large basin for swimmers.
Namtok Na Mueang – A local road leads to the Na Mueang 1 Waterfall. A walk of about 30 minutes ends up at the more scenic Na Mueang 2 Waterfall. Purple rocks surround the stream of water, which gushes in from an impressive height of around 79 meters.
Ban Lipa Yai – This village grows high quality fruits, including rambutan, durian, mangosteen and the famed langsat.
Old House – This Chinese-style house, aged almost 200 years, represents Samui’s cultural identity. Grandpa Si and Grandma Maen Hancharoen, the present owner, open the house to visitors.
Other island attractions include coral beds at Laem Set and Thong Takhian; the nearby butterfly garden and aquarium; a snake farm; a monkey theatre at Bo Phut and a massive seated Buddha image on Fan isle.
Wat Khunaram Ko Samui This temple is the island’s most famous temple for its mummified monk on display. The mummy sits upright in a glass casket and devotees offer it flowers and incense. The mummy is in fact the body of a very revered former abbot of the temple who was also a meditation master that was able to predict his own death.
Grandmother and Grandfather Rocks These odd-looking rocks situated on Lamai beach bear a striking resemblance to male and female sexual organs and they have turned into one of the island’s biggest attractions. For those who would like to hear a legend or two surrounding the rocks, they need only ask a local.
Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo Ko Samui Located at Ban Harn beach, the Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo offer a fun day out for the family. The undersea world of the aquarium has an amazing collection of tropical fish and other vibrant aquatic animals such as turtles and colorful coral. The tiger zoo is home to Bengal tigers and leopards. For those who are daring enough, they can have their photograph taken with the awesome animals. The Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo are open daily from 9AM till 6PM.
Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai) Also known as the Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai), has a 15 meter tall statue of the Buddha. It was built in 1972 and is in the north of the island.
Laem Sor Pagoda Ko Samui This chedi (pagoda) situated at Laem Sor temple is one of the most important shrines on Ko Samui. The structure with its yellow tiles which gives off a golden aura is quite impressive.
Samui Butterful Garden / Insect Museum This butterfly garden can be found in the south-east of the island. There is a huge collection of different butterflies, some quarter of a meter wide. The visitor can also enter the insect museum nearby to see a variety of rare bugs and a bee house.
Secret Buddha Garden This beautiful garden was made by a 76 year-old Ko Samui fruit farmer in 1976. It is surrounded by lush jungle, rocky hills and is adorned with sculptures depicting both humans, in various poses, as well as various deities. Since the garden is the highest point on the island, there are also some awesome views to be had. Organized tours to the garden last for about 2 hours.
Monkey Shows These shows can be enjoyed at the open-air theater on the main road behind Bophut beach. The entertainment also includes performing elephants
What to Do
The usual panoply of watersports are available, including plenty of dive shops, but most diving is done either in the nearby Angthong Marine National Park or Ko Tao as the visibility around Samui's sandy beaches tends to be poor. You can book diving day trips at dive shops, most of which are based in Chaweng. The dive boats tend to leave from the pier at Bophut and Bang Ruk.
Diving Without a doubt the south of Thailand is home to some of the finest and most beautiful beaches and islands in the world, surrounded by crystal clear water and stunning coral. And that is the main reason why the number of divers coming to Thailand has escalated over the past decade or so. Even though the best time year of the year to dive in the Ko Samui is between June and August, it is still perfectly possible to dive virtually all year round. As diving in Thailand is considered one of the safest destinations for diving and snorkeling in the world, it is perfect for first-timers wanting to try these pastimes out.
The sea visibility in some places around Ko Samui is almost very good (distances of up to 10-30 meters). One can enjoy splendid sights of underwater mountains, coral gardens, undersea rock formations, hard and soft coral, whale sharks.
'Samran Pinnacles:' Since the currents in this area are often quite strong, this site is recommended therefore, for experienced divers. Due to the currents being like this, the site is a haven for bringing in larger pelagics such as barracuda, jacks. There are three submerged pinnacles near Sail Rock.
'Ko Kra & Koh Losin:' These two small islands located to the south-east of Samui, which because of its remotest, don’t get too many divers. Blacktip sharks, manta rays and hard to find loggerhead turtles can be seen.
Sailing is popular in Samui being led by the success of the Ko Samui Regatta and the continued popularity of the day crusies and sunset cruises aboard the 52 foot sailing catamaran Kia Ora . The major hindrance to sailing in Ko Samui is the lack of a marina to provide safe mooring, the support infrastructure and services. There have been many rumours about marina construction being imminent but nothing has yet been done. So when you get to Samui, expect to find it hard to locate a suitable provider and also expect to either clamber over rickety wooden jetties or be ferried out on the tender dinghy.
On Chaweng beach there are dinghys, lasers and catamarans available for day-rental. Be prepared to pay from 500 baht/hour. The wind close to the shore is tricky though, often circling the mountains and coming in from two directions simultanuosly.
Golf
Santiburi Samui Country Club12/15, Mu 4, Mae Nam, Tel: 0 7742 1700-8 Fax: 0 7742 1709, boasts the only 18 hole golf course on the island. Located inland from Mae Nam, the neighbouring town to Bophut, the challenging mountain-side and high valley fairways offer stunning views of the bay area and distant Ko Pha Ngan. Golf carts are compulsory, to prevent the exhaustion of players otherwise following the steeply rising and falling fairways. Large greens offer some compensation to players distracted by the fabulous views and lush tropical setting. The clubhouse includes locker rooms, dining, conferencing rooms as well as a driving range, practice green and shop.
Samui Golf Club and Driving Range Samui Ring Road, Chaweng North 123/1, Mu 1, Tambon Bo Phut Suratthani
Lamai Driving Range 22/6 Mu 6, Tambon Maret, Koh Samui, Tel: 08 1090 7213, 08 6282 0749 Fax: 0 7741 8995
Mini Golf
Mini Golf International Ban Plailaem, 79/53 Mu 5, Tambon Bophut, Tel: 08 1787 9148
Treasure Island Mini Golf 166/79 Mu 2, Tambon Bophut, Tel: 0 77411 3267, 08 1892 1416
Frisbee Golf
Samui Frisbee Golf Just 1 k.m. from Monkey Theater, Soi Monkey Theater Mu 1, Tambon Bo Phut
Football Golf
Samui Football Golf North of Chaweng, near Imperial Boat House
Bowling
Major Bowl Hit, Tesco Lotus, 1/7 Moo 6, Tambon Bo Phut, Koh Samui, Suratthani, 84320 Thailand, Tel: 0 7742 7315
Living Bowl Center, Chaweng Beach Road, Chaweng Center 202, Moo 2, Tambon Bo Phut Suratthani, KOH SAMUI 84320 Thailand, Tel: 0 7741 3258
Thai Boxing
Thai Boxing or Muay Thai has risen in popularity in Koh Samui and there are a number of gyms such as Lamai, WMC and Pinyo. Big bouts can be watched at the Muay Thai Boxing Stadium at Chaweng Beach.
Beach Volleyball
Lots of beach volleyball is played on the beaches in Chaweng and Lamai.
Kayaking
Is a great way to see the Angthong Marine National Park. Look for a credible tour operator when on the island.
Shooting
You can visit the Samui shooting range and fire various 9mm and revolver pistols and even the famous AK-47. Turn up and shoot - prices are quite steep around 1000 baht for a magazine of ammo but it does make for a memorable experience and is suitable for small groups.
Bungy Jump
Situated on the Reggae Street side of Chaweng lake. Samui Bungy offers a free pick up service from your hotel. Soi Reggae, ChawengBeach. Telephone: 07 741- 425-2
Bird Watching
Samui with its lush forests offers the ideal spot to go for bird watching. The wilderness of the area has made it a nesting ground for several rare species of birds.
Tiger Zoo and Tropical Bird Show
South of Hua Thanon
Trekking & Elephant Trekking
Samui is a great place for trekking to explore the diversity of the landscape and the tropically lush forests either on foot or by elephant. This activity has become popular especially with the younger crowds. There is a nice natural pool at the top of the Na Muang waterfall 2. It's about 30 minutes steep hike from the point where the road ends. There are also some elephant ride businesses, that can take you to the bottom of the waterfall.
Snooker & Pool
There are snooker clubs at the main beaches in Thailand and they are popular with the local Thais. More popular with the western tourists is pool which can easily be found at the island’s bars. At most bars, pool can be played for free.
Windsurfing
On Samui, some companies conduct various workshops and courses on windsurfing.
Canopy
Koh Samui Canopy Adventures arrange canopy through the forest. They are located Bophut Beach and can be contacted at 077-414-1501
Fishing
Lovers of fishing will adore the idea of going fishing off Samui and they won’t be disappointed. The majority of the fishing tours leave from the south-west corner of Ko Tong Krut.
Horse Riding
Horse on Samui are of a European standard, they are calm, patient and well-trained. For package deals and more information, telephone: 09-972-4241. Route 4169, near Tesco Lotus, Chaweng.
Kiteboarding
This exciting new and trendy activity has finally reached Samui and the Ko Samui Kite Center based at the Samui Orchid Resort in Laem Set offers a complete range of courses from beginners to advance. The ideal time of the year for this activity is from November to March. The center can be contacted at 077-424-017-501.
Paintball
Is organized in the hills above Maenam Beach. There is a great selection of guns to choose from, take your pick of an M16 or a Kalashnikov.
Other Activities & Events
Buffalo Fighting Festival One of the most famed festivals coming out of Samui is its Buffalo Fighting Festival which is held on special occasions such as New Years Day and Songkran. Unlike Spanish Bullfighting, where the bulls get killed while fighting sword-wielding men, Buffalo Fighting Festival, Ko Samui is fairly harmless. The fighting season varies according to some ancient customs and ceremonies. The buffalos are beautifully decorated with ribbons and gold-painted leaves. Before the contest which lasts just two rounds, monks spray them with holy water.
Bowling Championship This is an annual bowling event held in May every year.
Avis Samui Tennis Open The annual amateur tennis tournament held in July.
The Fisherman's Village Festival This five-day long festival is celebrated with great fun and lots of music and food. The music is usually played by well-known artists and the amount of food (and quality of it) dished up is just amazing. A number of food tents sell a wide range of inexpensive and tasty cuisine provided by many local hotels.
What to Learn
Thai Cooking
Samui Institute of Thai Culinary Arts, Tel: 0 7741 3172 provides basic skills sufficient to prepare a Thai meal in your own home, or even training to professional standards. Some hotels that have their own in-house Thai restaurant offer cooking classes to their customers. Contact Central Samui Beach Resort Tel: 0 2230 5000, Imperial Samui Tel: 0 7742 2020-36, Poppies Samui Tel: 0 7742 2389; Santiburi Dusit Resort Tel: 0 7742 5031 for details
Cooking Schools
SITCA (Samui Institute of Thai Culinary Arts) 46/4 Mu 3, Soi Colibri, Tambon Bo Phut, Tel: 0 7741 3172, 08 1970 7497 Fax: 0 7741 3434, E-mail: info@sitca.net,
The Blue Banana Thai Cooking Classes 2 Mu 4 , Tambon Bo Phut, Tel. 0 7724 5080,
Thai Cooking Class ( Santiburi Dusit Resort ) 12/12 Mu 1, Samui Ring Road, Tambon Mae Nam, Tel: 0 7742 5031–38 Fax: 0 7742 50410, E-mail: Santiburi@dusit.com,
Muay Thai (Thai Boxing)
Samui has a few gyms where wanna-be kick boxers can learn this unique martial art which is embedded in culture and tradition.
Meditation
For those suffering from a bugging, moody, monkey-like or impatient mind, they can be treated with the help of meditation. If practicing at a temple isn’t your cup-of-tea, then never mind there are monthly meditation courses at the Samudra Retreat lead by an expert meditation master monk.
The Samudra Retreat Samui: 24/73, Moo 5, Bo Phut, Koh Samui, Suratthani, 84320, Thailand. Tel: (6677) 428-100 Fax: (6677) 428-133
For no course fee meditation programs, there are 3 days, 5 days courses at Dipabhavan Meditation Center (Thai: ) lead by Ajahn Poh, the current abbot of Suan Mokkh. Therefore, the teachings in Dipabhavan is exactly the same as Suan Mokkh International Hermitage, Suratthani.
Dipabhavan Meditation Center Samui: Tambon Maret, Koh Samui, Suratthani, THAILAND 84310. Tel: (66)89 593 0121, (No course fee.)
Yoga
Kamalaya Personal Yoga Synergy Retreats. These private yoga retreats are customised to suit your yoga experience. Personal one-on-one instruction, including postures, breathing practice and mediation, are supported by Ayurveda and wellness treatments, healthy cuisine and an inspiring setting. Phone +66 (0) 77 429800.
What to Eat
Samui is well known for its coconuts, which are available everywhere and quite tasty. Being an island seafood is generally a good choice although in high season demand often exceeds local supply. The larger beaches have a number of international restaurants as well (often run by Thai-farang couples) with Bophut having a particularly good reputation.
Southern Thai food in general is renowned for its spiciness. Much of the cuisine has its origins in Malay, Indonesian and Indian food. Favourite dishes from the south include Indian-style Muslim curry (massaman), rice noodles in fish curry sauce (Khanom Jeen) and chicken birayani. Popular local food are salted eggs and delicious rambutan, too.
Dual pricing is regrettably common: some restaurants have two menus, one for tourists and the other for Thai people, at about 1/4 of the foreigner prices. Main courses in a standard, low-key Thai restaurant should be under 100 baht (except some seafood dishes), so if prices seem unreasonably steep, head elsewhere. Always check prices and menu first so you don't have to argue when the bill is served.
What to Drink
There are innumerable options for a drink, ranging from the loud and brash tourist pubs and girlie bars of Chaweng to the candle-lit romantic bars of Bophut. Figure on 80 baht for a local beer (Singha, Tiger, Chang, Heineken) and up to twice as much for any import. Wine is especially expensive and usually costs over 2,000 baht per bottle.
Beer bars
Chaweng Beach is especially famous for its beer bars (also called bar-beers), staffed by pretty hostesses, usually from the north-east of Thailand. Buy them a ‘girlie drink’ and you’ll be in entertaining company. Beer bars can be found all over Chaweng. The bars offer pool, Connect4 and other popular bar games. Since the nightlife on Chaweng can see serious debauchery at times, the local law enforcers are strict in concern to enforcing closing times. The official closing time in "entertainment zones" is 01:00 (in practice usually somewhere between 01:00 and 02:00, depending on the location).
Nightclubs
Chaweng Beach is packed out with nightclubs playing the latest rave sounds and serving exotic cocktails. Electronic music is very popular.
The biggest club is the Green Mango to which even a street was named.
Karaoke
At karaoke places customers can either choose a private room or sing in the main lounge for everyone to hear. There are Thai songs and international songs, there may be pretty hostesses available to sit for a pleasant chat. These joints are especially popular with North Asian tourists.
Rum Distillery
There is a distillery that brews 5 flavors of Rum on one of the side roads on the Southern edge of the island, which offers tours during the sugar cane season and free samples any time. The flavors are natural (sugar cane), lemon, orange, pineapple, and coconut. Natural and coconut are actually quite tasty, lemon has a very strong pleasant citrus flavor, and you won't miss anything if you don't try the other two. They also have a delicious mixer to serve with consisting of lime juice, cinnamon, and other spices. Worth heading to if you're in the area or just for the novelty of sampling authentic Thai rum. Very friendly staff.
Stay safe
Tap water is generally not potable. Liquids from sealed bottles nearly always are, and should be used wherever possible. Take care in restaurants...many may use unsafe tap water to make ice for drinks otherwise made with bottled/safe ingredients. Some residents claim that ice with round holes is made by commercial ice makers who purify their water; others state that it is wise not to rely on that claim. Tap water in most hotels should not be used for drinking or brushing teeth unless explicitly labeled as safe.
Motorbikes are somewhat risky, but jeeps, trucks, and other cars for rent are readily available at very reasonable rates, and are considerably safer. If you must use a motorbike always wear a helmet and never drive drunk the roads are hazardous with many large potholes. After a good time drinking in the party areas of Chaweng, Bophut and Lamai taxis are readily available to take you home. Be careful generally taxi drivers tend to rip you off. It's not rare for a tuk-tuk driver to charge you 50 baht for just a kilometer ride (for example, along the main Chaweng market) during evenings. Of course you would never have boarded the tuk-tuk if you'd known about the scam beforehand!
A recent development has been the appearance of Quad Bikes to rent for use on the roads. These do not appear to be registered for road use so care should be taken as they may not be insured.
Be careful about beaches in night time as crime often occurs there.
White House Beach Resort & Spa, Surat Thani
59/3 Moo 5 , Borpud district,
Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84320 Thailand
Tel: 0 7724 7921-3
Fax: 0 7724 5318
Email: htlwhite@loxinfo.co.th
Website: http://www.samuithewhitehouse.com
Accommodation : 43 rooms
Room Rates : 3,900 - 6,600 Baht
Thai House Beach Resort, Surat Thani
131 Moo 3, Maret district,
Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84310 Thailand
Tel: 0 7723 2451-5
Fax: 0 7741 8007
Email: info@thaihousebeach-resort.com
Website: http://www.samuithaihouse.com
Accommodation : 60 rooms
Room Rates : 3,230 - 6,375 THB
Phang Ka Paradise Resort
62/4 Moo 4 Phangka Beach, Talingngam,
Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84140 Thailand
Tel: 08 6305 9704, 08 6307 9674
Fax: 0 7733 4207, 0 2434 5152
Email: samui_paradise@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.phangkaparadiseresort.com
Accommodation : 15 rooms
Room Rates : 2,800 - 4,500 THB
Samui Seabreeze Place
124/446 Moo 3, Maret,
Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84310 Thailand
Tel: 0 7796 0601-2
Fax: 0 7796 0603
Email: piya@samuiseabreezeplace.com
Website: http://www.samuiseabreezeplace.com
Accommodation : 25 rooms
Room Rates : 1,000 - 2,850 Baht
Al's Hut
159/86 Moo 2 Chaweng Beach, Tumbon Borpud, Amphoe Koh Samui, Changwat Surat Thani 84320
Tel : 0 7723 0761-2, 0 7723 1650
Website : http://www.alshutsamui.com
Email : info@alshutsamui.com, reservation@alshutsamui.com
Price Rates : 1,680 - 1,930 THB
Number of Rooms : 32 rooms
Al's Resort
200 Moo 2 Chaweng Beach, Tumbon Borpud, Amphoe Koh Samui, Changwat Surat Thani 84320
Tel : 0 7742 2154-5
Website : http://www.alsresortsamui.com
Email : info@alsresortsamui.com
Price Rates : 2,800 - 6,500 THB
Number of Rooms : 43 rooms
Aloha Resort
128 Moo 3 Lamai Beach, Tumbon Maret, Amphoe Koh Samui, Changwat Surat Thani 84310
Tel : 0 7742 4014-6, 0 7791 3200
Website : http://www.alohasamui.com
Email : aloha@samart.co.th
Price Rates : 3,200 - 6,200 THB
Number of Rooms : 74 rooms
Amadeus Bungalow
129 Moo 3 Lamai Beach, Tumbon Maret, Amphoe Koh Samui, Changwat Surat Thani 84310
Tel : 0 7742 4568, 08 1431 6727
Price Rates : 300 - 1,000 THB
Number of Rooms : 30 rooms Unit
Amadeus Bungalow
129 Moo 3 Lamai Beach, Tumbon Maret, Amphoe Koh Samui, Changwat Surat Thani 84310
Tel : 0 7742 4568, 08 1431 6727
Price Rates : 300 - 1,000 THB
Number of Rooms : 30 rooms Unit
Nearby Tourist Attractions : Lamai Beach
Amari Palmreef Resort & Spa
14/3 Moo 2 Chaweng Beach, Tumbon Borpud, Amphoe Koh Samui, Changwat Surat Thani 84320
Tel : 0 7742 2015-19
Website : http://www.amari.com/palmreef
Email : reservations@palmreef.amari.com
Price Rates : 4,800 - 18,000 THB
Number of Rooms : 187 rooms
Amarin Victoria Resort
12/71 Moo 1, Tumbon Maenam, Amphoe Koh Samui, Changwat Surat Thani 84330
Tel : 0 7742 5610-1
Website : http://www.amarinsamuiresort.com
Email : rsvn@amarinsamuiresort.com
Price Rates : 1,650 - 9,000 THB
Number of Rooms : 46 rooms
Amity Bungalow
125/3 Moo 3 Lamai Beach, Tumbon Maret, Amphoe Koh Samui, Changwat Surat Thani 84310
Tel : 0 7742 4084, 08 1537 7292
Email : samuiamity@yahoo.com
Price Rates : 350 - 1,500 THB
Number of Rooms : 20 rooms Unit
Anantara Resort & Spa
99/9 Moo 1 Bo phud Beach, Tumbon Borpud, Amphoe Koh Samui, Changwat Surat Thani 84320
Tel : 0 7742 8300-9
Website : http://www.anantara.com
Email : infosamui@anantara.com
Price Rates : 6,900 - 14,000 THB
Number of Rooms : 106 rooms
Anong Villa
1/4 Moo 4 Maenam Beach, Tumbon Maenam, Amphoe Koh Samui, Changwat Surat Thani 84330
Tel : 0 7724 7256
Price Rates : 400 - 1,500 THB
Number of Rooms : 26 rooms
Arayaburi Boutique Resort
6/14 Moo 5 Tongsamrong, Tumbon Borpud, Amphoe Koh Samui, Changwat Surat Thani 84320
Tel : 0 7742 7500-2, 0 7744 8196-8
Website : http://www.samuiarayaburi.com
Email : info@arayaburi.com
Price Rates : 3,000 - 7,000 THB
Number of Rooms : 65 rooms
Arina Boutique Residence
37/73-74 Moo 3, Tumbon Borpud, Amphoe Koh Samui, Changwat Surat Thani 84320
Tel : 0 7723 0070, 08 6277 2424
Email : arinasamui@yahoo.com
Price Rates : 1,000 - 1,790 THB
Number of Rooms : 12 rooms U
Arm Bungalow
53/18 Moo 4, Tumbon Borpud, Amphoe Koh Samui, Changwat Surat Thani 84320
Tel : 08 9591 5768, 0 7743 0340
Price Rates : 500 - 500 THB
Aurora Hill Resort
23/262 Moo 4 Bonkai-Bangrak Moo 4, Tumbon Borpud, Amphoe Koh Samui, Changwat Surat Thani 84320
Tel : 0 7796 1509, 08 1891 8896, 08 1956 1983
Website : http://www.aurorahillresort.com
Email : p.sueachaopa@hotmail.com, p_sueachaopa@yahoo.com, aurorahill@tttmaxnet.com
Price Rates : 800 - 1,000 THB
Number of Rooms : 11 rooms Unit
Baan Bophut
6/9 Moo 1, Tumbon Borpud, Amphoe Koh Samui, Changwat Surat Thani 84320
Tel : 0 7724 5733, 08 7866 7097, 08 9470 7026
Website : http://www.baanbophut.com
Email : lucy@baanbophut.com
Price Rates : 2,900 - 3,600 THB
Number of Rooms : 12 rooms
Baan Chaweng Beach Resort & Spa
90/1 Moo 2 Chaweng Beach Rd., Tumbon Borpud, Amphoe Koh Samui, Changwat Surat Thani 84320
Tel : 0 7742 2403, 0 7723 0310, 0 7741 4126-7
Website : http://www.baanchawengbeachresort.com
Email : info@baanchawengbeachresort.com, baanchawengresort@hotmail.com
Price Rates : 3,500 - 13,500 THB
Number of Rooms : 94 rooms
Baan Talay Resort
17/36 Moo 3, Tumbon Borpud, Amphoe Koh Samui, Changwat Surat Thani 84320
Tel : 0 7741 3555-6
Website : http://www.baantalay.com
Email : mail@baantalay.com
Price Rates : 2,000 - 8,500 THB
Number of Rooms : 38 rooms
Baan Taling Ngam Resort & Spa
295 Moo 3 Taling Ngam Beach, Tumbon Talingngam, Amphoe Koh Samui, Changwat Surat Thani 84140
Tel : 0 7742 9100
Website : http://www.baan-taling-ngam.com
Email : reservations@baan-taling-ngam.com, info@baan-taling-ngam.com
Price Rates : 9,400 - 35,200 THB
Number of Rooms : 71 rooms
Baan Suan Sook Resort
147/7 Moo 2 Liab Chai Had Rd., Tumbon Borpud, Amphoe Koh Samui, Changwat Surat Thani 84320
Tel : 0 7723 0817
Website : http://www.baansuansook.com
Email : info@baansuansook.com
Price Rates : 880 - 2,080 THB
Number of Rooms : 26 rooms
Baan Samui Resort
14/7 Moo 2 Chaweng Beach, Tumbon Borpud, Amphoe Koh Samui, Changwat Surat Thani 84320
Tel : 0 7723 0965-9, 0 2261 2986-9, 0 7742 2415
Website : http://www.see2sea.com
Email : baansamui@see2sea.com
Price Rates : 3,900 - 7,300 THB
Number of Rooms : 79 rooms
Baan Phu Pha Resort
112/2-6 Moo 1, Tumbon Borpud, Amphoe Koh Samui, Changwat Surat Thani 84320
Tel : 0 7724 6170, 08 3391 0656, 08 9880 2177
Website : http://www.baanphupha.com
Email : kae@baanphupha.com
Price Rates(Day) : 1,490 - 2,390 THB
Price Rates(Month) : 20,000 - 26,000 THB
Number of Rooms : 9 rooms
Baan Mae Mai
44/4 Moo 4 Ban Donsai, Tumbon Maenam, Amphoe Koh Samui, Changwat Surat Thani 84310
Tel : 0 7742 7162
Price Rates : 600 - 1,000 THB
Number of Rooms : 16 rooms
Baan Lamai Resort
84/48 Moo 3, Tumbon Maret, Amphoe Koh Samui, Changwat Surat Thani 84310
Tel : 0 7741 8753, 08 9796 5234, 08 9210 0654
Website : http://www.baanlamairesort.com
Email : baanlamairesort@hotmail.com
Price Rates(Day) : 800 - 1,200 THB
Price Rates(Month) : 8,000 - 12,000 THB
Number of Rooms : 20 rooms Unit
Baan Kuasakul Resor
7/7 Moo 5 Baantai, Tumbon Maenam, Amphoe Koh Samui, Changwat Surat Thani 84330
Tel : 08 1979 6862, 0 7744 7069
Price Rates : 350 - 700 THB
Number of Rooms : 8 rooms Unit
Baan Hin Sai Boutique Resort and Spa
5/5 Moo 3 Rob Koh Rd., Tumbon Borpud, Amphoe Koh Samui, Changwat Surat Thani 84320
Tel : 0 7742 2624-7, 0 7741 3591-5
Website : http://www.baanhinsaiboutiqueresortandspa.com
Email : baanhinsai@yahoo.com
Price Rates : 2,100 - 4,000 THB
Number of Rooms : 78 rooms
Baan Haad Ngam Boutique Resort & Spa
154 Moo 2 Chaweng Beach, Tumbon Borpud, Amphoe Koh Samui, Changwat Surat Thani 84320
Tel : 0 7723 1500
Website : http://www.baanhaadngam.com
Email : info@baanhaadngam.com
Price Rates : 4,284 - 12,947 THB
Number of Rooms : 40 rooms
South Thailand 
