'''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.

Understand

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_fs 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.

Climate

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.

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
  • Get in

    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.

    By plane

    '''Ko Samui Airport''' ('''USM''') is a private airport originally built by Bangkok Airways [http://www.bangkokair.com], 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 [http://www.berjaya-air.com] from Kuala Lumpur and Firefly [http://www.fireflyz.com.my] 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), 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 longer on the ferry. Tickets are sold by numerous agents who meet each train and airport.There are 2 Ferry compannys (departure every 30 mins).

    Numerous ferry services 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 [http://www.lomprayah.com] offers a combined bus/high speed catamaran ferry service from Bangkok to Ko Samui which takes about 11 hours and costs around 850 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.

    Get 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_ft 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_ft cost anymore than a couple of US dollars per day.

    See

    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_fs 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_fs nightlife is becoming legendary but unfortunately not always attracting the best standard of tourist. Chaweng_fs once _ehippy_f only backpackers have given way to a lot of _elager louts_f. 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 _ehippy_f 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_ft get quite so crowded. If it_fs a quiet relaxing location you are after, then Lamai won_ft 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_ft 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_fs 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_fs 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_fs 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

    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_ft 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 [http://www.samuiregatta.com] and the continued popularity of the day crusies and sunset cruises aboard the 52 foot sailing catamaran Kia Ora [http://www.kiaorathailand.com]. 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.

    '''Golf'''

  • '''Santiburi Samui Country Club'''12/15, 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_fs 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_ft 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.

    '''Triathlon Event''' There currently are NO Triathlon events on Ko Samui. Nearby sister island Ko Phangan has an International distance Triathlon and Duathlon in March, with the second annual scheduled for 2010.

  • Island Safari Co.,Ltd. 2/3 Mu 6, Samui Ring Road, Tambon Bo Phut, Tel: 0 7723 0567, 0 7723 0709 Fax: 0 77422559, E-mail: info@islandsafari.net, [http://www.islandsafari.net]
  • Namuang Safari Park 13/2 Mu 2, Samui Ring Road, Tambon Namuang, Tel: 0 7742 4098, 0 81849 0101
  • Samui Butterfly Garden Centara Villa Samui, 111 Mu 2, Tambon Maret, Tel: 0 7742 4020-2 Fax: 0 7742 2022, E-mail: csv@chr.co.th
  • Samui Crocodile Farm 30/24 Mu 4, Tambon Bo Phut, Tel: 0 89289 9613, 0 81894 4288
  • Samui Monkey Theater 149 Mu 1, Samui Ring Road, Tambon Bo Phut, Tel: 0 7724 5140, 0 89874 7349
  • Samui Ocean Sports (Chaweng Regent Hotel) 155/4 Mu 2, Chaweng Beach Road, Tambon Bo Phut, Tel: 0 81940 1999, E-mail: info@sailing-in-samui.com, [http://www.sailing-in-samui.com]
  • Samui Safari 95/10 Mu 2, Tambon Lipa Noi, Tel: 0 7741 5123-45 Fax: 0 7741 5124, E-mail: info@siamsafari.com, [http://www.siamsafari.com]
  • Samui Snake Fram 88/3 Mu 4, Tambon Taling Ngam, Tel: 0 7742 3247, 0 7741 5100 Fax: 0 7742 3247
  • Phangan Safari Boat around Island 45/1-2 Moo1, Thongsala, Koh Phangan. Tel. 077 238 232, E-mail: info@safariboat.info, [http://www.safariboat.info]
  • 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, [http://www.sitca.net]
  • The Blue Banana Thai Cooking Classes 2 Mu 4 , Tambon Bo Phut, Tel. 0 7724 5080, [http://www.thaibluebanana.com]
  • 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, [http://www.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_ft 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, [http://www.dipabhavan.com/] (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. [http://www.kamalaya.com]

    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 ist served

    Drink

    (See discussion about water in "Stay Safe" below)

    '''Please list your favourite spot in the district pages and not on the general Ko Samui page'''

    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 _egirlie drink_f and you_fll 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 [http://www.thegreenmangoclub.com/green-mango-club-samui.html] to which even a street was named.

    '''Karaoke Joints'''

    At karaoke joints join 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.

    Sleep

    With an estimated 60,000 rooms accommodation is basically not a problem, and the most difficult decision will be picking a suitable beach. # If you want nightlife go for '''Chaweng''' or '''Lamai''' # For a quieter beach experience head for '''Mae Nam''' or the South Coast # A good compromise is '''Bophut'''
  • For some people who love being quiet and hideaway retreat '''Choeng Mon''' is a good choice.
  • Visit Truly Samui in '''Nathon''' which is the center part of Samui.
  • '''The following lists ''only'' places to stay outside the major beaches; see the articles above and the Beaches index for more.'''

  • Arayaburi Hotel 1 Mu 4, Tambon Maret, Koh Samui, Surat Thani, Rates: 1,680-4,440 Baht
  • Buriraya Resort and Spa 208/1 Mu 4, Tambon Maret, Surat Thani, Rates: 7,200-27,000 Baht
  • Central Samui Village Hotel 111 Mu 2, Tambon Maret, Surat Thani (Tel: 0 7742 4020 Fax: 0 7742 4022-2), Rates: 2,729-4,400 Baht
  • Khao Sok Riverside Cottages 230 Mu 6, Soi Natai, Phanom, Surat Thani (Tel: 0 7739 5159 Fax: 0 7739 5159), Rates: 900-1,500 Baht
  • 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.

    '''Do's'''

  • Do buy gems from a reputable company
  • Do carry around small change
  • Do bring water when jungle trekking and do drink a lot in such a hot climate
  • Do bargain with vendors
  • Do take as many photos as you can
  • Do make sure your scuba diving instructor is fully accredited
  • Do keep your alcohol consumption under control
  • Do be sure to use plenty of mosquito repellent.
  • '''Don_fts'''

  • Don_ft take any boat unless it has life jackets
  • Don_ft go into the jungle alone
  • Don_ft touch or get involved with any narcotics
  • Don_ft go to the beach at night either to walk or swim
  • Don_ft, as a woman, go topless on the beach
  • Don_ft, as a man, walk around shirtless, other than at the beach.
  • Contact

    Dial-up connection in Thailand is getting rarer as people are turning to ADSL. Typical monthly charges including the telephone line are around 20USD+. Thailand also has more than its fair share of Internet cafes, the hourly charge is about 1USD. For those residing in rural areas, hooking up to the Internet can be done via broadband satellite.

  • Chao Koh Internet 74 Mu 3, Tambon Angthong, Tel: 0 7723 1039, 0 7742 0851 Fax: 0 7723 1039
  • GSM networks of all major Thai mobile operators cover the island quite well. While roaming is an option, purchasing local SIM card will save you a lot on international calls. Even more, GPRS/EDGE service is a cheap and convenient way to access Internet from virtually anywhere. See the main article for details.

    Medical Facilities

    Samui has the internationally renowned Bangkok Samui Hospitals. For those who are just a little sick there are countless clinics and pharmacies, especially at Chaweng Beach.

  • Ban Chaweng Clinic 155/14 Mu 2, Chaweng Beach Road, Tambon Bo Phut, Tel: 0 7742 2606
  • Bandon Int. Private Hospital 123/1 Mu 1, Samui Ring Road, Tambon Bo Phut, Koh Samui, Suratthani (Tel: 0 7724 5236-9, 0 7742 5382-3 Fax: 0 7742 5342, E-mail: bandon@samart.co.th, [http://www.bandonhospital.com])
  • Bangkok Samui Hospital 57 Mu 3, Samui Ring Road, Chaweng (C5), Tambon Bo Phut, Koh Samui, Suratthani (Tel: 0 7742 9500 Fax: 0 7742 9540, [http://www.samuihospital.com])
  • Chaweng Clinic 59/13 Mu 6, Tambon Bo Phut, Tel: 08 6682 6490, 0 7723 0215
  • Chaweng Med. Clinic 195 Mu 2, Tambon Bo Phut, Tel: 08 1677 4067
  • Chaweng Med. Clinic (Dr.Jaru) 195 Mu 2, Chaweng Beach Road, Next to Green Mango Club, Tambon Bo Phut, Tel: 08 1677 4067
  • Dr. Ning Ear-Nose-Thoat Clinic 175/20 Mu 3, Thaweeratphakdee Road, Tambon Angthong, Tel: 0 7742 1405, 08 9727 3399, E-mail: suphott@hotmail.com
  • Kan Health Clinic 11/6 Mu 2, Chaweng Beach Road, Tambon Bo Phut, Tel: 0 7723 0802
  • Lamai Medical Clinic 124/243 Mu 3, Lamai Beach, Tambon Maret, Tel: 0 7723 2412
  • Maenam Polyclinic 12/50 Mu 1, Samui Ring Road, Tambon Mae Nam, Tel: 0 7742 5640
  • Meanam Polyclinic 195 Mu 2, Next to Green Mango Club, Chaweng Beach, Tambon Bo Phut, Tel: 08 1677 4067
  • Natthamon Clinic 45/38 Mu 1, Tambon Angthong, Tel: 0 7742 0428
  • Seamsri Clinic 242/3 Mu 3, Tambon Angthong, Tel: 0 7742 0033
  • Samui Government Hospital 61 Mu 1, Tambon Angthong, Koh Samui, Suratthani (Tel: 0 7742 1230-2, 0 7742 1232 Fax: 0 7742 0150)
  • Samui International Hospital 90/2 Mu 2, Chaweng Beach Road, Tambon Bo Phut, Koh Samui, Suratthani (Tel: 0 7742 2272, 0 7723 0781-2 Fax: 0 7723 0049, 0 7742 2775, E-mail: info@sih.co.th, sihsamui@yahoo.com, [http://www.sih.co.th])
  • Surasit Clinic 167 Mu 3, Thaweeratphakdee Road, Tambon Angthong, Tel: 0 7742 1011 Fax: 0 7742 1011
  • Thai International Hospital 25/25 Mu 6, Tambon Bo Phut, Koh Samui, Suratthani (Tel: 0 7724 5721-6, 08 9473 8515 Fax: 0 7724 5690, 0 7724 5692, E-mail: thaiinterhospital@yahoo.com, [http://www.thaiinterhospital.com])
  • Wiwat Clinic 234/2 Mu 3, Thaweeratphakdee Road, Tambon Angthong, Tel: 07742 1386
  • '''Useful numbers'''

  • Emergency call Tel 191 (No need using an area code)
  • Tourist police emergency hotline Tel 1155 (No need using an area code)
  • 24 hours emergency service (Bangkok Samui Hospital) 0 7742 9500
  • Samui International Hospital: 0 7723 0781-2
  • Samui Tourist Police 0 7742 1281
  • Suratthani Tourist Police 0 7728 1300
  • Samui Rescue: 0 7742 1444
  • Marine Police: 0 7742 1245
  • Koh Samui Airport: 0 7742 5012
  • Koh Samui Immigration Office: 0 7742 1069
  • TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) office - Koh Samui: 0 7742 1230
  • Notice : 077 is the Area Code.

    Get out

  • Ang Thong National Marine Park - scuba and snorkeling within striking distance
  • Ko Pha Ngan - home of the infamous Full Moon Party in Haad Rin, but there are also near-untouched landscapes -- and detox centers
  • Ko Tao - among the best places in Thailand to learn to dive, actually the biggest dive school on the planet. Apart from diving sailing is an option to go to the Ang Thong Marine National Park.
  • Surat Thani The mainland's closest big city
  • Pattaya & Phuket & Chiang Mai - a short hop away on Bangkok Airways