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Sunday, January 11, 2009

KO SAMUI - PARADISE ISLAND OF THAILAND

KO SAMUI THE PARADISE ISLAND OF THAILAND












History of Samui

This history of Samui is one that was unfortunately not well documented in historic documents. The main reason for this unfortunate lack of documents regarding the Samui history is that those that knew of Koh Samui, the traders and captains, were used to passing this type of information verbally rather then writing up the information to be passed out to fellow boatmen and other traders.

The first people that came to Koh Samui and started the Samui history books lived for the major part of what they were able to get from the sea.

The immigrants however quickly discovered the richness of the soil on Koh Samui and soon agriculture popped up throughout Samui and an important chapter in Samui history started as Koh Samui still benefits to this very day of the actions of the original inhabitants.

Coconut tree plantations were started as well as plantations with numerous other tropical and delicious fruits. For those of you that have visited Thailand you will certainly have tasted the lovely and sweet lynchee which can be found in many Koh Samui farms.


Koh Samui Tourism History

The first tourists that appear in the Samui history books were the European backpackers who discovered this beautiful and tropical Thai island in the 70’s.

Obviously the infrastructure was not in place yet for mass tourism in those days and most visitors slept in basic beach huts along one of the beautiful sandy beaches of Koh Samui.

Tourism has changed a great deal since those early days in the history of Samui tourism as since then tourism has become the main source of income for the island. The quality of the Samui hotels and other tourists infrastructure has also improved dramatically as many beautiful 4 and 5 star Samui resorts and hotels can be found all over the island.

Getting there and Around


Koh Samui has a very pretty international airport (it is a private airport operated by Bangkok Airways) and most visitors arrive via plane (there are flights from Bangkok almost every hour ). A so-called limousine counter (in reality the vehicles are minibuses that make a round trip tour to the hotels and drop the passengers off according to their wishes) is located in the arrival hall and you should book your transportation to your hotel there. You can also reach Koh Samui via ferry from Surat Thani on the Thai mainland.
Airport in Koh Samui

The express ferry (a passenger ferry) departs three times a day and is probably best. The crossing takes about 2 hours and takes you directly to the pier in Nathon (where you can easily get transportation to your hotel or guesthouse). The express ferries leave from Tha Thong Pier 4 kilometers away from Surat Thani (whereas the pier for the vehicle ferry from Son Sak is located 60 kilometers - and a 2 hour bus ride - from Surat Thani, and drops you off at a pier 10 kilometers south of Nathon). You can reach Surat Thani either by plane (with Thai Airways) or by train from Bangkok.

There are a handful of taxies in Ko Samui (a relatively new development) The most common means of transport are Songthaews (lorries or vans with wooden benches for sitting). You must always determine the fare before you enter!

Of course, your hotel or a rental car agency can provide you with a rental car (though you should be warned that the traffic conditions are somewhat tricky; it is probably better to hire a driver as well). A lot of tourists rent motorcycles in Ko Samui, but driving a motorcycle is really dangerous if you are not thoroughly familiar with both a) the art of riding a motorcycle, and b) the traffic conditions in Asian countries.

Language

Thai is a tone language of sino-tibetan origin. This means that differences in tone make differences in meaning. The Thai language has five tones, and if you mispronounce you do not simply say an incorrect word, you say another word entirely! Many Thais, however, (not all, of course!) speak some English and at least in the tourist areas of Thailand, like Bangkok, Phuket, or Koh Samui you can manage easily even withouto knowing Thai (in the more remote areas, like the Northeast, or the South, you might run into problems.) It is also always a good idea to ask the concierge of your hotel or somebody else to write down the names of your destinations in Thai script, and to take a business card of your hotel, and a good bilingual map with you.

There are various systems of transliteration, especially for Thai consonants. In thisguide, "Th" means that the sound is a soft "t", and "ph" means that the sound is a soft "p" (not "f").

Transportation

Samui Car Rental

A great Samui transportation method is by renting a jeep on Koh Samui. Most tourists who rent a car on Koh Samui will end up renting a jeep. Visitors to Samui who are seeking for a Samui car rental company will find no difficulty in location one as numerous Koh Samui Transportationrent a car companies can be found all over the island. Several well known car rental companies also have set up a local branch in recent years.

The jeeps on Samui can be rented either in the convertible version (softop) or the hard top version which normally comes with a better AC system and is more secure if you leave any belonging behind in the car whilst you are having lunch or are visiting one of the Samui attractions.

Considering the quality of the roads in Samui, it is highly recommendable to rent a jeep rather then a regular car as the Jeeps are more suitable for island driving. If you decide to drive all

around the Island along the coast line then you should be able to make it in around 1 hour.

The great thing about visiting a Samui car rental agency and renting a jeep is that there are many beautiful spots on Samui to visit including amazing waterfalls, elephant rides and many other interesting and exciting attractions and activities.

There are several off-road tracks that lead into the mountains which are great for those who enjoy some adventure and off-road jeep driving while on holiday on Koh Samui.

A benefit of driving up and down the off-road tracks is that you will discover some beautiful spots left untouched by mass tourism. The flora and fauna that is found on Koh Samui is simply amazing and very diverse and by renting a car from one of the Samui car rental companies you will be able to explore so much of the Island.

Please make sure to get a complete overview from the Samui car rental agency when it comes to the type of insurance that will be includes with the car rental contract and make sure to read the fine lines. It is always smart in Thailand to pay the extra amount for full coverage as with the smallest scratch the agencies will charge high repair costs to the clients.

Koh Samui Taxi

A Koh Samui taxi can be found all over Samui however it can be difficult to find one during certain parts of the days such as at night. It is the easiest and safest way to get around the Island and is especially a good idea if you are planning to go and party or consume any alcohol during your trip. As with Phuket, Samui taxi cabs do not have the best of reputations.

Many tourists have complained about Samui taxis that they were overcharged, were treated rudely and other similar matters. The local authorities are well aware of the problem and are trying to resolve the matter so that this form of Samui transportation will also be of the highest quality and to the satisfaction of visitors.

If you do have a problem with the Koh Samui taxi then please write down the drivers taxi number which can be found inside the taxi. You may report the incident with the tourist police on Samui or with the Thailand tourism authorities.

Koh Samui Motorbike – Popular Samui TransportationSamui Motorbike

Many tourists, especially the younger crowd, prefer renting a Samui motorbike as their Koh Samui transportation method during their holiday on the Thai island. It is cheap to rent a motorbike on Samui and it’s a fun way to explore the island.

Please be careful when driving as many people die each year on Thailand due to motorbike accidents including many tourists. Do not forget that it is not only you that needs to drive safely but also other motorbike riders on Samui. This is where the problem lies as many local people drive dangerously and accidents are quick to happen.

Chaweng Beach - Koh Samui




Koh Samui's busiest and biggest town has sprung up around one of the island's best beaches. As well as offering more accommodation options than elsewhere on the island, Chaweng is also nightlife central with bars and restaurants catering to every taste.

From beachside institutions to sophisticated cocktail bars, Chaweng's nightlife is streets ahead of anywhere else on Samui in terms of choice.

The famous Green Mango strip still forms the axis around which the rest of the town's bars revolve and is packed with (mostly) young revellers every night, alternating between the pubs, dance bars and girly bars. Chaweng's main strip is nearly three kilometres long though, and lots of smaller centres of activity have sprung up along it. McDonalds' forms a landmark in the south of town just across the road from Chaweng's single most popular bar, Tropical Murphy's Irish pub.

The choice of places to eat can be equally overwhelming at first glance and a drive down the Beach Road can pass by in a blur of seafood restaurants displaying their wares in ice trays out front. Closer inspection however reveals a surprisingly cosmopolitan selection, including fine Japanese, Italian, Israeli, Pacific Rim and Indian restaurants.

A cornucopia of cuisine every from fabulous Thai-style beachside food to traditional continental fare with all the trimmings and everything in between, Chaweng has it all.


Chaweng Dining






Whether right on the beach or located along the bustling main tourist strip, Chaweng has dining options for every conceivable budget and palate.

Fresh exotic vegetables, meat, and locally caught seafood provide the basis for the deliciously spiced Thai dishes you can sample around Chaweng, and most places will tone down the chilli quota for uninitiated foreign taste bud upon request. In addition, there are some excellent International restaurants serving a wide variety of global cuisines, with Indian, Mexican, English, Japanese, Scandinavian, Italian and French all well represented.

Koh Samui as a whole is gaining a reputation as a foodies' heaven, with a number of dining guides for visitors a 'Culinary Circle' and 'Fine-Dining Association' for ex-pat residents. As a result, Chaweng boasts an increasing number of high-end restaurants employing highly rated chefs from around the globe.

Many of the fine dining establishments in Chaweng Beach serve what is known as 'fusion' cuisine, essentially giving the chef free reign to employ techniques and ingredients from diverse global culinary traditions, in order to create beautifully presented dishes that blend the best of East and West.


The majority of Chaweng's better restaurants are located on the main beach road, but the beach itself becomes a huge outdoor eatery after dark, when lots of the resort restaurants put tables and chairs out on the sand and serve fresh seafood laid out on ice-filled trestles for you to inspect and choose from. Most of these places have both Thai and international menus, and dining on the beach is supremely romantic.

To the Southern end of Chaweng beach road, the perennially popular Poppies serves fine European and Thai dishes in a beautiful open-air tropical garden, right on the beachfront. Fr reservations call 077422419.

Further north, opposite the Centara Beach Resort, Soi Colibri is home to three of the island's top independent restaurants: Betelnut, which serves delicious, innovative California-Thai fusion cuisine:077413370, Jing, with top quality, wonderfully presented Cantonese cuisine, which is also open for lunch from 11.30-2.30 and dinner 6-12pm: 077413462 and Bellini, which serves contemporary Italian cuisine in a stylish surroundings that include and open air terrace. It's open from 12-3pm for lunch and 6-11.30 for dinner and the bar closes at 1am. For reservations and a free pick-up service call: 077413831 or 0817370380.

Further north, opposite the Centara Beach Resort, Soi Colibri is home to three of the island's top independent restaurants: Betelnut, which serves delicious, innovative California-Thai fusion cuisine:077413370, Jing, with top quality, wonderfully presented Cantonese cuisine, which is also open for lunch from 11.30-2.30 and dinner 6-12pm: 077413462 and Bellini, which serves contemporary Italian cuisine in a stylish surroundings that include and open air terrace. It's open from 12-3pm for lunch and 6-11.30 for dinner and the bar closes at 1am. For reservations and a free pick-up service call: 077413831 or 0817370380.

For a Latin twist there's Gringos Cantina with yummy Tex-Mex fare, plus vegetarian food and kids options available: 077230500. While a little further north, the Red Snapper Bar and Grill, attached to the Chaweng Regent Resort is a classy, mid-range diner with a Mediterranean influenced menu and great salad bar. The bar area has live Latin music in the evenings: 077422008.

Finally, as you head out of Chaweng proper towards the airport, right opposite the Amari Palm Reef Resort, Prego serves renowned Italian cuisine in a very smart locale: 077422015, while at the far northern end of the strip, the smart new Kandaburi Resort has two super restaurants: the Orchidea for Thai fine dining, and Kandalini, which serves contemporary Mediterranean cuisine: 077428888.

Nightlife in Chaweng Beach


Chaweng deserves its reputation as the place to party on Samui. There is a huge range of venues to sample on a night out, everything from relaxed lounge bars to full-scale dance clubs.

In the warm-up to a night on the town, a stroll along the main beach road offers ample choice of European style pubs and bars where you can while away the after-beach hours, grab a bite and a drink, watch world sport or just let the world go by.


If you prefer to sit on the beach for a sundowner, any of the beachfront restaurants will happily serve drinks without dinner but as the night moves in, most of the action takes place in the bars and clubs around Soi Green Mango.

Green Mango Square

Green Mango offers a street scene characterized by an 'anything-goes' ambience, merry tourists and local revelers bar-hopping and bopping, while fortune tellers set up shop on the pavement, street-side noodle stalls and barbeques do a roaring trade, and sleepy pythons are draped around foreign necks for photo souvenirs.


Despite the chaos, the overall atmosphere is always friendly and relaxed. In fact, you should have no trouble making new friends on a night out here and fights and trouble relatively rare. Theft does occur, however, as with any nightlife location and the 'Sang Som buckets' made with local whiskey are very potent, so if you want to sample the local liquor it's often best to have a sober buddy.

At the Southern end of Chaweng Beach Road, there are a number of great spots. Located towards the very furthest end of the beach road before joining the ring road south to Lamai.

Music Pubs

Chaweng has a good live music scene, and most of the bands play cover tunes of old favourites, so check out some of these places and experience the great atmosphere that only live music can create.



Tropical Murphy's Irish pub is now a firm favourite on the live music scene, Regular acts include OVADA, a tight outfit playing some classic sing-a-long tunes and Thaitanic, who cover everything from U2 to James Brown: 077413614


Outdoor Bar is located near the one-way turn-off to the south Chaweng Beach Road and has live Thai bands playing rock covers most nights. The street side location provides a laid-back ambience ideal for watching the world go by with a cold beer.

Springer Pub is an old-school rock pub that has a cool, eclectic music policy for those looking for an alternative to the ubiquitous house and R'n'B at the clubs. Varying from blues to indie, rock and reggae, with biker-chic decor, friendly staff, and a laid back atmosphere.


Red Snapper restaurant has an up-market wine and cocktail bar with a great Colombian house band playing Latino grooves for the post-dinner crowd. Located in North Chaweng at the Chaweng Regent Hotel.

Springer has live bands on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10.30. Open 2.30pm-late: 0848529606. It's located at the very furthest end of the beach road before joining the ring road to Lamai.

Beer Bars

Soi Reggae also boasts a long stretch of beer bars, which offer a more laid back experience. The girls shriek welcomingly at passers-by, and you can play pool or watch sport and engage in stimulating conversation with the lovelies.

The only area in downtown Chaweng with beer bars is located on the side street back to the main drag leading from Sound Club, around the corner from Soi Green Mango.

There's a collection of small bars there with friendly ladies on hand to flatter you and challenge you to a traditional game of 'Connect Four'.

GO-GO Bars in Koh Samui

While there are not quite as many hostess clubs in Chaweng as other beaches such as Lamai, there are still quite a variety of places to hang out with fun, pretty girls, or watch a dance show. The action is mainly concentrated around Soi Green Mango, and Soi Reggae



Dream Girls is a busy venue, right in the heart of Chaweng's nightlife district on Soi Green Mango. The club is full of lovely ladies waiting to entertain. Check out the amazing revolving go-go podium, ensuring you never get bored of the view.

Charlie's Angels: New, classy venue in the middle of the beer bar area of Soi Sound, for those requiring a little more discretion. The club has a lively atmosphere, attentive waiting staff, and plenty of bouncing belles.

Polo Coyote is a large indoor club, located on the ring road near the PTT gas station and attracts a mainly Thai clientele. They have live bands and dancing girls, with various entertainment styles throughout the week, including the famous "body-painted' show. Open until late.

Moulin Rouge is a huge new, up-market GO GO Bar on Soi Reggae, behind Chaweng Beach Road, by the lake. There you can indulge in a drink or two and watch the dancing babes into the early hours.

Lounge Bars

Samui's nightlife central is located on the middle stretch of Chaweng Beach Road around the Soi Green Mango. Unique Bar is a nice street-side bar with an upstairs lounge that hosts UK DJs playing funky, uplifting house 7 nights a week. Open from 10am-2am:077231002



Bar Solo has a cool, sleek interior and a great music policy as well as a pool table and 6 plasma screens showing the major sporting events. Bar Solo is a good option to start a night out, when you can take advantage of their 1/2price cocktails from 2-8pm. Later in the evening, the bar gets lively with DJS spinning funky, uplifting house and chilled lounge tunes. Open from 2pm-2am, Central Chaweng Beach Road, next to Starbucks.

POD bar sits at the end of Soi Colibri, opposite the Centara Grand Beach Resort and it is a real hidden gem. A great designer interior, kicking cocktails, a friendly vibe and guest DJs throughout the week playing funky tunes you won't find easily elsewhere. This bar is well worth searching for. Open 6pm until late every night of the week. Call 0896614091.

Right next to Chaweng Lake is a hip little newcomer called DUST bar. The owner is passionate about broadening Samui's musical options so treat your ears to an eclectic mix of Afro, Soul, Disco, funk and Balearic, while tickling your taste buds with lush herbal cocktails.

Discos and Nightclubs

Chaweng has many great venues to party the night away, and the variety of music on offer has improved in recent years, with Chaweng's Clubs regularly hosting international DJ talent. Most of the clubs have an open- air layout, and a lively atmosphere, which has given Samui a reputation as a party island.






Sweet soul is on Soi Green Mango on the left hand side at the end of the street and has a lively party every night that spills out onto the street: expect to hear hip-hop and R'n'B.

The Green Mango Club itself is hard to miss in a huge warehouse building at the end of the road. It has two main areas with the entrance space playing hip hop and mainstream tunes, whilst the main pumps out some banging house and techno music.

Sound is a great outdoor venue, the front bar plays hip-hop and R'n'B to a packed crowd, while the dance floor at the back has djs spinning harder house, and there's a big swimming pool separating the two dance floors, which sets the scene for some late night water fights. This is a really popular venue for the late night crowd, and doesn't really get going until after 1am when it is crammed with high-energy revelers. Open 12-5am.

Solo Club is Samui's famous after-party venue that keeps the crowds rocking till the break of dawn. A laid back, good value late night drinking and dancing spot, open from 2-6am. Located behind Starbucks in Central Chaweng.

Q BAR brings chic, urban-style clubbing to the island. The great-looking downstairs club has nightly House DJ sets, and is host to international visiting DJS, while the stunning open air terrace upstairs offers panoramic views over the lake and hosts the Thursday Lounge Sessions with chilled, funky hip-hop and soulful old-school. Open 6-2am.


Chaweng Shopping


Chaweng is one of the best places to shop on Koh Samui. Alongside the multitude of bars and restaurants, the entire length of the beach road is taken up with stores selling goods of every description - from clothes and jewelry to electronics, music and handicrafts with a few lethal weapons thrown in for good measure.

Chaweng provides an impressive selection and variety of goods, with a corresponding range of prices, styles and quality.

Shopping Options

Recent years have seen the arrival of smart, air-conditioned shopping malls offering Western brands and a few funky boutiques, as well as local market-stall vendors selling copy brand-labels and audio-visual material. It is easy to while away an afternoon strolling down Chaweng beach road checking out the products on offer, and this may be the easiest way to browse for souvenirs. In fact, unless you need something specific, or want to visit some of the 'destination' stores listed below, then the roadside goods are replicated many times all along the strip so just take a walk and see what makes you want to reach for your wallet.

Prices and Barter

While prices on Samui are generally higher than in Bangkok, there are nevertheless many bargains to be found in Chaweng, both at the locally run market stalls and in fixed-price stores specializing in Western brands.

When buying from the market stalls, bartering is normal, and the initial price quoted can be quite high. Always work out what you are happy to pay, and engage in the bargaining process with good humour: Once you feel happy with the price, then that is the correct value. If you don't manage to seal a deal, just politely decline and move on.

Choice of Goods

As well as souvenirs and tourist gear, it is also possible to have suits and dresses tailor-made, to buy or order custom-made fine jewelry, to get a free eye test and have designer glasses prepared, or even to order art canvases from catalogues or have a portrait painted. When having clothes tailor-made, try to allow time for 2 fittings in case alterations are needed, and if you want to purchase fine jewelry, be sure to visit only reputable, recommended stores. For those who need a visit an optician try one of the nationwide chains such as Beautiful Optical or Top Charoen, both easily found in the central stretch of the beach road.

Shopping in Chaweng from South to North


In south Chaweng, a smart little row of stores attached to the Centara Grand Beach Resort is well worth browsing. Here you can find a small branch of the famous Jim Thompson Store, selling high-quality Thai silk clothes and soft furnishings. Then there's Ocean beach, which has a nice range of imported bikini's and quality beachwear; BSP Leather with high-end luggage, and a brand shop called Fan, which stocks gorgeous linen creations for men and women, alongside funky, unique leather accessories created


by a resident ex-pat artisan.

Opposite the Centara Grand Beach Resort, Life's a Beach stocks premium-brand Australian bikinis in all sizes. The prices are high by Thai standards, but it can be hard to find locally produced swimwear that fits well.

A few steps away, Classic Gems is a reliable jewellery specialist with certified gemstones supplied and cut at the shops own private factory. Further along the strip, OTOP Place is an interesting store that stocks handicrafts produced under a Thai government initiative aimed at assisting small rural enterprises.

Head north and you will find the i-store, catering to all your MP3 needs, as well as two boutiques which stock interesting ranges of trendy clothes and jewellery called Try Out and Mooi.

Central Chaweng


In the central part of Chaweng, there is a cluster of international stores close to MacDonald's and Tropical Murphy's Pub, these include Timberland, Adidas, Giordano, Levis and Boots pharmacy.



In the same area, Genevieve stocks a fabulous selection of imported bikini's and beachwear, while Chandra is a real gem with funky, exotic fashion sourced from around Asia, and exclusive designs from Bali. They stock many sizes, and the fabrics utilized are perfect for the tropical climate.

The small wooden booth stalls along this stretch stock a range of high quality handicrafts such as sequined shoes and purses, wooden carved ornaments and ethnic jewelry.


One of the best shopping opportunities in Chaweng is the Samui Hot Club.



With three floors of textiles, billowing sarongs, colourful beach gear and even children's clothes, there's an awful lot on offer here.

The great thing about the Hot Club is the riot of colours that greets the eye on entering.

Well ventilated and an amusing place to explore the shop opens after midday and stays open till late.

Northern Chaweng

In the Northern part of the beach road there is a great bikini store stocking unique designs from Bali: Blue Glue.

In the North, there are two shopping plaza's where it is possible to indulge in some air-conditioned comfort-shopping and purchase global brands at marginally cheaper prices than back home.


A brand new plaza recently opened on Chaweng Beach Road. Khun Chaweng Shopping Centre features a selection of individual concessions stocking a vast array of Western brand names such as Lee, Alain Delon, Saville Row, Ferand and Guy Laroche. For a more individual look try the chic boutique Century 22, also within the new complex.


Just North of the Coco Blues Bar, another outdoor plaza is attached to the Iyara Beach Resort and has a good selection of brand-name fashion for men, women and children. This sophisticated plaza hosts stores supplying real Nike, Adidas and Puma sports and footwear. In addition you can but authentic but reasonably priced designer gear by the likes of Ungaro, Pierre Cardin, Nautica, Oxooxo, Triumph, Speedo, Von Dutch and many more. You can also purchase high-quality Thai silk in Jah Chang.


Lamai Beach - Koh Samui


Lamai Beach is Samui's Second largest resort area after Chaweng. It is quieter and less bustling than its big sister, but still with plenty of accommodation, dining and shopping options to be found, and some great spas and tourist sites to explore. In terms of popularity, the tourist facilities and the quality of the beach itself, Lamai comes a close second to Chaweng, but with a less frenetic ambience.

The general atmosphere is laid back and Lamai has slightly older, and by extention cheaper tourist facilities than Chaweng, although there is some indication that the area is slowly being rejuvenated. Along with the rest of Samui, there is a steady trend away from the 'cheap and cheerful' toward smarter, high-end accommodation and dining facilities and new resorts in Lamai such as The Pavillion, The Renaissance and Lamai Wanta bear testament to this upgrade.


While the central part of Lamai can seem a little 'single-male-orientated', especially at night, there is often a fairly mixed crowd of Westerners hanging out in the town. The older European ex-pat scene centres around the beach-road beer-bars, with backpackers and health-seekers staying on the fringes, catered for by spas and cheap bungalows. Due to its relaxed atmosphere, Lamai is also great for families and some resorts such as Jungle Park and Buddy Beer cater well for kids with good swimming pools and shallow, safe beach front areas.

Lamai is a much more manageable size than Chaweng, so a daytime stroll along the beach or an evening walk on the main strip can take in most of the sights. Lamai is also bordered by lush jungle, with secluded bays, small quaint villages, temples, spas, mummified monks and phallic rock formations all close by. Lamai is also a living, working Thai village with a tight-nit local community centred around the cultural hubs of the temple and daily market. There are still quite a few old-style wooden houses raised on stilts and local people sell fruit from their garden, take in laundry and do clothes repairs or run small grocery stores from the front room of their house.

The Beach, Lamai


Lamai beach is lovely - a stunning crescent of palm-fringed powdery white sand that's perfect for whiling away the day sunbathing and a deep central stretch of water great for swimming and watersports. If you are looking for a relaxing few days on the beach, the local amenities can cater adequately to all needs and you wont have to move too

much at all.

At the northern end the water is shallow and rocky, however, the calm shallow nature of the sea here makes it ideal for small children.

Many vendors patrol the beach selling ice cream, fruit, grilled sweet corn or chicken and Thai papaya salad, cold drinks, jewellery, sarongs. Like in the rest of Samui, the beach vendors are polite and not too persistent and therefore offer a useful service, rather than an annoyance.


Lamai also has a number of massage salas dotted along the beach. Most of the beach masseurs offer Thai and oil massages, as well as aloe-vera body wraps, henna tattoos, manicures and hair braiding. There is also a good range of sports available for the more active beach-goer.

In the central stretch of the beach, near Lamai Wanta Resort, you will find a couple of places to rent jet-skis, and kayaks, and there is also windsurfing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, parasailing, and speedboat charters available.

As the sun goes down, some of the beachfront cafes start putting out tables on the sand, and when darkness falls, the candles and fairy lights create a romantic ambience. A cocktail or dinner under the stars is the perfect end to a day on Lamai beach.

Lamai Beach Dining & Restaurants

Lamai has a great selection of dining options ranging from roadside curry stalls where a meal can cost as little as 30 Baht, to the first-class establishments attached to smart hotels. Some of the best Spa and vegetarian food on the island is also available here, thanks to the world-renowned Spa Samui Resorts, with two venues in Lamai. In the beach road area you will find a wide variety of reasonably priced international cafes catering to foreign visitors and ex-pats, including British, Italian, Indian and Scandinavian food. There are also some relatively new bistro-style eateries on the outskirts of Lamai with thoroughly contemporary cuisine, meaning you no longer have to head into Chaweng for top-class international dishes.

Chill-In


Chill-In beach bar and restaurant opened this year and has become a firm favourite with both locals and tourists. Chill-In lives up to its name; a more relaxed place is hard to find! The restaurant has several different seating areas, at and around the bar, on the beach or on wooden picnic style benches.

International chef Carsten has created an eclectic Mediterranean based menu with lots of delicious salads, main dishes and even a selection of desserts, all at reasonable prices. The chicken Balsamico salad is light and delicious or try the pork medallions with parmesan potatoes in garlic herb sauce. Chill-In also serves a small selection of Thai food and has a good choice of cocktails and other drinks.Open 8am till late, Beach road, Lamai.

Coast

This modern beachfront restaurant is attached to the Lamai Wanta Resort, right in the centre of the bay. The innovative fusion menu is expertly prepared and well presented. Reservations via reception: 077424 550.

Coco Rico

This Euro-Thai restaurant is a real insider tip, with ex-pat residents regularly visiting to sample the home-style delights of the kitchen. It's a true testament to the chef's abilities that you may have to wait for a seat. The menu uses good-quality, fresh ingredients to produce simple, well-priced yet skillfully prepared Thai and European favourites. Located on the right hand side on the hill leading to HinTa HinYai.

Continental Bakery

This really is the best place to have a hearty cooked breakfast, and the huge variety of different combinations ensures there is something for everyone. There is delicious fresh-baked bread every day and the friendly lady-boy waitresses provide an entertaining start to the day. Just off the ring road on the first turn toward Lamai beach road from Chaweng. Open early till about 6pm.

Dr Frogs

This new Italian/Thai bar and grill is perched on the hillside coming out of Chaweng Noi towards Lamai. The interesting, quirky name comes with interesting tasty food and an amazing view. This restaurant is already popular with expats and tourists alike and has live music some nights. For reservations and info: 077413797

Go Wat

Another favourite with Thai and western locals alike is Go Wat. Tucked in next to Lamai market, this small restaurant serves an excellent selection of Thai dishes from eye-wateringly spicy curries to fresh seafood. With extremely cheap prices, Go Wat's only downside is its sporadic opening times and days! The restaurant will open for a few days (presumably when funds are low!) and then close again for another few. Erratic opening doesn't put off the clientele however, as soon as the kitchen opens the restaurant is full. If you happen to drive past and Go Wat is open, then grab your chance and sit down! Go Wat, Lamai market, Route 4169.

Jungle Park Restaurant

This lovely beachfront restaurant is part of the Jungle Park Resort, nestled on a peninsular at the northern end of Lamai beach. The kitchen serves great French, Thai and vegetarian cuisine and the locale is child friendly with a pool and shallow beach. Reservations and info:077418034

Long Island


Funky Mediterranean style beachside restaurant and bar, that's very popular with the hi-so Thai jet set, who frequent the attached resort. The menu includes excellent Thai dishes and an imaginative range of salads, sandwiches and snacks.

The main attraction though is the long drinks menu, which includes the islands best smoothies and a huge cocktail selection including, European favourite, the Sea Breeze, which, due to the difficulty of finding cranberry juice in Thailand, is rarely seen elsewhere on Samui. The bars wooden tables and chairs are pleasant enough, but for real comfort the cushion festooned sala is hard to beat. Route 4169, Lamai open 7am - 2am

Ninja Crepes

This cheap and cheerful Samui institution provides delicious Thai food 24 hours a day. With a great selection of crepes too and an amusing photo-menu, there is also a 24hr internet room attached to the diner, with private booths, so you can eat drink and surf all night long! Located on the ring road before the PTT gas station.

Rocky's

A large and beautifully laid-out beachfront restaurant, Rocky's serves top-notch International, Thai and seafood dishes. It has gained recognition through top publications like Thailand Tatler and Unseen Paradise dining guide as being one of the top restaurants in the Thai Kingdom. Rocky's holds regular events such as beach barbeques and Thai entertainment evenings. The restaurant also offers private, romantic, custom-prepared meals in a private sala. From 7am-late (kitchen closes 10.30pm) for reservations and info: 077418367

Sabai-Inglae


Just past HinTa and HinYai or the Grandmother and Grandfather rocks at the south end of Lamai beach is a local secret and its a bit of a gem. This Thai restaurant is perched just above the beach with tables inside and down on the beach. If its a nice evening grab a seat under the stars and relax to the sound of the waves and the soft lighting.

This popular restaurant is always full of Samui residents and when the locals love a restaurant, you know its good. As well as delicious food all made from fresh local ingredients, the restaurant boasts extremely good service and attentive staff. Alongside the excellent Thai dishes the menu offers a good range of European food, and unusually these are very well made. Sabai-Inglae's spicy and sour fish soup and King prawns in tamarind sauce are unmissable and its worth asking about the fresh daily seafood. Open 11am till late, HinTa HinYai, Route 4169.

Salathai


Salathai is a popular restaurant name on Samui but the Salathai on Lamai's main street is something special. Although the classic decor creates a relaxing atmosphere the main reason why people visit Salathai again and again is the food.

Salathai serves up delicious, well presented and reasonably priced dishes from its extensive Thai and European menu. They also have an excellent selection of fresh seafood and a large choice of wines to suit all budgets. Salathai is also known for its great service, with some of the most attentive and pleasant staff around, no matter how busy the restaurant gets. The Salathai signature steak is a must-try as is the steamed sole in lemon sauce with butter rice.Open 2pm till late, Main road, Lamai.

Somtum

This tiny restaurant is so small it doesn't even have a name but don't let that stop you. Situated right on Lamai beach, this is one of the best places on Samui to sample Thailand's famous Somtum or Papaya salad. The restaurant is very basic with only a few chairs and tables on the beach and all the cooking done on a small barbecue but the food is delicious.

As well as Somtum, there are several other north-eastern dishes on the menu and all at ridiculously cheap prices. If all the tables are occupied you can take your food over to Chill-In as long as you buy a drink in the bar.Open 12 - 6pm. Next to chill-In beach bar, Beach road, Lamai.

Spa Samui Resort

Vegetarians can have a hard time in Thailand, given that meat, poultry or fish is included in most dishes. Spa Samui Resort was recently listed as one of the top fifty best restaurants in the world by the UK's prestigious 'Restaurant' magazine and which serves probably the best and most imaginative vegetarian cuisine in the Kingdom.

Its menu is closely linked to the Spa's world famous fasting and rejuvenation programmes, and presents a mouth-watering array of healthy and delicious fare, ranging from its signature "SPA" Salad (Lettuce, cabbage, onion, carrot, tomato, cucumber, & sprouts with Spa dressing ("Bragg's" apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, garlic, fresh basil,) through ultra-light soups such as "SPA" Seaweed Soup to more substantial treats like "SPA" Steamed Veggie Platter.

For fish and meat eaters there are several chicken dishes and the finest fresh local seafood, such as Mussels with Veri, Veri Teriyaki Sauce, and a wide selection of Thai favourites with a vegetarian twist. If that's not enticing enough, then you can enjoy it all at two locations: beachside in Lamai or in the hills overlooking the southeast coast. Spa Samui Beach, Tel: 077 230 855. Spa Samui Village, Tel: 077 230 976. Open 7am - 10pm.

Sri Nuan


A Lamai institution, the Sri Nuan family restaurant now has 2 other locations as well as the original in Lamai food centre. Sri Nuan is one of the best places to try inexpensive but delicious Thai food in Lamai.


The huge menu has an excellent selection of fresh seafood and just about every Thai dish imaginable! Sri Nuan also offers a selection of western dishes but they aren't a patch on the restaurants specialty Thai food. Try Sri Nuan's spicy tom yum soup or their delicious massaman curry. Open from 9am till late, Main road and Lamai food centre, Lamai.

Tawann Restaurant


As befits the five star surroundings of the Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa, the decor of Tawann s chic and understated. Get there before sunset, if possible, to enjoy drinks on the terrace - the sea view is quite simply stunning. As for the food, expect an eclectic mix of Thai and French, Italian and Spanish classics.

Dishes such as Vichyssoise Soup, Tortilla Espanola, Croque Madame and Asparagus & Palma Ham Salad really speak for themselves and there's also a superlative seafood and meat selection, including treats such as Roasted Fillet of Red Snapper & Baby Fennel and Provencal Beef Tenderloin.

All in all an essential destination if you're staying in the vicinity and well worth making the effort to get to if you're not. Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa, Route 4169, Lamai. Open 6-11pm. Closed Wednesdays. Reservations: 07742 9300

The Cliff Bar and Grill


The Cliff's hillside location between Chaweng and Lamai affords it some of the best sea views on the island. Split into separate restaurant and bar areas, it serves excellent Mediterranean cuisine.

Dishes like Portugese Piri Piri Chicken, Ameijoas a' Bulhao Pato (Clams in White Wine Sauce) and Gambas com Caril (Goan Curried prawns) come in large hearty portions and are a perfect match for one of the many reasonably priced New World Wines on offer Musically, there's decent chill out tunes in the bar, with occasional guest DJ"s, and more traditional Latino grooves in the restaurant. Overall, a great place to spend a lazy, sunny, afternoon. Route 4169, Tel. 01 913 2002

The Patio at Pavilion Samui Boutique Resort


Well worth splurging a little here, the Patio is Lamai's fanciest and nicest restaurant on the beach. Still reasonably priced by western standards, the food is fantastic and looks as good as it tastes. The Patio's menu is extensive with choices from European, Thai and seafood dishes.

The restaurant is famous for its beautiful water features; so many infact that wherever you sit in the large open space you can hear the soft sounds of water. Adding to the romantic atmosphere are a trio of excellent Filipino acoustic singers that move around the tables, taking songs on request.

Recommended dishes are the black ink fettuccine with smoked chicken breast, asparagus and bacon in a spicy tomato sauce and the Szechuan duck with sea scallops. Open from 6.30pm till late. Pavilion Samui Boutique Resort, Main Road, Lamai.


Lamai Shopping

Lamai has a decent array of tourist goods for sale, with beachwear and reasonably priced fashions, good CD and DVD selections, some handicrafts, and the ubiquitous pharmacies and Mini Marts easily found along the beach road.

There is also a Bookazine store with magazines, paperbacks and local interest books, located half way along the beach road. Lamai boasts a slightly smaller variety of goods than Chaweng, but the prices in Lamai tend to be cheaper, and while the stores catering for tourists also employ the barter system, it is a little more relaxed. There are also some more offbeat jewellery stores in Lamai where your own designs can be produced, as well as some funky boutiques in the nearby village of Hua Thanon.

Siddartha

This great clothes store has a large range of Indian-style hippie gear and some really funky, chunky jewellery. There is a menswear range too, as well as accessories such as bags and belts and cool Balinese bikinis. They have a decent range of sizes and attentive English-speaking staff. Located in Hua Thanon next to Zer Studio.

Zer Studio

This funky boutique has a huge selection of unique, hand-made ethnic gemstone jewellery and leather accessories. The onsite jeweller can create designs to order. Open from 9am-9pm. Located in Hua Thanon, just look for the crazy painted VW Beatle outside!

Mr Samui's

This popular craft shop is a veritable Aladdin's cave with silver, gold, gemstones, ornaments and scarves on display throughout the restaurant/ internet-cafe/bar. There are some really lovely and original gift items on sale, and the Thai food is also highly recommended. Located at the Southern end of Lamai beach road. Open 9am until late every day.

Lamai Fresh Market

For a bit of local colour, check out the hustle and bustle of the local market behind the PTT gas station. The front yard has many cooked food stalls selling local delicacies such as curries, fried fish, homemade sausages and papaya salad with sticky rice. Around the edges of the market you will find an array of clothes and shoe stalls with amazingly cheap products, while venturing inside, your senses will be bombarded with the sights sounds and smells of the vibrant fresh produce, meat and fish sections. Weird and wonderful displays of vegetables and fruit abound, as well as buckets of live eels and frogs: a truly 'Thai' experience.

Royal Project Health Mart

Located on the ring road about 5 minutes south of Lamai temple, the Royal Project shop is reminiscent of European health-food stores. Whilst it is fairly sparsely stocked, the selection includes great organic and herbal cosmetics, and organic fruits and vegetables, not mention health drinks and dried nuts and fruit.

The royal project aims to provide an alternative livelihood for farmers in the North of Thailand who used to rely on slash-and burn agriculture and opium production, and now grow high-value cash crops for domestic and international markets.

BanSoi Gemstones/Mr Samui's


Walking into Mr Samui's is like walking into Aladdin's cave. Silver, gold, gems, trinkets, ornaments and scarves are in every corner and littering every surface. There are bracelets, anklets, necklaces, rings and earrings made out of every metal and precious gem imaginable! Choose from one of the thousands of pieces in the display cases or you can have your own design made up.

Once you've finished browsing, take a load off and relax on the Thai style floor cushions. You can also eat here or just enjoy a drink and soak up the atmosphere. Open from 9am till late every day. South Lamai Beach Road.

DreamCatcher

If you want a beautiful unique piece of jewellery, then head to Dreamcatcher near Hinta HinYai. The owner and jeweller Pin handcrafts every item himself. He can also create your own design or help you design something special. Dreamcatcher sells silver jewellery inlaid with with precious gems such as turquoise, amber and island shells. As well as jewellery they have a selection of gorgeous leather bags studded with turquoise stones. Great as a gift or for treating yourself. Open from 9am every day. Opposite HinTa HinYai, Route 4169. Telephone: 0862667572.

Exotica Boutique

Owned and run by jewellery designer Sumetta Sangouthai, Exotica is well worth checking for top quality, unique souvenirs of your visit to Koh Samui. Located just up the road from one of the island's biggest tourist attractions, the phallic rocks Hin Ta and Hin Yai, Exotica specialises in jewellery which is handmade by Sumetta and which includes a range of eye-catching stones and settings. Bracelets, necklaces and earrings are all available for as little as 700 Baht. There's also a funky selection of colourful Chiang Rai bags on sale and stunning limited edition hand tinted photos from celebrated, Samui-based photographer, Claudio Cerquetti. Lamai Beach, on the way to Hin Ta Hin Yai, Tel. 01 538 3444

Ginger

Ginger is a funky little boutique that opened in 2006. They have a beautiful selection of trinkets, clothes and jewellery. They also sell shoes and accessories and everything is reasonably priced. Ginger is a great place to go if you're looking for something pretty but different. Open 9am till 8pm every day. Hin Ta Hin Yai, Route 4169, Lamai. Telephone: 065869334

Island books

Island books is one of the best second hand book shops on the island. Paul the owner is fastidious about the quality of books he puts on his shelves so you are guaranteed that your book won't fall apart as soon as you open it. The bookshop is very well organised and easy to navigate and Paul is always on hand to give advice and answer questions. Island books has a large range of books in English, French and German and a small selection of other languages. You can choose to buy or rent your book and Paul will also buy your old books from you. All the books are priced very reasonably at around 150 to 180 baht per book. Open 9am till 8pm every day. Near Buddy Beer bar, Route 4169, Lamai.

Popala House

This cave like shop is not much to look at from the outside but there are some wonderful finds to be had inside the gloom. The shop is packed to the gills with stunning teak furniture, ornate carvings and religious idols in metal and wood. Be prepared to barter hard in here though- the owner is stubborn! Open from 9am every day. Route 4169, opposite Wat Lamai.

Samui Hotclub

Samui Hotclub also has a store in central Chaweng beach selling good quality cheap clothing. They have a great range of tourist favourites such as Thai fisherman's trousers, kaftans and printed sarongs. Hotclub also stocks some more expensive hand painted and embroidered sarongs and a good selection of accessories. Everything is fixed price so don't try bartering in here. Open 10am till late every day. Lamai Beach road and Chaweng Beach road. Telephone: 077232276

Hin Ta Hin Yai Stalls

Next to the famous grandmother and grandfather rocks in southern Lamai are a group of stalls selling a range of goods. The atmosphere here is great fun with a one man band playing Thai tunes as you browse. These stalls are one of the best places to pick up traditional coconut wood carvings and shell ornaments.

Try not to buy the coral or larger shells as this encourages reef damage and bringing coral into your home country can land you in hot water! Try the local Thai caramel and coconut sweet desserts as well they are absolutely delicious and a great gift for friends back home. Hin Ta Hin Yai, Route 4169.


Lamai Beach Nightlife and Bars

Smaller than Chaweng, the scene at Lamai is slightly older with everything from the ubiquitous bar beers, to discos, music venues, Thai dancing, mud wrestling and weekly Thai lady boxing. (Very entertaining and free of charge at the bar conglomerate in east Lamai). Lots of foot stomping at consistently busy Bauhaus (foam party!!) and Club Remix, while Angkor - a big multi-level wood & stone replica of the real thing, often features Thai bands.

Dance Clubs in Samui

When you want to get your groove on in Lamai its time to head to one of the four nightclubs on offer. While pounding beats and disco lights are common to all four, the musical styles range from techno to pop music - be prepared to hear the same tunes night after night though - when Thais love a song they can't get enough of it.

The Buddy Beer and Shark Bar complex on the main ring road between Chaweng and Lamai has proved to be a popular reproduction of its Bangkok sister club. With Buddy Beer offering food and beer all night long and Shark Bar pounding techno out into the early hours this venue is loved by local Thai party goers. In the daytime Buddy's has a large swimming pool and jacuzzi looking over the beach. Route 4169. Open 11am - 2am.

Bauhaus in the centre of town is a Lamai institution. Hosting a cocktail night on Wednesdays (drink 10 cocktails and get a free T-shirt - you'll probably need the change of clothes after 10 cocktails!) and a popular foam party on Fridays, Bauhaus is a haven of pop music and cheap drink. Main Road, Lamai. Open 6pm - 2am.


On Lamai's main street is the ever popular Fusion nightclub. Featuring 2 excellent resident DJs the music ranges from acid jazz to funky house and suits the darkly atmospheric club. Shake the night away on Fusion's heaving dance floor or people watch in one of the comfortable seating areas. Main Road, Lamai. Open 6pm - 2am.

Last but not least is Sub Club or Super Sub, located just behind Fusion nightclub. This cavernous venue is open until the sun comes up with plenty of pounding techno and house music to keep revellers awake. Sub has an excellent selection of drinks and a large beer garden outside with a huge TV screen to keep sports fans happy. Main Road, Lamai. Open 9pm - 2am.

GO GO Bars


Lamai's most famous type of watering hole, the slightly seedy go-go bars with their very friendly dancing barmaids. Although not to everyones liking both of Lamai's main streets have girly bars galore, usually consisting of a bar and a pole both of which are danced on by the scantily clad ladies. Stroll down any one Lamai's streets and you will soon be beckoned into a bar with both pretty girls and cheap beer.

The newest and largest of these establishments, Stringfellas is situated behind Fusion nightclub and is modeled on its London namesake with revolving poles and pounding pop music. The dancers tend to look fairly bored but the club is the most modern in town and is fully air conditioned. Main Road, Lamai. Open 8pm - 2am.

Beer Bars

Throughout tourist areas in Thailand you can find hundreds of these small bars. As the name suggests the beer flows constantly, served by attractive and extremely attentive young ladies - Beware swelling egos and deflating wallets - a common beer bar hazard! Beer bar staff love to play pool, Connect Four or Jenga but don't bet on winning, these women are professionals....you have been warned!


Next to Bauhaus club in central Lamai is Shamrock Pub a favourite with football fans but not the place to go if its a quiet night you're after. Newly opened, this sports bar boasts lots of large television screens throughout and several full size pool tables. Loud music and cheap beer abound. Main Road, Lamai. Open 2pm - 2am.


Chill In on Lamai beach opened at the beginning of the year and is proving popular with tourists and residents alike due to its relaxed atmosphere, chilled out music and range of seating areas. You can chose to chill on large comfortable bamboo chairs, swing in a hammock or lie on the beach on a tradition Thai triangular cushion. Chill In also serves gourmet food all day at fairly reasonable prices and has a good drinks menu both alcoholic and nonalcoholic. Lamai Beach. Open 8am - 2am.

Live Music

Outback bar in central Lamai is a beer bar with a difference. Every night the band play live music ranging from classic rock tunes to more modern numbers. Styled like an outback saloon without walls, lots of bar stools make this the perfect place to perch and watch the world go by. Main Road, Lamai. Open 2pm - 2am.

Slightly south of outback bar is the Smooth Pub. Don't let this tiny venues cave like appearance put you off, every night the excellent house band play live music which you can enjoy with a beer or while playing chess on one of the many boards provided. Main Road, Lamai. Open 4pm - 2am.

Thai Boxing (Muay Thai)


Thailand's most famous sport and an unmissable sight for any visitor, Muay Thai can be seen in two different venues in Lamai. Lamai stadium host fights on Monday nights starting at 8.30pm. Paying customers can see several different fights between professional and semi-pro boxers.

Expect to see lots of hopping around, the occasional bit of action and a lot of male (sometimes female) pride. Soi Had Lamai, Lamai. Monday nights starting 8.30pm.

For a less traditional but hugely entertaining experience the small boxing ring opposite Fusion nightclub on the main road presents lady Thai boxing on Saturday nights. Entry is free, just buy a drink at one of the surrounding go-go bars. Each Saturday there are several bouts of ladies boxing, men boxing and if you're really lucky the hilarious sight of ladyboy boxing - once seen never forgotten! Get there early to ensure a good view.
Main Road, Lamai. Starts 9.30pm

Buddy Beer Bar


If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The owners of Buddy Beer clearly had this adage in mind when they successfully reproduced one of the Khao San Road's busiest bars on Koh Samui.

The Buddy Beer Bar and adjacent Suzie Pub both follow the Bangkok template that has proved to be a big hit with the backpacker faithful for the past few years: cheap beer, loud music, authentic local cuisine and an anything goes party atmosphere.

There's also a sizable outdoor area between the two, lit up - quite literally like a football pitch - with huge floodlights, and sun loungers by the sea to chill out on during the day. Route 4169, Lamai. Open 11am - 2am.

Tawann Bar & Terrace


Situated within the Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa, the Tawann Bar & Terrace is one of the island's best cocktail lounges. The bar seats about 30 and has a small but concise cocktail list as well as a fine wines and spirit menu.

The decor is an impressive mixture of Thai and contemporary design and the bar looks out towards the beach with spectacular sunset and sea views. There are also delicious light snacks and a good range of afternoon teas and coffees available.
Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa. Route 4169, Between Chaweng and Lamai. Open 10:30am - 12am.

Fusion


A musical oasis in a dessert of dodgy girly bars playing dodgy euro-house; Fusion breaks the mould with acid jazz, funk, soul and drum & base nights.

The bar itself is invitingly dark and there's plenty of comfortable seating around the small dance floor. Main Road, Lamai. Open 6pm - 2am.

Siam Bar and Grill

The only place on Samui to see live female mud wrestling! If that's of interest, then the SB&G is the place to be on a Sunday night. Tamer than might be imagined, the mud wrestling is (almost) good clean family fun, more in the tradition of Benny Hill or Carry On than anything seamier. Other nights include performances by Samui leading Elvis impersonator, Richie Newton and German Reggae superstar Mr Coconut. The food isn't bad, the cocktail list is huge, kids are welcome and it's fully air-con too. Main Road, Lamai. Open 11am - 2am.

Sub Club


Opened in early 2003, the Sub Club tries hard with decent DJ's, playing house and techno at high volume, a good drinks selection with lots of promotions and professional dancers from Bangkok to whip the crowd up into a frenzy.

It's probably necessary to mention that the dancers are not strippers or go-go girls - everything is kept tasteful. Sports fans may be impressed by the gigantic screen that looms over the beer garden. Main Road, Lamai. Open 9pm - 2am.


Lamai Beach Attractions

If you are based in Lamai, it is worth hiring a jeep or motorbike to explore the surrounding environs, as a lot of the interesting attractions are located on the outskirts of Lamai itself. Some of the island's most popular tourist sites are located in this locality, such as Hinta HinYai and Wat Khunaram, so if you can drag yourself off the beach, you could easily fill a couple of days exploring the area.

To the South of Lamai, it seems as though the rapid development of the majority of the east coast abruptly ceases, and after the Muslim Fishing village of Hua Thanon you can step back in time to the Samui before mass-tourism, with verdant jungle-clad hills, water buffaloes grazing by the roadside, and little shack-cafes selling soft-drinks and simple Thai food.

Hin Ta & Hin Yai






Samui's phallic rocks are as popular with Thai visitors as foreigners. Meaning Grandfather Rock and Grandmother Rock respectively, in local legend the rocks represent two doomed lovers who drowned themselves in the sea here, because their families disapproved of their relationship.

A large board at the site tells their story in full dramatic detail. The street approaching the rocks is lined with stalls selling a nice range of coconut wood products and garamear - Samui's own glutinous coconut candy, which is rarely available elsewhere on the island.

Hua Thanon

Just South of Hinta Hinyai, this fishing village is home to a large proportion of Samui's Muslim population, and still retains a quaint, old-Samui feel, with rickety teakwood houses lining the road, as well as some decent seafood restaraunts and ethnic clothing and jewellery boutiques. Whilst you may not see too many long-tail boats setting off to cast nets these days, its worth checking out the teak houses put to modern usage, with the play station arcades and cars parked in the front rooms.

Lamai Overlap Stone

It is a challenge to get up to these impressive balanced boulders, but the spectacular views on arrival make it worthwhile for the adventurous traveller. The steep, rough, dirt-track road leading to the viewpoint should only be attempted on a dirt bike or with a 4x4, and the last stretch may have to be walked, depending on conditions. Alternatively it is a hard 20-minute climb on foot, but there is a refreshment stall at the top and it is an exhilarating experience. Look for the signs on the right hand side of the ring road 1km south of Hinta Hinyai in Lamai Beach.

Spa Samui Resort


Spread over two locations in Lamai - one beachside and one in the hills, Spa Samui Resort is now famous worldwide for its fasting and cleansing programmes, and kick-started the whole trend for alternative health spas with its opening in 1992. Fasting packages range from one day to seven days and are augmented by reflexology, meditation and yoga classes.

For the passing visitor there's also massages, including Thaiatsu, Aroma Oil and Healing Clay, facials and other treatments on offer. Their mostly vegetarian restaurant (same menu at both sites) was recently voted one of the fifty best restaurants in the world by an international magazine and serves a huge array of salads and health shakes unavailable elsewhere on the island.

Accommodation is available at both locations although the hillside site is much newer and its bungalows are a higher quality than those on the beach. Lamai Beach and Route 4169, Tel. 077 230 976.

Karate


Samui's own karate kid, Geoff Pickup has been learning the martial art for the past 14 years and teaching full time for the last three since becoming a black belt. Geoff arrived on Samui a couple of years ago to establish his own Dojo.

The school is located in the hills behind Lamai and has become a popular spot for local expats to develop their chi and learn the basics of Goju Ryu Karate. One-hour Self Defence classes are available three mornings a week and are an ideal introduction to Goju Ryu. Everyone from 16 years old upwards is welcome to join. Classes cost around 500 baht per hour. Bungalows for full karate retreats are scheduled to open in 2005. Behind Lamai. Tel. 01 968 0359 for more info.

Mountain Biking


One alternative way to explore Koh Samui is by bicycle. Red Bicycle in Lamai offers guided tours around the island, bike rentals and sales. They stock quality bicycle brands such as Cannondale and provide all equipment from helmets to kneepads. All trips are led by experienced guides fully trained in first aid response.

Red Bicycle also insures all rides and riders, which is reassuring as Samui's roads are renown for being some of the most dangerous in Thailand. Route 4169, Lamai beach. Telephone 07 723-213-6

Wat Lamai and Cultural Hall

The Lamai temple is the social epicentre for the local Thai community. Alongside weddings, funerals and religious festivals, it plays host to some lively temple fairs throughout the year with concerts, fairground games, food and even an outdoor cinema.The temple fairs last for over a week and if you are in Lamai when one is being held it is certainly worth checking out.

The musty, dusty Cultural Hall inside the temple complex houses a quaint and unique collection of artefacts from Samui's past, ranging from brass and earthenware vessels and cooking implements to wooden agricultural tools, Armadillo skins; dried pufferfish, swords, muskets, ancient bicycles, and an amazing 2000 year old metal ceremonial drum unearthed in Lamai village. The fact that there are no explanatory notes in English means that you have to use your imagination to compose mental images of Samui's bygone days. Route 4169, Lamai.

Wat Khunaram


The body of Samui's most famous mummified monk - there really are several - Loung Pordaeng is on display here. Loung Pordaeng died over twenty years ago and as per his instructions, his body was placed in a specially designed glass case for posterity. It has remained there ever since and has showed few signs of decay.

His remarkable longevity is ascribed to the simple diet he followed in life and his frequent marathon meditation sessions, which considerably slowed down his metabolism. A guide, giving the full details of Loung's remarkable life is on sale at the Wat alongside various Buddhist amulets depicting him. Route 4169, South of Lamai Town.


Bophut Beach - Koh Samui


Bophut is really two places: Bophut beach, which sweeps down several kilometres between Big Buddha and Maenam beaches and perhaps one of the oldest places on the island, the charming Fisherman's Village, which takes up the middle section of the beach.

Fisherman's Village is fast gaining a reputation that stretches way beyond Samui for being the most elegant and well-preserved place on the island. Lined by old wooden Chinese shop-houses, interspaced with a few modern buildings that match the tone, it retains a distinctly Mediterranean feel. This has probably got a lot to do with the fact that it was the main French outpost on the island for many years.

Mixed in among the shops are several boutiques, selling high quality clothing and jewellery. There are also some dive shops in the area, offering scuba lessons or day dives to sites in the famous Ang Thong Marine Park, Sail Rock or Koh Tao Island.

La Sirene also offers some selected tours to secret spots in the surrounding islands or some Jeep rides to places difficult to access for visitors not familiar with the island, mainly the Secret Buddha Garden. Try an elephant ride in the tropical forest or go for a fishing trip on a local fishing boat (with local fisherman) around the island of Koh Phangan.

Bophut Beach Hotels






Accommodation is limited in Fisherman's Village itself, though one of the island's best small hotels, The Lodge, and the stylishly upmarket Apartments are located beachfront here.

At the western end, beyond Fisherman's Village, the area is undergoing a dramatic transformation. No less than three five star resorts are under construction in close proximity to each other. That said, the average quality of accommodation in Bophut has always been higher than in neighbouring Maenam and the existing resorts tend to attract well-heeled independent travellers drawn to funky, fashionable, places like Gecko Village, which is rave central for house music fans, and the Bali-Med style Zazen Resort.

Bophut Shopping










Bophut beach is a great place to buy beautiful furniture and the Fisherman's village has some nice souvenir shops. The best way to shop in Bophut is to park up and have a good stroll around especially in the small streets of the Fisherman's village.

Bophut Beach Attractions and Activities










Bohput is essentially two areas – the long beach and the quaint Fisherman's Village. Its attractions are diverse as well: If you like swinging from trees, try the canopy walk and if you like culture explore the village and for those who need an adrenalin rush go for the Go-Karting. Whatever you choose to do in this part of Samui you'll be surrounded by attractive scenery and friendly people.

Bophut Bars and Nightlife










From beer and wine, to cocktails, Bophut has earned an excellent reputation on the alcoholic beverage front with the island's locals. If you seek a pleasant location for a quiet evening drink, or want to catch up on local gossip as you chat with a local pub owner, this is the place to do it.

Bophut Restaurants and Dining






Bophut is one of the best places to eat on Koh Samui, especially if its a romantic evening you're after. Away from the crowds of Chaweng but still with plenty of choice of restaurants and cuisine, Bophut offers the best of both worlds. Fisherman's village houses several funky restaurants and pubs, while dining on the beach gives beautiful views of Koh Phangnan and Koh Tao.

If you need a change from the delicious local food joints, there are several elegant upmarket restaurants to tempt you. Bophut is renown for having an excellent supply of fresh seafood, whether you're in a food stall or a five star venue. So head to Bophut and see what takes your fancy...

Maenam Beach - Koh Samui


Perhaps it's the excellent views of Koh Phangan that have kept Maenam as Samui's last predominantly backpacker beach. Or maybe it's the fact that many of its resorts are located at the end of long rambling pathways, affording a degree of privacy unavailable elsewhere. Either way, Maenam is still the place to be while away for a few weeks (or months) on a low budget, staying in one of the many cheap fan bungalow operations that are dotted along the beach.

Maenam Beach Hotels






At the other end of the scale, Santiburi Resort provides dependable five star luxury to those who can afford it and excellent Royal Thai cuisine at its Sala Thai restaurant. The eastern end is home to the ultra-luxurious 5 star Pansea Napasai, one of Samui's premier destinations for a decadent getaway. Health Oasis Resort, which offers all manner of new age treatments and fasting programmes, can be found at the western end of the beach and represents an altogether more puritanical holiday experience.

Maenam Shopping

Maenam is more of a residential area than a shopping hub but in amongst the cafes and restaurants there are some great shops, mainly selling teak and asian style furniture.

The furniture stores are generally well established which is great if you need advice on shipping your purchase home. Many shops offer an international shipping service at reasonable prices.


Maenam Dining and Restaurants






Maenam beach is one of Samui's prettiest and quietest beaches. There are plenty of restaurants to suit every budget, from 5 star dining to more casual local venues.

While the scene is on a small scale there is still a good choice of food from around the world. Of course alongside the international cuisine there are all types of Thai food on offer, from noodle soup stalls to Royal Thai dishes. Whether its a posh evening out with or simply grabbing a quick bite to eat, Maenam has it all.


Maenam Nightlife and Bars






Romantic Maenam, where a quiet evening with your loved one is bound to be more than sipping cocktails with your partner as the sun sets.

Despite what many will tell you, this quaint coastal village has far more on offer, nightlife wise, than meets the eye. We have mentioned a few popular venues below, which will be added to as further nightlife establishments open up or are discovered.


Big Buddha Beach - Koh Samui


One of Samui's fastest developing areas, Big Buddha benefits from its proximity to the airport and Chaweng Beach. It's also the best place in the north of the island to catch a ferry or speedboat over to Had Rin on the island of Koh Pha Ngan - home of the Full Moon Party.

Big Buddha's long sweeping beach is lined with cheap to mid-price bungalow operations, many of which have excellent restaurants attached. One of the island's more opulent independent spas. Ban Sabai can also be found here.

The main road has improved a lot in recent months and now has several dive shops, numerous supermarkets and many nightlife options. The long running Secret Garden Festival, which is held every Sunday, is still a big draw for expats and tourists alike. There are also now British pubs, such as the Elephant & Castle and Brahms & Liszt; a sailors' hangout, The BBC; tapas bar Saboey and a myriad of cheap and cheerful beer bars, all doing their bit to attract visitors to the area and serve its large expat population.

Although backpackers still make up the majority of the clientele, Big Buddha is also now attracting its fair share of small tour groups and families, who appreciate being within a short distance of the bars and clubs of Chaweng and the trendy restaurants and shops of Fisherman's Village, but would rather stay on a quiet beach, which apart from the occasional kiteboarder, tends to remain pretty peaceful throughout the day.

Out on a causeway at the northern end of the beach, Wat Phra Yai houses the statue that gives the beach its name and is the island's most popular tourist attraction. Twelve metres tall and located at at the top of a wide staircase decorated with dragons, it dominates the landscape and attracts visitors from all over the world. The view from the top of the staircase is brilliant.

A cluster of arty shops, including Farn Shop, which specialises in hand wrought silver jewellery, surround the temple.

The weekly Secret Garden Festival is a popular draw for expats and tourists alike. Visiting bands and musicians play impromptu sessions live every Sunday afternoon from 4p.m. The sessions often attract a crowd of around 200-300 hundred people, all in a party mood. Apart from this weekly happening, the area remains peaceful and relaxing.

Big Buddha Beach Hotels






Big Buddha Beach is home to many budget accommodations and this is where the famous Secret Garden Resort is located with its tradition of excellent live music every Sunday. The up-market Punnpreeda Hip Resort is also situated here with its Deluxe Rooms, Garden Villas, Ocean Villas and Jacuzzi Suites. If you are looking for bungalows on the beach this are effortlessly fits the bill.


Choeng Mon Beach


Much more upmarket that its neighbour Big Buddha, Choeng Mon is made up of a series of bays on the north-western tip of the island, which are dominated by a handful of three to five star resorts.

Most of the activity of places like the White House, The Peninsula and Tong Sai Bay is kept in-house, meaning that apart from a few tailors and local restaurants there's not a lot going on outside the hotels. Still, when guests can have their own private beach as offered by Tong Sai and the Peninsula, there's not a great deal of incentive to leave either.

Most of the resorts attract an older, package tour crowd, predominantly from Germany and France. This is reflected in the food and entertainment on offer in many of the resorts' restaurants. So don't expect the Thai cuisine served to be too spicy and do expect traditional Thai dancing and numerous Filipino bands expertly playing covers of Western pop standards.

A big advantage for anyone travelling with children, is that the resorts are all built on substantial grounds and therefore have all got much bigger swimming pools than can generally be found elsewhere on the island. Cheap accommodation, on the other hand, is virtually non-existent in Choeng Mon.

Choeng Mon Beach Hotels






Choeng Mon has so many coves, bays and hideaways, it's natural that it should host a whole gamut of resorts and hotels. The beautiful Six Senses Hideaway is here, along with Melati Beach Resort & Spa as well as the classy SALA Samui Resort & Spa. The accent here at Choeng Mon is on higher-end accommodation but you'd never guess it, once outside your resort as here the real Samui is still thriving with its coconut trees, smiling locals and ubiquitous and colourful day markets.


Taling Ngam

Easily the most remote spot on the island, Taling Ngam's appeal mainly lies with those who want to get away from it all in style, i.e. by staying at Baan Taling Ngam Resort, one of Samui's foremost luxury hotels.

It's not difficult to see why the location was chosen: pristine jungle shrouded beaches and stunning views of Anthong Marine National Park combine to make Taling Ngam one of the most picturesque parts on the island. Apart from Le Meriden, there are also a couple of cheap bungalow options and a highly regarded seafood restaurant, Five Islands, but it is a 20-30 minute drive even from Nathon, the nearest town of any significance and almost an hour away from Chaweng. That said, if you're after a relaxing, lazy, holiday above all else, Taling Ngam is hard to beat. Given that the area is also fast becoming a residential property hotspot, this may not be the case for too much longer.

Taling Ngam Hotels






Taling Ngam is easily the most isolated spot on Samui. With nodding palms, turquoise sea and dense jungle the area is a gorgeous tropical cliché with the accent on tranquillity. Here you will find top-end luxury in the form of Baan Taling Ngam Resort & Spa – a place to recharge and purely relax. Other top-end accommodation is Villa Beige, a secluded 5,000sqm piece of paradise. If you're looking for opulence, tranquillity and peace then book a hotel in Taling Ngam

Lipa Noi Beach


Its closeness to the island's main car ferry pier makes Lipa Noi a convenient choice for anyone driving to Samui from the mainland. The beach has fine white sand and there are no rocks or coral in the water, making it one of the best beaches for kids on the island. The water is also very shallow for up to 100 metres out.

There are a few well-spaced bungalow operations, of which Big John Seafood is the most popular. Their attached restaurant is also well worth a visit. There are also now a couple of beachside luxury villa properties for rent. Lipa Noi is also home to the Samui Dhama Healing Centre one of Samui's more intense fasting spas.

Apart from the beach, there's little else to do in the area - its very remoteness is what makes it most attractive to the regular visitors, who come in quite large numbers. It is certainly not the place to come for a party and this is reflected in the older demographic of tourists here. There's not much in the way of entertainment in the area but driving through the coconut plantations will provide you with a pleasant and relaxing sense of being in tropical paradise.

Lipa Noi Beach Hotels






Lipa Noi Beach is unique to Samui in that it is western facing and has perfect swimming conditions. This means great sunsets under perfect conditions. Sounds good? Well then maybe you should book a hotel in the area. The Lipa Lovely Resort is so named because, well you know the rest, but then the Rajapruek Samui Resort is right on the beach and the last word in peaceful seclusion. Lipa Noi is also home to several stand-alone villas which specialise in family or group holidays.

Nathon Town

Samui's administrative and business centre doesn't offer a great deal to the short stay tourist. ATM's and postal facilities are now available in most other places on the island, but Nathon is the place to go for full banking services and the main Post Office, which also has a telecoms centre for overseas calls.

For anyone arriving by boat as a passenger, Nathon is also the island's main port (car ferries dock at Lipa Noi, a few kilometres south) and jumping off point for the islands of Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and mainland Surat Thani. To service the backpacker trade, a small cottage industry of sarong shops, bakeries, second hand bookshops, travel agents and internet cafes have sprung up along the waterfront.

Nathon is also the only place on Samui to find 'head' shops selling opium pipes, bongs, king size rizlas and all other manner of dope paraphernalia. Given the Thais increasingly hardline attitude towards drugs, it's wise to exercise caution with the use of any purchases.

The town's main tourist attraction for day trippers is its old wooden Chinese shophouses that line the middle road, selling an esoteric range of goods, including a lot of gold. Souvenirs bought here will also be considerably cheaper than elsewhere on the island. Food wise, any of the waterfront seafood restaurants are recommended for a taste of truly authentic and very spicy, local cuisine. Hotel accommodation is cheap and plentiful, but as few tourists have any need to stay the night, it's primarily aimed at the local market.


Hua Thanon/Bang Kao

Hua Thanon And Bang Kao are amongst the least developed parts of Samui and there are only a few resorts spread at leisurely intervals along the two beaches on the island's south west tip.

Bang Kao is home to Central Samui Village which offers upscale accommodation that stretches down a steep hillside to the beach below. There are also a couple of older mid-range bungalow operations and a few independent restaurants but little else in the area apart from the Samui Aquarium & Tiger Zoo, which is fine as long as you don't mind your baby tigers drugged and compliant for photo ops. A much kinder option is the nearby Butterfly Garden, which showcases indigenous varieties in a well-managed environment.

Hua Thanon, which starts just beyond Hin Ta & Hin Yai, is similarly quiet and is home to a few long-stay backpacker resorts as well as one of Samui's last remaining traditional fishing fleets. The Muslim village has a charming atmosphere and is well worth a visit for a glimpse into island life before mass tourism. The fishermen's elegantly painted kor lae boats are very photogenic, as is the village's fish market. There are a few decent seafood restaurants by the side of the sea, which give you a taste of true Samui cuisine at bargain basement prices.

Hotels in Hua Thanon






Hua Thanon features huge beach- and cliff-side granite boulders and a hillside view that people drive to from all over the island. It's home to several distinguished resorts, not least of which is Shasa Hotel, a brand new and classy seaside resort set on a rocky hill sweeping down to the sea. There are lots of back roads in this area and visitors often get deliciously lost – a fine way to explore friendly Samui. Banburee Resort and Spa is another good spot to unwind and recharge your batteries.

Koh Samui Attractions

If you need a break from all that lounging on the beach, there are lots of unusual attractions which make the most of the island's culture and island charm. Forget the theme parks and hi-tech attractions. Instead, try the monkey show or the snake farm, or better still hire a car and go sightseeing.

Temples and Wats in Koh Samui










Take a tour, or hire a car around the island and just go exploring. While the coastline offers unusual rock formations and lovely beaches, there are waterfalls and forest off the beaten track in Samui's fascinating interior. (Discover all Koh Samui Temples)

Hin Ta & Hin Yai






Samui's phallic rocks are as popular with Thai visitors as foreigners. Meaning Grandfather Rock and Grandmother Rock respectively, in local legend the rocks represent two doomed lovers who drowned themselves in the sea here, because their families disapproved of their relationship.

A large board at the site tells their story in full dramatic detail. The street approaching the rocks is lined with stalls selling a nice range of coconut wood products and garamear - Samui's own glutinous coconut candy, which is rarely available elsewhere on the island. (read more...)

Big Buddha


On the northern coast of Koh Samui is the famous Big Buddha shrine. Probably Samui's most well known landmark, the 12 metre high golden Buddha can be seen from several kilometres away.

Inside the surrounding temple are many different shrines and other smaller ornate Buddhas. There is also a small market selling a wide range of lucky charms and other souvenirs, alongside numerous food stalls. Route 4171, near the airport.

Buffalo Fighting


If spectator sports are more to your liking how about a bit of buffalo fighting? This local sport was traditionally held as entertainment after the rice harvest but now is a regular gig with sometimes millions of baht changing hands over the winner - and that's no bull!

A good opportunity to see a snapshot of southern Thai life. Lots of excitement.attracting a neighbourhood crowd who delight in a good old dust up. The more aggressive the buffalo the greater the appreciation from the audience.

There are several "stadiums" around the island, most being a basic cleared area under the palms with a wall of bamboo matting or coconut leaves to hinder the view of those who haven't paid for a seat. Men pay about 100 Baht, women enter free. The fight ends when one animal runs away, usually well before either animal gets hurt.

Butterfly Garden


Located in the south of the island, Na Tian Butterfly Garden is a kaleidoscope of colour provided by hundreds of spectacular butterflies.

For bug enthusiasts there's also an Insect Museum, featuring rare insects from Thailand and other countries, and a bee house, which allows the visitor to observe the activities of bees. Don't forget your camera!

Crocodile Farm


A fascinating look at some of Thailand's jaws and claws! They're all here. Siam crocodiles, Caimans, Saltwater crocodiles, snakes, lizards, monkeys and many others. Showtime twice a day 14:00 and 16:30. Located behind the airport and easy to find.



Hua Thanon

Just South of Hinta Hinyai, this fishing village is home to a large proportion of Samui's Muslim population, and still retains a quaint, old-Samui feel, with rickety teakwood houses lining the road, as well as some decent seafood restaraunts and ethnic clothing and jewellery boutiques. Whilst you may not see too many long-tail boats setting off to cast nets these days, its worth checking out the teak houses put to modern usage, with the play station arcades and cars parked in the front rooms.

Lamai Overlap Stone

It is a challenge to get up to these impressive balanced boulders, but the spectacular views on arrival make it worthwhile for the adventurous traveller. The steep, rough, dirt-track road leading to the viewpoint should only be attempted on a dirt bike or with a 4x4, and the last stretch may have to be walked, depending on conditions.

Alternatively it is a hard 20-minute climb on foot, but there is a refreshment stall at the top and it is an exhilarating experience. Look for the signs on the right hand side of the ring road 1km south of Hinta Hinyai in Lamai Beach.

Na Muang Waterfalls

Although Samui has several waterfalls, the two Na Muang waterfalls are probably the islands most stunning. The name Na Muang (meaning purple in Thai) refers to the massive purple rocks that create the waterfalls. Rocks and tree roots form a natural staircase that leads to the base of Na Muang 1. A large natural swimming pool sits under the waterfall, although beware of the hidden rocks when diving and swimming.

The water is always icy cold, so it's perfect for a hot day. A gentle walk 10 minutes further up the mountain leads you to Samui's most beautiful waterfall, Na Muang 2. Na Muang waterfalls are easily accessible from the main ring road between Nathon and Lamai and are well signposted. Elephant trekking is also available at the Nu Muang waterfalls. Route 4169, Between Nathon and HuaThanon.

Monkey Show


Koh Samui is synonymous with coconut trees - there are literally plantations all over the island, and until tourism arrived, coconuts were the main industry here.


How do you get at the coconuts? Enter the monkey, considered as man's best friend, these industrious little animals are greatly prized and give a demonstration of their incredible dexterity (and not just at picking coconuts) in the outdoor theatre. The entertainment also includes performing elephants. Look for the theatre on the main road behind Bophut Village.

Samui Aquarium & Tiger Zoo


Both the aquarium and the zoo have many of Thailand's tropical favourites above and below the water. Lots of coral fish, huge catfish and several sharks including Leopard and Black Tips Samui's local zoo adjacent to the aquarium, house some south-eastern Asian tigers, parrots, hornbills, sea hawks, eagles or even otters who will perform for you .... if they are in the mood.


You can have your photo taken with the tiger (Mainly to impress your friends) for 100 Baht per person with your camera, or 200 Baht if you borrow the zoo's Polaroid camera. Money goes to the Tiger's Foundation, just to make you feel better.

On the way out, don't forget to say "hi" to the birds and monkeys in smaller cages across the parking lot , some of the parrots are quite friendly and their language, as well as their feathers, can be quite colourful. Located in Hua Thanon.

Secret Buddha Garden

The secret Buddha Garden was the inspiration of one man who built several statues, temples and waterfalls, in a hidden location high up in the hills of Samui. It's possible to drive to the garden by 4WD vehicle, but probably less hassle to take one of the many jungle tours offered by travel agencies and resorts. Contact a few places to compare prices.

Silver Beach / Tongtakien bay

This beautiful little bay is located just off the main road as you come down the hill into north Lamai from Chaweng. There are three resorts on the beach, so it can get crowded in high season, but it is well worth a visit for the stunning scenery. Crystal blue waters and white sand, bordered by craggy limestone rock formations and verdant hills: the archetypal Thai beach.

The water is shallow at low tide and there is only one area good for bathing, (to the left of the bay) but once you have waded out, the water is wonderful and there are some fish around the rocks and reef for snorkellers to follow. You can get a reasonable meal and cold drinks from any of the three resorts' beachfront restaurants, and the Samui Yacht Club Hotel has a pool for diners and guests.

Snake Farm


Some of the most famous scary and poisonous snakes in Asia are goaded into action by experienced snake wranglers, who dodge and weave, duck and dive, as the snakes try to grab their attention. A must-see for almost anyone visiting the island.

A ringside view! Also includes displays of centipedes and scorpions, as well as demonstrations of Thai Cock Fighting.

The programs are both informative and entertaining in typical Thai style. Great fun for the entire family. Just make sure your child doesn't bring home any live souvenirs. Follow the road signs to get to their location in Talingnam, south of Nathon. Shows start at 11 am and 2 pm daily.





























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