Travel Fair Guide

1.Sightseeing
Beaches:
Chaweng Beach (on the east coast, the longest and most developed beach packed with tourist amenities);
Lamai Beach (southeast coast, second most popular beac... More>>>

1.Sightseeing
Beaches:
Chaweng Beach (on the east coast, the longest and most developed beach packed with tourist amenities);
Lamai Beach (southeast coast, second most popular beach home to Hin Ta and Hin Yai);
Choeng Mon Beach (at the northeast corner; 4-km north of Chaweng Beach; clean and quiet);
Bophut Beach (2-km long, on north coast of the island; home to Fisherman's Village);
Maenam Beach (5-km long, next to Bophut Beach, ideal for tranquil resort life and pampering spa experience);
Taling Ngam Beach (remote beach on the southwest coast; home to Le Royal Meridien Baan Taling Ngam).
Buddhism, Temples & Religion:
Coral Buddha (on the 4169 ring-road approximately 800 meters West of Hua Thanon);
Buddha's Footprint (four artistically engraved footprints housed in a hilltop shrine);
Wat Phra Yai (Temple of the Big Buddha; noted for a 12-metre high golden Buddha image);
Wat Laem Sor (renowned for its ornately designed chedi);
Wat Khunaram (noted for the mummified body of Samui's most famous monk Loung Pordaeng);
Wat Kiri Wongkaram (noted for the mummified body of the Buddhist monk Loung Por Ruam)
Wat Pradoem (believed to be the first temple on Koh Samui);
Wat Samret (features many old Buddha images of various postures and sizes);
Wat Sila Ngu (1km south of Hin Ta/Hin Yai on the beach side; With a golden chedi).
Rocks:
Hin Ta and Hin Yai (twin phallic rocks on shore of south Lamai beach called Grandfather and Grandmother);
Overlap Stone (A rock precariously overhanging a daunting clifftop high above Lamai).
Waterfalls:
Na Muang 1 Falls (11 km. south of Nathon; 18 metres high; Accessible via vehicle and elephant trekking);
Na Muang 2 Falls (100 meters from Na Muang 1; 80 metres high; Only be reached by walking);
Hin Lad waterfall (2 km south of Nathon; popular site for picnicking and swimming);
Wang Saotong Waterfall (between Hua Thanon and Nathon; Recently developed sight).
Also:
Ancient House (150 year old teakwood house built without any nails);
Ban Lamai Cultural Hall (in Wat Lamai, on Route 4169; Serving as a folk museum);
Heaven's Garden (open-air sculpture garden in the central highlands);
Paradise Park Farm (20 acres natural park and zoo built around highest mountain);
Samui Aquarium (Tel. +66 7742 4017; 350 baht per person);
Samui Butterfly Garden (built into a hillside at Laem Set Bay in the southeast corner);
Samui Crocodile Farm (behind the Koh Samui Airport);
Snake Farm (Tel. +66 7742 3247; 250 baht per person);

2.Sports & Activities
Bowling:
Living Bowl Centre (Tel. 077 413 258; 100 baht per game per person);
Mega Bowl (Tesco Lotus complex, route 4169, Chaweng).
Elephant Trekking:
Chaweng Elephant Trekking (Tel: +66 7723 1210);
Island Safari Co (Tel: +66 7723 0567);
Living Thailand (Tel: +66 7741 8680).
Golfing:
Crazy Golf & Putt ?C Putt;
Mini Golf International (Tel: +66 1787 9148 Thailand's only mini golf course)
Santiburi Golf and Country Club (Tel: +66 7741 8557; the only 18 hole golf course on the island);
Samui Extra Golf Club (Tel. +66 7742 2255; Fair House Beach Resort);
Treasure Island Mini-Golf.
Watersports:
Diving off Koh Samui around the Sail Rock, Nangyuan Pinnacle and Twins, Shark Island, Chumpon Pinnacle, etc.
Kiteboarding in Koh Samui Kite Centre at the Samui Orchid Resort in Laem Set;
Sailing around Koh Samui and Ang Thong National Park;
Sea Kayaking around the cave-riddled islands of Ang Thong National Marine Park;
Snorkel the Gulf of Thailand??s technicolour coral reefs.
Also:
Bungy Jumping off the Reggae Street side of Chaweng lake;
Go Karting on Bophut race track;
Horseback riding through Samui's beaches and jungles;
Quad biking in the hills above Maenam;
Shooting at the Samui' Shooting range.

3.Nightlife & Entertainment
Bars & Clubs:
Full Circle Club (Central Chaweng, near Soi Green Mango);
Fusion Bar (50m from MacDonald's on the same side of road, Lamai);
Gecko (opposite the Go-Kart track on Bophut Beach);
Green Mango (Central Chaweng, Soi Green Mango);
Guapa (South Chaweng, Soi Coliburi);
Long Island Bar (behind Montana Saloon on the north end of Lamai);
Super Sub Club (located in Lamai behind Fusion Bar and near 7-eleven)
Sounds (behind the Full Circle club);
Sunset Bar (100m from the Koh Phangan ferry pier towards Big Buddha temple);
Live Entertainment:
Christy's Cabaret (Central Chaweng, near The Islander sports pub);
Dream Girls (Soi Green Mango, Chaweng Beach Road);
Secret Garden Festival (South of the turnoff to the airport on Big Buddha Beach, 100 meters from Big Buddha Pier).
Muay Thai (Thai Boxing):
Chaweng stadium (the biggest on Samui, near the Reggae Pub; fights held every Monday and Friday at 9:00pm);
Lamai stadium (on the road connecting the main road to Route 4169).
Spas & Massages:
Ban Sabai day spa (Tel. +66 7724 5175; Big Buddha Beach);
Eranda Herbal Spa (Tel: +66 7742 2666; Just north of Chaweng Beach);
Health Oasis (Tel. 077 420 124; Maenam Beach);
Imperial Spa (Tel: +66 7742 5041/52 ext.8123; at The Imperial Boathouse Resort);
Laem Set Spa (Tel: +66 7741 8063; at the Laem Set Inn);
Samui Dharma Healing Centre (Tel: +66 7723 4170/4 031 at Sawai Home Bungalows, Lipa Noi Beach);
Santiburi Spa (Tel: +66 7742 5031/8, Santiburi Dusit Resort, Maenam Beach);
Spa Samui Resorts (The Spa Resort: Tel. +66 7723 0855; The Spa Samui Village: Tel. +66 7723 0976);
Tamarind Springs (Tel: +66 7742 4221; Route 4169, Lamai Beach).
Sports Pubs:
Billabong Surf Club (Fisherman's Village, Bophut Beach);
Frog and Gecko (Fishermen's Village, Bophut Beach);
Molotov (Soi Colibri, Chaweng Beach);
Shooters (Central Chaweng);
The Elephant & Castle (Big Buddha Beach);
The Islander (Central Chaweng, near Soi Green Mango);
The Pub (Fisherman's Village, Bophut Beach);
Tropical Murphy's (across from McDonalds in Chaweng)

4.Shopping
Antiques & Furniture:
Beautiful World (in Baan Tai on the north coast);
Benjavadee (Route 4169, Maenam);
Java Teak (Tel: +66 7744 7249; on Route 4169, Maenam);
Samui Cera (a Just A Detail branch in Central Chaweng, and a branch in Maenam near Java Teak);
Samui Chiang Mai Art and Deco (Chaweng Beach Road).
Books:
Bookazine (Tel: +66 7741 3616; opposite McDonald's in central Chaweng);
Island books (Near Buddy Beer bar, Route 4169, Lamai);
Nathon Books (Na Amphoe Road, Nathon).
Handicraft:
Mr Samui's (at the Southern end of Lamai beach road);
Jewellery:
Classic Gems (Tel: +66 7723 0479; Near Centara Grand Beach Resort Chaweng Beach);
DreamCatcher (Opposite Hin Ta Hin Yai, Route 4169);
Exotica Boutique (Tel: +66 1538 3444; Lamai Beach, on the way to Hin Ta Hin Yai);
Farn Shop (Tel: +66 7724 5245; next to the Big Buddha Wat);
Golden House (Tel: +66 7741 353; Chaweng Lake Road.).
Zer Studio (in Hua Thanon, Lamai Beach).
Optical Services:
Beautiful Optical (Chaweng: Tel. +66 7723 0052, Nathon: Tel. +66 7723 6362);
Sawang Optical (Tel: +66 7723 0720, on Chaweng Beach Road);
Swimwear:
Blue Glue (Northern Chaweng);
Genevieve (Central Chaweng);
Life's a Beach (Opposite Centara Grand Beach Resort);
Thai Silk:
Jim Thompson Store (In south Chaweng, attached to the Centara Grand Beach Resort)
Tailoring:
Armani Suits (Tel: +66 7742 2387);
Baron Fashion (Tel: +66 7723 0406);
G-Armani (Tel: +66 7723 0456);
King's Fashion (Tel: +66 7742 4223);
John Tailor (Tel: +66 7741 3467);
Joop! (Tel: +66 7741 3237);
Pop's Fashion (Tel: +66 7723 0300);
Vogue Collection (Tel: +66 7723 0100).

While packing for your holiday in Koh Samui, a tropical island with typical equatorial climate that??s hot and humid throughout the year, forget about anything that??s of synthetic fabric or that??... More>>>

While packing for your holiday in Koh Samui, a tropical island with typical equatorial climate that??s hot and humid throughout the year, forget about anything that??s of synthetic fabric or that??s very tight and clinging to your skin.
Lightweight loose attire made of cotton or silk would be the most comfortable and suitable clothing on the island.
T-shirts, shorts, and sandals are absolutely ok for daytime wearing, and waterproof sun lotion, sunglasses or a hat can be a necessary attendant equipment.
During the nighttime, when temperatures are lower and mosquitoes are more blood-thirsty, shirts with long sleeves and thin pants or long skirts are ideal, plus lots of mosquito repellent.
Being an easy-going beach resort, you can go as casual as you can for almost any occasion at most venues, be it dozing off on the beach, chilling out in the water, or striking up a new friendship in a party or a pub.
But going nude and topless anywhere on the isand is absolutely a severe offense to Thais, especially in Koh Samui, where most of its residence is conservative Buddhist.
Wearing skimpy beach attire while away from the pool and beach areas, and going too much informal in restaurants are also frowned upon.
Also remember to wear appropriate clothes that cover your shoulders, upper arms and legs when visiting Buddha images and temples to show respect.
That said, you can also simply go airy and baggy with a set of summer clothing and a roomy backpack, and shop around locally for everything you need to equip you for a great holiday at a fraction of the price you would pay at home.

1.Betelnut Restaurant
Cuisine: California &Thai
Price range: Expansive, about 2,200 baht for a meal
Tel: +66 77741 3370
Location: Soi Colibri, Chaweng, close to Central Samui Beach Reso... More>>>

1.Betelnut Restaurant
Cuisine: California &Thai
Price range: Expansive, about 2,200 baht for a meal
Tel: +66 77741 3370
Location: Soi Colibri, Chaweng, close to Central Samui Beach Resort.
What to eat:
Argentine beef fillet with peppercorn curry and roast potatoes;
Blackened tuna with salsa;
Clam Chowder with green curry;
Orange and lime pudding cake;
Roast salmon with fig chutney and crispy potato tortellini;
Roast snow fish with crispy rice and green chilli/black bean sauce;
Sesame-encrusted Salmon Katsu;
Soft-shell crabs with green papaya and mango salad;
Smoked pork in a light garlic, potato and apple curry;
Summer roll loaded with prawns, scallops and slivers of veg in a sesame sauce.

2. Bellini
Cuisine: Italian
Price range: Expensive, about 1,600-2,800 baht a meal
Tel: +66 7741 3831
Location: Soi Colibri, Chaweng South, opposite Central Samui Beach Resort.
What to eat:
Braised veal shank served with black pepper tagliatelle in port wine sauce;
Cannelloni crepe with rock lobster, zucchini, parmesan cheese, and a cream sauce au gratin;
Chocolate Fondant with mango sauce;
Cured dried beef with rocket, parmesan flake, truffle oil & lemon dressing;
Grilled lamb with jalapeno pepper sauce;
Lemon Tart with Italian meringue;
Mint tagliatelle with lamb ragout, mushrooms & parmesan flake;
New Zealand mussels and sea scallops gratin, white wine, garlic and chili;
Risotto ai Funghi Porcini (classic Italian risotto with porcini mushrooms)
Thinly sliced tuna sashimi, marinated with lemon, capper, green olive & fresh dill.

3. Olivio Restaurant
Cuisine: Italian
Price range: Expensive
Tel: +66 7723 1500-8
Location: at Baan Haad Ngam Boutique Resort & Spa, Beach Road, Chaweng North.
What to eat:
Angel hair pasta with lobster, cream and zucchini;
Australian beef carpaccio with artichoke hearts, vegetables, extra virgin olive oil, and truffle oil;
Braised lamb shank served with saffron risotto and seasonal vegetables;
Fillet of salmon in a mascarpone saffron sauce;
Homemade black, squid-ink fettucine in a spicy tuna, mushroom tomato sauce;
Lemon & thyme mousse with honey sauce;
Risotto with king prawns, fresh tomatoes and basil;
Seafood soup siciliana with squid, prawns, sea bass, mussels and vegetables;
Talian milk pudding with fresh fruit.

4. Poppies Restaurant
Cuisine: Thai, International & Seafood
Price range: Moderate, about 1,300 baht for a meal
Tel: +66 7742 2419
Location: at Poppies Samui Resort Hotel, Chaweng Beach Road, Chaweng South.
What to eat:
Char-grilled Australian beef fillet;
Goat's Cheese baked in a filo pastry and served with a dry fig compote
Grilled ostrich braised in port wine;
Grilled vegetable stack with herb polenta rings;
Pan-roasted duck breast with plum, orange and garlic sauce served with baby argula and feta cheese salad;
Phuket lobster steamed with kaffir lime, ginger and lemongrass;
Roasted Half-chicken marinated in coriander, garlic, oyster sauce, yellow curry powder;
Seafood starters or greens with pecan nuts, blue cheese and tabasco vinaigrette;
Soft-shell Crab with a green mango salad;
Tom Kha Talay (mixed seafood soup served in a coconut shell);
Traditional Kantoke dinner (Charcoal duck roasted curry, deep-fried prawn cake with plum sauce and jasmine steamed rice, fried chicken with ginger, spicy prawn soup with lime leaf, stir-fried morning glory, etc.);
Whole white snapper steamed with Thai herbs, ginger, onions and soy sauce.

5. Rocky 's Restaurant
Cuisine: Thai, International & Seafood
Price range: Expensive, about 1,800 baht a meal
Tel: +66 7723 3020-4
Location: at Rocky??s Resort, Lamai beach.
What to eat:
Black spaghetti with prawns in a creamy Pernod sauce;
Blue cheese in a red wine sauce and potato cakes;
Fresh melon and parma ham drizzled with honey lemon vinaigrette;
Gaeng Phed Kung Saparot (red curry with prawns, pineapple and jasmine steamed rice);
Grilled king fish on potato cake served with garlic, capers and white wine sauce;
Grilled King Prawns with mango and orange sauce with pineapple fried-rice and roasted vegetables;
Hot Mango Crumble with vanilla ice-cream;
Medallions of Beef Tenderloin topped with aubergines;
Paupiette of smoked salmon & white snapper;
Rocky's seafood soup with a creamy tomato base;
Rum & Raisin Ice-cream on espresso granite with chocolate and whipped cream;
Shrimp flambeed in butter & calvados.

6. Sala Thai
Cuisine: Thai
Price range:
Tel: +66 7742 5031-38
Location: at Santiburi Dusit Resort, Samui Ring Road, Mae Nam
What to eat:
Chu Che Pla Ka Pong (stir-fried thick red curry-paste with white snapper);
Fuk thong geng kati (pumpkin with coconut curry);
Gaeng keaw wahn gai (green curry with chicken);
Gai Phad Med Ma Muang Him Ma Parn (stir-fried chicken with cashew nuts and dried chili);
Geang som malakor kab pla insee (rich orange curry of green papaya and king fish);
Goong kra buang (deep fried minced prawns in a spring roll wrapper);
Hor mok hoy shell (steamed scallops in red curry served in a banana bowl);
Moo Sadung (blanched sliced pork topped with chili sauce);
Pha Goong (spicy fresh prawn salad with fresh herbs);
Steamed Coconut Custard in a small pumpkin;
Stir-fried asparagus, shrimp and shitake mushrooms with oyster sauce;
Tom Yam Goong Narng (Thai spicy-sour prawn soup with lemongrass).

7. Spa Samui
Cuisine: Vegetarian, Thai & Seafood
Price range: Inexpensive, about 400-800baht a meal
Tel: +66 7723 0855
Location: at Spa Samui Resort, Between Chaweng and Lamai Beaches, Lamai Bay.
What to eat:
Greek salad (lettuce topped with tomato, onion, black olive, & goat feta cheese);
Grilled salmon steak or fresh trout with teriyaki soya/honey/garlic sauce;
Haevos Rancheros (fried eggs and buttered flour tortilla plus refried beans covered with melted cheese and served with Toi's Salsa sauce);
Pla Neug Buiy (steamed whole fish stuffed in fresh veggies with plums, palm sugar, and lemongrass);
Spa salad (lettuce, cabbage, onion. carrot, tomato, cucumber, & sprouts);
SPA Seaweed Soup (fresh market vegetables cabbage, onion, carrot, garlic, tomato, potato with seaweed);
Toi's Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (tender cabbage stuffed with carrot, mushroom, pumpkin, onion, sprouts then steamed & served with soy topping);
Tuna & Cheese Salad (mixed greens, fresh basil, tomato, carrot, sprouts & onion topped with tuna & cheese);
Veggie Spring Rolls (deep fried shredded cabbage, carrot, mushroom, pumpkin, onion, sprouts and cubed tofu);
Veggie Soya ham, aged cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion with mayonnaise & mustard on sliced whole wheat bread.

8. Spice Island
Cuisine: Thai & Seafood
Price range: Moderate, about 1,200 baht a meal
Tel: +66 7723 0500
Location: at Central Samui Beach Resort, Chaweng Beach.
What to eat:
Choo Chee Goong (Dry Prawns in Red Curry);
Gai Phad Med Mamuang (Fried Chicken with Chilli and Cashew Nuts);
Fried spring rolls with plum sauce, papaya salad and snapper in tamarind sauce;
Phad Nor Mai Farang Hed Hom (Sauteed Asparagus and Shitake Mushrooms);
Plamuck Thord Krathiem Prik Thai (Fried Squid with Garlic and Pepper);
Royal Thai Khathong Tong (Sauteed Pork, Shrimp and Sweet Corn stuffed crispy Shell);
Sweet and sour duck;
Tom Kha Gai (Chicken Soup with Coconut Milk and Galangal).

9. The Cliff Bar & Grill
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Price range: Moderate, about 1,000-1,500 baht a meal
Tel: +66 7741 4266
Location: 124/2 Moo 4, Tambon Maret, between Lamai & Chaweng Beach,
What to eat:
Caramelized Banana Pancake topped with Italian ice-cream;
Charcoal grilled chicken marinated in a spicy Portuguese piri piri sauce;
Fettuccini all' Gambetti all' Conjac (prawns served in a cognac and cream sauce);
Fresh noodles drizzled with home-made sauces and toppings;
Gamberoni al Limone E Aglio (lemon and herbs prawns);
Mediterranean Salad (mature cheddar cheese tossed with cashew nuts and apple);
New Zealand mussels in a white wine sauce, with French bread for dipping;
Portuguese piri piri tiger prawns.

10. Zazen Restaurant
Cuisine: Thai & International
Price range: Expensive, about 2,000baht a meal
Tel: +66 7742-5085
Location: at Zazen Boutique Resort & Spa, 177 Moo 1, Bophut.
What to eat:
Chocolate brownie with cardamom custard and violet ice cream;
Chipirones a la Plancha (small squids on the plancha Spanish-style, with red capsicum and garlic);
Sesame crusted king prawns with tomato tandoori sauce;
Sliced Barracuda with roesti and sesame cream;
Slivers of salmon and local red snapper carpaccio dressed with pink peppercorns and fresh dill;
Tuna Tartar with mashed fresh herbs;
Asian Discovery set meal (regional dishes from Vietnam, China, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, and India);
Lobster set meal (oven-baked Phuket lobster stuffed with herbed shrimps on saffron sauce, served with lemongrass-skewered shrimps and grilled shark steak);
Thai Discovery Seafood set meal (a mix of spicy local fish and seafood dishes).

1. Deluxe
Chaweng Regent Beach Resort:
Tel: +66 77 422 008-10
Location: Chaweng Beach
145 rooms in total; Rates 5,320-10,500 baht
Set right on legendary Chaweng Beach, in the he... More>>>

1. Deluxe
Chaweng Regent Beach Resort:
Tel: +66 77 422 008-10
Location: Chaweng Beach
145 rooms in total; Rates 5,320-10,500 baht
Set right on legendary Chaweng Beach, in the heart of restaurants, entertainment venues, shopping arcades of the town, the powdery soft sands of the beach and the indigo water of the Gulf of Thailand; An intimate low-rise beach-front resort brimming over with dazzling glory and soothing greenery, amongst all its perfection the buildings and cottages designed in a Thai village style, Fitness Center and Health Club with sauna and spa, 2 fresh water swimming pools and children's pools, and a wide array of arrangement for sports on the beach and adventures beyond.
Le Royal Meridien Baan Taling Ngam:
Tel: +66 77 423 100
Location: Taling Ngam Beach
72 rooms in total; Rates 6,350?C 90,750 baht
Isolated on the secluded and tranquil western coast, atop a oceanfront hill overlooking a fascinating coral reef directly below and the uninhabited islets of Ang Thong Marine National Park in the distance; In this true jewel of Koh Samui's tropical hideaway crown, guests can choose from beachside villas, cliff villas, deluxe rooms and suites for lodging comfort, Villa BBQ, Sala Thai, Fah Sai Terrace, Lom Talay, The Promenade, The Verandah Bar, and The Baan Chantra for gastronomic pleasure, and kayaking, diving, mountain biking, sailing, snorkeling, windsurfing, tennis, spa, and no fewer than 7 swimming pools for recreational and adventurous fun.
Santiburi Resort:
Tel: +66 77 425 031-38
Location: Maenam Beach
71 units in total; Rates 10,285-27,225 baht
Extending for 23 acres of lush gardens around the quiet and beautiful Maenam Beach on the northern coast of the island; A nurtured tropical paradise with lavish villas and suites decorated and furnished to the highest standards of late Thai royal decor, the Santiburi Samui Country Club that boasts the only 18 hole golf course on the island, a well-groomed vegetable, herb and spice garden used in fresh preparation of the finest Thai cuisine, Ice cream and teas, a decadent spa making an everlastingly hypnotic and hedonistic experience and a gorgeous Chinese junk anchored in the bay for dinner cruises.

2. Moderate
Amari Palm Reef Resort:
Tel: +66 77 422 015
Location: Chaweng Beach
104 rooms in total; Rates 3,000 ?C4,500baht
Located at the secluded northern end of Samui island??s most beautiful beach, far enough from the more clamorous piece of Chaweng, yet close enough to party to your heart??s content, making it a great option for families; A seamless marriage of idyllic simplicity and contemporary luxury, with a cluster of glass-and-steel buildings and traditional Thai-style bungalows set amidst swaying palm trees, crystal clear waters and soft sandy beaches.
Poppies Samui Resort:
Tel: +66 77 422 419
Location: Chaweng Beach
24 cottages in total; Rates 4,000-5,500 baht
Perfectly positioned on a pristine white sandy beach at the southern end of Chaweng beach, well away from the hustle and bustle of the most tourist strip, yet close to all the shops and restaurants; A tiny Balinese boutique hideaway brimming over with magical tropical enchantment, optimum privacy and over-the-top coziness, in its 24 thatched cottages, colorful exotic gardens, cascading waterfalls, creaky teak bridges, and crystal clear swimming pool.
The White House:
Tel: +66 77 425 233
Location: Choeng Mon Beach
40 rooms in total; Rates 3,000-4,700 baht
Tucked away in a peaceful bay in the heart of the romantic Choeng Mon Beach, offering the best way of getting rid of everyday aches & pains, with its elegant Ayutthaya style architecture, original Chinese and Thai antique furnishings, traditional Thai massage in the especially graceful teak sala, tropical gardens with lush foliage, lotus pond, swimming pool, plus the quality efficiency of its Swiss management team, geuine Thai warmth & hospitality, and much more.

3. Standard
Chaweng Resort:
Tel: +66 77 422 230-1
Location: Chaweng Beach
70 rooms in total; Rates 1,500 - 2,200 baht
Located in the more preferred part of Chaweng Beach which bursts forth with activities and attraction; choice bustling with activity; Contemporary style, with lots of fun traditional Thai touches in its cottage-style bungalows and rooms, each with a private balcony overlooking the coral sand and crystal water; Unsophisticated option suffice a pleasant stay for a family.
Samui New Star Resort:
Tel: +66 77 422 407
Location: Chaweng Noi Beach
50 rooms in total; Rates 840-1,800 baht
Far to the south of the bustling Chaweng on a tranquil hilltop by the peaceful Chaweng Noi Beach; An ideal choice for couples and small families with the tranquility of a less crowded beach environment, comfort in freestanding villas, deluxe bungalows and superior rooms which are furnished in natural tones and enhanced with expansive ocean views, and an easygoing lifestyle in a lush garden setting with a 200 meter private beach, all of which capturing the essence of a tropical island and life??s better moments.
Tradewinds Cottages:
Tel: +66 77 230 602
Location: Chaweng Beach
22 cottages in total; Rates 1,500-2,000 baht
Much requested central eastern coast address in the quieter southern end of the Chaweng strip; Home of Samui's catamaran sailing center, which specialized in sailing lessons and sailboat hire with its own Nacra catamarans and Lugger; Relaxed beach-side living inside and out, with its convenient location, comfortable air-con rooms, glorious tropical garden, and well-kept beach.

1. By Plane
Arriving Airport 1:
Koh Samui Airport (USM)
Airline:
Bangkok Airways (Bangkok, Phuket, U-Tapao/Pattaya, Krabi, Chiang Mai, Singapore, Hong Kong);
Berjaya Air... More>>>

1. By Plane
Arriving Airport 1:
Koh Samui Airport (USM)
Airline:
Bangkok Airways (Bangkok, Phuket, U-Tapao/Pattaya, Krabi, Chiang Mai, Singapore, Hong Kong);
Berjaya Air (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia);
Firefly (Penang, Malaysia).
Airport transfer to Chaweng Beach:
Minibus: 20-minute, 100 baht;
Samui Shuttle: 150 baht;
Taxi: 150-300 baht.

Arriving Airport 2:
Surat Thani Airport
Airline:
Thai Airways (Bangkok); Air asia (Bangkok); One-Two-Go (Bangkok).
Airport transfer to Koh Samui:
Road transport to ferry piers and ferry crossing to Nathon pier, or Thong Yang pier on Koh Samui.

2. By Boat
From Surat Thani:
Express Passenger Ferry: depart from Tha Thong pier at 7.30 am, 11.30 am, and 2:00pm and arrive at Nathon pier, lasts 3 hours/trip, costs 150 baht/person;
Slow night boats: depart from Ban Don pier in Surat Thani at 11:00pm and arrives at Nathon pier around 5:00am.
Contact: Songserm Travel +66 7737 7704

From Don Sak pier:
Passenger/vehicle ferry: 7 departures daily during 8.00 am-7:00pm, from Don Sak pier to Thong Yang pier on Koh Samui, lasts 1.30 hours/trip, costs 55 baht/one way.
Contact: Racha Ferry +66 7737-1151/1026 (Don Sak Office), +66 7742-3026 (Koh Samui Office).

From Surat Thani train station:
Combined bus/vehicle ferry services: 60 minute bus ride to Don Sak pier, 90 minute ferry crossing, cost 200-300 baht.
There are numerous private agents in the train station selling such combination tickets.

From Bangkok:
Combined bus/high speed catamaran ferry service: lasts 11 hours, costs around 850-1,250 baht.
Contact: Lomprayah +66 7742-7765/1536-7162 (Koh Samui office), +66 2629-2641/2569 (Bangkok office).

3. By Train
Combined train/bus/vehicle ferry: take a train from Bangkok's Hualamphong Station (or Chiang Mai, Malaysia or elsewhere) to Surat Thani Railway Station, then a connecting bus to Don Sak pier and a ferry crossing to Koh Samui.
Contact: Hualamphong Station +66 2223-3762.

4. By Bus
Combined bus/vehicle ferry: buses depart from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal to Surat Thani, and are loaded at Don Sak pier to get to Koh Samui.
Contact: Southern Bus Terminal +66 2894-6122.

5. By Car
Combined car/vehicle ferry: From Bangkok, drive on Highway 4 (Buddha Monthon Road), passing Phetchaburi and Chumphon, then take Highways 41 and 401 to Surat Thani, and get loaded on vehicle ferries at Don Sak pier to get to Koh Samui.

1. Stay Safe
Travelers' personal safety is well taken care of in Thailand and it is extraordinarily safe on Koh Samui. But bag snatching, hotel room burglaries, and pickpocketing can occur... More>>>

1. Stay Safe
Travelers' personal safety is well taken care of in Thailand and it is extraordinarily safe on Koh Samui. But bag snatching, hotel room burglaries, and pickpocketing can occur and might cause certain physical and property damages. Use your common sense and make sure you won??t fall victim to such petty criminalities.
The roads can be considerably more dangerous at night, so are the strong rip currents on certain beaches during the months of December through April. Be careful with Koh Samui's traffic and sea condition-Always!
Any tourist destination across the world known in part for nightlife and entertainment would involve illegal drug use and traffic. But penalties for those caught participating in this cycle are very severe in Thailand, so you'd better keeps your hands off it.
Do not actively mess with drugs;
Do not accept beverage, food, or free rides from strangers, especially in nightlife scenes;
Do not drink and drive;
Mind red flags displaying that swimming is dangerous;
Safeguard your valuables at all times, keep them tightly close to you or locked in a hotel safe.
2. Stay Healthy
Vaccinations are not necessary for Koh Samui. There has no cases of Bird Flu or SARS been reported on Koh Samui. If you have any concerns, consult your doctor about this before leaving home.
Malaria is not really a concern in this area either. However, mosquitoes can be very annoying, especially between 5:00pm and 8:00pm. Wear mosquito repellent with deet 50% or 30%, or lightweight long clothes that cover your skins.
Be careful with sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS which do exist on Koh Samui, especially if you're intending to have a good time in central Chaweng and Lamai Beaches.
It is easy to overdo it on Koh Samui's glorious beaches. Unfortunately heatstroke and sunburn ruin many holidays every year. So use a generous amount of sunblock, try not to sleep directly in the sun on the beach, and drink enough water to avoid dehydration.
Drinking water and ice cubes in the drink are actually hygienic, as Thais don't use tap water themselves for drinking. But those concerned about their fragile stomach must beware of the amount of chilies in the dish you order. If you don't like spicy food, make the cook aware of your requirement.
If you??re in a position to actually need a hospital or doctor, rest assured medical facilities on the island are in many ways on a par with or even surpass western standards, and treatment here is again much lower than western countries.
3. Cultural Dos & Don'ts
Swimwear is not appropriate attire away from pool and beach areas.
Nude and topless sunbathing is deeply offensive on Koh Samui, where most of its residence is conservative Buddhist and Muslims.
It is deemed immodest and inappropriate to show physical affection in public.
It is considered extremely insulting to point your foot at anyone, or touch anyone on his head.
Remove your shoes when you're visiting a temple or invited to enter someone's home.
4. Important Phone Numbers
Tourist Police +66 7742 1281;
Tourist Police - Emergency: 1155;
Police emergency: 191;
Fire Department: 106;
Samui Hospital +66 7742 1230;
Samui International Hospital +66 7742 2272;
Samui Rescue +66 7742 1444;
Bandon Inter. Hospital +66 7742 5382;
Immigration Office +66 7742 1069;
Ferry (Donsak) +66 7737 1205;
Koh Samui Airport +66 7742 5012.