| Time difference / local time |
GMT +7 hours
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| Language |
Thai. English is widely spoken at beach resorts.
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| Currency |
Baht
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| Safety |
Beware of pickpockets. Leave valuables in the hotel safe and only carry the essentials.
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| Highlights |
Hin Ta & Hin Yai Rocks
Legend has it that these suggestively-shaped rocks represent two star-crossed lovers who ended their lives here in a Romeo & Juliet-style tragedy.
Wat Phra Yai & Big Buddha
This 12m-high golden shrine sits atop a staircase and can be seen from several kilometres away – and from the air.
Na Muang Waterfalls
Take an elephant trek to these stunning waterfalls and watch as they cascade over purple rocks.
Wat Khunaram
The mummy of monk Leung Pordaeng is displayed at this temple. It's barely decayed since Pordaeng’s death over two decades ago, thought to be thanks to his healthy diet and love of meditation.
Secret Buddha Garden
This hidden site up in the hills is home to statues, temples and waterfalls.
Buddha Footprints
These four footprints are stamped on top of one another. You’ll find them at a hilltop shrine, where you can climb 163 steps for incredible views.
Wat Pradoem
Dating back around 250 years, this is thought to be Koh Samui’s oldest temple and is home to a beautiful ancient wooden hall where scriptures are kept.
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| Beaches |
Whether you want to sunbathe on a lively beach or a deserted stretch, Koh Samui’s idyllic white-sand beaches are fringed by swaying coconut palms and lapped by clear waters.
• Chaweng Beach is sandy with great entertainment
• Lamai Beach boasts a gorgeous panorama
• Thongson Beach is peaceful and quiet
• Chengmon Beach is small and beautiful
• Bophut Beach has a shallow slope
• Mae Nam Beach is long, quiet and perfect for families
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| Passports and Visas |
• You need a full EU 10-year passport. We recommend that the expiry date is at least six months after your arrival back in the UK.
• You only need a visa if you’re staying longer than 30 days (29 nights), and you can get one from the Thai Embassy.
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| Events and festivals |
February
Makha Pucha
The spiritual aim of this day is to do good and purify one's mind, and many Buddhists go to their temple to perform merit-making activities.
May
Samui Regatta
This week-long event is a thrilling sailing race around Koh Samui.
August
Fisherman's Village Festival
This colourful five-day festival features music, dance and delicious food.
September/October
Koh Samui Music Festival
This is Thailand's largest music festival and one of the biggest in southeast Asia. Listen to music including rock, reggae and indie.
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| Shopping |
Head to Nathon and barter for furniture, clothes, art, handbags and jewellery.
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| Flying time to destination |
11½ hours
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| Activities |
Beach, Eat & Drink, Shopping, Night life, Watersports, Golf, Wellness / Spa
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| Sports |
Land sports
Try kite-boarding, snorkelling and fishing.
Watersports
Tee off at Ko Samui Golf Course.
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| Good to know |
Dialling code
+66 77
Religion
Theravada Buddhism. Minority religions include Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism.
Etiquette
• Thais revere their royal family, so never express disregard for it.
• Outward expressions of anger are regarded as crude and boorish.
• Each Buddha image - large or small, ruined or not - is considered sacred. Never climb onto one to take a photograph or do anything that might show lack of respect.
• Public displays of affection between couples are frowned upon. Westernised Thai couples may hold hands but that’s as far as it goes in polite society.
• It is considered rude to point your foot at a person or object.
• Never pat a Thai on the head – they see it as the highest part of the body, both literally and figuratively.
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| Summer or Winter destination? |
Summer, Winter
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No vaccinations are compulsory but some are recommended. For more detailed and up-to-date information, contact your GP or a specialised vaccination centre.
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| Clothing |
• Dress neatly in all temples and religious shrines - cover your arms and legs and never go shirtless or in shorts, hot-pants or other scanty attire.
• Take off your shoes when entering private Thai homes, chapels that house Buddhist images, and mosques.
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| Restaurants |
Chaweng Beach
• Restaurant Spice Iceland serves delicious Thai cuisine
• Churrasco Steak House
• Betelnut offers a combination of American and Thai cuisine
• Drop Inn is a romantic Italian restaurant
Lamai Beach
• Salathai restaurant is a cosy eatery serving Thai and Italian food
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| Nightlife and discotheques |
Lively Chaweng Beach boasts a vibrant nightlife with bars, nightclubs and restaurants. A bit more laidback, Lamai Beach also has lots of eateries and bars.
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| Excursions |
Samui Aquarium & Tiger Zoo
Visit Samui Aquarium and discover tropical marine life such as sharks, turtles and tropical fish; and see royal Bengal tigers, leopards, clouded leopards and lions in natural surroundings at the Tiger Zoo.
Samui Butterfly Garden
See a plethora of delicate butterflies, insects, moths and beehives in this tropical park while taking in stunning coastal views.
Angthon Marine Park
This scattering of islands off Samui’s west coast is a National Park where you can snorkel, kayak and discover the shimmering green waters of Emerald Lake.
Other ideas
Go elephant trekking and go-karting, take a cooking class, take a canopy ride through the jungle, book a jeep safari or go rock-climbing.
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| Tipping |
Tip porters and hotel staff if you’re happy with their service. If a service charge isn’t added to your restaurant bill, tip 10-15%.
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