Guidebook for Ko Samui

Gareth
Guidebook for Ko Samui

Food Scene

Wine Connection’ is a well know brand for quality western food and wines at affordable prices. Don’t miss one of the trendiest restaurants in town, the best place for you to hang out with friends and family in a ‘hip’ but cozy atmosphere.
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Wine Connection Deli & Bistro Central Samui
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Wine Connection’ is a well know brand for quality western food and wines at affordable prices. Don’t miss one of the trendiest restaurants in town, the best place for you to hang out with friends and family in a ‘hip’ but cozy atmosphere.
A hit with local expats and one of our favorite restaurants on the island, enjoy innovative comfort food with a twist. We highly recommend the peanut butter martini and any of the daily specials. No fuss! No fancy terms! No pretension! The Larder takes things back to basics serving up rustic fine dining. Closed on Sunday.
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The Larder Ko Samui
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A hit with local expats and one of our favorite restaurants on the island, enjoy innovative comfort food with a twist. We highly recommend the peanut butter martini and any of the daily specials. No fuss! No fancy terms! No pretension! The Larder takes things back to basics serving up rustic fine dining. Closed on Sunday.
One of the best Italian restaurants on Samui, Prego serves handmade pasta, risotto and authentic Italian specialities in a contemporary setting.
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Prego Italian Restaurant, Koh Samui
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One of the best Italian restaurants on Samui, Prego serves handmade pasta, risotto and authentic Italian specialities in a contemporary setting. 
is a small restaurant in Bophut, Samui, named after the famous chef Francois Porte. The restaurant’s highlight is the fact that there is no menu but the visitors themselves can choose from some of the available ingredients that will be prepared into incredible high quality and tasty meals. Located next to the Fisherman’s Village entrance. Closed Sunday and Monday, with very limited seats available, 48h advanced booking is required.
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Chez Francois
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is a small restaurant in Bophut, Samui, named after the famous chef Francois Porte. The restaurant’s highlight is the fact that there is no menu but the visitors themselves can choose from some of the available ingredients that will be prepared into incredible high quality and tasty meals. Located next to the Fisherman’s Village entrance. Closed Sunday and Monday, with very limited seats available, 48h advanced booking is required.
For the best burger and steak in Samui look no further, The Shack serves both with a good wine list. Located in Bophut in the Fisherman's Village, The Shack is delightfully intimate with capacity for a maximum of 50 guests at any one time. Open daily 3pm to 11pm.
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The Shack
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For the best burger and steak in Samui look no further, The Shack serves both with a good wine list. Located in Bophut in the Fisherman's Village, The Shack is delightfully intimate with capacity for a maximum of 50 guests at any one time. Open daily 3pm to 11pm.

Drinks & Nightlife

After a day in Samui’s hot sunshine, Bar Ice offers travelers a unique evening experience. The inside of this venue is made entirely of ice; from the walls, the bar, to the customers’ drinking glasses. Guests can experience temperature as low as -7! Exquisitely carved ice statues adorn the tables.
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Bar Ice Samui
162 Chaweng Beach Road
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After a day in Samui’s hot sunshine, Bar Ice offers travelers a unique evening experience. The inside of this venue is made entirely of ice; from the walls, the bar, to the customers’ drinking glasses. Guests can experience temperature as low as -7! Exquisitely carved ice statues adorn the tables.
Open on three sides and perched on the corner of a hillside, WOOBAR- offers 270-degree views of the Gulf of Thailand and nearby islands. Its unique design allows the bar to transform from day to night, becoming the ultimate destination for unique W Happenings—lifestyle events that reflect our passion for music, design and fashion. (WOOBAR DJ SESSIONS) - As day turns into night, crank up your evening with our DJ’s cool rhythm and mixes.
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W Koh Samui
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Open on three sides and perched on the corner of a hillside, WOOBAR- offers 270-degree views of the Gulf of Thailand and nearby islands. Its unique design allows the bar to transform from day to night, becoming the ultimate destination for unique W Happenings—lifestyle events that reflect our passion for music, design and fashion. (WOOBAR DJ SESSIONS) - As day turns into night, crank up your evening with our DJ’s cool rhythm and mixes.
Bar Solo is an ultra-modern two-storey building located on Chaweng Beach Road right next to Starbucks Café’s Chaweng Branch; its Sci-Fi design makes it unmistakable. Solo Bar has a cool, sleek interior, an open-air front terrace and a great music policy as well as a pool table and six plasma screens showing major sporting events
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Bar Solo
166 Chaweng Beach Rd
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Bar Solo is an ultra-modern two-storey building located on Chaweng Beach Road right next to Starbucks Café’s Chaweng Branch; its Sci-Fi design makes it unmistakable. Solo Bar has a cool, sleek interior, an open-air front terrace and a great music policy as well as a pool table and six plasma screens showing major sporting events
ARK BAR is long-standing beach resort and beach club in the heart of Chaweng Beach, It’s a popular destination for travelers in their twenties and thirties, DJs are playing House music daily from 2pm to 2am. Every Wednesday and Friday the venue hosts Beach Parties with International DJs, fire shows and live saxophone & live percussion.
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ARKbar beach resort
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ARK BAR is long-standing beach resort and beach club in the heart of Chaweng Beach, It’s a popular destination for travelers in their twenties and thirties, DJs are playing House music daily from 2pm to 2am. Every Wednesday and Friday the venue hosts Beach Parties with International DJs, fire shows and live saxophone & live percussion.
is located hillside above Chaweng Beach with a stunning view over the town and Chaweng lake. Q Bar features a classy outside bar serving a broad selection of cocktails, and a spacious, stylish indoor area. The food menu offers a variety of Thai and Western dishes, including seafood, Angus beef, homemade pizzas, a wide selection of healthy salads and some unique signature appetisers. The venue features a state of the art sound and lighting system.
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Q Bar
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is located hillside above Chaweng Beach with a stunning view over the town and Chaweng lake. Q Bar features a classy outside bar serving a broad selection of cocktails, and a spacious, stylish indoor area. The food menu offers a variety of Thai and Western dishes, including seafood, Angus beef, homemade pizzas, a wide selection of healthy salads and some unique signature appetisers. The venue features a state of the art sound and lighting system.
Miami meets modern Samui at 9Gems. Don your finest jet-set attire and drink, dine and dance the night away at this lounge restaurant. This over-the-top hilltop destination offers high-end cocktails and fusion feasts.
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9Gems Koh Samui
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Miami meets modern Samui at 9Gems. Don your finest jet-set attire and drink, dine and dance the night away at this lounge restaurant. This over-the-top hilltop destination offers high-end cocktails and fusion feasts.

Sightseeing

Hin Ta and Hin Yai, some fascinating rock formations on Koh Samui’s south coast, have been a source of mirth and wonder on the island since they were discovered by the locals many years ago. Art often imitates Nature, but less common is Nature imitating Art, especially the Art of the Ribald. But in Thailand anything is possible and these rocks, known as Grandpa (Ta) and Grandma (Yai).
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Lalanta cafe
Thanon Had Lamai
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Hin Ta and Hin Yai, some fascinating rock formations on Koh Samui’s south coast, have been a source of mirth and wonder on the island since they were discovered by the locals many years ago. Art often imitates Nature, but less common is Nature imitating Art, especially the Art of the Ribald. But in Thailand anything is possible and these rocks, known as Grandpa (Ta) and Grandma (Yai).
considered to be the most decorative temple. It features many large and colourful statues representing various gods and a lake where you can feed the fish. Please go ahead and ask your Villa Attendants for their recommendations.
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Wat Plai Laem
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considered to be the most decorative temple. It features many large and colourful statues representing various gods and a lake where you can feed the fish. Please go ahead and ask your Villa Attendants for their recommendations.
The Butterfly Garden is a beautiful tropical garden with hundreds of colorful butterflies along a charming garden trail. Visit a bee house overlooking the garden, and an insect museum of rare and wonderful insects. The garden also offers stunning views of the sea at several observation decks. This is a great place to spend an afternoon or morning.
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The Butterfly Hill @ Samui
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The Butterfly Garden is a beautiful tropical garden with hundreds of colorful butterflies along a charming garden trail. Visit a bee house overlooking the garden, and an insect museum of rare and wonderful insects. The garden also offers stunning views of the sea at several observation decks. This is a great place to spend an afternoon or morning. 
Samui Crocodile Farm in Bophut is a fascinating place to find out more about Thailand's jaws and claws! They're all here: Siamese crocodiles, caimans, saltwater crocodiles, snakes, lizards, monkeys and more. The farm covers an area of 8,000sqm and is located near Samui International Airport, about six kilometres East of Bophut Fisherman’s Village.
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the Samui Crocodile Farm
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Samui Crocodile Farm in Bophut is a fascinating place to find out more about Thailand's jaws and claws! They're all here: Siamese crocodiles, caimans, saltwater crocodiles, snakes, lizards, monkeys and more. The farm covers an area of 8,000sqm and is located near Samui International Airport, about six kilometres East of Bophut Fisherman’s Village.
Wat Phra Yai is a Buddha statue over 12 meter high; you may have seen it on your arrival into Samui from the airplane and is well worth a visit. It was built in 1972 and is Koh Samui’s most famous temple located on a small island connected to Samui by a bridge. Please dress appropriately as this temple is an important Buddhist symbol for Thai people.
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Big Buddha
Wat phra yai
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Wat Phra Yai is a Buddha statue over 12 meter high; you may have seen it on your arrival into Samui from the airplane and is well worth a visit. It was built in 1972 and is Koh Samui’s most famous temple located on a small island connected to Samui by a bridge. Please dress appropriately as this temple is an important Buddhist symbol for Thai people.
This viewpoint is the best of view that  you can see the sea in panorama view.
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Lad Koh View Point
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This viewpoint is the best of view that  you can see the sea in panorama view.

Parks & Nature

is about 80 meter high. You have to be prepared for a walk to get here. Rocks can be slippery so adequate footwear is advised and not ideal for elderly or people with restricted mobility
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Na Mueang-1 Waterfall
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is about 80 meter high. You have to be prepared for a walk to get here. Rocks can be slippery so adequate footwear is advised and not ideal for elderly or people with restricted mobility
Known in Thai as Wat Namtok Hin Lad, Hin Lad Waterfall Temple (or Saunthamma Pala Nikrotharam Temple in full) is set in evergreen tropical jungle just before the trail up to the famous Hin Lad Waterfall, a few kilometres south of Nathon Town, Samui.
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Hin Lat Waterfall
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Known in Thai as Wat Namtok Hin Lad, Hin Lad Waterfall Temple (or Saunthamma Pala Nikrotharam Temple in full) is set in evergreen tropical jungle just before the trail up to the famous Hin Lad Waterfall, a few kilometres south of Nathon Town, Samui.

Shopping

Best place on the island for shopping, restaurants, cafes and the newest cinema
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Central Festival Samui
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Best place on the island for shopping, restaurants, cafes and the newest cinema
Fisherman’s Village Walking Street is a lively and colourful market held every Friday from 17:00 to 22:00 along the main street in Bophut’s Fisherman’s Village. The ‘walking street phenomena’ has gained ground in Thailand in the past five years and most of the main touristic destinations have a weekly walking street event nowadays.
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Samui bespoke Tailor
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Fisherman’s Village Walking Street is a lively and colourful market held every Friday from 17:00 to 22:00 along the main street in Bophut’s Fisherman’s Village. The ‘walking street phenomena’ has gained ground in Thailand in the past five years and most of the main touristic destinations have a weekly walking street event nowadays.
The Wharf Samui is a stylish cross between a shopping mall and a marketplace. A 5,000 sqm open-air space with 120 units in a mix of eastern and western historical architectural styles, it blends smoothly with the existing attractions of Fisherman’s Village, adding an impressive selection of good-quality products and services to the already excellent shopping in Bophut.
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The Wharf Samui
62 Moo 1
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The Wharf Samui is a stylish cross between a shopping mall and a marketplace. A 5,000 sqm open-air space with 120 units in a mix of eastern and western historical architectural styles, it blends smoothly with the existing attractions of Fisherman’s Village, adding an impressive selection of good-quality products and services to the already excellent shopping in Bophut.
Walking streets take place in several areas in Koh Samui, on certain days and are essentially colorful markets selling everything from street food & drinks to arts & crafts, clothing and souvenirs. Tuesday and Saturday Walking Street in Chaweng, Thursday in Maenam, Sunday in Lamai.
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Chaweng Walking Street
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Walking streets take place in several areas in Koh Samui, on certain days and are essentially colorful markets selling everything from street food & drinks to arts & crafts, clothing and souvenirs. Tuesday and Saturday Walking Street in Chaweng, Thursday in Maenam, Sunday in Lamai.
Cera is the best place for handmade ceramics by local designer Khanchai Wirattanakul.
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Cera' Koh Samui
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Cera is the best place for handmade ceramics by local designer Khanchai Wirattanakul.

Entertainment & Activities

For adrenaline junkies, Samui Bungee Jump is western managed and operated and available all year round in Chaweng. Go ahead and jump from a platform 50 metres above the ground!
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Bungee Jumping
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For adrenaline junkies, Samui Bungee Jump is western managed and operated and available all year round in Chaweng. Go ahead and jump from a platform 50 metres above the ground!
Samui Go-kart is located on Samui Ring Road opposite the soi leading to Hansar Samui Resort. Opened since 1993, Samui Go-kart features a 500m-long well-designed track marked out with red and white painted old tyres that keeps even the most hapless drivers on the road.
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Samui Go-Kart
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Samui Go-kart is located on Samui Ring Road opposite the soi leading to Hansar Samui Resort. Opened since 1993, Samui Go-kart features a 500m-long well-designed track marked out with red and white painted old tyres that keeps even the most hapless drivers on the road.
nestling within the tranquil mountains and rainforests of Koh Samui, Bophut Hills Golf Club is the island’s only championship quality ‘Pitch and Putt’ 9-hole, par 3 course.
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Bophut Hills Golf Club
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nestling within the tranquil mountains and rainforests of Koh Samui, Bophut Hills Golf Club is the island’s only championship quality ‘Pitch and Putt’ 9-hole, par 3 course.
Football Golf is an original and more and more popular game created in Thailand at Samui Football Golf, and is becoming better known around the world. The idea is simple enough: it's a hybrid of football and golf in which players try to steer a football into the 18 holes in as few strokes as possible - using their feet of course
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Samui Football Golf
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Football Golf is an original and more and more popular game created in Thailand at Samui Football Golf, and is becoming better known around the world. The idea is simple enough: it's a hybrid of football and golf in which players try to steer a football into the 18 holes in as few strokes as possible - using their feet of course
Canopy adventures offer four cable rides connecting six tree houses taking you on a scenic tour over the tropical jungle of Samui's north coast, covering a distance of 300 meter in total.
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Canopy Adventures Secret Falls - Koh Samui
Soi 5
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Canopy adventures offer four cable rides connecting six tree houses taking you on a scenic tour over the tropical jungle of Samui's north coast, covering a distance of 300 meter in total.
Samui's newest waterpark is a great day of fun for the whole family.
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Pink Elephant, Samui Water Park
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Samui's newest waterpark is a great day of fun for the whole family.

Everything Else

Muay Thai is held here every Saturday evening from 9pm and is free to watch but you must buy a drink from one of the bars to sit. The Chaweng Stadium and Petchbuncha Samui Stadium are the main stadiums on Koh Samui. Fights are several times a week and boast champions and amateurs from around the globe. If you’d like to take part or hire a personal trainer to come and teach you Muay Thai please speak to your Villa Manager who’d be delighted to arrange this for you
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Chaweng Muay Thai Boxing Stadium
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Muay Thai is held here every Saturday evening from 9pm and is free to watch but you must buy a drink from one of the bars to sit. The Chaweng Stadium and Petchbuncha Samui Stadium are the main stadiums on Koh Samui. Fights are several times a week and boast champions and amateurs from around the globe. If you’d like to take part or hire a personal trainer to come and teach you Muay Thai please speak to your Villa Manager who’d be delighted to arrange this for you
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, and some great spas and tourist sites to explore
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Lamai Beach
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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, and some great spas and tourist sites to explore
Chaweng is the beach on the east coast of Ko Samui and has a reputation for a pristine white beach and an excellent nightlife infrastructure especially on the northern end of the beach.
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Chaweng Beach
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Chaweng is the beach on the east coast of Ko Samui and has a reputation for a pristine white beach and an excellent nightlife infrastructure especially on the northern end of the beach.
A visit to this rum distillery, owned by a French couple, is a great way to meet some Samui people and taste some pretty good rum. The sugar cane used is from Thailand and the rum is offered in lemon, orange, coconut, pineapple and natural flavours. Be prepared to enjoy a few mojitos and have some fun.
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Magic Alambic Rum distillery
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A visit to this rum distillery, owned by a French couple, is a great way to meet some Samui people and taste some pretty good rum. The sugar cane used is from Thailand and the rum is offered in lemon, orange, coconut, pineapple and natural flavours. Be prepared to enjoy a few mojitos and have some fun.