A Travel Guide for Samui Thailand

The island of Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand has perhaps a more interesting history than any other beach resort in the country.

Up until the Seventies it remained relatively detached from mainland Thailand, so much so that its residents referred to themselves as Samui rather than Thai. But it was at that time the first intrepid travelers started turning up, laying the foundations for what has now become one of Thailand's best loved tropical paradises. Having escaped any reputation it may have held as a budget alternative to Phuket, recent years have seen the arrival of upscale luxury resorts that rival and even better its Andaman counterparts.

For the best of these resorts try the beaches in the northeast like Mae Nam, Bophut and Bang Rak where some of the most pristine coastline and vegetation on the whole island can be found. These beaches are home to many world-class luxury resorts such as Napasi, Four Seasons and the Evason Hideaway Sila.

A resort that we highly recommend for families is Karma, as it has a number of large villas for rent, or a more affordable option that does not compromise style try the Zazen Resort at Bophut Beach. One of our personal favourites has to be the Sala Samui Resort and Spa where almost all suites have their own pool.

If you are looking for something more lively, the most developed beaches on the island are undoubtedly

Chaweng and Lamai. Chaweng has become Samui's tourist hub and is ever expanding in size, accommodating all the trappings of a large scale beach resort: cut-price shops, all-night discos and western fast-food chains can be found lining the streets in abundance. That said, both of these beaches have deep, clear green waters that are fantastic for swimming. For people attracted to the bustle and excitement of town, we recommend Rocky Resort just south of Lamai.

For a greater sense of seclusion, head to the beaches on the west coast of the island. Although places like Taling Ngam, Lipa Noi and Bang Pow are perhaps not as beautiful as their eastern neighbours, the lack of crowds give them a certain charm and the shallow waters make them an excellent choice for people with children.