Aquapark Chaweng, Ko Samui’s latest child-friendly attraction, is located in the sea – yes, in the sea — in front of Monkey Bay Beach Bar. You’ll find it in the middle of the main beach, next to the Chaba Resort and the Beachcomber, and an added bonus is that there’s plenty of parking at Monkey … read the full post

A funky resort opened its doors on Mae Nam beach — one of our favourite Ko Samui beaches — at the end of 2012. The look is fresh, the rooms are small yet stylish, and the prices are reasonable at this flashpacker to midrange option. The Hammock is well-positioned, located directly on the beach, and … read the full post

Driving around Samui, you’ll often see men on scooters steering with one hand and carrying a covered birdcage in the other hand. Inside the cage is a prized possession – a red-whiskered bulbul, used in traditional Thai bird-singing competitions. On Samui, competitions are held every Tuesday and Saturday at 11:00. It’s not advertised, it’s not … read the full post

Rather than a silly souvenir that will lie in the back of the junk cupboard once home, a new skill is a souvenir that might come in more handy. Here are a selection of courses available on Ko Samui that should leave you with something longer lasting and more valuable than a tan — and … read the full post

New Hut Bungalows in Lamai are, as the name implies, a collection of huts, though these days they are not so new. They are little thatched A-frame structures with a small overhang in front, and little more than that, but make for great backpacker digs if you can put up with a little bit of … read the full post

Thailand’s Ko Samui might not have wild tigers, elephants or even monkeys for that matter, but that’s not to say you won’t find a few interesting creatures on the island. And the best part is, you won’t need to go on a safari tour, as most of these you’ll see about your resort or just … read the full post

Lucky Restaurant, a no-fuss, no-frills establishment along Ko Samui’s Nathon seafront with views across to the ferries, is one of the area’s most popular restaurants, serving excellent and affordable Thai and Western food. The menu, which is also written on blackboards around the restaurant, shows off the kitchen’s versatility. From Thai food priced (and spiced … read the full post

Banyan House is one of the few bed and breakfast establishments on Ko Samui, where most accommodation is in the form of resorts, bungalows or apartments. The giant coffee cup outside invites you to stop, and what you first notice is a blue windowed conservatory that forms the restaurant. Tables are set in the lush … read the full post

A quirky little coffee lounge-cum-interiors shop opened its doors in January 2013 in Ko Samui’s Choeng Mon. What you first notice driving past is a flash of vibrant purple, and then on closer look, some tables scattered along the pavement. Don’t take the bend too fast, or you’ll miss it – and Aroma Boutique is … read the full post

One of Ko Samui’s old favourite budget bungalows, Shangrilah is still around – although you may not think so, as their website seldom works, and they’re hard to reach by email. They were closed for a while, but are now back up and running, which their repeat guests are happy about. Shangrilah is tucked into … read the full post