Wat Plai Laem may not be the oldest temple on Ko Samui, but it’s probably the most spectacular, and a good place to take children for a bit of Thai culture and a break from the beaches. Although relatively new – it was built in 2004 – it’s constructed in traditional style and methods, so … read the full post

The best time to visit a place weather-wise is usually a time that everybody wants to visit, so choosing a time that’s just right — that is, with decent weather but some extra elbow room — can be tricky. Here’s the lowdown on the best time to visit Ko Samui taking both weather and crowds … read the full post

SUP, or stand up paddling for those not in the know, is the latest water sport activity to hit Samui’s shores. Unlike surfing, what’s great about this pastime is that no waves are required – and let’s face it, for beach bums in search of a wave, Samui features low on the list of where … read the full post

TEFL is Teaching English as a Foreign Language. This acronym describes the industry, the profession and all the courses you can take to qualify as a teacher. TEFL can be temporary or permanent. Some people do it as a career break, others a gap year as it’s a great way of earning money while travelling … read the full post

Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) is an iconic Ko Samui image. Located on the 4171 at the end of Bang Rak, as one rounds the bend to Plai Laem, this huge statue is glimmering gold and visible from kilometres away. Perched atop a platform, it’s much higher above sea level than its own 12-metre height, … read the full post

Located near the family-friendly beach of Choeng Mon, Samui Football Golf makes for a great family daytrip, or a good outing for a group of competitive friends, too. Exercise routines are often forgotten when on holiday, so this is a way to get the blood flowing without hitting the treadmill, and makes a pleasant alternative … read the full post

Viewing Ko Samui from the sea offers quite a different perspective from traipsing around the island on foot. We recently did a trip around the island, in a clockwise direction, starting from Fisherman’s Village, where old Chinese shophouses are neighbour to modern apartments, and boutique hotels are interspersed with beach bars. Travelling east, we passed … read the full post

Some of the best-value resorts on Ko Samui are great in most departments, but lacking a swimming pool. Should they be located on a beach, this may not be a problem, but sometimes a splash in a pool, decked with sun loungers and an attentive barman on call, is just what the day needs. Don’t … read the full post

Paradise Park Farm on Ko Samui offers a relatively cool mountain retreat, where kids can enjoy petting a variety of animals while adults savour the spectacular views. The farm is located more than 600 metres above Lipa Noi atop Samui’s Khao Pom; the drive up can be a little hairy, so make use of their … read the full post

UPDATE: Coco Splash will be closed from 14 May for one month, in order to construct two new water slides in the park. Anyone travelling with young children will know that kids are not content to lie under a coconut palm reading a book, or have endless massages, tour temples or even for that matter … read the full post