If nothing else, P10 gets full marks for being noticeable on Ko Samui. Driving down Bang Rak’s main road, it is hard to miss the bizarre orange winged and floating roof that sits atop this modern glass building, and from an architectural perspective, it can be appreciated. It reflects the modern look of the Petcharat … read the full post

Other than flying, the only way to get to Ko Samui is by boat. If you don’t have your own (sigh), that means a ferry from either the mainland or a neighbouring island. Here we give you the low down on your options. Two operators transport cars, trucks and buses to the island, their cavernous … 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

During our Samui research earlier this year, we popped in to check out Secret Garden, a long-standing Bang Rak establishment; it looked tired and rundown, as if in need of a holiday itself. So on hearing that a new owner took over May 1, 2012,  we couldn’t resist a peek to see if new eyes … read the full post

At first glance, it’s hard to figure out what Samui-Ley is. Is it an art gallery? Is it a clothing and knick-knack store? Is it a coffee shop? Is it a guesthouse? Well, all of the above, actually. Located right in the centre of Bophut’s happening Fisherman’s Village, and looking out over the bay towards … read the full post

Magnolia Cafe in Ko Samui’s northern Chaweng is a European-style coffee shop with comfy chairs, couches, newspapers and subdued lighting. Other than Starbucks, there are few establishments on Samui with a real coffee-shop type atmosphere, but this place has that lounge about, read the paper, catch up on gossip with friends feel about it. Entering … read the full post

A new Ko Samui hotel with a name that’s a mouthful opened at the beginning of June 2012. Boutique the Green Bay View Hotel is located on the top floor of a two-storey shopping complex, at the junction to the airport from Bang Rak. The building was originally designed as shops downstairs and offices above, … 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

When you enter the new showroom for Dao Siam Cosmetics in Ko Samui‘s Choeng Mon you’ll suffer in the best way possible: from olfactory overload, as scents of predominantly citronella with undertones of white orchid and Thai herbs waft through the air. Aromdee Asia has been supplying hotels and spas in Thailand for several years, … read the full post

Arguably Thailand’s perfect all-round island, Ko Tao is best known for its outstanding diving and idyllic beaches and bays. On a recent visit we did both some scuba and beach lounging, but an unexpected highlight proved to be cliff jumping into a gorgeous emerald cove near Laem Thian point on the island’s east coast. After … read the full post