Koh Samui

[HolidayHappy123]

We are here at the moment and the weather is terrible. The town we drove through looks dingy and the kids counted 28 cannabis cafes on the drive from the airport.

I thought it was meant to be a tropical paradise with palm fringed white sandy beaches but the beaches are narrow and nothing special.

What am I missing? I’m sure the amazing bits are around here somewhere.

I've never been to Samui but have travelled around Thailand lots...you do realise that Thailand is rife with poverty? It's not Dubai you've gone to.

Yes! We stayed there in summer and I was shocked! Go to the fisherman's village, loveky restaurants and vibe, and go to the elephant sanctuary, that will lift your spirits! Also I recommend a trip to the islands snorkelling, amazing! We had a giid time, avoiding crocodile farm and Thai boxing!

I agree; Samui is not that nice. I remember Lamai Beach being nice, although I can't remember what the roads/shops/restaurants, etc. are like. For lovely. tropical beaches you really need to go to smaller islands without an airport. The downside is that they're not as easy to travel to.

have you arrived at your hotel?
what’s that like?

either way - no way let on to your children how disappointed you are! Slap on a smile and make the best of it

Wow the google image pics of Koh Samui are amazing!

Some mixed reviews on trip advisor.

Looks like the elephant sanctuary no longer does the rides or the bathing. Which is VERY good if true.

That sounds so disappointing. We went to Koh Samui 21 years ago and loved it. Our resort felt like paradise to me and the local town was quite nice and there were loads of great restaurants. We've talked about going back as we were really disappointed by the food in Khao Lak when we went a few years ago and kept comparing it to the great food in Koh Samui.

I suppose it's changed a lot since we were there.

The people who live there aren't rich. The hotel/resort will likely be amazing but there's an undercurrent of poverty. The restaurants in fisherman's village do amazing food but it's not five star dining. That's just what staying in that part of the world is like. It's one of my favourite places in the world. I like Malaysia too though, all the street food etc.

Agree. It was lovely 20 years ago! The north coast has become really overdeveloped. Really disliked Chaweng. The south and south west coasts were better, if you can get there?

I've been around Thailand and samui was just like a seaside town.

I feel like such a dick for not checking. I just assumed it would be nice. The terrible weather isn’t helping.

But I am in a spectacular resort so I can’t really complain even if I am wrapped in a towel on the beach as it’s so bloody cold.

Merry Christmas all

Can you get a boat tour to Ang Thong marine park, maybe through Viator? Might be a terrible suggestion if the weather is awful though.

I live in Bangkok and the weather is crap here, too! My kids are complaining of the 'freezing cold' haha!!

I second what others have said about the elephant sanctuary on Samui. It is a small ethical one, no riding but you can get right up close and hear individual stories of the elephants. And, one of the most random things ever, there is a video explaining some stuff and it's narrated by Lou Carpenter from Neighbours 😁

Fisherman's Village/Bophut is probably the best area for you to go for some holiday vibes. The Secret Garden has decent food on the beach and they'll let you use the pool there if you want to occupy the children for a bit. The Jungle Club up in the hills has good views and food and is worth a little ride out.

If the weather is really rainy, the only thing I can think of is the mall, sorry!

Oh I forgot one thing - ask at your hotel or Google and find recommendations for how to go to the island with pigs on, it's great! Sorry I can't recall the name but this is my kids' absolute favourite place. You can get a little boat to take you, stop for snorkelling on the way, then hang out on the beach with some pigs, have some lunch, pose for photos on swings etc, then boat ride back. It won't be nearly as Intagrammable in bad weather but would still be fun!

Also the Big Buddha is worth a visit and a walk around the temple grounds. It's not a Thai holiday if you don't visit at least one temple 😁

Sorry your holiday isn't going as planned and the weather is ruining things. It's definitely better here today than yesterday so fingers crossed it improves for you, too!

I went 25 years ago and I have heard it’s loads more commercialised now but the beaches can’t have changed that much? They were great then. The marine park was beautiful. I don’t know what the other islands are like for a day trip, Koh Phenang? No cannabis cafes when I was there! 😁

We stayed in Samui, our villa (Centarra) was out the way but there was a gorgeous beach bar (Cool Bar, it's a must visit the owners are lovely) within a minutes walk, we saw the owner catch squid and then they cooked it for us straight away, there was a mini bus to take us to Lamai or Chaweng where you could use the pool at their sister hotel if you wanted. We ate in the local restaurants in the village and the fish was amazing (caught that day).

The scrap metal model shop in Bophut is also worth a visit (they have another shop in Bangkok and sell on Etsy). The sculptures are amazing.

I think it's more for young party people

The weed shops are EVERYWHERE in Thailand now. It sometimes feels like there are almost as many as there are 711s! It's not a reflection on Koh Samui, they sprang up overnight all over the place when the law changed.

The kids are excited about Pig Island so I think we’ll give that a try when the weather improves.

I feel your pain OP. Am here now. Weather is shit. Marine park trip and DS's diving have been postponed due to weather. Not sure they'll go ahead at all. DS holed up in his room in a grump. I'm half cut. Wish I were at home for my sister's delicious Christmas Dinner. Oh well. Will look at elephant sanctuary.

This makes me feel a bit better! We are on an asia cruise atm and were supposed to spend yesterday in koh samui. Couldnt dock because of weather conditions and had to skip it! I was so sad about it at the time.

I wouldn’t be heading out on a boat trip unless the forecast is good. I was on one of these trips from Samui when a storm started (after perfect weather all morning) and it was so scary being in the small boat with quite big waves and the staff handing out seasickness tablets and sounding alarmed. I guess we were probably safe but it was a scary experience none the less.

I do hope your holiday improves soon! I second the suggestion of getting out and about, maybe book a trip around the island or car or taxi for the day and explore a bit?

I’m not a fan of Koh Samui, we prefer the more remote parts of Koh Phangan! Take a day trip to Koh Raham on Phangan or a boat out to the Ang Thong Marine park, both beautiful places.

@wishIwasonholiday10 OMG we were going to Koh Samui and got off at Phangan as we thought we'd die in those waves, such a mad crossing! 🤣 Kissed the ground when I got off, so scary x

I stayed there on honeymoon 20 years ago, I’ll bet you’re in the same resort.

it was nice but commecialised even then