Ko Samui (Thailand)

Advantages: Crystal blue waters, white sands, shops
Disadvantages: Not for the culture-seekers...

I will start by admitting that Koh Samui is one of the more touristy islands of Thailand, and that we have seen more naturally stunning and more cultural places... it’s main attraction being white sandy beaches and relaxation for the likes of sun dogs like us. Still, it is definitely worth visiting once you have had your fill of culture and just want to relax in the sun with a coconut shake and sun lotion by your side. Many places in Thailand are ...
...delights, but for those who havent’t got the time, Samui is much nicer than Phuket or Pattaya (aka the ‘underbelly of Asia’) and Samui has the added benefit of being close to other islands that you can visit. Even if you are backpacking, like we were, you’ll enjoy the luxuries here as we sank our teeth into toasties, chips (with malt vinegar) and pasta with a satisfied groan of happiness, after months of noodles! WHERE IS IT? Koh Samui is located ... Read review

Advantages: Hotter than home, tropical setting, something for everyone
Disadvantages: Expensive (for Thailand), crowds in peak season

...On the island of Ko Mae Ko, we climbed up to see Thale Nai, an emerald saltwater lake. It was a great photography moment after the sweatiest climb in the world. The kayaking in boats of two was hard work, especially in the tropical heat - or maybe I chose the wrong rowing partner! We were quite exhausted (and a bit sun burnt as even factor 60 is useless defence when you are sweaty) at the end of the day but happily so. Getting to and from Koh Samui ...
...pushing the boat out a little) is expensive (we paid around £100 for the flight with Bangkok Air although tickets can be bought for less). Bangkok Air is the only airline that flies direct from Bangkok to Koh Samui and even owns the airport there which itself deserves a special mention as it is very picturesque and rustic. The flight service is good although they seem to serve a diverse range of in-flight snacks - we surveyed our friends and the ... Read review

Advantages: big, choice of accomodation
Disadvantages: commercilaised,

Being a Backpacker, I'd heard a lot about Samui, it being relatively famous on the Asia scene for the past 20 Years, so i thought i'd see what all the fuss was about. I got there via ferry from the mainland.I bought a combi ticket in Bangkok which took me down there by night bus and then the vehicle ferry across from Don Sak. There are numerous ticket versions available with options also to get there by train and ferry.With the coach down, it is ...
...to choose from, as some are much better than others.I found the best way was to travel by Government Bus, which is slightly more expensive, but you get a hell of a lot of legroom and a free meal. The whole trip down is overnight, and you arrive in Samui around 9 in the morning. Most people from here then head to Chaweng Beach, the Islands most popular resort, on the east side of the island. Grab a Song Tao (a pickup truck with bench seats) to take ... Read review

Advantages: Cheapish, convenient for backpackers, decent roads, great massages, solid nightlife
Disadvantages: Poor diving, littered with tourists

My apologies to those who have read this before. Certain aspects of it were I now admit, rather crude making it unsuitable to have been posted on Ciao. Here’s the PG version. Having taken several holidays in Asia I’ve steadily become fascinated with the ‘backpacker vibe.’ Quite what the attraction is of strapping an unfashionably heavy bag on your back and a smaller but more important one onto your front and then spending the majority of your tiny ...
...quite managed to grasp. I managed to realise one thing completely when I went to Koh Samui and that was why so many backpackers seem to just pass though Malaysia and Singapore in a couple of days only to spend a seemingly endless amount of time in Thailand. The cost of living was always the obvious one but cost should never be an issue when value for money can be considered and for that a whole load of more personal factors need to be taken into ... Read review

Advantages: Still peaceful and relaxing
Disadvantages: Getting over developed

If you want to get away from 21st Century living for a while, then this is the place to go. Still Less developed than Phuket (READ UPDATE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS OP); Samui still retains its natural beauty. Within the island lays coconut plantations, mini rainforests and exotic waterfalls. The sea/beaches are very clean and ideal for Scuba Diving etc. With all this it’s like being in a TV advert for a Bounty chocolate bar. Samui is quite distinctively ...
...made up from granite formations while Phuket, Phi, Phi etc are made from lime stone. You might be thinking “yeah well, so what”, but it really makes a difference. If you travel between the two islands its like they are 10,000 miles apart and not part of the same country. The two main areas to stay on the Island are Lamai and Chaweng. Lamai has loads of bars and a few clubs that stay open until around 4am. Chaweng is about the same, only offering ... Read review