Ko Samui is an island located in the Chumphon Archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand, some 700 km south of Bangkok and about 80 km from the eastern coastline of Southern Thailand. Ko Samui is a fairly big island. The most popular and commercialised beaches are Chaweng and Lamai, while the northern beaches and their adjacent villages of Mae Nam, Bophut, Bang Rak (Big Buddha) and Choeng Mon are more peaceful choices, and the west coast beaches are still (comparatively) quiet. Chaweng and Lamai have much clearer seawater, so better for swimming.
Bo Phut
Bophut Beach situated in the north of the island, is a popular starting point for diving tours. The place isn't in any way as developed as Chaweng but there are still plenty of restaurants, shops, and bars.
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Chaweng Beach
Chaweng Beach is the major beach on Ko Samui and one that has developed tremendously since the early 1990s. Just 20 years ago the beach was home to just a sprinkle of wooden bungalows but now the place is swamped with hotels, Italian pizzerias, Irish pubs, and even go-go bars. Samui’s night life is becoming legendary but unfortunately not always attracting the best standard of tourist. Chaweng’s once ‘hippie’-only backpackers have given way to a lot of "lager louts". Chaweng is the place for a rowdy reckless party scene.
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Lamai Beach
Lamai Beach Like Chaweng, Lamai has been transformed from a ‘hippy’ hangout into a fun, party place packed out with bars and exciting night life. The beach though, is still in better condition than Chaweng and the place doesn't get quite so crowded. If it's a quiet relaxing location you are after, then Lamai won’t be the ideal place for you. At the southern end of Lamai, there are some odd-looking rock formations. Lamai is in southeast Samui, about ten km south of Chaweng.
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