Questions for the Koh Samui experts...

Having never been to Koh Samui I was wondering "where" you folks would recommend for a couple I know who are travelling out there. Here are some of the factors -

Duration of visit - first 2 weeks in January 2010.

First time visitors to Thailand.

Age group - 21 to 25.

Accommodation cost (for both) per night £15 - 30. Currently 825 - 1650 Baht.

Expectations - nice beaches and some decent nightlife.

Any advice would be much appreciated, my thanks in advance.

• moobs.

Expectations - Good luck! Nice beaches are long gone, mostly destroyed by mass tourism and over development, nightlife is okay, a lot of backpacker hangouts and tourist spots, often loud and garish, the stereotypical farang/sex tourism spots are there too.

Accomodation costs - you can get an okay midrange place for that price bracket. Nothing special, nothing too poor either. Samui is expensive compared to other places in Thailand, due mostly to mass tourism.

Age group - there will be a lot of people on Samui of that age, so no problems with company. Bit of a problem if you want solitude!

My advice would be to avoid Samui and the other 'popular' tourist islands like Phi Phi, etc. Ko Tao near Samui is much nicer! Go there instead!

Moobs,
Ko Chang!

#2. I would have suggested that but I am led to believe that they have already booked the flight to Samui.

Thanks for the help so far.

,,Expectations - Good luck! Nice beaches are long gone, mostly destroyed by mass tourism and over development, nightlife is okay, a lot of backpacker hangouts and tourist spots, often loud and garish, the stereotypical farang/sex tourism spots are there too. ''

Typical a comment from someboy that has nothing seen on Koh Samui except Chaweng.
Samui is 250 km2 and only Chaweng and and certain parts of Lamai are ''overdeveloped'', but not in a way you
see in Ibiza, Benidorm, Torremolinos, Florida, Patong or Pattaya etc.

I live on Samui and I hate Chaweng, but young people like it a lot (party, party)
The west and south coast are deserted and have nice beaches and and only a few resorts and NO high rise buildings.
There is nothing in the evening or night.

I would advice: Maenam or Bophut quiet but near Chaweng or
Lamai beach. Nice beach and some nightlife.
Rent a motorbike and explore the rest.

Actually Louvan I HAVE seen pretty much all over Samui.I admit it was a fair few years ago now but I can't imagine it has got any better. Yes there are some parts like you said that are nicer than others, but it is still far from the beautiful island it should be. Although I do admit Pattaya, Ibiza et al are far far far worse and should be avoided at all costs.

My other comments still stand, Samui is a once beautiful island ruined by over tourism. There are much nicer islands in the region to choose from.

Ko tao and Koh phangan is not too far from Samui ,about 45 min. by speed boat to Phangan and 90 min. to Koh tao
You can stay in Chaweng if you like a night life or Maenam and Bophut as Louvan suggested, if want to have a quiet night.
I'd suggest you to stay at the other place around chaweng and rent a motorbike or a car.

The middle and southern sections of Lamai are still real nice and there is plenty of nightlife in Lamai. Maybe you could hit sawadee.com and other booking sites to find some places within your budget. Google Samui Lagoona Resort which is a great old-style travellers' place with bungalows right on the sand within your budget - north of central Lamai. Caveat, gets a bit shallow here at low tide.

Chaweng is an even nicer beach with arguably better nightlife. The area up around OP Hut was very attractive when I called in last week and the lady told me their hot water aircon huts were going for 1100 (last week was high season like January). OP has attracted a number of good posts lately. Google for their website.
Jungle Club high in the hills above Chaweng Noi is a blowout with amazing views and a cool horizon pool and bungalows under 1000, but it's a 15 minute walk down to the beach.
I should have more info and some pix on these place on the first link below within a week.

''My other comments still stand, Samui is a once beautiful island ruined by over tourism. There are much nicer islands in the region to choose from. ''

OK #5 Let's destroy some other islands aswell :o)

You can destroy them if you like Louvan, personally I prefer conservation of natural beauty spots and treading lightly when I travel. But it's ok, as a fan of Samui I don't expect you to understand that.

#9 I am not a fan of Samui. I just live there. I will never go there on holiday anymore :o)
Sure conservation is a good thing. Tell this to the Thai and foreign moneygrabbers.
Tourism is worse than sour rain and people don't seem to learn ever.

Now that Louvan we can agree on.

moobie - slight correction in #7 - substitute New Hut+ for +Lagoona on Lamai.

@tezza when you say OP hut, you mean OP Bungalow right?

Yep, on northern Chaweng.