What To Buy During Koh Samui Shopping Trips

There are plenty of cool souvenirs you can buy while in Koh Samui (photo courtesy of flickr.com) 

Some of the best memories are forged during vacations in distant places. A traveller was asked about what he loved the most during his trip to Thailand’s third biggest island, and he said it was the world-class accommodations he received at the ShaSa Resort as well as the mouth-watering exotic dishes he had at a couple of restaurants.

When asked how he planned on capturing the memory he had on the island, he answered: “with a camera and by doing a little Koh Samui shopping.” The most common way people cherish memories is by taking photographs, which is great. However, using this in combination with the acquisition of an actual commodity unique to the place would be even better.

There are many things that any vacationist can buy to commemorate his trip to this paradise island. With that being said, one item that seasoned travellers and locals recommend for tourists to bring back home is jewellery.

Shops on the island offer custom-made pieces that can be crafted in such a way that’s aesthetically appealing to the buyer, or in a way that’d remind the buyer of the island.

However, when doing a little Koh Samui shopping for jewelleries, shoppers are advised to make sure that the shop is authorized with a Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) license to warrant the goods’ authenticity.

Moving forward, Koh Samui hotel staff say Thai triangular cushions also make great souvenirs. While these merchandises can be found everywhere, the widest selection of such goods is located at Nathon Town and Fisherman’s Village. At these places, silk wall hangings, wooden carvings plus other crafts can be purchased as well, all of which make great mementos of holiday spent in the charming island.

Another item that’d help commemorate the trip is local Samui rum – not only does it come in different delicious-tasting flavours, but many of these sport handsome wooden cases which look good at most (or some) western home displays.

A person can also purchase a tailor made suit in Koh Samui at a reasonable price. The prices for suits are extremely cheap and will last a good amount of time.

Koh Samui shopping for art works such as sculpted wooden images or paintings is advised, as they make great keepsakes, and are bound to blend well in anyone’s house. Many of these painters and carvers are willing to do custom jobs for their customers. Although it’ll cost more (depending on the rate charged by the dealer,) getting something truly unique is always a great way to remember any cherished holiday. 

Exploring the Koh Samui Islands

Ready for an adventure? Visit the gorgeous Koh Samui island today, you won't be disappointed (photo courtesy of flickr.com)

A tour of Koh Samui either by boat or by land offers a much more enjoyable experience than simply staying at a Koh Samui hotel all day. Now it’s time to take out your sunscreen and your camera and enjoy the breath-taking scenery of the island while enjoying the sunny Koh Samui weather. You surely won’t be disappointed! 

If you decide to tour Koh Samui by land then you need to have a car. You can easily find a local shop that offers a rent-a-car service for tourists. With a car, you can tour the island by simply following wherever the road takes you. You can even have your own side trips along the way without having to worry about transportation. Be sure to take a shortstop to visit Koh Samui’s magnificent waterfalls named Namuang I & II. You can also join the tour groups that visit the waterfalls on a daily basis if you prefer to have company. Just a reminder, wear only slip-proof footwear since the area leading to the falls can be slippery. 

Touring Koh Samui by boat is another experience you don’t want to miss. Bored of staying at your Koh Samui hotel and looking for a new adventure while in the island? Then the boat tour is for you.  Ever heard of the Angthong Marine Park? It is a chain of uninhabited islands and you can visit this national park by going on a day trip by boat. You need a whole day to be able to tour the park. You can either rent your own boat for the trip or you can join a tour. At the Angthong Park, tourists can enjoy private beaches and other activities such as hiking and snorkelling. The park also has a museum that displays some of Koh Samui’s history. 

Are you familiar with the long-tail boat tour? Some establishments at the island like the Five Islands Restaurant offer a boat tour using private long-tail boats, hence the name. Tourists can fully enjoy the beauty of a secluded beach while snorkelling all day under the sunny Koh Samui weather through this tour. 

Sunset cruises are also available during your stay at the island. You can choose if you want to go on a speedboat, or a yacht, or even on craft-catamarans for the cruise. Experience the beautiful sunset at Koh Samui up close instead of simply watching it through your Koh Samui hotel window. 

Enjoy the magnificent beauty of Koh Samui and have fun exploring the island by either boat or by car. 

Learning Muay Thai in Koh Samui

Come to Koh Samui and learn some Muay Thai from the finest trainers in the world (photo courtesy of flickr.com)

Koh Samui in Thailand is not only famous for its scenic beauty but also for its Muay Thai lessons. This martial art has fascinated the world and there has been significant increase in the number of people wanting to learn it. If you are interested in learning Muay Thai then you can start planning your own Koh Samui trip so that you can marvel at the magnificent tourist spots while learning how to execute Muay Thai. 

In what part of Thailand is Koh Samui located? It is situated in the country’s southeastern part and about 700-km away from Bangkok. The island is a Changwat Suratthani district and home to 50,000 people known as the “Chao Samui”. Prior to becoming a hotspot among tourists, the island was thriving on coconut planting and fishing. 

Nowadays, there are a lot of things to do in Koh Samui, which provide tourists with an unforgettable and fun travel experience.  One of these things is learning the art of Muay Thai. Koh Samui is home to several Muay Thai camps catering the need for excellent Muay Thai lessons among Muay Thai enthusiasts.  These camps boast of excellent accommodations and facilities as well as top-notch trainers, most of whom are Thai boxing champions. 

Aside from learning Muay Thai, Koh Samui can also make your stay even more exciting through its magnificent and sparkling beaches, scenic tourist spots, and other exciting activities happening in the island. Some things to do in Koh Samui include visits to its famous hotels and restaurants, boat and land tours that occur daily, and lessons on Thai food cooking, food carving, yoga, and diving to name a few. 

Koh Samui may be a small island but it is equipped with facilities to make every tourist’s stay convenient. The island has its own hospital in case of emergencies. You can also find several ATM machines within the area so concerns regarding money transactions are not a big deal.  So what are you waiting for? Stop delaying your Koh Samui travel plans and start looking forward to the various things to do in Koh Samui, such as learning Muay Thai. 

If you want to be the best Muay Thai fighter then you have to go for the best teachers of the art and you can meet them at Koh Samui Muay Thai camps. Make your dream come true and book your trip to Koh Samui today, so that you can become an excellent Muay Thai fighter in no time.  

Experience The Nightlife of Koh Samui!

The Koh Samui is absolutely incredible! (photo courtesy of Flickr.com)

Whether a vacationer is old or young, feeling inclined to party at night venues at places he or she has never been to before would only be natural. Luckily, the Koh Samui nightlife is meant to be enjoyed by everyone. And no, it doesn’t matter if they’re eighteen or fifty-five; because this tropical island has a wide range of commercial establishments, which can easily, cater to the needs and wants of both crowds.

For older folks, it’s recommended that they book a room somewhere in or near the Choeng Mon Beach, since this tourist hotspot is packed with beachfront restaurants offering various perks to keep guests entertained. Individuals will certainly relish in devouring a local spicy meal while enjoying the picturesque view of the ocean.

In addition to this, guests will be entertained by the live music performances by some of the popular local musicians, all the while gulping down alcoholic beverages, and chewing on BBQ goodies.

For the young and single, it’s highly recommended that they visit the Chaweng Beach. There are tons of nightclubs and places to dance with the attractive locals. Here, the Koh Samui nightlife is very similar to the atmosphere in Bangkok and other parts of the world!

For couples, the Laemset beach is a place that caters to all love bird’s romantic needs, whether they are newly weds or taking their first trip together, this place is serene, quiet and has nice view.  At this place, romantic, classy dinners can be enjoyed over a glass of wine at a table for two with a magnificent view of the moon hovering above the mystical sea.

Moreover, there are a wide variety of restaurants, lounges and pubs throughout Koh Samui to hang out at. The bulk of these businesses can be located along the village road, so they are easily accessible by both boat and by car.

For those who aren’t into a Koh Samui nightlife that’s focused on partying in clubs, romantic meals, or family-bonding time (usually groups of men), Muay Thai is popular night-time activity held on this island, and the fights are held every week. 

These striking matches take place at Chaweng Stadium, at about 9pm, the main bout starts somewhere between 10pm to 10:30pm. And when the match is over, spectators will be free to carry on doing other manly things throughout the night, such as grabbing a few Thai beers at the Reggae Pub nearby or heading to somewhere with some live musical performances.

Four Reasons To Stay At Koh Samui

The gorgeous Sunset is yet another reason to come to Koh Samui (photo courtesy of www.shasahotels.com)

There are tons of Koh Samui attractions that make this island a tourist magnet to vacationers everywhere. The obvious things that entice people from all over the planet to pay a visit to this tropical paradise, and come back to visit it again and again, include the white sand beach, crystal-clear ocean water, sea breeze, outstanding local hospitality and of course unforgettable sites.

However, similar things can be found at other popular tourist destinations elsewhere – so what separates this island from its counterparts within and outside the country? Below are the four biggest reasons that make this private getaway standout from the rest.

First off, Samui has the perfect balance between seclusion and convenience – since it can’t be reached by bus, travellers who go here tend to spend more time. While this islet is more developed as compared to other locations within region, there are numerous spots that are left virtually untouched.

For this reason, people can either choose to stay at a place loaded with various types of accommodations, which are closely situated near shops, bars, clubs and other commercial establishments; or stay at a mediocre to premium villa located far from such businesses and noisy tourists.

The second reason can be considered one of the biggest Koh Samui attractions: local cuisine. There’s a good reason why Thai cook books sell very well. Some of the best restaurants in the entire island include “The Z” and “Beyond the Sea” – they’ve been praised by individuals from all parts of the world for their mouth-watering, tongue-tantalizing food.

Third reason to stay at this fun-filled island is the wide range of activities for tourists to do – for those who like to spend their holidays at a laid-back pace, buying books from local stores, and reading under the palm shades at the beach, is one thing for these types to do. They can also choose to go to a spa, and unwind with a massage from experienced professionals.

As for those who’d like to keep busy during their visitations, this islet does exceptionally well at catering for that need – getting on a boat going to Ang Thong Marine Park is a great option. Here, vacationers can choose to go snorkelling, kayaking, or explore the park’s interior.

Fourth and last reason is the opportunity to learn something completely new – this island has various schools and instructors who are more than willing to give lessons in culinary cooking, yoga, diving, sailing plus wind-surfing.

There are of course, plenty of other Koh Samui attractions, which make this tourist hotspot an excellent place to visit. The ones listed here are just some of many reasons why a vacationist should definitely consider spending a vacation here! Many activities have been described on this blog in earlier posts, however if you would like to learn more about some other activities we haven’t yet covered, please let us know.