Last visited in January 2026

Koh Samui is clearly not my favourite place in Thailand. However, as a well-developed expat island, it offers everything you need for casual living, which is handy if you spend an extended time here. So when there’s no more sightseeing left, you can still eat a lot and grow a Buddha belly. Let me give you some insight on how to devour each sub-district.

Before arriving, I did my quick research and figured that Maret – more specifically, Lamai – would be the perfect area to start my Samui experience.

DOING THINGS

They say Lamai is the laid-back version of Chaweng. Well, that might be seasonal because I barely saw any people, and it was super quiet. However, it’s a pretty area with a new wave healthy lifestyle vibe and beautiful beaches. People come here to relax or use it as a closer access point to the sights of the West. And that’s it: beach, eat, sleep, repeat.

Lamai Beach and Crystal (Silver) Beach are the best choices for quality seaside relaxation; long and wide coast, golden sand, and only a few annoying jet skis. And if your hair needs some care after the sea and sun, you find the best hair salon here. Hair Farah is the place to go if you need a retouch or blond dye.

SIGHTSEEING

People come here to see grey rocks. No idea. However, next to the Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks, the Rock Bar (on the rocks, lol) awaits with cool reggae and fine cocktails.

In Maret, Wat Ratchathammaram is worth visiting for its uniqueness (all red), and Guan Yu Shrine will surely catch your eye on the road and make you stop. And if you’re already there, hop in the Homegrown x Café K.O.B for a tasty brunch/lunch and coffee.

EAT IT ALL

There are plenty of options; you only need to define what you are craving.

• Nana Tam is my pick for Thai food. Hearty dishes (lots of vegetarian options), friendly ladies, and good prices. It’s usually busy for a good reason.
• Wild Tribe Café is the yogi corner with a flavorful plant-based (vegan) menu and free-flow tea and water. Getting a glass of water or being able to serve yourself is not that common in Thailand (yet). I’m not saying it should be mandatory, but it’s always nice to have.
• Lamphu Kitchen also offers a wide selection of vegetarian dishes. It’s the café of the Samui Health Shop – a little heaven for organic junkies.
• Freshly Healthy is the go-to for a rich and cheap breakfast. This tiny place will leave you with a big, happy tummy.

WHERE IS THE BEST COFFEE?

The best coffee is definitely at The Secret Brunch. It’s part of the same Lamphu brand, and besides perfect foamy cappuccinos, they offer one of the best meals – especially bagels – in Lamai (water included).

All in all, Lamai is a village at heart, and that goes for the entire Maret sub-district. If your interest is in chilling and watching sunrises in a cozy environment, this is your place.

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