Surat Thani
This tall grey statue of the Buddhist bodhisattva of compassion (associated with the Mahayana tradition) is quite a sight, looking down from its elevated…
Surat Thani
This tall grey statue of the Buddhist bodhisattva of compassion (associated with the Mahayana tradition) is quite a sight, looking down from its elevated…
Ko Pha-Ngan
This not-so-secret, palm-fringed, soft-sand cove (aka Hat Son) sits at the bottom of a steep road in the northwest of the island. It's a popular spot for…
Ko Pha-Ngan
With several bungalow operations, Hat Yuan, near the southeastern tip of the island, is a remote and pretty choice. The trek from Hat Rin takes around two…
Ko Samui
When the tide is out, it's fun picking your way along the sand flats around Na Thon, especially south of the scrawnier beach near the pier. These really…
Ko Pha-Ngan
This temple is one of the less visited on the island, and is therefore a haven of tranquillity (bar the occasional growling canine). Highlights include a…
Ko Samui
A dark Buddha is seated under a golden pavilion up a long flight of steps lined with glittering green dragon banisters at this quiet wát away from the…
Ko Pha-Ngan
Than Prawet is a series of chutes that snake down for several kilometres and can be accessed from Thong Nai Pan Noi on the eastern coast. Don't expect a…
Ko Samui & the Lower Gulf
Just north of town is Hat Narathat, a 5km-long sandy beach fronted by towering pines, which serves as a public park for locals. The beach is only 2km from…
Ko Samui & the Lower Gulf
Five kilometres east of town, Ao Manao is a superb strip of palm tree-fringed sand. You'll likely have it all to yourself, unless it's a public or Muslim…
Ko Samui
The high drop at Nam Tok Wang Saotong is in the hills above Ban Hua Thanon. There are signs warning visitors not to climb the falls as there have been…
Ko Samui
Stretching along several kilometres of the island's northern shore, this beach is a quiet length of sand and an excellent choice for escaping the crowds.
Ko Tao
Looking out over Ao Chalok Ban Kao, this viewpoint is on the road to Tao Thong Villa that runs west off the road between Mae Hat and Chalok Ban Kao.
Ko Samui
Near the waterfalls of the same name, this temple houses two beautiful white Buddha statues surrounded by naga (snake god) heads – one overlooking the…
Ko Samui
This high-drop waterfall is just north of the ring road near Ban Hua Thanon and visitors love exploring the trail leading up to it. There are signs…
Ko Pha-Ngan
Upon arrival, these falls will seem a tad disappointing with all the visible plastic piping. To appreciate them better, clamber down the rocks to the…
Ko Samui
Saffron-robed monks shuffle around quietly in this peaceful wát, where a huge seated golden Buddha in front of the wheel of dharma is amongst the standout…
Ko Samui
This simple temple is worth an exploration as a diversion from Lamai beach life. There's a folklore museum containing a display of Buddhist artefacts and…
Ko Tao
Mae Hat Bay does not have a great beach, but it's fun clambering over the rocks and boulders at the southern end looking for crabs in all the rock pools…
Ko Samui
Rather coarse and shelly, Bo Phut’s beach inclines quite steeply into cloudy water, but the views are scenic to Ko Pha-Ngan, an island that acts as a…
Ko Pha-Ngan
This white skeletal, metal-framed, active lighthouse, sits on a green promontory towards the southeast tip of the Hat Rin peninsula. It can only be…