Lamai Samui

Koh Samui is now well and truly on the global map as a world class holiday destination. Famed for its tropical paradise setting and laid back lifestyle, the island has embraced tourism and is able to offer holidays to suit every budget. Located in the Gulf of Thailand, the island covers 240 square kilometres and has a steadily developing infrastructure, vast tracks of tropical forest and hundreds of kilometres of trademark sandy beaches. One of the finest beaches can be found in the town of Lamai, on the south coast of the island. Quieter than the busier neighbouring beach of Chaweng, Lamai offers good swimming, white sand and swaying coconut trees.

The 1970's marked the very early days of Samui's tourism industry, when backpackers would arrive by ferry and be taken straight to Lamai where the first and only beach bungalow resorts were located. Nowadays there is a plethora of accommodation throughout Samui, but visitors are still drawn to Lamai for its relaxed atmosphere and convenient access to shops and restaurants.

Although Lamai was previously known for its budget feel, over the last few years the standards of accommodation have changed to meet a demand for more upmarket and luxurious hotels. It is still easy to find accommodation for backpacker travellers, however these bungalow operations are now sharing the beach with internationally branded five star hotels, chic beach clubs and comfortable boutique options like Zara Beach Resort. As these have taken form, the shops, cafes and bars are developing to suit the affluent client?le. Whatever the price tag attached to their holiday, visitors choose Lamai for its stunning beach and appealing amenities, which come without the hustle and bustle found in Samui's larger tourist town of Chaweng.

There are three defined parts of Lamai Beach, with the deeper swimming water and smarter resorts located in the central and southern areas. The northern area is quieter due to the beach having shallower water and becoming mud flats when the tide goes out. The night-life is more relaxed than in the neighbouring town of Chaweng, but there are plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from offering visitors an alternative to the pink light bars.