Samui’s southern coast from Thong Krut bay to Bang Kao and on to the muslim community in the fishing village of Hua Thanon in the east, is the least developed in terms of resorts and possesses probably the most isolated stretch of the island’s coastline. But the area is dotted with small fishing communities, some good eateries and there’s a surprising amount to hold a visitor’s interest.
Thong Krut is a busy little fishing village located on the far southwest of the island. The village is populated by tour companies offering fishing and sightseeing trips to Koh Tan and other small islands off Samui’s south coast, for which it’s the departure point. The village is worth visiting for the brightly coloured fishing boats, and the authentic culture of a Thai Muslim fishing community. Among the many restaurants serving the freshest of seafood, Nuch’s Green Ta’lay restaurant comes highly recommended.
Following the road as it turns inland toward the next village of Bang Koa, a small road signed to Laem Sor on the seaward side leads, after a kilometre, to the yellow-tiled chedi (pagoda) built at the water’s edge at Samui’s southernmost point.
Finally to Hua Thanon at the southerly end of the east coast and the largest fishing community on the island. The village boasts a mosque for its mainly muslim population, a ramshackle market and some great seafood, by all accounts.
The beaches of the south are generally scruffy – what falls from the trees or is washed-up by the tide tends to stay there. The tides recede a long way out revealing rocks and coral debris-filled mudflats that can be dangerous underfoot. But Samui’s southern stretch does it’s best to make the most of what it has to earn tourist Baht including: The Naga Pearl Shop in Thong Krut will take you to see their pearl farm on Koh Matsum just offshore, but you will be expected to buy. The snake-farm in the southwest has shows at 11h00 and 14h00; the butterfly garden & insect museum is nearby. The tiger zoo and aquarium at the Orchid Resort in Laem Set. The resort also hosts a kitesurfing school on their beach at certain times of the year, and bizarrely, the International Sea Lion Search and Rescue Training and Education Centre.
Photo source: Kinumi Yoshida コサムイ現地ガイド
South coast: Thong Krut Bay, Bang Kao, Laem Sor & Hua Thanon
Samui’s southern coast from Thong Krut bay to Bang Kao and on to the muslim community in the fishing village of Hua Thanon in the east, is the least developed in terms of resorts and possesses probably the most isolated stretch of the island’s coastline. But the area is dotted with small fishing communities, some good eateries and there’s a surprising amount to hold a visitor’s interest.
Thong Krut is a busy little fishing village located on the far southwest of the island. The village is populated by tour companies offering fishing and sightseeing trips to Koh Tan and other small islands off Samui’s south coast, for which it’s the departure point. The village is worth visiting for the brightly coloured fishing boats, and the authentic culture of a Thai Muslim fishing community. Among the many restaurants serving the freshest of seafood, Nuch’s Green Ta’lay restaurant comes highly recommended.
Following the road as it turns inland toward the next village of Bang Koa, a small road signed to Laem Sor on the seaward side leads, after a kilometre, to the yellow-tiled chedi (pagoda) built at the water’s edge at Samui’s southernmost point.
Finally to Hua Thanon at the southerly end of the east coast and the largest fishing community on the island. The village boasts a mosque for its mainly muslim population, a ramshackle market and some great seafood, by all accounts.
The beaches of the south are generally scruffy – what falls from the trees or is washed-up by the tide tends to stay there. The tides recede a long way out revealing rocks and coral debris-filled mudflats that can be dangerous underfoot. But Samui’s southern stretch does it’s best to make the most of what it has to earn tourist Baht including: The Naga Pearl Shop in Thong Krut will take you to see their pearl farm on Koh Matsum just offshore, but you will be expected to buy. The snake-farm in the southwest has shows at 11h00 and 14h00; the butterfly garden & insect museum is nearby. The tiger zoo and aquarium at the Orchid Resort in Laem Set. The resort also hosts a kitesurfing school on their beach at certain times of the year, and bizarrely, the International Sea Lion Search and Rescue Training and Education Centre.
Photo source: Kinumi Yoshida コサムイ現地ガイド