What to visit in Koh Samui, Thailand?

Ideas for things to see and do

dunno

Oh yeah, there are still about fifteen waterfalls on the island, more or less far from the beaches, of course.

Remember to say hello and write more than 3 words—you’ll multiply your chances of getting a reply.

Hi there,

What time of year are you going? Here are some ideas for things to do: - Ang Thong National Marine Park - Longtail boat tour to Koh Madsum, Koh Tan, and Koh Rap - Day trip to Koh Phangan from Mae Nam (Lomprayah ferries—they have a website) - A few waterfalls - Elephant treks - Horseback ride along the coastline in the south of the island in the evening - A rum distillery where you can taste excellent rum made in Isan. They also organize evening events - Jet ski outings - Junk boat trips - 4x4 tours exploring the island’s interior

I’m sure I’ve forgotten some!

Sorry, but I really can’t stand the advice about elephant-back rides. Many people now know that what these animals have been put through to make that possible is criminal.

If anyone wants to do that, just give me the coordinates of your hotel and your vacation dates: you can carry me on your back for a one-kilometer walk along the beach, so you’ll know what it feels like for the animal.

I’d recommend singing his ballad by moonlight, accompanied by a mandolin or guitar—it’s way more romantic than with an elephant, don’t you think! 😄

I saw buffalo fights. Monkeys harvesting coconuts, but that was a long time ago.

Sorry, I don’t recommend it… I just listed a bunch of activities you can do there. I’ve never set foot in those camps, whether they’re ethical or not.

Sorry, I’m also removing buffalo fights, cockfights, and the training of macaques to harvest coconuts… Don’t go there! 🙁 None of that is ethical. We should also skip the rum distillery visit—it’s just encouraging alcohol consumption. Still left: swimming in murky water surrounded by plastic. 😄 It’s still allowed and even recommended. Therapeutic, apparently. I’m not sure, though, if bhang is still legal? There was a time when ganja would show up on the bill at beachside shacks, but that’s probably a thing of the past. Good riddance—it wasn’t exactly ethical either.

Sorry, I’m also removing buffalo fights, cockfights, and the training of macaques to pick coconuts… Don’t go there! :( That’s not ethical at all. We should also skip the rum distillery visit—it just encourages alcohol consumption. All that’s left is swimming in murky water surrounded by plastic. I’m not sure if bhang is still legal, though. There was a time when ganja was listed on restaurant bills, but that’s probably a thing of the past. Good riddance.

I only answered regarding the elephants. The rest wasn’t mentioned. Just because it’s cultural elsewhere doesn’t mean it should continue or that we shouldn’t take a stand on the issue. Otherwise, we might as well let the Papuans keep their war rituals and cannibalism.

As for your last question, I’ll cover it in my travel journal in the coming weeks.

elephant rides

Did anyone ask the elephant’s opinion?

jet ski outings

Is it really worth going this far just to rent that noisy thing you can find back home?

---/--- Enjoy some local dishes Doing nothing is so rare these days....

I only responded regarding elephants.

Are cockfights different? It’s true they’re smaller animals and less evolved on the animal scale...😕 Buffalo? A bit bigger but still inferior to elephants... so it’s okay.

Otherwise, might as well let the Papuans continue their war rituals and cannibalism.

Isn’t that for them to decide, don’t you think? Compared to our wars, I’m not sure theirs are any less ethical than the ones in Ukraine or Gaza.

Sorry, I don’t recommend... I just listed a series of activities you can do there. I’ve never set foot in those camps, whether they’re ethical or not.

Listing isn’t the same as recommending, okay. Listing bad things isn’t doing anyone a favor.

You don’t have to take a stance—that’s your right. I used to be completely indifferent about this topic, so I’m not in a position to lecture anyone. Still, there’s info I’m happy to share on these kinds of issues. It matters to me. Let’s acknowledge that some topics can’t leave you indifferent once you look into them.

Check out this short film where you’ll learn what’s done to elephants to make them obey and entertain tourists. If that doesn’t shock you, there’s nothing more to say: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCqQZTO1JUQ

Of course, if you think about it further, you wonder what would happen to these elephants if tourists stopped coming? There aren’t enough camps where they’re treated well, and in the wild, they reproduce too quickly. Humans have taken up too much space. I can’t solve that problem.

But torture? That’s a no-go for me...

We're not old enough to watch the video... Too bad!

I’d suggest they sing their ballad by moonlight, accompanied by a mandolin or guitar—way more romantic than with an elephant, don’t you think!

Who knows how the lady was charmed—you learn the craziest things just by chatting...😎

For buffalo fights, there’s an arena at the start of the Maenam-Lamai shortcut. Not sure if it still happens. For the monkeys that retrieve coconuts, that’s definitely still on…

Go tell the owners of these animals again—I still don’t recommend it.

For jet skis, except for Lamaï or Chaweng, the others are located in spots that don’t bother swimmers. Plus, some organize trips to little coves that are only accessible by sea. You can do day trips or two-day trips to nearby islands.

Since I don’t know much about the subject, I don’t think the camps offering walks have ever used or use mistreatment, unlike those offering shows where there’s training and potential brutality toward these animals. It might be a good idea for the government to legislate regarding two-seater baskets...

We mustn’t forget that some people go to see them up close, alone or with their kids, without taking part in the camp’s activities.

That’s why I mentioned this activity

Hi everyone, I'm about to leave and I've read through the post. Thanks to all of you, so I'll choose another island 😉

You're right if you're avoiding mass tourism... it's packed right now according to friends who are living there at the moment

Hey everyone, I’m about to leave and read through the post. Thanks to all of you, so I’ll choose another island ;)

You might want to consider Ko Phangan. It’s far from a small island.

Koh Phangan is following the same path as Samui... enjoy it while you still can before it becomes a nightmare during this season too