Island Books

Ko Samui


Scouse owner Paul Wotham belongs to a different age; one where people read and loved to wander the isles of a decent bookshop. There may not be many of those around anymore, but if they do find themselves in Ko Samui, they'll love browsing this large selection of – mostly English-language – used books, including an impressive travel section.

The bookshop is signposted off the main drag past Lamai.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Ko Samui attractions

1. Wat Lamai

0.9 MILES

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…

2. Orthodox Church of the Ascension

1.76 MILES

Ridiculously photogenic, this beautiful, baby blue, Russian orthodox church with gold onion domes (similar to the nearby mosque) sits halfway up a…

3. Hin-Ta & Hin-Yai

1.78 MILES

At the south end of Hat Lamai, you’ll find these infamous genitalia-shaped stone formations (also known as Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks) providing…

4. Lad Koh Viewpoint

1.84 MILES

This great viewpoint, a short distance south from Dr Frogs at the top of the hill on the way to Lamai, looks out onto supreme views of the Gulf of…

5. Wat Racha Thammaram

2.23 MILES

This temple (the name means Snake Stone) on the south side of Rte 4169 has a recently built red-clay temple hall, decorated with a fascinating display of…

6. Nam Tok Wang Saotong

2.65 MILES

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…

7. Guan Yu Temple

2.94 MILES

The shrine of the 3rd-century Chinese general, Guanyin (also called Yunchang), worshipped as a bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism, is dominated by a…

8. Ban Hua Thanon

3.02 MILES

This vibrant little village is home to Ko Samui's historic Muslim community, where the headscarf and pâh sîn (male sarong) count peaks. You get a genuine…