When the island's travelling night market comes to Mae Nam on Thursday evenings, the u-shaped road in Chinatown becomes a vibrant, busy, pedestrian only space where tourists jostle to grab the tastiest street-food snacks, bargain for a souvenir or simply grab a cheap cocktail to sit down and take it all in with.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Ang Thong Marine National Park
22.11 MILES
Known officially as Mu Ko Ang Thong Marine National Park, this series of jungle-covered islands – the inspiration for Alex Garland’s cult classic novel,…
7.14 MILES
Spilling down from the island's highest points, this is the first of two waterfalls – close to each other – that are lovely in full spate, pouring frigid…
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13.48 MILES
This lovely beach of leaning coconut trees has the royal seal of approval, literally. Behind the collection of shacks that line the sands and azure waters…
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2.46 MILES
This concentration of narrow Chinese shophouses in Bo Phut has been transformed into cool boutique hotels, restaurants, cafes and bars. The accompanying…
15.52 MILES
This lovely, secluded cove has a stretch of soft sand overlooked by green hills and is a superb choice for a relaxing day of swimming and snorkelling…
22.61 MILES
This viewpoint might just be the most stunning vista in all of Thailand. From the top, visitors will have sweeping views of the jagged islands nearby as…
11.43 MILES
Nam Tok Phaeng is protected by a national park and is a pleasant reward after a short but rough hike. After the waterfall (dry out of season), it's a…
Shrine of Our Lady Guanyin Phangan
13.65 MILES
This colourful Chinese temple cascades down a serene jungle-covered mountainside overlooking the Island's green canopy. Dedicated to Guanyin, the Buddhist…
Nearby Ko Samui attractions
0.1 MILES
With four dragons coiling up its pillars, two inside and two outside, this very colourful temple in the heart of the village is worth a visit; the Chinese…
0.25 MILES
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…
0.38 MILES
This 5km stretch of sand sees relatively low visitor numbers, making it easy to find somewhere to sunbathe or go swimming. It's a standout beach, with…
2.27 MILES
It's quite a hike on foot, but a scooter can whisk you up most of the way to this viewpoint among the trees just before the Tan Rua waterfall. The…
2.3 MILES
A short walk up dilapidated wooden steps and past the Mae Nam Viewpoint is this lovely waterfall, spilling down through tendrils of green foliage…
2.38 MILES
The lush jungle-covered hills surrounding the bright yellow onion domes of this tiny mosque is an idyllic picture. Built in 2013 by Imam Adam, for the…
2.46 MILES
This concentration of narrow Chinese shophouses in Bo Phut has been transformed into cool boutique hotels, restaurants, cafes and bars. The accompanying…
2.58 MILES
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…