KOH SAMUI ISLAND -- area code (66-77)

Koh Samui is located next to the National Marine Park in the southern Gulf of Thailand, an ideal place to chill out and experience the tropical island dream. Samui is growing in popularity as a holiday destination for gays and lesbians who come from all over the world to dive, golf, shop, dine, party, splash in waterfalls, trek, ride elephants, drive from beach to beach or melt their cares away in exotic spas. Biking around the island on an easy-going day trip will bring you to small villages, Thai and Chinese temples, old Chinese heritage architecture, lush coconut groves and laid-back seaside restaurants on beaches you can nearly call your own.

Fifty years ago, Samui was home to coconut farmers and a haven for fishermen. In the 70’s, backpackers discovered this tranquil paradise. Since then the island has gone decidedly up-market to become one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in Thailand and the spa capital of the region. There are a significant number of entrepreneurial Thai and Western gays and lesbians operating businesses in tourism, hospitality, alternative medicine, real estate, design and other sectors of the island's boom economy.

Samui can be reached by frequent daily Bangkok Airways flights from Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi a daily flight from Singapore and direct Samui/Hong Kong, Samui/Kuala Lumpur flights three times a week. Thai Airways has two flights a day while Fire Fly has a daily Samui/Penang flight. You can take a train, bus or drive from Bangkok or Phuket to Don Sak or Khanom which offer hourly ferry services to Nathon, the administrative capital of Samui.

Gay life in Koh Samui

Samui gay life is a relaxing, quieter contrast to the exuberant gay life of Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket. Bars and clubs are more laid back and friendly. The local gay community is easy to encounter at gay and mixed venues or as you enjoy the island's many leisure offerings. Samui men and women tend to be more down to earth and not as flashy as those in the larger gay destinations -- a good reason why many gay tourists prefer Samui. It is worth noting that on Samui most gay Thai men do not work in gay bars or cabaret. Many work in senior and executive positions in hospitality and tourism.

Chaweng is the center of gay nightlife, with the largest concentration of gay businesses along the very long Chaweng Beach Rd from North Chaweng at the Nora Beach Resort to Poppies Resort in South Chaweng. Please note: not many Taxi or motorcycle drivers on Samui know destinations other than major hotels so check your map before you go out and note the name of the biggest hotel nearest to your destination. Gay venues carry magazines with gay Samui maps.

• gay-samui.com Koh Samui and Koh Pangan gay scene info.
• Koh Samui gay events
• Men in Samui message forum
• Travel in Samui message forum
• Traveling to Thailand? Hunt for the best travel deals before you go. Many people prefer last minute hotel deals since they offer the biggest discounts, though if you want to plan ahead, you can look for online deals to save money on your trip.

The updated and expanded Utopia Guide to Thailand offers a comprehensive glimpse at the gay and lesbian scene in 23 cities including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Samui, and Pattaya. Listings include organizations, bars, discos, accommodations, spas, restaurants, and more. A special section highlights venues that are especially welcoming for women. Enjoy savvy comments and recommendations from hundreds of local Utopians and gay travelers. Click here to order the collector's First Edition

• Advantage Properties (real estate)
  126/18 Moo 3 Tambon Maret, 077-418-891, FAX 077-418-892, email.
• Samui Network Realty
  142/48 Moo 4, Tambon Maret, 086-060-6321, FAX 077-458-148, email. Gay and lesbian-friendly agents managing real estate sales, developments and project support on Koh Samui Island and other surrounding islands.

• D.J. Paradise Tour
  126/18 Moo 3 Tambon Maret, 077-418-891, FAX 077-418-892, email. Gay-owned tour operator and travel agent. English and French speaking. Utopia Member Discount
• Lost in Thailand
  52/4 Moo 3, Tambon Bophut, 077-230-203, FAX 077-230-373, email. Gay-owned travel site with online hotel and resort booking in Samui and around Thailand. Comprehensive guides and maps in and around the kingdom.

Bophut Beach, 086-272-0980, email. Land and sea adventure with Thailand's lesbian & gay adventure network. Dive trips and PADI certified training: learn to dive in one day. Plus snorkeling, kayaking, mountain biking and sailing. Day and overnight trips from Koh Samui, live aboard trips from Phuket, PADI courses across Thailand. Utopia Member Discount

Comments from Utopians:

"I just returned from three days of diving on Koh Tao with Rainbow-Scuba & Tour. I had not been diving for a number of years -- Adam got me back into the water and I really enjoyed the trip. Adam's a great instructor and made sure I was confident and enjoyed my dives, and made sure I was well looked after both on the boat and on shore. I really had a great time and recommend them to anyone headed to Samui." -- CNXcanuck, Oct 1, 2008

"We had a very enjoyable day out with Rainbow-Scuba & Tour on a tour of Koh Samui: coffee with memorable views on the way to long tail boat to Koh Taen island, snorkeling (first time for me, slight panic attack, Adam very supportive), and a delicious lunch. Good value and a fantastic day." -- alfagtv, Jul 19, 2008

"My bf and I also got to know Adam and Win from Rainbow-Scuba & Tour, and we had an absolutely great time! The snorkel tour to Ko Taen lead us to the most beautiful beaches we have ever seen, and the Open Water Diver course was simply great!" -- andreh78, Apr 6, 2008

"Just came back from Samui. Had a great time there. Met Adam from Rainbow-Scuba & Tour: he is fab, excellent instructor - I learnt diving with him - and very nice person." -- Etrusko, Aug 9, 2007

"Our snorkeling trip with Adam from Rainbow-Scuba & Tour was a great experience. My boyfriend and I were joined by another gay couple and we all had fun hanging out on the boat, snorkeling and swimming. At the end of the trip Adam took us to a lovely café with a magnificent view over the island and the sea, which was a pefect ending to a thoroughly enjoyable day. Adam is also a good source of information about gay life on Koh Samui. I highly recommend him and Rainbow Scuba." -- supermichel, Jul 26, 2007

"If you are going to Samui, contact with Adam at Rainbow-Scuba & Tour is an absolute must. He is lovely and personable, provides excellent scuba and land-based touring as well as assistance with reservations and accommodations." -- bushtraveler, May 13, 2007

• Saai Travel Service
  124/1 M.1 Chaweng, 077-230-477. Specializes in arranging diving trips. Japanese speaking.
• Samui Dream Holidays
  Bangrak Village, 089-866-2659, FAX 077-484-683, email. Gay-owned travel agency. They can organize all that you need for your visit, with friendly service and their slogan "one stop service for your best holiday, ever!"

Click here for Samui hotels and accommodations.

Click here for Samui bars and clubs.

Click here for Samui cabaret.

• Neptune (mixed)
  In the soi going to Samui Night Plaza and Tops Super market, just before Star Club, upstairs.
• World Gym (mixed)
  On the main ring road, almost opposite Haad Chaweng No 3 Rd leading to Dow and Laem Din markets.

Click here for Samui massage and spas for men.

• Chaweng Beach
  Take the very short Sala Koy Rd left off Chaweng Beach Rd as you head south (opposite the Family Mart). The beach here is a popular place for local Thai out for an early evening swim, or relaxing beach dinner bought from vendors. Gay Thai go there about 5pm, often in groups, to right hand side as you reach the beach. Apparently the left hand side as you walk onto the beach 100m or so is quite a scene from 3-6am after all the bars have closed. Take care and remember that beaches are pitch black at night.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Late after midnight go to south Chaweng. Past McDonalds about 600m you will see traffic directed to the right. Small soi on left goes to the beach. Many guys. Watch your money, but OK for fun." -- GarthUK, Jan 18, 2008

• Chaweng Beach Road
  Always busy with gays, especially in the evenings and at night after the bars close at 3am. Very cruisy, but take care as ladyboys work this road late to dawn and some can be extremely pushy and aggressive with some incidents of intimidation and theft having been reported.
• Laem Din and Dow Markets
  Haad Chaweng No 3 Rd (south end of the lake) is about 1km long and runs between Chaweng Beach Rd and the main ring road. The Chaweng Beach Rd end of Haad Chaweng No 3 is not sign-posted but starts directly opposite the short Sala Koy Rd (close to the OTOP shop). Both markets are great places to buy inexpensive fresh fruit, flowers, meat, seafood and other food items (not to mention Thai eye candy). Pay particular attention to the fish mongers in both Markets, but in particular Laem Din. For Laem Din walk along the Haad Chaweng No 3 Rd, away from the beach. When you come to the fork in the road, take the soi immediately on your right and directly in front of the 7-Eleven. At this point you will find many small Thai fast food vendors, well worth trying. Dow Market is about 500m further along the main road from the first 7-Eleven. When you see the second 7-Eleven on your right you are at Dow market which straddles both sides of the road. Both markets are busy from 5pm onwards when locals come shopping on their way home.
• Tesco Lotus Supermarket
  On the main ring road behind Chaweng and beyond the lake. This large supermarket complex is a popular meeting/cruising place daily.
• Volleyball
  On the beach in front of OP Bungalows, Central Chaweng entrance beside the CoCo Blues Bar. A gay Thai guys and ladyboy volleyball team plays here each evening about 4:30 pm. Gays turn out to watch the fun, but note, the Thai guys and ladyboys are not happy to have farang join in what they see as their game and which they take seriously.

AKWA Restaurant & Bar
28/12 Chewang Beach Rd, 084-660-0551, email. Gay-owned restaurant located at the quiet end of Chaweng Beach. Pop Art inspired restaurant with a fun and relaxed environment, featuring western café fare including burgers, pizzas, risotto, and salads, inexpensively priced. Bar also has extensive range of cocktails.

• Bookazine
  Two shops in Chaweng, both on Chaweng Beach Rd. One opposite Starbucks, the other further south next to Baan Samui Resort. Gay guidebooks for Thailand and Asia, newspapers, magazines and books in several languages and coffee table books, gay publications, cards, maps, calendars, etc.
• Double Dutch
  At the Big Buddha Wat and tourist destination. Gay-owned. Selling a large range of home wares and personal items made in Thailand. Open daily.
• Indochina
  On the road to Grandfather and Grandmother Lamai Beach, 081-892-6372. Gay-owned shop with antiques, decor and handicrafts.