Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai)
Temple on a small rocky island on the north coast, linked to the mainland by a causeway. A large seated golden Buddha looks over the bay, and steps lead up to it.
Koh Samui
Resorts, palm-lined beaches and excursions to Ang Thong Marine Park fill this relaxed island in the Gulf of Thailand.
Attractive locations
Wat Plai Laem
Colourful temple beside a lake on the northeast coast, notable for a giant eighteen-armed statue of Guanyin, the bodhisattva of mercy, and a large white seated Buddha nearby.
Ang Thong National Marine Park
Archipelago of dozens of limestone islands northwest of Samui, with lagoons, viewpoints, kayaking and snorkelling. It is reached on day trips by boat.
Chaweng Beach
Samui's main beach on the east coast, with fine white sand and shallow water. Restaurants, shops and bars line the road behind it, making it the island's busiest area.
Ko Pha-ngan
Island north of Samui reached by ferry, known for quiet bays and jungle as well as the Full Moon Party at Haad Rin. Some beaches can only be reached by boat or rough road.
Wat Khunaram
A hillside temple on Samui famous for the preserved body of a monk, Luang Pho Daeng, who sits in a meditation pose inside a glass case. It is a working temple, so dress modestly.
Bo Phut
A beach village on Samui's north coast whose old fishing quarter has wooden shophouses turned into cafes, restaurants and small shops, facing a calm bay.
Airports
Samui International Airport USM
It is about 9 km in a straight line from Koh Samui.
Surat Thani Airport URT
It is about 103 km in a straight line from Koh Samui.
Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport NST
It is about 107 km in a straight line from Koh Samui.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Thailand page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan26.8 °C135 mm
- Feb27.1 °C38 mm
- Mar27.9 °C114 mm
- Apr29.0 °C90 mm
- May29.2 °C170 mm
- Jun28.7 °C167 mm
- Jul28.3 °C166 mm
- Aug28.1 °C144 mm
- Sep27.9 °C181 mm
- Oct27.7 °C246 mm
- Nov27.7 °C375 mm
- Dec27.2 °C262 mm
Driest months: Feb, Mar, Apr. Wettest months: Oct, Nov, Dec.
Costs
Prices here are about 31% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
Tourist police 1155 (English). Emergency 191. Ambulance 1669.
local government
Tourist Police Bureau
Helps with: Thai police bureau set up to protect visitors and their belongings. Its hotline 1155 gives information and help to tourists, runs 24 hours a day and supports eight languages.
Who qualifies: Tourists and other foreign visitors anywhere in Thailand.
Phone: 1155
Email: [email protected]
Address: 999 Moo 1, Suvarnabhumi 4 Road, Nong Prue, Bang Phli, Samut Prakan 10540
local government
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
Helps with: Thailand's national tourism body. Its Travel Buddy call centre 1672 gives travel information and help to visitors, and its website takes complaints and suggestions.
Who qualifies: Anyone travelling in Thailand or planning a trip there.
Phone: 1672
Email: [email protected]
Address: 1600 Phetchaburi Rd., Makkasan, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
local government
Tourist Assistance Center (Ministry of Tourism and Sports)
Helps with: The tourism ministry's assistance centre for visitors. It offers help in the aftermath of natural disasters, assault, accidents and other distress.
Who qualifies: Tourists in Thailand who have had an accident, been attacked or are otherwise in trouble.
Phone: 0 2134 4077
ngo
Thai Red Cross Society
Helps with: Thailand's national Red Cross society. It provides medical and health care services, the blood transfusion service, and disaster preparedness and relief for people affected by disasters.
Who qualifies: People in Thailand who need its medical, blood or disaster relief services.
Phone: +66 2256 4032
Address: Terd Prakiet Sodej Phra Yanna Sangworn Building, 1871 Henry Dunant Road, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Thailand
Helps with: The UN migration agency. In Thailand it works to save lives and protect people on the move, including vulnerable migrants and people affected by trafficking, such as into scam centres.
Who qualifies: Migrants in Thailand, especially vulnerable migrants and people affected by trafficking. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +66 2-343-9300
Email: [email protected]
Address: 18th Floor, Rajanakarn Building, 3 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120
embassy
Foreign embassies and consulates in Thailand (official list)
Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy. The Thai foreign ministry's Diplomatic and Consular List (April 2026) gives each mission's address and phone; some are based abroad.
Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own embassy or consulate.
local government
Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM)
Helps with: Thailand's national department for disaster prevention and relief. Its hotline 1784 is the national contact line for disaster situations.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Thailand affected by a disaster or reporting one.
Phone: 1784
Address: 3/12 U-thong Nok Road, Dusit, Bangkok 10300
local government
Emergency number 191 (police, ambulance and fire)
Helps with: Reaches police, ambulance and fire services. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 191
local government
Ambulance emergency number 1669
Helps with: Reaches the ambulance service. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 1669
local government
Fire emergency number 199
Helps with: Reaches the fire service. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 199