Koh Samui

[sand iron]

"Taking the family to Koh Samui, Iv been out there a couple of times with the wife before the kids arrived, 14 years ago now but guessing it’s probably changed massively in that time. Anyone been lately and can recommend any decent restaurants and bars suitable for families? my boys 8 and West Ham mad so we’ll be watching the Utd and gooner games. Any decent excursions etc? Any info much appreciated."

[sand iron]

"daveyg 3:54 Tue Jan 30 We used to stay out there for a month before the kids come along, me and the wife used to love it. Mind you it was cheap back then which was part of the appeal. Phuckets ok, lots to do that side but most of it is very commercial and is noted as the most expensive part of Thailand. But well worth a visit because theirs a lot of islands (phi phi for instance) to visit within 2-3 hours by boat. We stayed in Hua Hin for a few days, it’s nice there, pretty chilled but plenty to do and see, had a decent night market and plenty of fish restaurants etc. Also a lovely long stretch of beach unlike any other Iv seen it Thailand. Worth a visit."

[sand iron]

"Lee Trundle 2:23 Tue Jan 30 The Russians were starting to get out there en masse when we were last out there 14 years ago.. The cunts get everywhere nowadays, loads everywhere in turkey. They make the brits on the piss in Benidorm look like choirboys, ignorant, horrible and obnoxious race of people. Can only liken em to Irish pikies, you definitely don’t want em in your hotel."

[daveyg]

Anyone had experience of staying longer in Thailand? For example Hua Hin or Phuket etc. Not somewhere to expensive

[Lee Trundle]

"""Brits, for example, generally won't behave the same in Thailand as they would in say Spain, dust up's, mass brawls etc are pretty rare, they tend to be more respectful of local customs and have a fear of what might happen to them if they get into trouble"" Agree 100% with that. Anyone I've seen who gets aggro when I've been there has asked for it and it's been quickly delt with, and they've normally been russian."

[fraser]

I've binned of Chaweng and decided to stay in Bophut for 3 days instead.. Do enough partying here

[Bexley Ironworks]

First went there in 1999 then again in around 2004. In those 5 years it changed massively. I expect it would be unrecognisable to me now.

[JAC]

"Spot on Manuel…sadly many resorts are getting ruined by the saturation of more people going to resorts that were once considered too expensive to visit. There are a lot of West Ham living in Koh Sami according to the skipper of a speedboat we hired for the day. His comment to me was” not another bloody West Ham fan, this island is crawling with them”, he was a Manc btw"

[JAC]

"Spot on Manuel…sadly many resorts are getting ruined by the saturation of more people going to resorts that were once considered too expensive to visit. There are a lot of West Ham living in Koh Sami according to the skipper of a speedboat we hired for the day. His comment to me was” not another bloody West Ham fan, this island is crawling with them”, he was a Manc btw"

[Manuel]

"JAC - Yea there is obviously more of that now as that is how society has gone and folk are travelling further afield now (even though nobody is meant to have have any money) but Brits, for example, generally won't behave the same in Thailand as they would in say Spain, dust up's, mass brawls etc are pretty rare, they tend to be more respectful of local customs and have a fear of what might happen to them if they get into trouble, it just feels different when you are far away from home. Plus there is pussy everywhere to calm any 'tensions', even if you do have to pay for it :-)"

[JAC]

"Went in 92 when the only place for a decent drink was the Reggae Bar....only 4 hotels along Chaweng Beach and it was idyllic and quiet. Went back in 2015 with the family and its changed beyond recognition, Chaweng Beach area is now a bit of a shithole,its like Benidorm on steroids, very sad. There were a couple of nice places to go with the family and Fishermans Village was quite nice, no grown men in football shirts or fat bids with shit tattoos."

[MaryMillingtonsGhost]

"Bungo 12:21 Yep, think you're right fella. The area with the large rocks in the pool certainly looks familiar."

[Council Scum]

"I know a lad out there (West Ham) who trains lads at a Muay Thai gym and boxing gym, I know he has places for rent as well, if any good to you let me know and I'll pass on details."

[Bungo]

MaryMillingtonsGhost 9:08 Sun Jan 28 We stayed at the Imperial in '91. This thread prompted a quick search and I couldn't find it under that name now. It could be this one? The pool design seems familiar. https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/usmss-sheraton-samui-resort/overview/?scid=f2ae0541-1279-4f24-b197-a979c79310b0

[sand iron]

"violator 9:24 Sun Jan 28 I fished a lake in Hua Hin called ""lake garden"" owned by the late John Wilson and fronted by his brother David Wilson. it was relatively new at the time so the stock wasn’t up to their top weights back then, nevertheless had a cracking days fishing and caught near on every species in there, including a 60lb arapaima which put up a great fight and jumped twice before getting it in (can you imagine a 200lb plus!) I think I had 15 fish come the end of the day, I wouldn’t have thought it would be as easy now but being a new lake back then the fish weren’t too tricky."

[sand iron]

"violator 9:20 Sun Jan 28 That’s great, it’s what Iv been after, I’ll be trying all of those. The fire shows are great viewing on the beach at night. An elephant sanctuary is on our to do list as well, theirs also an excursion where you go pink dolphin spotting in the wild so we will probably do that if we can."

[violator]

"I've fished Top Cats, second time I went to Fishing Park Samui, that got mothballed after COVID, I'd booked 4 fishing days there before it went tits up. It's open again now under new owners and called Samui Fishing Club, fantastic facilities, got a pool with swim up bar too."

[violator]

"Frog and Gecko and Emerald Irish pub in Fisherman's Village will have the footy. For eating I'd recommend Link, The Hut, Cafe 69, Karma Sutra...also have pizza in Coco Tams, then grab a beanbag on the beach and watch the fire show. Take the kids to one of the elephant sanctuaries."

[sand iron]

"violator 6:38 Sun Jan 28 We‚Äôll have a couple of nights out at the fisherman‚Äôs village, looks good there and supposed to be more chilled then chaweng. What fishing trip did you book, top cats or at sea from a boat? Iv boat fished in Thailand before, once in ko Tao and in Phucket, it can be great sport if you‚Äôre lucky. Top cats looks cracking, would love to fish there for few days but don‚Äôt think it‚Äôll suit the wife and kids. ?ü§¶?üèª"

[MaryMillingtonsGhost]

"nychammer 7:47 Stayed at the IBH (the one with the boat-shaped pool?) in '95, and the sister hotel Imperial Samui in '97. Remember them as being very nice hotels, but am fairly certain they're both under new ownership. Tuk Tuk into Chaweng every evening. Occasionally talk with the missus about going back, but think we'd probably hate it if we did."

[sand iron]

"nychammer 7:47 Sun Jan 28 We stayed at the imperial boathouse last time we went, nice hotel back then although it was showing its age a bit. I’d have thought it needs renovation by now if it hasn’t already been done. Choengmon beach is lovely, one of the best on the island."

[sand iron]

fraser 1:00 Sun Jan 28 We‚Äôll have a look at bophut for sure. Always handy knowing a few decent restaurants and bars before you go. What better place to ask ?üòé

[sand iron]

fraser 1:00 Sun Jan 28 We‚Äôll have a look at bophut for sure. Always handy knowing a few decent restaurants and bars before you go. What better place to ask ?üòé

[sand iron]

"Manuel 12:17 Sun Jan 28 Yes staying at chaweng for a week then moving to choengmon beach for the second week. Chaweng is a bit full on in places but you still need to spend some time there. Although choengmon isn’t far away it’s a lot more chilled, so looking for a bit of relaxation on the second week. Haven’t had a bit of winter sun on my back since before the kids were born, looking forward to it."

[nychammer]

"went in 2003 and stayed at imperial boat house resort on Choengmon beach. Nice place then, bet its changed a bit now tho."

[Bungo]

Last time I was there was 1991. Do I win?