Nathon, Chaweng and Lamai

Nathon
Nathon is the administrative heart of Koh Samui and the best shopping on Koh Samui is to be found here, with an abundance of shops, wandering sellers and street stalls, where bartering is all part of the fun. All types of traditional artesan wares, jewellery, leather goods and gifts are on sale. After dark Nathon is quiet, with few attractions for the tourist.

Chaweng
Chaweng is a thriving town with an excellent beach and the liveliest nightlife on the island. Start out with peaceful beachside dining and move into the busier areas to some outdoor bars with live bands and traditional Thai music. End the night on a high note in one of the air-conditioned, high-tech clubs.

There is something for everyone, from uberchic sophistication to tacky cocktails and Vegas showtunes, go-go dancers and the world's best dance DJs. Ask around and take a stroll through the central entertainment district and you will find your perfect evening. Chaweng also offers many activities to entertain you during the day, such as Thai boxing classes and demonstrations, Go Karts and every type of water sport imaginable.

Lamai
Lamai (sometimes spelled Lama) is in the south of the island, not far from Nathon, and is also a busy town with plenty of shops, places to eat and nightlife, running along the long, sandy beach. Slightly quieter than Chaweng it is still a rich and varied experience for any visitor.

Don't dismiss the small fishing villages such as Bophut and Maenam. The local government and local people's determination to preserve both their tradition and culture has left many villages looking just as they were before tourism arrived in the seventies.

All the charm of local architecture and way of life persists, with the addition only of small, family run restaurants along the waterfront. Both villages are perfect for a quiet, romantic dinner with lovely views as the sun sets over the sea.

Buffalo Fighting

A spectator sport, now only practiced on the island of Koh Samui , it inspires many to bet small fortunes on these beasts. The word fighting is not particularly accurate, as the weaker buffalo generally walks away, ending the fight, before any real harm comes to either of them.

The fights take place in makeshift rings, with a small entrance fee charged to men (women don't have to pay) and betting, though illegal in Thailand , is common. Each village proudly presents its most aggressive beasts, chosen beforehand by a village elder. The animals are treated extremely well in the run up to the fight to enhance their strength, and the horns are decorated with flowers and anointed with special oils.

As the excitement of the audience rises, two buffalo - always from different villages - are let into the ring. Almost instantly they charge and lock horns. A short but intense fight ensues, raising the tension around the ring further, until one buffalo admits defeat, unlocks its horns and walks away, leaving the winner to claim his territory.

Although the fights themselves may not be to everyone's taste, the ceremony and excitement surrounding the event makes for a fun way to meet locals in their own environment, enjoying a traditional pastime.

Elephant Trekking

Traditional and fun, elephant treks on the island of Koh Samui involve anything from fifteen minute walks to full day safaris through otherwise hard-to-reach jungle, pausing to take in wonderful views from hilltops or cooling splashes through waterfalls.

Treks can be organized as part of a full day tour to see a variety of attractions on the island. Thailand 's strong sense of ecology means that the majority of elephant trekking companies treat their animals very well and keep the treks short, or punctuated by hikes to allow the beasts to rest in their native jungle habitat.

One of the sights you might like to visit on your full day tour, due to its restricted access, includes the Secret Buddha Garden . 

Trips and Tours The island of Koh Samui and its sister islands off the Gulf of Thailand offer many attractions for the visitor. Local guides will create a custom day itinerary so that you can make the most of your time in the region.

For an enchanting experience, visit the  Na Tian Butterfly Farm at Laem Set, in southern Samui. Thousands of multicoloured butterflies live in a natural garden protected by a large net cage. In the grounds of the park you can also visit traditional Thai beehives and an insect museum.

The island boasts a  Snake Farm , near Nathon, housing indigenous snakes and a selection of deadly Asian species. The snake shows are particularly entertaining, where the scarier species are enticed into action by professional snake handlers. The farm also hosts Thai Cock Fighting demonstrations daily, almost as much fun but not nearly so frightening.

If snakes aren't enough, then try the  Crocodile Farm near Samui airport. Two shows every afternoon provide the visitor with an entertaining and slightly scary insight into the three native freshwater and saltwater crocodiles of the region, along with a number of snakes and lizards. Crocodiles are almost extinct in the Gulf of Thailand in the wild, and this farm cares for the few remaining in captivity.

As well as the permanent Samui  Zoo and Aquarium , home to a selection of all native species, including tigers and sharks, there is a monkey theatre, where the monkeys, once employed to collect the islands vast coconut harvest, entertain passersby near Bhoput village.

Waterfalls
The rocky nature of Koh Samui lends itself to breathtaking waterfalls.  Na Muang is actually two sister falls, the first accessible by road and a short walk up a natural rock staircase, and the second further upstream is accessible only by foot, or on elephant, up rocks and through jungle. The first falls, known simply as Na Muang one, is an 18 metre drop but the elder sister is a staggering 80 metre drop, cascading over ledges into a deep pool. If you hike a little further still to the top of the mountain there's a crystal clear lagoon to dip into and cool off after your uphill walk, creating a natural horizon pool it offers an unspoilt vista of the whole island.

The other waterfall on the island,  Hin Lad , is a two mile trek from Nathon. Though not particularly exciting in the hot dry months of February to April, in the wet season this is a very pretty fall, with a pool popular for swimming. 

Secret Buddha Garden
The ancient Buddhist religion is well represented on the island, with numerous intriguing sites worthy of interest. This is one such site.

The Secret Buddha Garden is hidden, nestled amid dense tropical vegetation high up in the hills of Koh Samui. Built by a fruit farmer, native of the island, it is replete with statues, temples and waterfalls, all dedicated to the Buddha.

Also known as the Magic Garden , it is barely accessible by motor vehicle. Even an experienced off-road driver would find it challenging to say the least. The best approach is to join a jungle safari and trek up the hills to the location on elephant back.