Your total travel guidebook for Koh Samui, Thailand in a convenient ebook.
✔ 434 pages, 19 chapters
19/11/2023
Planning for Koh Samui next year?Your total guide to Koh Samui in March
Is March a good time to visit Koh Samui? What’s the weather like? Where's best to stay? What should you pack at this time of year? How much does it rain? What's on the March events calendar?
READ NOW ➜ thekohsamuiguide.com/post/koh-samui-march
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The Koh Samui Guide
"We have subscribed to your guide for the last few years and found it very helpful - the most practical and down to earth of all the info on the web. " – Michael
Get every tip I’ve got for island secrets – like finding enormous cocktails and great coffee.The Koh Samui Guide gives you every scrap of my 20 years' Samui expertise (and it will *totally* save a rainy day).
SHOP NOW ➜ link in bio
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The Koh Samui Guide
"So much detailed information about everything,. It makes planning so much easier. We haven’t been, but this guide is helping us narrow down places that we want to visit. Keep up the great work! Thanks for putting so much time and effort into such a fantastic guide." – Joe
Where to eat on Koh Samui?Samui’s food options have something for everyone, vegans, picky kids, and total food snobs will all eat happily. Here’s everything you need to know about where to eat, whether you want Thai food, seafood, burgers or Indian, a romantic sunset dinner or something healthy.
READ NOW ➜ thekohsamuiguide.com/post/where-to-eat-on-koh-samui
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The Koh Samui Guide
"Very entertaining! I am sure we will refer to all the practical details once we arrive but for now, on a rainy wet November Sunday in Wales, the Guide is a really great ‘spirit lifter’!" – Barry & Melanie
Is December a good time to visit Koh Samui?A resounding yes. Flights to Koh Samui in December typically fill up towards Christmas and New Year. This suggests a very merry month on the island; the holiday period is usually peak season.
December is by no means the hottest point of the year, nor the sunniest, but the tropics have a fairly liberal rain policy year-round.
With the right preparation, outlined in the blog post below, you can have the trip of a lifetime in any weather.
Find out everything you need to know, from weather to packing tips to the best places to stay:
READ NOW ➜ thekohsamuiguide.com/post/koh-samui-december
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The Koh Samui Guide
"it's all thanks to the Koh Samui guide, helped us to plan when to go, what to take and what to expect. Can't wait." – Thomas
Need some beach reading?The best books about Thailand
Want a Thailand reading list? Treat yourself to these wonderful books. Use them to set the scene before your trip, or enjoy them while travelling. The following books include ‘best book of your life’ literature, memoirs and non-fiction books about Thailand, even some guilty-secret beach books.
READ NOW ➜ thekohsamuiguide.com/post/books-about-thailand
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The Koh Samui Guide
"I just purchased your Koh Samui guide and have found it to be so informative. We are very excited and feel even more prepared for our trip after reading your guide. A fabulous guide book!!" – Sheila
Unusual places to stay on Koh SamuiDo you love to stay in quirky places, and can’t get enough character? From one-star to five-star, teak villas to jungle huts, tents to shipping containers, you’ll find an incredible range of options for unusual places to stay on Koh Samui. Here are my favourite thirteen.
READ NOW ➜ thekohsamuiguide.com/post/unusual-places-to-stay-koh-samui
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The Koh Samui Guide
"I purchased the guide a short while back. I found your guide instrumental in having one of the best holidays ever!" – Farina
Is November a good time to visit Koh Samui?Depending on the author’s preference for glasses half empty or full, you may have read that ‘Koh Samui in November is the worst time of year to come’, OR, that if you pack an umbrella you’ll barely need it.
Which is true? Experiences with Samui’s rainy season vary but I understand why words like ‘monsoon’ have your attention. Koh Samui in November is a gamble, but there are a few certainties.
Find out everything you need to know, from weather to packing tips to the best places to stay:
READ NOW ➜ thekohsamuiguide.com/post/koh-samui-november
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The Koh Samui Guide
"Thank you for the update of the Guide. We are REALLY looking forward to our holiday in Koh Samui in November and this guide will be a great help." – Neil
When is Koh Samui's rainy season?Note that the timing of Koh Samui's rainy season is different from other parts of Thailand, including Phuket. As much as anyone can predict the weather these days, typically Koh Samui’s rainy season happens in:
late October
through November
to early or mid-December
sometimes into early January
Is it crazy to come to Samui during rainy season? Well, that too depends on what you have in mind for your time in Thailand.
READ NOW ➜ thekohsamuiguide.com/post/koh-samui-rainy-season
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The Koh Samui Guide
"I recently bought your guide for Koh Samui and it has been my go-to tool in planning my trip there this summer. Thank you for creating it!" – Jill
Koh Samui in February: What to expectIs February a good time to visit Koh Samui? What’s the weather like? Where's best to stay? What should you pack at this time of year? How much does it rain? What's on the February events calendar?
READ NOW ➜ thekohsamuiguide.com/post/koh-samui-february
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The Koh Samui Guide
"Thank you for your help! Also the recent update was very helpful. [Helped] in many ways. Flights, healthcare, best areas, places to visit. " – Leanne
How do I …? Where do I …?Ready to get planning?
First, solve your big questions with The Koh Samui Guide … like how to choose your perfect beach. Then, use it to enjoy every second you’re on Samui.
SHOP NOW ➜ link in bio
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The Koh Samui Guide
"I'm flying out to Thailand for the first time tomorrow. Just wanted to say how useful I found your website. Especially for packing lists! I'm doing Chiang Mai, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Koh Samui, and Bangkok and I am so excited. Thank you for such a brilliant resource :-)" – Vik
Koh Samui New Year's EvePlanning ahead?
Whether you hope your Koh Samui New Year's Eve is the highlight of your year, or it's just another drink at midnight, learn how to make your night whatever you'd like it to be.
READ NOW ➜ thekohsamuiguide.com/post/koh-samui-new-years-eve
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The Koh Samui Guide
"This guide ticks all my boxes, it's like chatting to a friend who knows the island inside and out, who wants you to have the best holiday. Love it!" – Victoria
Love a party?Don't miss the Koh Samui events calendar
The Koh Samui events calendar is ready for anyone clever enough to plan things in advance (and always here for those of us who will show up and hope for the best). Are you more of a last-minute sort? You’re in luck, Koh Samui is often a last-minute kind of place.
READ NOW ➜ thekohsamuiguide.com/post/koh-samui-events-2023
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The Koh Samui Guide
"thank you again for having written the Koh Samui Guide, I scoured the internet looking for up-to-date information and was glad to find your publication." – Michael
Where to stay on Koh Samui with kids?Which is the BEST Koh Samui hotel for kids? Much like there’s no best beach on Koh Samui, there’s no one ‘best’ hotel for children or families. There are, you’ll see below, dozens of worthy options at every budget level, perfectly suiting your family’s interests and requirements.
READ NOW ➜ thekohsamuiguide.com/post/koh-samui-where-to-stay-with-kids
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The Koh Samui Guide
"Discovered your guide on day eight of a nine day trip to Samui but I’m definitely going to return and it already helped me today" – Rory
Your total guide to Bophut BeachWhether you’re comparing Bophut to other beaches or are neck-deep in hotel selection, don’t worry: we’ve got this. Get answers everything you’re wondering and a total end to your overwhelm. Ready? Here are your top Bophut questions, answered with twenty years of Koh Samui expertise.
READ NOW ➜ thekohsamuiguide.com/post/bophut-beach
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The Koh Samui Guide
"Thanks to your guide I am more excited for my trip than ever, it just had all the information I wanted." – Michael
Why stay at … Amari Koh SamuiFor a modern take on Thai charm, consider Amari Koh Samui. It offers family rooms, serves coconut marshmallows on check-in and its gym might undo the delicious damage from the on-site bakery (but probably not Prego, the Italian option).
MORE ➜ thekohsamuiguide.com/where-to-stay-koh-samui
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The Koh Samui Guide
"Found places to eat useful information and activities on it. Very helpful. Very comprehensive." – Jen
100% recommended ✨✨Would you recommend The Koh Samui Guide to your friends and family?
100% of customers said YES!
I NEVER expected The Koh Samui Guide to remain a living thing for 11 years and counting. Since 2012, the guide has helped people in 98 countries plan and enjoy incredible Samui vacations.
SHOP NOW ➜ link in bio
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The Koh Samui Guide
"Hi there from Australia, I am so pleased that I downloaded a copy of your Ebook and have been absorbing it religiously every few days. We are off on our first trip to Thailand in just 2 weeks!!! Yay, super excited, and your book has been so helpful in organising our trip." – Sharon
Koh Samui in January: What to expectIs January a good time to visit Koh Samui? What’s the weather like? Where's best to stay? What should you pack at this time of year? How much does it rain? What's on the January events calendar?
READ NOW ➜ thekohsamuiguide.com/post/koh-samui-january
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The Koh Samui Guide
"I have downloaded the Koh Samui Guide and I love it. As I travel two times a Year to Koh Samui it was very useful to see new things." – Philippe
Where to stay in Thailand?To help you make short work of deciding where to stay in Thailand, use this country-wide hotel guide to every major destination in Thailand. For each location you’ll find a ‘best’ (four- to five-star resort), a boutique and a budget hotel option, plus a Thai-style hotel or bungalow.
READ NOW ➜ thekohsamuiguide.com/post/where-to-stay-thailand
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The Koh Samui Guide
"I bought your guide... and subscribe to your emails. Thanks for all the great information. Big fan" – Brian
How to get around Koh Samui?To get around Koh Samui, you have options for public transport as well as private, hired transportation. Whether by songthaew, car, bike, on foot or in a taxi, you have a variety of ways to get where you want to go.
READ NOW ➜ thekohsamuiguide.com/post/koh-samui-transport
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The Koh Samui Guide
"We’ve been there before and it helps to know what’s new. It’s very comprehensive and really good information. Keep up the good work." – Margaret
Sorry to be wildly premature but … you’re asking, so I’m answering.Christmas on Koh Samui?
Where to stay for Christmas? What are hotel rates like? What to pack for Christmas and what (really random stuff) should you bring with you? How to find the best Koh Samui Christmas events, dinners and parties? What to wear? WILL IT RAIN? Here's what to expect (and why to get *really* excited)...
READ NOW ➜ thekohsamuiguide.com/post/koh-samui-christmas
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The Koh Samui Guide
"It helped to confirm that I had booked to stay in the right places. Looking forward to trying different foods and exploring markets and fisherman's village." – Tracey
Want to enjoy Samui at its very best?For day-trips, water-sports, beach bars and your best sunset options, The Koh Samui Guide will help you plan an ideal itinerary no matter how niche your interests are. (Seriously – it even has bird-watching tips).
It’s packed with:
• top-to-bottom island insight
• answers to all your questions (and then some)
• every ounce of my 20 years' Samui expertise
Truly, it’s the guidebook I’d give my very best friends.
SHOP NOW ➜ link in bio
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The Koh Samui Guide
"The guide provides SO much information and has helped us massively to not only prepare for our honeymoon and get the most out of our visit to Koh Samui, but help us understand a little about local culture and customs. Very impressed and happy with this wonderful service." – Caity
Where to stay on Koh Samui?With over 700 hotels and resorts, and hundreds more private villas and beach bungalows, Koh Samui’s 228.7 square kilometres are nothing but choices. Trying to choose a hotel out of thin air is a recipe for brain melt-down (not to mention browser crashes). Instead? Let’s make this easy.
READ NOW ➜ thekohsamuiguide.com/post/where-to-stay-koh-samui
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The Koh Samui Guide
"Huge thank you for a fantastic informative guide. We are leaving for Koh Samui tomorrow afternoon." – Thomas
➜ shop.thekohsamuiguide.com
17/08/2023
A Steamy Love Letter (to My Travel Steamer)This is the weirdest love letter I can write. It’s to my ... travel steamer. We’ve been in a committed relationship for six years and it’s time the world knows.
Here are 10 reasons I take it everywhere, how I’ve weaponised it against microscopic demons and why you’ll find me steaming away in an airport bathroom. Hopefully, it’s a helpful guide for anyone who loves linen and hates to be crumpled (or is, like me, a Christmas dinner to microscopic mites).
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The Koh Samui Guide
"My wife and I live in Bangkok. We’d already been to Samui twice before purchasing your guide. It does have a lot of helpful info in it for future trips." – Roger
Happy Mother's Day!Today, August 12th, is Mother's Day in Thailand which coincides with Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday.
Wishing any mummy-shaped figures and those who love them a wonderful day.
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The Koh Samui Guide
"We recently returned from a teen family trip to Bangkok & Koh Samui. We downloaded your guide to Koh Samui. It was invaluable and I’m sure contributed to the amazing weeks we spent there. Enjoyed by all and that’s no mean feat! Many many thanks for helping to create the perfect holiday and happy memories." – Vicki
“It's a gold mine for anybody going to Koh Samui”Get your guide ➜ shop.thekohsamuiguide.com
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The Koh Samui Guide
"It gave me a good grip on transportation and public holidays! I'm really impressed with the level of detail regarding airport transfer and luggage! It's a gold mine for anybody going to Koh Samui for the first time, but also for those who have been there as there's more to discover! It's already very comprehensive, not sure what more the island could hide that's not touched upon in the guide... I'm impressed with your extensive knowledge and your numerous travels to Koh Samui!" – Tom
The big question: will it rain in August? It very well might – but you’re going to choose not to care. Why? Don’t fixate on the weather (something you can’t control) – Koh Samui is gorgeous always, as are its drinks, food and people.Always expect rain in the tropics, but rest assured it never lasts very long.
I first visited Koh Samui in August, 2003 and … clearly, it was a pretty good sales pitch. August is fantastic but – here’s the sneakiest of tips – the island completely empties on September 1st, as families head home for the start of school. If you want August’s fantastic weather, with beaches to yourself, see if you can stretch your trip into the first few days of September.
Get more tips ➜ thekohsamuiguide.com/koh-samui-august/
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The Koh Samui Guide
"Have just finished reading your travel guide. Fantastic information, really excited for tomorrow's adventure to begin..." –Lor
➜ shop.thekohsamuiguide.com
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What shoes to wear in Thailand?Whether you’re coming to Thailand for a never-leave-the-resort beach vacation, city-sightseeing or a top-to-bottom exploration – at most, you need to pack just 5 pairs of shoes to wear in Thailand.
How to expect the unexpected?Arrive in Thailand with a healthy respect for the ocean, especially around Koh Samui where currents and creatures do cause the occasional tragedy. (Jellyfish are rare but known in the region). With each update of The Koh Samui Guide, I add more and more to the safety section (clearly having left the ‘youthful infallibility’ decades of my life behind).
Get your guide ➜ shop.thekohsamuiguide.com
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The Koh Samui Guide
"We are going back for our 5th visit, thanks a large part to yourself, I downloaded the edition on our first trip and found it so so useful from selecting hotel, packing and planning things to do." – Thomas
Best of Bophut Beach?Whether you’re comparing Bophut to other Koh Samui beaches or are neck-deep in hotel selection, don’t worry: we’ve got this. Get answers everything you’re wondering about Bophut Beach and a total end to your overwhelm. Ready? Here are your top Bophut questions – answered with nearly twenty years of Koh Samui expertise.
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The Koh Samui Guide
"your guide is a fantastic help. Here now, arrived 4th March leaving 26th, love the island, amazing place. In chewang beach at present move up to bophut next weekend for our final week." – Tony
My best weather advice?Instead of allowing yourself to get weather-obsessed, I recommend you book your Koh Samui vacation when it’s most convenient‚ when you most need days of perfect relaxation. Rest assured if it does decide to pour‚ any day of the year‚ there’s still plenty to do (rain or shine The Koh Samui Guide will easily keep you busy).
Get your guide ➜ shop.thekohsamuiguide.com
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The Koh Samui Guide
"I’d just like to say 'thank you’ for the update and for your amazing guide. We are visiting in July/August for the first time and cannot wait. A little concerned that it might rain a lot but, you can’t control the weather! We intend to enjoy every moment." – Loenna
A to Z: Your Complete List of Thailand Packing TipsGiven the huge demand for packing help, I’ve spruced up and fine-tuned my Thailand packing tips into a tidy A-to-Z. Below you’ll find helpful gadgets, great bits and pieces for day-trips and enjoying the beach, plus tips for staying safe and comfortable in Thailand’s heat. Enjoy!
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The Koh Samui Guide
"We found your guide very helpful for understanding how the songthaews and taxis negotiate - this was crucial for us as we ventured all around the island." – Luna
Beyond bananas ... would you eat a snake fruit? How about a fruit that’s so heavy – and pointy – you’d struggle to lift it?Whether found waiting for you in a fruit bowl, fresh from nearby fruit trees, purchased from a smiling market vendor or discovered in a Thai fruit salad during a beach breakfast – here are 12 Thai fruits you’ve got to try – *plus* easy ways to try them at home.
See all 12 ➜ thekohsamuiguide.com/thai-fruit/
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The Koh Samui Guide
"Comprehensive, great resource, thank you! I had already booked, but this will help me work out my daily activities and where to eat" – Georgia
Two fun facts about Koh Phangan (Samui's island neighbour, spot it in the left corner of this pic). (1) ‘Ngan’ means ‘sandbar’ in southern Thai dialect
(2) Koh Samui is 183% bigger
14/07/2023
How to avoid mosquitoes in Thailand?You’ll want to pack mosquito repellent for Thailand, ideally a variety of defence mechanisms. Not just bug spray, but water repellent bracelets, and clever, packable devices to keep in your hotel room. You’ll also want to learn about the ins and outs of using DEET versus a natural/non-toxic repellent. For a total crash course about all of the above, please see how to avoid mosquitoes in Thailand.
More tips ➜ thekohsamuiguide.com/mosquitoes-in-thailand/
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The Koh Samui Guide
"I purchased your guide and traveled to Koh Samui two weeks ago. I found your guide extremely helpful. The information was really valuable. It's a great guide." – Tracey
Want style, love minimalism and have always thought your balcony should be an actual infinity pool? SALA Chaweng Beach Resort is a palace of white – with in-room infinity pools that defy my understanding of gravity. The resort is bright white everything; a vibe somewhere between Miami and Mykonos – with a tiny dash of ‘spaceship’ on the side. Tip: for extra privacy, book a balcony pool suite on the second or third floor.
More favourite hotels ➜ thekohsamuiguide.com/where-to-stay-koh-samui/
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The Koh Samui Guide
"It made my decision on which beach to choose much easier! I choose Chaweng and I had the most enjoyable vacation of my life." – Shivan
Can you guess how many coconuts a Koh Samui coconut tree produces, on average, per year?
(Answer: About 70)
Looking for brand new ways to enjoy everything coconut? Koh Samui’s main industry (before tourism) was coconuts and it continues to produce the very best in Thailand.
Tip: If you want to start with the basics – Day One in the Coconut Fan Club – don’t miss my authentic Thai coconut shake recipe. It’s really easy and, like most things you blend, mixes well with rum. Enjoy!
➜ thekohsamuiguide.com/coconut-shake
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The Koh Samui Guide
"Thanks for creating such a fabulous guide book. I loved every page." – Tor
Beach-by-beach comparisons mean you can choose your base with no stress or confusion, with brand-new hotel recommendations. Want to sleep in a shipping container or enjoy an adults-only resort? You’ll find plenty of options for both (with, of course, tons of super options for families, too).Get your guide ➜ shop.thekohsamuiguide.com
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The Koh Samui Guide
"Massive shoutout to . We had a 'issue' with our initial accommodation and we needed to find somewhere else to stay immediately. I grabbed my iPad, checked out the guide and within 2 hours I was out of one place and into the fabulous Centara a few minutes away. Has made a world of difference!" – Aly
Koh Samui in JulyWith assuredly glorious temperatures and plenty of sunshine, it doesn’t get better than Koh Samui in July. With weather and events in mind, here’s everything you can look forward to, what to expect, what to pack – and lots more Thailand tips – for this month.
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The Koh Samui Guide
"Thanks Alex, I so appreciate your help....was in Koh Samui in 2004 so a little apprehensive of the changes, thought your guide looked a great way to get sorted !!" – Sarah
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What's The Koh Samui Guide?
Call it a blueprint for your dream vacation. It's 14% as long as War and Peace (but much more readable).
The Koh Samui Guide is your comprehensive travel guide for Koh Samui, Thailand. Since its first edition in 2012, it has helped thousands of people in 96 countries plan and enjoy incredible Koh Samui vacations. The guide is packed with 16 years' Koh Samui expertise and has been an Amazon Asia travel best-seller (#3!!!).
1. You get an instant PDF download
No waiting for shipping and totally portable – The Koh Samui Guide is an instant PDF download. Downloading the guide takes just 3 steps and less than 3 minutes (even if your computer hates you). It couldn’t be easier to download your copy!
2. No ads, no sponsorship
We don't accept any perks, compensation or advertising of any sort – ever. We're totally independent and always anonymous. We don’t accept perks or freebies of any sort. Every recommendation in The Koh Samui Guide is there because it’s genuinely worth your vacation time – there’s nothing in it for us. We pay for everything ourselves as normal, totally incognito guests or customers.
3. Lots of animal love
Calling all crazy cat ladies and dedicated dog people! (Fine, and vegans, too). We do our absolute best to steer you towards ethical companies and travel products that aren’t tested on animals (like our favourite mosquito repellent). You'll also learn dozens of ways to help Koh Samui's animals and environment (if that's your thing).
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Learn how The Koh Samui Guide got started
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About the author
In 2012, Alex Hammond and her brother wrote The Koh Samui Guide they wished they’d had on their first few visits to Thailand. To their (tremendous) surprise, the guide became “a thing” … and it’s been an ongoing labour of love ever since.
