Landed Thailand

Koh Samui · Long stays

Find your place in Thailand.

Pick the area first. We show you the pros, the cons and the agencies that know it best.

Quiet Koh Samui beach at golden hour with palms and a Thai house

You've landed.

Now find your place. 16 areas, 1 island, zero guesswork.

The island at a glance

One island. Sixteen very different neighbourhoods.

The east is busy, the north is easy, the west is slow. Tap an area to get a feeling before you take the quiz. Toggle layers for piers, markets, hospitals and schools.

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Tap an area name to preview it. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, style by OpenFreeMap.

Chaweng, Koh SamuiDraft

Chaweng

The busy heart of the island. Everything is close, nothing is quiet.

LivelyNightlifeRent: High
  • 10 min to the airport
  • Nearest pier: Bang Rak Pier
  • Nearest beach: Chaweng Beach
Chaweng Noi, Koh SamuiDraft

Chaweng Noi

Chaweng's softer edge. Pretty coves, resorts, and a bit more sleep.

BeachyCalmerRent: High
  • 15 min to the airport
  • Nearest pier: Bang Rak Pier
  • Nearest beach: Chaweng Noi Beach
Lamai, Koh SamuiDraft

Lamai

Chaweng's relaxed little sister. Gyms, Muay Thai and a lazy beach.

Lively but relaxedFitnessRent: Medium
  • 25 min to the airport
  • Nearest pier: Bang Rak Pier
  • Nearest beach: Lamai Beach
Hua Thanon, Koh SamuiDraft

Hua Thanon

A working Muslim fishing village with the island's best seafood prices.

LocalFishing villageRent: Low
  • 35 min to the airport
  • Nearest pier: Bang Rak Pier
  • Nearest beach: Hua Thanon Beach
Bophut / Fisherman's Village, Koh SamuiDraft

Bophut / Fisherman's Village

Charming old village street, cafes, and a calm beach for families.

WalkableCharmingRent: High
  • 10 min to the airport
  • Nearest pier: Bang Rak Pier
  • Nearest beach: Bophut Beach
Maenam, Koh SamuiDraft

Maenam

Long quiet beach, a real Thai village and good value homes.

QuietLocalRent: Medium
  • 20 min to the airport
  • Nearest pier: Maenam Lomprayah Pier
  • Nearest beach: Maenam Beach
Bang Por / Ban Tai, Koh SamuiDraft

Bang Por / Ban Tai

A small, green corner with mountain views and almost no traffic.

Very quietNatureRent: Medium
  • 25 min to the airport
  • Nearest pier: Maenam Lomprayah Pier
  • Nearest beach: Bang Por Beach
Nathon, Koh SamuiDraft

Nathon

The main town. Markets, government offices and real Thai life.

Thai lifeMarketsRent: Low
  • 30 min to the airport
  • Nearest pier: Nathon Pier
  • Nearest beach: Nathon seafront
Bang Rak / Big Buddha, Koh SamuiDraft

Bang Rak / Big Buddha

Practical base next to the airport and the ferry piers.

PracticalNear airportRent: Medium
  • 5 min to the airport
  • Nearest pier: Bang Rak Pier
  • Nearest beach: Bang Rak Beach
Plai Laem, Koh SamuiDraft

Plai Laem

Temples, quiet bays and sunset views on the island's northeast tip.

Quiet tipTemplesRent: Very high
  • 8 min to the airport
  • Nearest pier: Big Buddha Pier
  • Nearest beach: Plai Laem bays
Choeng Mon, Koh SamuiDraft

Choeng Mon

Quiet bays, clear water and upscale villas on the hills.

Quiet baysUpscaleRent: Very high
  • 10 min to the airport
  • Nearest pier: Big Buddha Pier
  • Nearest beach: Choeng Mon Beach
Na Mueang (inland), Koh SamuiDraft

Na Mueang (inland)

Jungle hills, waterfalls and the green heart of the island.

JungleInlandRent: Low
  • 30 min to the airport
  • Nearest pier: Nathon Pier
  • Best for: Jungle
Bang Kao / Laem Sor, Koh SamuiDraft

Bang Kao / Laem Sor

The sleepy south coast. Mangroves, pagodas and long empty beaches.

SleepySouth coastRent: Low
  • 35 min to the airport
  • Nearest pier: Nathon Pier
  • Nearest beach: Bang Kao Beach
Thong Krut, Koh SamuiDraft

Thong Krut

A tiny fishing bay with boats to the southern islands.

Fishing bayVery quietRent: Low
  • 40 min to the airport
  • Nearest pier: Nathon Pier
  • Nearest beach: Thong Krut Bay
Taling Ngam, Koh SamuiDraft

Taling Ngam

Sunsets, empty beaches and very slow days. Bring a car.

SunsetsVery quietRent: High
  • 45 min to the airport
  • Nearest pier: Nathon Pier
  • Nearest beach: Taling Ngam Beach
Lipa Noi, Koh SamuiDraft

Lipa Noi

Calm shallow bay, soft sand and fiery sunsets, close to the car ferry.

SunsetsFamily calmRent: Medium
  • 35 min to the airport
  • Nearest pier: Nathon Pier
  • Nearest beach: Lipa Noi Beach

Step 1 of 5

Find your area

Seven quick questions. Under a minute. No email needed.

Question 1 of 7

How long do you plan to stay?

Step 2 of 5

Choose how to book

Two honest routes. Most people end up using both.

A local agency

Best for 1 month and longer

  • Monthly and yearly homes
  • Better long-stay prices
  • Viewings, local knowledge, contract help
  • Usually no fee for tenants on long rentals (confirm with the agency)
  • You message and wait for replies
  • In-person viewings work best
  • Quality varies. That's why we verify.

Next, we'll write one clear message you can send to agencies that know your areas.

Our honest tip: Book 1 to 2 weeks on Booking or Agoda, view homes with an agency, then move into your monthly rental.

Step 3 of 5

Write your message

Agencies reply faster to a clear brief. We filled in what we know.

Your request

LT-·····
Arrival
—
Stay
—
Guests
1 adults
Home
—
Budget
25k–60k THB / month
Areas
—
Reply in
English

Saved in this browser and anonymously under your ref code. No email, no phone, no nationality — only your search criteria.

1When
2Who
Adults
1
Kids
0
3Home

Bedrooms

Type

Pool

4Budget and areas
Monthly budget25k to 60k THB

Preferred areas

5Last details

Reply language

Live previewLT-·····
Hi! I found your agency on Landed Thailand and I'm currently looking for a place on Koh Samui.
• Guests: 1 adult
• Home: No preference
• Budget: 25k to 60k THB per month
Could you send me a few options that fit? Thank you
Ref: LT-·····

We pick them for you based on your answers — home type, budget, language and areas.

Step 4 of 5

Agencies that fit you best

WhatsApp opens with your message already written.

Your request · no areas chosen yet · 25k–60k THB

LT-·····

Tell us what you're looking for to see your best fits. Answer the quiz or fill in your request above.

6 agencies

Featured (paid listing)

Featured (paid listing)

Featured agencies pay to be listed first. They're always labelled. Verification is the same for everyone.

Step 5 of 5

Get ready to land

Your personal moving checklist, built from your answers.

The essentials to sort before and right after you land. Take the quiz and we'll personalise this list.

Visa and entry

  • Check your visa options

    Rules depend on your nationality. The official Thai e-Visa site and thaiembassy.com list visa types and how to apply. Remote workers often look at the DTV.

  • Passport valid 6+ months

    Thailand asks for 6 months validity on entry. Renew before you fly if you're close.

  • Print your bookings and insurance

    Immigration sometimes asks for your first accommodation and onward travel. Have them offline.

First weeks stay

Money

Krungsri logo

ATMs: look for yellow with the Krungsri logo. Try those first. Fees and exchange rates differ wildly between ATMs and banks. Check the rate on the screen before you confirm, and decline any conversion offered by the machine.

Internet and SIM

Aviasales logo

Find cheap flights

Compare flight deals to Koh Samui, or fly to Bangkok or Surat Thani and continue by ferry, often much cheaper.

Search flights Google Flights logo Google Flights

Partner link: we may earn a commission. Your price stays the same.

Which insurance fits you?

The 4 most popular options in 30 seconds.

Best for scooter riders
Genki logoGenkiNomad

Fits: young nomads and scooter riders

  • From €52.50/month (under 30)
  • Up to 12 months (Traveler)
  • Longer plan for expats
  • Scooters up to 125cc, no motorbike licence (helmet on)
  • Monthly, flexible, built for Europeans
  • Expat plan only up to entry age 55
See offerDetails
Test winner
HanseMerkur logoHanseMerkurLong-stay travel

Fits: overwinterers and sabbaticals still insured in Germany

  • Up to about 1 year
  • German contract
  • Price by age and length
  • Test winner Stiftung Warentest 2026
  • German service, simple and reliable
  • Not for you once you deregister from Germany
See offerDetails
Lifelong cover
BDAE Expat Infinity logoBDAE Expat InfinityExpat

Fits: Europeans moving for good, retirees

  • From €56/month (Basic)
  • Join up to age 75
  • Lifelong
  • Lifelong cover, visits to Germany included
  • Pre-existing conditions possible (surcharge)
  • Basic covers hospital stays only
See offerDetails
Cigna Global logoCigna GlobalExpat

Fits: families and expats who want the best network

  • About $1,200 to 1,600/year at 30
  • Limits up to unlimited
  • Renew yearly
  • Strong hospital network with direct billing
  • Flexible modules and high limits
  • Expensive from 40, prices rise yearly
See offerDetails

Prices from, as of October 2026. General information, not insurance advice.

Partner link: we may earn a commission. Your price stays the same.

See the full insurance guide

eSIM or local SIM?

Three ways to get online.

Yesim logoYesimeSIM

Fits: short, flexible stays, unlimited data by the day

  • From about $3.12 for 1 GB / 30 days
  • Unlimited from about $3.84 per day
  • Pay for unlimited only on the days you need
  • Set up before you fly, works on arrival
  • No Thai number; hotspot use depends on plan
Get Yesim
Airalo logoAiraloeSIM

Fits: travellers who also visit other countries

  • 10 GB / 30 days about $11
  • Unlimited 30 days about $49
  • Biggest choice, Asia and global plans
  • Easy app, set up before you fly
  • No Thai number; fair use differs by plan
Get Airalo
AIS logoTrue logoLocal SIM (AIS or True)SIM

Fits: long stays, anyone who needs a Thai number

  • Tourist SIM about ฿1,199, 30 days unlimited
  • Longer stays: prepaid, often ฿200 to 400/month
  • Thai number for Grab, delivery, banks, agencies
  • Cheapest for months of heavy use; AIS best on the islands
  • Passport registration; tourist SIMs max. 60 days

Where to buy: AIS and True shops (e.g. in the big malls) and airport counters. Bring your passport.

Our tip: install an eSIM before you fly so you're online the minute you land, then get a local SIM with a Thai number if you stay longer than a month.

Prices as of October 2026, check before you buy.

Partner link: we may earn a commission. Your price stays the same.

Which health insurance fits you? See the full Landing Kit

Coming up on the island

Full calendar →

  • Tue 24 Nov

    Loy Krathong

    People float small decorated baskets with candles on the water to say thank you. The most beautiful night of the year.

  • Tue 24 Nov

    Full Moon Party

    The famous full moon beach party on Koh Phangan.

  • Sat 5 Dec

    National Father's Day

    Thai national holiday.

Still wondering

The questions everyone asks at this point.

All questions

Still unsure?

Message us on WhatsApp. A real person on Samui answers, usually the same day.

Message us

Get the free area guide

All 16 areas, honest notes, one PDF. Plus one short email a month.

From the island

Blog

Guides

Your first two weeks on Samui, done right

Book short, look around, then commit. A calm plan for the first 14 days.

Local highlights

Fisherman's Village Friday market: a local's take

Where to eat, when to go, and how to skip the crowds.

Guides

Rainy season on Samui: what to really expect

It's not rain all day. But some homes handle it much better than others.