Unlike parts of Phuket that have descended into tawdry, Samui has retained a sense of style.

1 ISLAND CHIC

Travellers who discovered Koh Samui in the '80s invariably mourn its transformation, lamenting paradise lost through over-commercialisation.

True, the Thai island is no longer a sleepy backwater. But unlike parts of Phuket that have descended into tawdry, Samui has retained a sense of style, an island chic encapsulating everything idyllic about a holiday in Thailand - luxury, spa treatments, cocktails and beaches.

What more could you ask for, really?

Continued …. http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/destinations/asia/10272393/Twenty-reasons-to-visit-Koh-Samui

Is Samui busy right now?

I checked the rates on my wifes & my favorite hotel and its running nearly high season (Dec-Feb) rates.

Is Samui busy right now?

I checked the rates on my wifes & my favorite hotel and its running nearly high season (Dec-Feb) rates.

It's not dead, that's for sure..... but with summer holidays coming, in Europe etc, late July and August it usually does get busier.... so probably why you are finding rates about the same as Dec- March...

Thank god the article has missed the 101 other great things to see and do on Samui.... at least still some nice secret spots left! ..... most mention seems to gravitate to Chawang...

Wish I could get paid and get put up in nice places!

July and August are known as high season (from what I can gather). December and January are known as peak season.

We are pretty busy at the moment - most of the villas have customers or owners staying. (80 - 90%?)

I also use my local car rental guy as a measure. If his land is full of rental cars - it is quiet. At the moment - only about 4 vehicles there (he has about 15 to 20) so I guess that the island is pretty busy. At the pointy end anyway.

Still quiet for the bars. Another two closed in Bangrak recently. Samui's visitors these days are just not into bars, and I guess that with the immigration people clamping down, there will be a few less 'local' foreigners as well. Steps at the minimarts and 7/11s are still popular for some imbibers though.

Restaurants where I eat are doing OK numbers wise. Not packed - not empty.

Thanks for the details in the posts above.

I recall a large number of Russians on Samui and when I looked at renting a house down there a couple of years ago each of the 10 houses on the property were full of 3-4 young Russian kids. I spoke with a few of them and they all worked.

I bet those house rentals are going to be listing vacancies soon ;-)

July and August are known as high season (from what I can gather). December and January are known as peak season.

We are pretty busy at the moment - most of the villas have customers or owners staying. (80 - 90%?)

I also use my local car rental guy as a measure. If his land is full of rental cars - it is quiet. At the moment - only about 4 vehicles there (he has about 15 to 20) so I guess that the island is pretty busy. At the pointy end anyway.

Still quiet for the bars. Another two closed in Bangrak recently. Samui's visitors these days are just not into bars, and I guess that with the immigration people clamping down, there will be a few less 'local' foreigners as well. Steps at the minimarts and 7/11s are still popular for some imbibers though.

Restaurants where I eat are doing OK numbers wise. Not packed - not empty.

Overall it is getting busier I am happy to say....

Picture in article is misleading, not Koh Samui but Koh Phangan.

July and August are known as high season (from what I can gather). December and January are known as peak season.

We are pretty busy at the moment - most of the villas have customers or owners staying. (80 - 90%?)

I also use my local car rental guy as a measure. If his land is full of rental cars - it is quiet. At the moment - only about 4 vehicles there (he has about 15 to 20) so I guess that the island is pretty busy. At the pointy end anyway.

Still quiet for the bars. Another two closed in Bangrak recently. Samui's visitors these days are just not into bars, and I guess that with the immigration people clamping down, there will be a few less 'local' foreigners as well. Steps at the minimarts and 7/11s are still popular for some imbibers though.

Restaurants where I eat are doing OK numbers wise. Not packed - not empty.

Overall it is getting busier I am happy to say....

Picture in article is misleading, not Koh Samui but Koh Phangan.

Well spotted SC and they paid Getty Images for the photograph !!!!

Is Samui busy right now?

I checked the rates on my wifes & my favorite hotel and its running nearly high season (Dec-Feb) rates.

It's raaaar like a lion !!!!

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