Lamai, Koh Samui: Top 10 Things to Do and See

Lamai sits on the east coast of Koh Samui and is the island's second-biggest resort town — quieter than Chaweng, but with its own beach, its own nightlife and several of the island's best-known sights close by. Here are ten things worth doing in and around Lamai.

1. Browse the night markets

Every Sunday, Had Lamai Road turns into the Lamai Walking Street: stalls selling grilled fish, satay, pad Thai and Western snacks line up alongside clothes, souvenirs and mobile cocktail bars, usually from around 17:00 to 23:00.

On other evenings, the smaller Lamai Night Plaza in the centre of town is worth a look, mostly clothing, imitation branded goods and street food, spilling into a small plaza of beer bars. Bargaining is normal.

2. Visit Hin Ta and Hin Yai

The Hin Ta and Hin Yai rock formations ("Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks") at the southern end of Lamai Beach are among the most photographed sights on the island. According to local legend, they're a shipwrecked couple turned to stone — the shapes resemble male and female genitalia. Visiting is free; parking usually costs a small fee, reported inconsistently at roughly 10 to 40 baht for a scooter or car.

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3. Enjoy the view from Lamai Viewpoint

Behind the Makro supermarket sits Lamai Viewpoint, also signposted as Valentine Stone (a heart-shaped rock). A cable car runs to the top, or it's about a ten-minute walk. At the top there's a small café overlooking the east coast, a fish spa and a zipline. Both the cable car and zipline are paid for on site — several reviews suggest buying tickets there rather than online, as booking platforms sometimes charge noticeably more.

4. Wat Lamai and its folklore museum

The Wat Lamai, the main temple of Lamai, sits on the ring road just before it bends into the centre of town. Alongside the temple itself, it houses a small folklore museum with artefacts said to be up to 2,000 years old, its entrance guarded by two large Yak statues. Visiting is free, though a donation is welcome — as at any temple, cover your shoulders and knees, and leave your shoes at the door.

5. Relax on Lamai Beach and Silver Beach

Lamai Beach is the second-largest beach on the island, but noticeably calmer than Chaweng Beach — good for swimming, with restaurants and bars right on the sand. A few minutes north, near Crystal Bay, lies the shorter Silver Beach (also called Thong Takhian), a roughly 250-metre stretch of especially fine, pale sand.

6. Drive up to Overlap Stone

About a kilometre south of Hin Ta and Hin Yai, a steep track leads up to Overlap Stone, a viewpoint roughly 150 metres above sea level looking over the whole of Lamai Bay. Access is from the ring road opposite Wat Sila Ngu; the final stretch is steep enough that most people walk it, and even a 4x4 or dirt bike has a rough ride the rest of the way. There's a small kiosk at the top for a drink after the climb.

7. Watch a Muay Thai fight

The small Lamai Boxing Stadium on Had Lamai Road still hosts amateur bouts on Saturday nights, surrounded by beer bars — buy a drink and entry is usually free. For the bigger, professional fight nights with six to ten bouts, head instead to Samui International Stadium in Chaweng, on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays from 9pm:

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8. Train Muay Thai yourself

Lamai has several well-known Muay Thai camps offering training for beginners and more experienced fighters alike. For an overview of gyms across the island, see our Top 10 Gyms on Koh Samui.

9. Stay out for the beach bars

Several nights a week (currently including Friday, Saturday and Monday), beach bars such as Kon-Tiki put on a fire show right on the sand. A relaxed way to end the day, with food ranging from Thai dishes to burgers.

10. See more of the island on a day tour

If you want to explore beyond Lamai, the tour above already links up many of Koh Samui's best-known stops — viewpoints, a waterfall and an elephant feeding experience among them. For more viewpoints across the island, see Top 10 Viewpoints on Koh Samui.

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do in Lamai, Koh Samui?

Beyond the beach, the main draws are the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks, Lamai Viewpoint with its zipline and cable car, Wat Lamai and its folklore museum, two night markets, and Muay Thai and fire shows in the evening.

Is Lamai quieter than Chaweng?

Yes. Lamai is generally seen as the calmer, smaller sibling of Chaweng — less bustling, but still with plenty of restaurants, bars and nightlife for a varied stay.

When is the Sunday Walking Street market in Lamai?

Every Sunday from around 17:00 into the evening, on Had Lamai Road. On other days, the smaller Lamai Night Plaza runs in the town centre instead.

How much does it cost to visit Hin Ta and Hin Yai?

Visiting is free; only parking costs a small fee, reported at roughly 10 to 40 baht depending on whether you arrive by scooter or car.

For more on the island, see our Top 10 misconceptions about Thailand, Top 10 scooter rules on Koh Samui and Top 10 temples on Koh Samui.