Where do you handle visa matters on Koh Samui?

At the Koh Samui Immigration Office near Nathon on the west coast, which handles extensions of stay, 90-day reports and re-entry permits. There are fewer visa agents than Phuket, but local ones can manage the paperwork.

What is the best area to live on Koh Samui?

Maenam and Lamai offer the best value and a quieter pace; Chaweng is the lively main hub; Bophut and Fisherman's Village are chic and food-focused; Choeng Mon is upscale and quiet near the airport. Your choice trades buzz against budget and calm.

How do you get to Koh Samui?

Either fly into Samui Airport (convenient but pricey, with Bangkok Airways dominant) or take the cheaper ferry from the Surat Thani mainland, often combined with a bus or train. Factor the recurring cost of leaving the island into your budget.

Koh Samui Visas & Best Areas to Live

Updated June 2026 · 6 min read · Not legal advice

Moving to Samui is the same two-part question as anywhere in Thailand — can you stay legally, and where on the island do you want to wake up. The visa rules are national; the island is small enough to drive around in a couple of hours, but each beach has a very different personality. Here's both.

Visas: national rules, handled on the island

Your visa depends on your situation, not your beach. The common long-stay routes are the DTV (remote workers, ฿500,000 in the bank), retirement (50+, ฿800,000 deposit or ฿65,000/month income), marriage, the LTR for high earners and pensioners, and Thailand Privilege (from ฿650,000). Narrow yours with the Visa Finder and read the full Thai visa guide.

On Samui, extensions, 90-day reports and re-entry permits are handled at the Koh Samui Immigration Office near Nathon on the west coast. There are fewer visa agents than on Phuket, but local firms can still manage the paperwork if you'd rather not deal with it yourself.

Nationwide heads-up: Thailand has approved cutting the 60-day visa exemption to around 30 days for most nationalities in 2026, effective once published in the Royal Gazette. Confirm the current rule before you fly.

The best areas to live

Samui's life rings the coast road. You'll want a scooter wherever you land — here's the honest character of the main areas.

Maenam — quiet & best value

On the north coast, Maenam is the long-stayer's value pick: a long, calm beach, a low-key village, cheap rentals and an easy run to the airport and Bophut. One-beds from ฿8,000. Best for: families, retirees and anyone wanting peace on a budget.

Lamai — relaxed & well-priced

The island's second town, on the east coast south of Chaweng: a good beach, enough bars and restaurants to feel alive, and noticeably better value than Chaweng. One-beds ฿10,000–20,000. Best for: long-stayers who want a bit of life without the price tag.

Chaweng — the main hub

Samui's busiest beach and town: the longest stretch of sand, the most shopping, dining and nightlife, and the airport close by. Convenient but the priciest and least quiet. One-beds ฿12,000–25,000. Best for: those who want everything on the doorstep.

Bophut & Choeng Mon — chic & upscale

Bophut and its Fisherman's Village are the island's boutique heart — stylish dining, a Friday walking street and a smart crowd. Neighbouring Choeng Mon is quiet and upscale with pretty beaches near the airport. One-beds ฿15,000–30,000. Best for: foodies, couples and anyone after style and calm.

Which Thai visa fits you?

Answer 8 quick questions and get your ranked visa routes with checklists and official links — same tool, works for Samui.

Open the Visa Finder

Still planning? Pin down the numbers in the Koh Samui cost of living guide, check the best time to visit, or weigh the island against the mainland with the city comparison tool.

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Koh Samui