A visit to Thailand wouldn’t be complete without seeing its national sport. The pre-fight rituals and the traditional music throughout are as much part of the event as the fights themselves. Widely considered to be the world’s most dangerous martial art, Thai boxing is a superb example of the speed, grace and discipline required in such sports. The only permanent stadium on Samui is in Chaweng just off the road leading to the Reggae Pub. Boxing matches are held every Monday and Friday at 9:00pm. (map T10)
See the amazing color and beauty of Thailand’s undersea world... without getting wet. Thousands of turtles, fish, crabs and innumerable other species of aquatic life can be viewed in their natural habitat. There are also five tigers on the prowl in outdoor cages. Open from 9:00am to 6:00pm at Samui Orchid Resort, near the Butterfly Garden and Central Samui Village in Laem Set, southeast corner of Koh Samui. 250 baht per person. Tel: 424-017
Samui’s favourite spectacle is, unquestionably, buffalo fighting. For weeks or even months before a fight, the contestants are beefed up with extra food rations and pampered with constant showers and talcum-powder. The fights themselves draw thousands of spectators, and gambling (although strictly illegal), is widespread with hundreds of thousands of baht openly changing hands. Although blood is sometimes drawn, the buffaloes rarely suffer real injuries, so it’s not really a blood sport. There is one stadium in Chaweng and several others around the island. Banners appear near the host stadium prior to the fights.
If you don’t want to venture into Koh Samui’s remaining forests, you can still get some of the thrill from the snake farm’s daily shows. They feature ten different species of snakes as well as centipedes, scorpions and lizards. Snake handlers boast the longest King Cobra in Thailand is on display at the farm’s King Cobra House. The snake farm has also been known to perform a valuable service by capturing unwanted snakes from the yards of locals and giving them a home in the show. Showtimes are 11:00am and 2:00pm daily, 250 baht per person. There is also a restaurant on the premises. Tel: 423-247. Located on the 4170 road at the far Southwest corner of Samui.(map F5)
Butterflies are one of the most easily observed and beautiful examples of the island’s biodiversity. See vividly-colourful examples of tropical butterflies in this scenic hillside setting. Since butterflies live for only a bout two weeks, the garden raises their own butterflies and has a great display of caterpillars, cocoons and live butterflies. The garden is next to the Central Samui Village, off the 4170 road, south of Hua Thanon.(map N3) Open daily from 9am to 6pm. 120 baht for adults, 60 baht for children under 12.
Watch monkeys perform in special shows at 10:30am, 2:00pm and 4:00pm every day. 150 baht for adults and 50 baht for children. Tel: 245-140. It’s on the 4169 ring-road, 400 metres South of Bophut village.(map Q13)
If you like to see your jaws on land, head over to the Samui Crocodile Farm, just 800 meters from the airport, you can’t miss the green signs. The farm is open from 8:30am to 5:00pm daily and there are shows at 2 and 4:30pm. Tickets are 250 baht each. Tel: 247-262
This is an extraordinary sculpture garden created by an extraordinary man. Nim Thongsuk was a fourth generation Samui native. At the age of 77 he began his creation of figures based on Buddhist scriptures. He was still working on the garden when he recently died at the age of 91. The garden continues to offer not only Khun Nim’s wonderful sculptures, but a great view of the island’s hills and forests.
To get to Heaven’s Garden, take the asphalt air force road (the only asphalt road on the island) in Ban SaKet, turn right about 1km before the end of the road, then follow the dirt track for 400 meters. If you get lost ask for Nam Tok Ta-nim.
Bangkok Airways