Thailand Guide
Southern Thailand: the Gulf coast
Activities
1 Canopy Adventures In the hills 4km above Maenam 077 414150–1 or 087 046 7307 www.canopyadventuresthailand.com Cable rides between treehouses and past waterfalls. Price: B1750, including transfers
2 Dipabhavan Meditation Retreats Dipabhavan hermitage, in the hills above Lamai Contact Khun Siriwan at Utopia on 081 892 3457 www.dipabhavan.com The famous mainland meditation temple Wat Suan Mokkh has branched out to offer five-day retreats near Lamai. Helped by farang co-ordinators, Suan Mokkh's abbot, Ajarn Poh, leads the retreats himself, which take place in English from the 22nd to the 27th of each month; pick-ups are laid on from The Spa Resort, Utopia and Wat Sila Ngu on the 21st for registration.
3 Easy Divers Head office: opposite Sandsea Resort, towards the north end of Lamai 077 231190 www.easydivers-thailand.com Established and reliable PADI Five-Star dive centre several branches around the island.
4 KSK Maenam, at the far west end, beyond Wat Na Phra Larn 086 267 1169 www.kohsamuikiteboarding.com Kiteboarding courses, starting from B4200 for half a day.
5 Siam Kitchen Near Lamai on Route 4169 086 109 1915 www.siamkitchen.net Learn Thai cooking, take a market tour and eat your own-cooked lunch or dinner; 2- to 4-person classes (3hr) Price: B1200
6 Mr Ung's Magical Safari Tours 077 230114 or 081 895 5657, also bookable through travel agents Inland tours of the island, up the rough tracks of the mountainous interior to some spectacular viewpoints. Price: From B1200
7 Samui Evasion 077 230159 www.samuievasion.com Round-island boat tours from Bangrak, via lunch and snorkelling on Ko Taen, and the bird's-nest islands of Ko Si Ko Ha, to Na Thon. Opening time: Mon, Wed & SatPrice: B1700 per person
8 Samui Institute of Thai Culinary Arts (SITCA) Soi Colibri, Central Chaweng Chaweng 077 413172 www.sitca.net Runs two-and-a-half-hour Thai cooking classes in the morning and afternoon (B1950), and you get to eat what you've cooked with a friend afterwards. They also have a culinary shop selling Thai cooking accessories, ingredients and cookbooks. Opening time: Mon-Sat
9 Samui International Diving School Head office: at the Malibu Resort, towards the north end of Central Chaweng 077 422386 www.planet-scuba.net Established and reliable PADI Five-Star dive centre with several branches around the island.