First-Time Thailand in 9 Days – day 6
Do not miss the sunrise whenever you are close to the beach of any island – it looks so alluring! Today it is all about exploring Samui island and then travel to Phuket, which would be a long journey. So we need enough energy to enjoy Phuket nightlife. Day was boosted with Vegetable Congee (Thai-style rice porridge with vegetables) for breakfast.
Highlights of the Day
- Big Buddha Temple
- Hin Ta-Hin Yai Rocks
- Wat Khunaram
- Koh Samui pier to Donsak pier (Surat Thani) followed by minivan transfer to Phuket
- Bangla Road
Sightseeing of Koh Samui
We checked out from our lovely resort. We boarded the minivan at 9 AM who is supposed to take us around the popular sights of the island.
- Big Buddha Temple: Our first stop was Big Buddha Temple, locally known as Wat Phra Yai. It could actually be seen from the beachside of our resort. The temple looked vast and beautiful from close. It is a 12-m golden-colored Buddha in a seated posture.
Big Buddha Temple, Koh Samui - Hin Ta-Hin Yai Rocks: “Hin Ta” means grandfather and “Hin Yai” means grandmother. These are two fascinating rocks discovered by local many years ago. The rocks have a striking resemblance with the genitals of males and females. It was really surprising and funny to see how tourists make vulgar poses with those rocks and get their pictures clicked. It is a must-visit as these rocks are natural and look really strange!
Hin Ta-Hin Yai rocks - Wat Khunaram: Our last stop was Wat Khunaram where we could see the mummified body of the monk Luong Pordaeng who died while he was meditating in 1973. To the surprise, the body shows very little sign of decay. It is believed that due to his healthy food-eating habits, simple lifestyle and long meditation sessions, his body was well-preserved even after death. You would notice that his eyes are covered with sunglasses as only the eyes have been disintegrated.
Mummified Monk at Wat Khunaram - There is another popular site called Na Muang Waterfalls in the island, which shows that the island has more to offer in addition to beaches and temples. But as we were not much interested in visiting a waterfall in the dry season, we headed to the pier.
Koh Samui to Patong Ours Guesthouse, Phuket
All the ferries and boats to the south depart from Nathan pier – a pier different and far from Maenam pier of Koh Samui. Our Lomprayah high-speed catamaran departed at 12.45 PM from the pier and reached Donsak pier of Surat Thani at around 1.30 PM.
There was a minivan waiting outside which was supposed to drop us at Old Phuket Town, but at an extra fee, it dropped us to our hotel at Patong Beach.
An aircon minivan dropped us to our hotel at Phuket from Donsak pier at around 7 PM. Patong Ours Guesthouse is a very cute hotel close to Patong Beach and the sinful Bangla Road, but because of its location at the backlane, your sleep will not be interrupted with the noise of latenight parties nearby.
Phuket Nightlife in Bangla Road
Bangla Road is the main center of Phuket nightlife. It is difficult to describe unless you see it through your own eyes – still, let me give it a try! It is not only the most notorious part of Patong beach at dark, but also of the whole southern Thailand.
Remember, Bangla Road is not for the judgmental and conservative crowd.
Bangla Road comes to life after sunset and continues until the dawn. Loud music, scantily clad Thai girls, ladyboys, dancing on poles, luring customers from the road, and few others sitting in the bars hoping to make some money at night make up the road.
Bangla Road should be the first stop to have some real fun night in Phuket.
Several roads called soi branch out from the Bangla Road. We started with the end of Bangla Road that was close to our hotel, and closest to Jungceylon Shopping Center.
That end of Bangla Road starts with live music from Red Hot, Charlie’s Bar, old and new Tiger Bars, Taipan, and Rock Hard with lightly-clad ladies dancing openly.
Further ahead, you will find the best nightclubs of Phuket, which are important sites of Phuket nightlife – Tiger Disco, Illuzion, and Seduction Complex. Soi Vegas and Soi Tiger spits off at the nothern side of this road while Patong Promenade toward Soi Food Court is at the south.
The more you go close toward the beach side, you would find many go-go bars like Upstairs A Go-Go and many more in Soi Seadragon, and also many live music bars like Monsoon, right on the street. You will find many shopping stalls here to the northern side, while Soi Patong Resort is at the south.
The southern side of Bangla Road, close to the beach, houses many beer bars, like Shipwreck Bar, Sunset Bar, Moon Bar, etc., which have their own unique style and aura. VIP Room Patong at Soi Easy, Aussie Bar at Soi Gonzo, and also Moulin Rouge cabaret show are some of the popular places here.
We also enjoyed some street performances further south closest to the beach.
Dinner at Malin Plaza
Malin Plaza is a highly popular market that opens at 2 AM and closes at midnight. It houses a wide range of souvenirs, denims, beachwear, accessories, bags, etc. under one roof. There are lines of food strands offering safe and cheap Thai street foods just outside the plaza. It is a must-visit place if you want to experience Thai street food.
Here, I enjoyed my first Pad Thai with load of veggies in it. It is a traditional Thai street food made of stir-fried rice noodles with soy sauce, veggies, bean sprouts, and garnished with spring onions, crushed peanuts, and a slice of lemon. It is a must-try dish when in Thailand.
We felt tired while walking back to our hotel. Tomorrow is going to be another long day with island hopping as the main highlight. Off to sleep!
NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN THB)
Let us have a look at the expenses of Day 6 in Thailand – Phuket.
- Koh Samui to Phuket: 1000
- Samui sightseeing: 500
- Hotel in Phuket for twin sharing (2 nights): 1500
- Food:Â 250
- Miscellaneous: 130
Total expense (roughly):Â 3380 THB
For an overall idea of itinerary and expense of the trip, whether for solo or couple or group of any number of people, feel free to contact me on Contact Us page. You can also have a look at First-Time Thailand in 9 Days – Itinerary and Expenses.
If you are planning for a much-organized, tastefully-curated, stress-free yet exciting vacation, consider booking your holidays at Travel Love Repeat. It is going to be a treat for sure!
This is a very in depth look at your visit. Those rocks do look very strange! I can only imagine the kinds of poses tourists would be doing. Thanks for the cost analysis, very helpful.
Exactly and so we did the same. Hahahaha.
Seems like everyone has gone to Thailand but me. I always hear about Koh Samui, by the looks of it, it’s one place I should never miss once I finally get to visit Thailand.
With Hin Ta-Hin Yai rocks, I can see the phallic shaped stone, but couldn’t seem to see that one that resembles a female genital. The Patong Beach area might give me a culture shock, I mean pole dancing on the street? That’s crazy! Haha…
Marjorie, what you’re saying! You haven’t been to Thailand yet? OK I am just acting as it’s end of the world. hahaha! No worries, there is always time. Please come down to this beautiful country soon!
That’s a nice, lively place! The temple looks amazing! I consider Buddhism as a really nice religion that focuses on self actualization and spiritual energy. Thus, this temple is a must-visit place in my bucket list.
One of my friends who visited Phuket said that the city’s red light district is not to be missed due to its “interesting” shows. Hahaha!
Hahahhaa, the RLD is kinda overhyped to me. Yes, I love the architecture of the temples though.
We agree that any island sunrise is worth getting up for. We would definitely enjoy the buddhist temple. We really want to go to Thailand some day. The nightlife scene sure seems interesting.
Yes, it’s really cool!
Ever since I read the novel “The Beach” by Alex Garland, I really want to visit Thailand. I live in Poland, so I have very far but I believe that one day I will be able to see this beautiful country.
Nothing is too far in this world in today’s date. I would be more than happy to welcome you in our beautiful island country of Thailand.
Thailand is such a vibrant place. Koh Samui beaches are so picturesque. But I must say that Patong beach was too adventurous for me. But it’s worth experiencing atleast once.
Totally agree!
Oh I’m very curious about Phuket Thailand’s nightlife. As you’ve mentioned, at night there comes the life and having these things already in my mind and reading your posts and seeing your photos make me curious even more. I haven’t been to Koh Samui tho I have traveled around Thailand and lived in Bangkok for 5 months. Maybe next time, I’ll come and visit!
Yes, surely Cathy.
Haha, I fascinated by the fact that there is an area called Seduction Complex 🙂 I do hear Thailand has some of the best nightlife though! Have you planned to participate in the Full Moon Party?
Oh yes, I have been there. Feel free to look in at the blog on that.
I was just talking to a friend of mine last night about her trip to Thailand. Your 9 day itinerary was great. If I ever make it to Thailand I’d love to visit the Big Buddha Temple and the “genitally” shaped Hin Ta-Hin Yai Rocks (hahaha!) I don’t have much interest for bars and discos, but I’ll have to say Phuket seems to have indeed a very rich nightlife.
Phuket has a great nightlife indeed.
Is it weird that I just added seeing a mummified monk to my bucket list?? I’m not one for nightlife at all but I would definitely visit Koh Samui just to see Wat Khunaram. I just love slightly strange attractions like that.
No, it’s not weird. It is a must-see indeed.
First of all, I had no idea there was a Thai congee. Always thought it belonged to the Chinese. It would be wonderful to taste a Thai version too. There is definitely a lot to see and do in Koh Samui. I am big lover of temples, so there is plenty for me to do. And my kid loves the beaches. Maybe we can plan the perfect laid back family vacation here.
So many Thai food are actually derived from Chinese culture.
Thailand is definitely happening for me next year so I’m gathering as much information and taking note of as many recommendations as possible! This post and your itinerary is soooo useful, it highlights so many of the elements that make these cites so alive with culture and color. Thank you so much for sharing and for including cost details which really help with budgeting 🙂
I am glad that you found it useful.
I just came back from Bangkok and it was amazing! On my next trip to Thailand, I woild like to explore islands like Koh Samui and stay for a week 🙂 I think it would be great, and I’ll use your guide.
Sure, Blair.
Reading all your Thailand itineraries have seriously made me wish that I’d spent more time in Thailand! My friend and I only got about 2 nights in Phuket so we missed out on lots. Defs didn’t know about the Hin Ta-Hin Yai rocks hahaa. Interesting experience I bet!
Hin Ta-Hin Yai are in Samui.