Koh Samui: the vibe
Videos from people who went, played right here, with what viewers said underneath. Not part of the score.
The verdict
Liked · 72Commenters who know Koh Samui mostly praise its convenience, beaches, and calm for longer stays, though they note rising prices, expat-heavy feel, and a more built-up island than before.
- beaches and scenery
- convenience for long stays
- vegan food options
- calm, quieter atmosphere
- good value versus the west
- more relaxed than Phuket
- rising accommodation prices
- expat-heavy, less authentic feel
- taxis expensive without a scooter
- island more built up
- limited coworking and events lately
- Samui suits longer stays better than Phuket for many people.
- Prices are climbing, but still cheap compared with Western countries.
- Feels more developed and crowded than it was years ago.
- Quieter areas like Lamai suit slower-paced visitors well.
- Some find it too expat-heavy to feel like real local life.
Read from 8 videos, 40 comments and 0 posts on 2026-11-07; the summary is written by a language model and can misread sarcasm.
The Complete Koh Samui Guide 2026: Why I Might Never Leave!
The Country Collectors · 245K views · 2026
What viewers said
“I have lived on Koh Samui for 15 years and this is one of the best breakdowns of the island I have seen in a while. You nailed it with the Phuket comparison. Most people default to Phuket because it has more name recognition, but Samui has ”
♥ 36 likes
“Im going here for a solo trip for my birthday in August! Ive just decided.”
♥ 32 likes
“One of the few YouTube videos with real information. Thanks.”
♥ 17 likes
“Never saw a better travel vlog than this. Explained everything with such tranquility. Kudos!”
♥ 3 likes
“Had the time of our lives in Chaweng many years ago, Ark bar was crazy!”
♥ 1 likes
“I’ve been to Thailand 4 times, April will be 5 and I still haven’t been to Koh Samui but this video is selling it to me”
♥ 6 likes
“As a vegan I whole heartedly recommend lamai (I’m going back in July next year) you have Annie’s and also a place called pure vegan heaven which both serve food that I have been dreaming from ever since, also the night market in lamai has a”
♥ 3 likes
“I haven’t been back to Koh Samui since 2001, and I have been many times before. It has changed so much and looks so more built up and modern. Thanks for vlog, it brought back many memories and I hope to return soon. 👍🇦🇺”
♥ 3 likes
“My wife and I absolutely love Koh Samui, July 2025 was our 5th trip...we haven't been anywhere else in Thailand, keep meaning too but keep going to KS. we're in our 50's so we prefer the quieter side of things, but yes KS has something for ”
♥ 4 likes
“Among all the videos I watched about travel, places to go and stay, yours was the most informative. From price range to types of entertainment and sight seeing, I find your description captures what one can expect. I love your videos becaus”
♥ 3 likes
Found with a YouTube search for the city and “digital nomad”, fetched 2026-11-07; titles, descriptions and comments belong to their authors and link to the originals.