Major city · Thailand
Bophutบ่อผุด
Base here 3 nights if you want a walkable beach village with restaurants and no nightlife strip; the water is murky, so treat it as a dining and sunset base, not a swimming beach.
Bophut is a beach village on the northeast shore of Ko Samui, about 15 minutes from the airport. Its core, Fisherman's Village, is a short street of old Chinese shophouses turned into restaurants, cafés and small shops, with a 2 km beach and a small pier where ferries from Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao dock. It suits couples and families who want to eat well and walk everywhere; the bay water is often murky, so swimmers usually head elsewhere.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- THB
- Best months
- Jan–Mar, Jul–Aug
- avoid Nov–Dec (northeast monsoon, murkiest water)
- Airport
- USM
- Nights
- 3
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Thailand ↗Check entry rules and any arrival card on the official Thai government sites for your passport; visa-exempt stays and pre-arrival forms change.
- Thailand ↗Do not criticise or mock the monarchy: insulting the royal family is a criminal offence.
- Thailand ↗Temples and palaces: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off before entering halls.
- Thailand ↗E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal to import or use; do not pack them.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Bophut191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Bophut, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Thai baht (THB, ฿).Thailand-wide
- SIM or eSIMAIS and TrueMove H sell tourist SIMs at airport arrivals; passport registration is required.Thailand-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Thailand-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: Leave ฿20–100 (≈ US$1–4) or the coins; skip it if a 10% service charge is on the bill.Thailand-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/O. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Thailand-wide
- SafetyBophut is a low-risk, family-oriented village with no girly bars; the real issues are scooter accidents, murky water…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in malls and hotels; squat toilets with a water bucket in rural stops.Thailand-wide
- Emergency numbers191 police · 1669 ambulance and rescue · 1155 tourist police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany Bangkok street-food vendors stay off the main roads on Mondays (street-cleaning day in several districts)…Thailand-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportUSM Samui International Airport (About 15 min by taxi or songthaew to Bophut; confirm the fare with the driver before you set off.).
- Getting aroundFisherman's Village is walkable end to end in about 10 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Sit-down mealSeafood dinner, per head฿400–800 (≈ US$13–25)
- Street or quick mealThai noodle or rice dish, village restaurant฿80–180 (≈ US$3–6)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a shop฿90–150 (≈ US$3–5)฿40–60 (≈ US$2)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person฿400 (≈ US$13)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per room฿2,500 (≈ US$80)
- High-end bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per room฿5,000 (≈ US$160)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ฿1,500 (≈ US$50) · Mid ฿3,500 (≈ US$110) · High ฿8,000 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- USM Samui International Airport (About 15 min by taxi or songthaew to Bophut; confirm the fare with the driver before you set off.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Jan–Mar, Jul–Aug. Avoid: Nov–Dec. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C) low), wettest Oct (18 rain days), driest Feb (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Bophut: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
4 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
5 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
7 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Fisherman's Village is walkable end to end in about 10 minutes. For anything further, songthaews run along the main road (about ฿50–100 per hop), taxis and app cars cost more, and scooters are the usual rental option — ride only with a licence and a helmet. Ferries to Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao leave from the small pier in east Bophut.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 20–30 min
Songthaew or taxi along the ring road
The island's main beach and nightlife strip; go for the day, come back for dinner.
Door to door: About 15 min
Taxi or scooter northeast along the coast
Calmer, clearer swimming bay; good half-day.
Mae Nam
goDoor to door: About 15–20 min
Songthaew or scooter west along the ring road
Quiet beach with a Friday walking street; easy evening out.
Nathon
cautionDoor to door: About 40–50 min
Songthaew south along the ring road
Ferry port and market town; only worth it if you are catching a boat.
Bang Rak
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Songthaew or scooter west along the ring road
Village with the island's main ferry pier for Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao.
Laem Yai
cautionDoor to door: About 25–30 min
Scooter or taxi northwest along the coast road
Quiet northwest cape; little there beyond resorts, so go only if you want the drive.
Door to door: About 30–40 min
Songthaew or taxi south along the ring road
Second beach town with a livelier strip and the Hin Ta Hin Yai rocks.
Ko Pha Ngan
overnightDoor to door: About 30–60 min
Ferry from Bophut pier or Bang Rak
Check the current timetable and pier before you plan a return the same day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Fisherman's Village (east end)
Walk to restaurants, bars and the pier; the priciest and busiest part of the beach.
West Bophut
Newer resorts and quieter sand; you need a scooter, songthaew or taxi to reach the village.
Main road inland
Guesthouses and cheaper rooms a few minutes' walk from the beach; more road noise.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ฿1,200–2,200 (≈ US$40–70) excl. bed
- Mid
- ฿2,500–4,500 (≈ US$80–140) excl. bed
- High
- ฿6,000 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, mid-range hotel1 × 3 nights × ฿2,500 | ฿7,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × ฿3,500 | ฿21,000 |
| Airport taxi to Bophut, one way1 × ฿500 | ฿500 |
| Scooter rental, one day2 × ฿250 | ฿500 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ฿350 | ฿700 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ฿3,020 |
| Trip total≈ ฿5,540 per person per day, bed included | ฿33,220≈ US$1,100 |
2026 estimate in baht; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Thai noodle or rice dish, village restaurant | ฿80–180 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Seafood dinner, per head | ฿400–800 (≈ US$13–25) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a shop | ฿90–150 (≈ US$3–5) / ฿40–60 (≈ US$2) |
| Thai massage, one hour | ฿300–500 (≈ US$10–16) |
| Songthaew hop along the main road | ฿50–100 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Scooter rental, one day | ฿200–350 (≈ US$7–11) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The bay water is often murky, especially around December; do not book Bophut for swimming.
- A Bophut postal address can be anywhere in the district, including Chaweng — check the map before booking.
- Scooter rental: wear a helmet, check the brakes, and photograph existing damage.
- Jet-ski and beach-operator disputes over damage claims are a known island issue; agree the price and condition first.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Ambulance and rescue
- 1669
- Tourist police
- 1155
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Bophutบ่อผุด
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ไปที่ที่อยู่นี้ครับ/ค่ะTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Ambulance and rescue1669
- Tourist police1155
Embassy
Most embassies are in Bangkok; several countries keep consulates on Samui — check your own embassy's list before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Samui airport → Bophut, taxi: about ฿400–600 (≈ US$13–19), 15 min
- Songthaew along the main road: ฿50–100 (≈ US$2–4) per hop
- Ferry Bophut pier → Ko Pha Ngan: check the current timetable and fare at the pier
Say or show
- สวัสดี — Hello (sawatdee)
- ขอบคุณ — Thank you (khop khun)
- เท่าไหร่ — How much is it? (tao rai)
- ไม่เผ็ด — Not spicy, please (mai phet)
- ห้องน้ำอยู่ไหน — Where is the toilet? (hong nam yu nai)
- จ่ายบัตรได้ไหม — Can I pay by card? (jai bat dai mai)
Tipping is not required; round up and tip massage staff and guides.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Bophut. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jan–Mar, Jul–Aug · avoid Nov–Dec (northeast monsoon, murkiest water) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 8 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for USM: taxi and songthaew options field-checked, plus a late-arrival fallback.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Fisherman's Village east, the pier, the west beach strip.
- Place pages with verified opening hours and last orders for the village restaurants and bars.
- Ferry fixtures for the Bophut pier so Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao legs can go green.
Sources
- officialTourism Authority of Thailand
- secondaryOpenStreetMap — Bophut
- secondaryWikivoyage: Bophut, revision 5312080 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Bophut
Loading…