26 March 2014

Koh Samui – Bophut Beach & the Fisherman Village by Alexander Andries

Bophut beach is part of the charming old Bophut village on Koh Samui and the perfect location for couples and families looking for rest and holiday charm. Bophut has expanded in recent years to embrace international and trendy innovations, while retaining the historic spirit of the village: very Koh Samui and very unique.

The inhabitants are a mixture of Thai and Chinese families and a few expats. The Chinese families are originally from Hainan Island in China but have been living for most of their lives on Koh Samui. Many of these older people have lived solely in the village and have rarely been to Chaweng, Nathon or the other beaches around the island.

These early inhabitants were fisherman families. Men would to go out to sea while the women stayed in the village to educate the children and to take care of the household. Many of the restaurants, bars and shops are now run and owned by the children of these families. Being of different generation, these children contribute to the changes in style and architecture of the village.

While many houses in the village kept their original architecture, these were joined by an influx of French style buildings, cafes and bistros you’d normally expect to find in the south of France, and more recently British style traditional pubs, all reflecting the changing population of the area.

The village has a beautiful local morning market with numerous restaurants, street vendors, pubs and cafes. Fisherman’s Village is the centre-piece of the area: Koh Samui’s only walking street and a perfect place for an evening stroll.

The beach has changed in the last couple of years. The first resorts were mostly guest houses and were built 25 to 30 years ago. These guest houses welcomed backpackers for many years but had to adjust to the new clientele of Koh Samui who were searching for more luxury and facilities in the resorts. In the past three years, a couple of 4 and 5 star resorts have appeared offering more to their guests, and the village, than the previous backpacker accommodation.

Hotels on Bophut beach attract many honeymooners who are looking for the perfect cozy resort in which to spend their holiday, as well as families trying to escape from the crowds of Chaweng. A few resorts offer water sport activities to their guests such as windsurfing, kayaking, water-skiing and scuba diving. There are also a few jet skis on the beach but the hoteliers and locals try to restrict their number as we are all trying to keep Bophut beach nice and calm.

So Bophut is an amazing place to spend a holiday, far from the crowd and featuring a lovely village with restaurants and pubs. Honeymooners will discover small Samui boutique resorts and will be able to walk along the sands to discover the village in the evenings, enjoying the romantic sunset along the way. Families will feel secure having their children play on a safe beach without strong waves and having plenty of activities and water sports for the grown-ups.

Bophut beach has something for everyone.