Panorama of the Week: Our Beach House on Stilts – Koh Samui, Thailand
Filed Under: Sometimes it’s not exactly clear to our readers where we are. We’re writing about Argentina one day, posting photos from Nepal the next, and updating our Facebook fan page with observations from Thailand all the while.
For this week’s panorama we share exactly where we are right now: a little house on stilts on a beach between Nathon and Bang Po on Koh Samui island in the Gulf of Thailand. If you open the panorama and look closely, you’ll notice we’ve settled in already – laundry and towels hang on the balcony.
This is where we’ll be for the next three weeks. But rest assured, we’ll continue to confuse you by posting articles and photos from our travels around the world.
Panorama: Our House on Koh Samui Island in Thailand
For best panorama viewing results, press fullscreen (four arrows) and navigate around with your mouse.
Special thanks goes to our friend, Tony Pappa, for his help in finding this place.
Articles About Thailand
More Photos from Thailand
January 17th, 2011 at 2:38 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Colin Wright. Colin Wright said: Reading: Panorama of the Week: Our Beach House on Stilts – Koh Samui, Thailand http://bit.ly/eCGafR [...]
January 17th, 2011 at 3:15 am
Lovely spot. Care to share the multi-week price you negotiated it to?
January 17th, 2011 at 4:45 am
Looks like a good place to put your feet up for three weeks. First day back at work for me. I’m jealous.
January 17th, 2011 at 5:30 am
Looks divine! What’s the name of the place you’re staying at?
January 17th, 2011 at 6:34 am
@Craig: It is hard to beat the view. Given your experience in Thailand, I’d be curious to hear your thoughts on how much you think the monthly rate would be at this place.
@Jason: Although this place does have a great view, we’re actually here to do work. It confuses the staff that we spend so much time on our laptops on the front porch
@Rebecca: It’s not a resort or hotel, but instead a small housing area in Laem Yai near Bai Fern Resorts. Our friend who lives in Koh Samui knew about it; otherwise it’s unlikely we would have ever found it as it’s not really marked.
January 17th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
I love Ko Samui! This reminds me of a place we stayed at several years ago. I believe it was on the northeast side of the island near a Wat. Beautiful little bungalows right on the beach. Long-boats hoisted upon the sand. As lovely as the spot you’re showing here. Enjoy. I know you are. Cheers!
January 17th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
Wow, that looks like a beautiful place to have an office!
I would also be interested to hear the negotiated price (though totally understand if you don’t want to share). It looks like a gem!
January 17th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
What a find! I’m not sure how much work I’d be able to get done though. The surroundings are too enticing.
January 17th, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Wow! Gorgeous!……currently sitting in Scandinavian icy cold darkness!
January 17th, 2011 at 9:14 pm
WOW, now that’s THE life!!!!!!!!!! Enjoy!
January 18th, 2011 at 3:49 am
Diane and I are looking for a place like this to do a 2-3 week stay. Bali is on #1 for Diane, but we keep hearing that Thailand offers similar experience with a much less price tag.
January 18th, 2011 at 5:21 am
@Mark: We’re in the northwestern part of the island right now, but I imagine this scene and view can be found in many spots around the island. Although Koh Samui gets a bad reputation for all of the resorts and development, there still are quiet little places like this – and the one you were at – to be found.
@Christy: No problem in sharing the price. The monthly fee is $500/month plus electricity (we’re told around $20-$30). If you stay longer, the price goes down. If you stay shorter, it’s around $30-$35/day. We found places that were cheaper, but they either didn’t have internet or were small and dark and without a view. Long-term expats living here claimed there are places for $200-$300 by the water and with internet, but none of them could actually give us details as to where these places were so we made do with the best we (plus Tony) found in a couple days of searching.
We decided we preferred to spend a bit more on accommodation and reduce our spending elsewhere (i.e., eat at the night market, simple restaurants or home). For us, it’s about quality of life for the money
@Theresa: Always a danger – being too distracted to get work done. I’ve found that looking out over the water to be quite relaxing and a great environment to write and work.
@Lola: I know the darkness you’re talking about from my Estonia days! But just think, in a few months you’ll have almost endless sunshine and light!
@Andi: Things could definitely be much worse
@Steven: I haven’t been to Bali yet, but have heard really wonderful things about it from other travelers – pace, relaxation, nature, etc. Thailand offers endless options for beautiful beaches and activities like yoga retreats and such. But, knowing Diane, I could see how the batiks and design work from Bali might be a great pull. Let me know closer to the date that you’re looking to go and I’ll see what I can find from other people about great places to stay in both places that are reasonable.
January 18th, 2011 at 11:18 am
This place looks fantastic. If I wanted to rent it sometime in the future, how would I go about that?
January 18th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Oh how I love that panoramic shot! Glad you are having a great time in Koh Samui as it has been.. lets see… 23 years since I last step foot there. Can you imagine how the island was back then? It was pure paradise when I was there. Looks like I should make a re-visit soon.
David
January 18th, 2011 at 9:59 pm
Perfect! I am really hoping we’ll find beach huts like this in Central America.Not sure the beaches will live up to Asia’s though.
January 18th, 2011 at 11:36 pm
@Mark: We showed up at the house and asked around for contact information of the owner. Eventually, we found the management company that rents it out for the owner. It’s called CPC Properties and is located on the main road just around the corner. The woman we worked with is Fon.
@David: Wow, 23 years ago. Was the island’s economy still based on coconuts back then? I can only imagine what a paradise it must have been. There are still parts of it that are like that, but eastern side of the island (Chaweng and Lamai) would probably shock you now with the development. Let us know when you return and we can try to help you find these spots again.
@Erin: It is hard to beat Thailand for beaches and inexpensive bungalows. We didn’t spend much time at the beaches at all in Nicaragua and El Salvador, but I’ve heard there are some really relaxed places along those coasts. We rented an apartment on Utila Island (Honduras) for a couple of weeks for $25/day. It wasn’t right on the water, but there was a small beach down the street that was nice for swimming (and we managed to finish a website design project at the same time). Good luck!
January 19th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
Absolutely gorgeous! Perfect spot to relax!
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:33 am
Wow, another amazing panorama photo! I’m a huge fan of this feature, thanks!
January 25th, 2011 at 1:20 am
What a stunning location! And if one has to do some work, this the place
January 26th, 2011 at 12:25 am
@Gemma, @Corinne: A perfect spot to relax…and work, too.
@Sonya: Glad you like them. Fun to shoot, but tricky. And sometimes (as in this case apparently), the ideal way to communicate some of what we are experiencing.
June 6th, 2011 at 6:24 am
[...] made a note when Uncornered Market mentioned this little hidden resort in Koh Samui, Thailand. Now that Michael from the Art of Backpacking has raved about it as well… it has been added [...]
September 21st, 2011 at 1:55 pm
[...] Thai beach bungalow on Koh Samui for $500/month 2) Travelers as Citizen Diplomats 3) Curiosity begins at home 4) Living [...]
June 3rd, 2012 at 7:36 pm
Lovely photo,looks like a great spot. I’m off to Chiang Mai soon to stay with a friend who retired there. Six months of relaxation will do the trick, and then back to my permanent holiday home in The Whitsundays.
June 10th, 2012 at 12:29 am
@Alf: Yes, this was a lovely spot on Koh Samui to spend some time. Although I haven’t been to The Whitsundays, we’ve heard they are pretty darn beautiful as well. Safe travels and enjoy Chiang Mai!
July 2nd, 2012 at 1:25 am
That looks like a gorgeous place to stay! We’re currently on Koh Samui, staying in a more local spot in between Bo Phut and Bangrak. So much good food here on Koh Samui!
July 3rd, 2012 at 2:40 pm
@Laura: This was a rather nice little beach house to stay in for a while
Sounds like you’ve got a good spot – Bo Phut & Bangrak are fun. And yes, there is some excellent food on Koh Samui!