Best for
- Families who want calm water and villas
- Remote workers who want a village feel
- Couples who want dining without loud nightlife
Not ideal for
- Budget long-stayers
- People who want surf or big waves
What it is like
A restored fishing village with restaurants, boutique hotels and a weekly walking street. Villas spread up the hills behind. Costs lean higher because of demand from families and holiday renters.
Getting around
A scooter or car is needed. Samui airport is close to Bophut.
Weather
The Gulf islands follow a different pattern: rain can persist into December, so the late-year months are often the wettest.
Immigration office for Bophut and Fisherman's Village
Samui Immigration, Mae Nam
Mae Nam is the next bay west of Bophut. Confirm hours before you go.
Surat Thani Immigration, Samui Branch (Mae Nam): hours and tips
Visa notes for long stays
- Villa owners do not always file TM30. Agree in writing who files it.
- Families on a DTV can bring dependants. See /visa-rules/dtv.
- File at the immigration office for the province where your address is registered, not simply the nearest one.
Banks, hospitals and services nearby
Banks 4
- Bangkok Bank · Chumchon Chaweng Yai Soi 3, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- Thanachart Bank · Bophut - Plai Laem Road, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- Bangkok Bank · Soi Had Chaweng 6, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- Kaisakorn Bank · Thawi Rat Phakdi Road, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
Hospitals 5
- Wattanapat Hospital Samui · เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- Bandon International Hospital · Soi Had Chaweng 6, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- Thai International Hospital · Soi Hat Chaweng 5, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- Chaweng Hospital Co.,Ltd · Bophut - Plai Laem Road, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- Sriphala · Soi Khao Par, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
Language schools 4
- New Thai Language School · Thawi Rat Phakdi Road, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- Koh Samui Language School · Thawi Rat Phakdi Road, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- Learn Thai Language · Soi Khao Par, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- Learn German language school · Soi Khao Par, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
Gyms 2
- GYM - Elite Gym and Fitness · Soi Hat Chaweng 4, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- PEACE GYM&Fitness Center · Moo, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
Supermarkets 15
- 7-Eleven · Thawi Rat Phakdi Road, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- Family Mart · Thawi Rat Phakdi Road, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- Mini Big C · Thawi Rat Phakdi Road, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- 7-eleven · Thawi Rat Phakdi Road, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- 7-Eleven · Mae Nam 5, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- Lotus's · Thawi Rat Phakdi Road, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- Aom · Bophut - Plai Laem Road, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- Family Markt · Thawi Rat Phakdi Road, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
Living in Bophut and Fisherman's Village: questions
Is Bophut good for families?
Many families like its calm water and village feel. You will need a car for school runs.
Which immigration office serves Bophut?
Samui Immigration in Mae Nam, the next bay west. It handles extensions and reports for Samui residents.
Is Fisherman's Village quiet?
It is calm most nights but busy on walking street evenings. Side streets are quieter.
Is Bophut close to Samui airport?
Yes, it is one of the closest residential areas to the airport.
Sources
- KohPlanner: Immigration Office Koh Samui, Mae Nam (secondary)
- Bangkok Immigration FAQ: regional immigration divisions
- Immigration Bureau: notification of residence for foreigners (TM30)
- Thailand.go.th: monsoon winds and the climate of Thailand
- Map data: OpenStreetMap contributors via Nominatim (ODbL 1.0)
Last checked 2026-11-04 · Pending expert review. Immigration offices move: confirm before you travel.