Best for
- Long-stayers who want a calmer beach than Chaweng
- Fitness and Muay Thai trainees
- Couples and remote workers
Not ideal for
- People who want big nightlife
- Anyone who needs a short trip to immigration
What it is like
A mix of guesthouses, villas, gyms and local restaurants. It is quieter than Chaweng. Costs sit in the middle for Samui, which as an island is pricier than most mainland towns.
Getting around
A scooter or car is the norm. Songthaews run on the ring road but are irregular.
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 Lamai
Samui Immigration, Mae Nam
The office is reported in Mae Nam since 2016 to 2018. Old guides that say Nathon are out of date. Confirm hours before you go.
Surat Thani Immigration, Samui Branch (Mae Nam): hours and tips
Visa notes for long stays
- Muay Thai DTV routes exist on Samui too. Check gym paperwork with your embassy first. See /visa-rules/dtv.
- Your landlord or hotel must file a TM30 residence notification. Ask for a copy, because offices often want it for 90-day reports and extensions.
- Reports conflict on whether Samui accepts online 90-day reports for every case. Keep the in-person option in mind.
Banks, hospitals and services nearby
Banks 4
- SCB / Siam Commercial Bank · Thawi Rat Phakdi Road, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- Bank of Ayudhya · Thawi Rat Phakdi Road, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- Bangkok Bank · Had Lamai, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- Kasikorn · Thawi Rat Phakdi Road, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
Hospitals 1
- Bandon International Hospital Chaweng · Thawi Rat Phakdi Road, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
Coworking 2
- Be Productive Coworking Space · Hat Lamai 4, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- Amy Village Coworking Space · Thawi Rat Phakdi Road, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
Gyms 2
- Ultra Bodies Gym · Had Lamai, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- Outdoor Gym · Thawi Rat Phakdi Road, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
Supermarkets 8
- Lotus · Thawi Rat Phakdi Road, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- Family Mart · Thawi Rat Phakdi Road, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- Tops · Had Lamai, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- Lamai Plaza · Had Lamai, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- Family Mart · Had Lamai, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- French cheese store · Thawi Rat Phakdi Road, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- FamilyMart · Thawi Rat Phakdi Road, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
- mini C · Thawi Rat Phakdi Road, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
Living in Lamai: questions
Is Lamai a good place to live on Koh Samui?
It suits people who want a calmer beach with gyms and local food. Most residents need a scooter.
Where is the immigration office on Koh Samui?
Samui Immigration is reported in Mae Nam on the north coast. It moved from Nathon years ago.
When is the rainy season on Koh Samui?
Samui follows the Gulf pattern. Rain can persist into December, so late in the year is often wettest.
Is Lamai good for Muay Thai?
Lamai has several gyms. If you want a DTV for training, check the gym's documents with your embassy.
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
- MFA: DTV checklist
- Map data: OpenStreetMap contributors via Nominatim (ODbL 1.0)
Last checked 2026-11-04 · Pending expert review. Immigration offices move: confirm before you travel.