Koh Samui, Surat Thani

Tours

Full-Day Island Tour: Temples, Waterfalls & Elephants

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Temple Etiquette in Thailand

When visiting temples in Thailand, it's important to show respect:

• Cover your shoulders and knees, both men and women.

• Remove your shoes before entering temple buildings.

• Women should never touch monks, hand items directly to them, or sit beside them.

• Speak quietly and avoid pointing your feet at statues or altars.

• Photography is often allowed but check for signs first.

• Be aware that some temples request donations to be placed in envelopes, as monks may avoid direct handling of money.

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We booked a full-day private island tour via GetYourGuide, attracted by a varied itinerary that promised cultural landmarks, scenic views, and wildlife encounters. While the route delivered plenty of memorable moments, the experience was occasionally let down by communication gaps. Our guide spoke only limited English, which made it difficult to fully grasp the stories behind each site. Even so, the tour provided a fascinating window into Koh Samui’s layered identity, part spiritual sanctuary, part tropical circus.

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Wat Bo Putaram (วัดบ่อผุดาราม)

Our first stop was Wat Bo Putaram, an active local temple that felt more lived-in than postcard-perfect. Children’s fairground rides sat quietly beneath the gaze of a towering Buddha statue perched on a boat-shaped platform. Leftover decorations from a recent festival lingered in the breeze. It was a surreal, slightly haunting space, still and silent, yet infused with traces of celebration. Without a clear explanation, the symbolism remained elusive, but the atmosphere was memorable.

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Wat Plai Laem (วัดปลายแหลม)

Next came Wat Plai Laem, a sprawling lakeside complex alive with shimmering gold statues, ornate bridges, and peaceful koi ponds. The towering figure of Guanyin, the many-armed Chinese goddess of mercy, stood resplendent above the water, joined by the jovial Laughing Buddha nearby. The highlight, however, was a quiet moment of blessing from a monk. We knelt as he sprinkled water over us and tied sacred string around our wrists, a gesture that felt both intimate and profound.

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Lad Ko Viewpoint

Lad Ko Viewpoint offered a sharp contrast: less spiritual serenity, more plumbing emergency. A burst water main sent jets of water onto nearby electrical cables, casting an accidental drama over an otherwise underwhelming vista. Not the island’s finest lookout.

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Hin Ta & Hin Yai (Grandfather & Grandmother Rocks)

These famously suggestive rock formations raised a few smiles. The grandfather rock’s shape was unmistakable. The grandmother… less so. Our guide pointed out, with unsettling nonchalance, where a tourist had recently been swept out to sea. The photo opportunity felt secondary to that piece of information.

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Guan Yu Shrine (ศาลเจ้ากวนอู)

Visually commanding, the Guan Yu Shrine featured a colossal red-bronze statue of the revered Chinese general, set against a peaceful courtyard. Guan Yu is worshipped in Chinese-Thai communities as a symbol of loyalty and strength. Unfortunately, with no context offered, we could only admire its scale rather than understand its significance.

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Lunch Stop

Lunch was a pre-set affair at a nondescript hotel restaurant. No menu choice, but the meal was pleasant enough: grilled skewers, stir-fried rice, and a generous portion of chicken. It served its purpose without leaving much impression.

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Wat Khunaram (วัดคุณาราม) – The Mummified Monk

This temple proved to be one of the most moving stops of the day. Housed in a quiet, dignified hall, the preserved body of Luang Pho Daeng, who predicted the date of his death in 1973, sits upright in a glass case, dressed in saffron robes and sunglasses. Despite the initial strangeness, the mood here was calm and reverent. It was a rare chance to witness the depth of Thai Buddhist belief and its approach to life, death, and legacy.

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Na Muang Waterfall

Picturesque from afar, Na Muang Waterfall was less enjoyable up close. A public holiday had drawn large local crowds, making the area noisy and overcrowded. Worse still, nearby elephants were chained and being used for rides. The animals looked visibly distressed, a sobering, upsetting sight that left us shaken.

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Samui Elephant Home

Thankfully, our next stop restored our spirits. Samui Elephant Home wasn’t a place we’d chosen ourselves, it came bundled with the tour, but it turned out to be one of the most meaningful experiences of the trip. Initially concerned by the sight of two elephants in pens, we were reassured by the guide: both animals had been rescued from abusive working conditions and were now in the early stages of recovery, slowly learning to trust humans again. We helped prepare their food, gently hand-fed them, and learned about their stories. The emotional weight of the experience hit hard. We cried. So did our guide. It was authentic, powerful, and unforgettable.

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Wat Khao Chedi (วัดเขาเจดีย์)

Our final stop was Wat Khao Chedi, perched on a hilltop with sweeping views across the island and out towards Koh Madsum. Quiet and breezy, it offered a sense of closure, until a sudden lunge from a stray temple dog left Lauren with torn trousers and a nasty shock. Thankfully, there was no bite, but the incident was a stark reminder that while temple dogs are often calm and cared for, they can be unpredictable. Many are abandoned animals living under the informal protection of monks and locals. Visitors are advised to give them space and avoid making sudden movements or direct eye contact.

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Tour Verdict:

The van was modern and comfortable, with air conditioning and cold drinks provided. The itinerary was comprehensive and varied. But the lack of detailed explanations from our guide meant we often left each site with more questions than answers. Moments of beauty and cultural richness were sometimes undercut by miscommunication or difficult scenes. If booking a similar tour, we highly recommend requesting a fluent English-speaking guide, and skipping any stops that involve captive animals in distress.