Tourists on Samui see beaches and restaurants. Residents see early-morning markets at five o'clock, October's evening downpours, and the fact that a decent coffee shop is a 20-minute drive away. This guide is for those who will be staying longer than two weeks.

Where to Buy Groceries

Samui has several retail formats, and each has its place in the long-term resident's routine:

  • Morning markets: open from 5:30–6:00, closed by 9:00–10:00. Fresh vegetables, fruit, meat and seafood at near-wholesale prices. The best-known: Lamai market, Maenam market, Nathon market. Prices here are roughly half of a supermarket.
  • Lotus's: the large supermarket in Chaweng — full range including European goods, dairy, deli items, tea. Standard Thai prices plus a small mark-up.
  • Big C: the Lotus's equivalent; good meat and fish sections.
  • Tops Supermarket: closer to the premium end, wide imported selection, organic produce, European cheeses.
  • 7-Eleven and Family Mart: at every intersection. For everyday essentials — water, tea, snacks, cash from the ATM.

Restaurants and Takeaway

Food is one of Samui's strengths. Over 30 days, you could eat somewhere different every day without repeating. A few formats:

  • Street food: noodles, pad thai, fried rice — 50–100 THB per dish. Evening street markets in every district — Lamai, Maenam, Bophut — offer the cheapest and, frankly, some of the best food.
  • Local Thai restaurants: sit-down places with menus in Thai and sometimes English; 100–200 THB per dish.
  • International cuisine: Italian, French, Israeli and other restaurants in Chaweng and Bophut; 300–800 THB per dish.
  • Fisherman's Village Friday market (Bophut): one of the best street markets in Thailand. South-East Asian street food from across the region, live music, tourists and locals.

What a Typical Island Day Looks Like

Life on Samui adjusts to the tropical climate: early rising (5–7 am) is the most productive and coolest time. Market run and breakfast. Work or study until noon. A quiet hour after lunch — not laziness, but a necessity. In the evenings: walks, dinner, a market visit or a trip to the sea.

The afternoon siesta is a reality. Restaurants are often closed from 14:00 to 17:00. Couriers and maintenance workers are unavailable in those hours too. This needs to be accepted as a given.

Utilities and Day-to-Day Villa Life

When renting a villa long-term, several things need to be arranged upfront:

  • Water: tap water is not for drinking — only for washing up and showering. Large bottles of drinking water (19 litres, 35–40 THB) are delivered to the door.
  • Rubbish collection: usually included in the rental or charged separately (300–500 THB/month). Confirm with the landlord.
  • Internet: wired fibre is available in most modern villas (50–200 Mbps). Older villas may have only a 4G router — worth checking in advance.
  • Cleaning: most villas include daily or three-times-a-week cleaning. Clarify the schedule on arrival.

Activities and Recreation Beyond the Beach

The beach is not the only option. The island has: yoga studios, Muay Thai, diving and snorkelling in the National Marine Park, day trips to Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, zorbing and zip-lining in the hills, fishing, Thai cookery courses, and massage (350–500 THB per hour at a good place). Spending several months on Samui in boredom is practically impossible.

SamuiDays helps you find accommodation in the right part of the island — factoring in proximity to markets, restaurants and the activities that matter to you.