Choeng Mon is on the north coast of Ko Samui, between Chaweng and Bang Rak (Big Buddha).
Understand
East of the airport turn-off is Choeng Mon. Choeng Mon is made up of a series of bays featuring white sandy beaches. Although only about 15 minutes north of Chaweng and 5 minutes from Big Buddha, the intervening coastline has kept the beaches quiet and the waters clean.
Choeng Mon Beach is on a small but magnificent bay of the same name. It features wide sandy beaches with a rock formation on one side and a small island you can paddle out to on the other.
It's is very family-friendly area, and being dominated by a handful of upscale resorts, relatively pricey. Inexpensive accommodation is virtually non-existent.
Get around
Despite its proximity to the other beaches, Choeng Mon is not very accessible as it is relatively ignored by songthaews. If you don't want to spend a lot on cab fare, it is advisable that you hire a car or motorbike for the duration of your stay.
See
Do
Cheong Mon is known for its water sports. If you want to try a kayak, you can paddle all the way to the islet of Ko Fan Noi which sits offshore. During low tide, you can walk to Ko Fan Noi since it's close to the beach. But if you feel like doing nothing, beaches at Cheong Mon are perfect for lazing the afternoons away since there is not a lot going on outside the resorts. It is preferred by tourists who want to avoid the hubbub of most beaches on Ko Samui.
- Searobin Dive Center, 24/3 Moo 5 (Choeng Mon Beach between Sala Samui and Imperial Boat House), ☏ 66 15 357768. Full range of PADI training courses with personal attention. Dive in small groups on a good selection of boats.
- 1 [dead link]Samui Fight Club, 1 Bontji Moo 4, Bo Put, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani, 84320, Thailand, ☏ 66 87 274 6920, ✉[email protected]. 8.30AM-6PM. WingTsun, Kung Fu and MMA training camp with pads, sandbags, wooden dummys, long poles and knifes are available.
Buy
Eat
Food is not hard to come by in Cheong Mon as there are a number of restaurants off the beaches, although the restaurants offer food and entertainment tailored to Western tastes. There are many Thai restaurants as well along the main village strip.
Resorts attract a foreign clientèle, a fact which is reflected in the food and entertainment offered in the resort's restaurants. Thus the Thai cuisine served won't be too spicy. However, do expect traditional Thai dancing and numerous Filipino bands expertly playing covers of Western pop standards.
- 1 Garland Samui Restaurant, 24/201 Moo 5 (Opposite First Pharmacy), ☏ 66 84 7454416, ✉[email protected]. Very good and inexpensive Thai food. They have international meals also. All food can be made for take away.
Drink
The nightlife is relaxed, best bet is to have a drink in the beach-based restaurants.
Sleep
The budget end starts at about 700 baht for a small fan beach bungalow, about 30 metres from the beach. Accommodations are very spacious and most hotels provide private pools for those who prefer to swim in a pool instead.
- Thongsai Bay, ☏ 66 23 818774. Beach front suites, cottages, and villas. The resort is on a quiet beach, so you'll have the bay to yourself, and offers a variety of activities, a spa, and plenty of different restaurants to choose from. 8,800-32,956 baht.