Shattering the calm of a warm afternoon in the Samui township of Lamai, two vans prowl the streets with loudpeakers espousing the delights of two beach parties organised by the rival Ark and Reggae clubs, promising music and fun lasting until 2am.

It’s a reminder that while Koh Samui in recent years has climbed to the top end of Thailand’s tourism market juts like Phuket , it still caters to the backpackers and budget travellers who in the 1970s first “discovered” the then-undeveloped island, on the Gulf of Thailand 700km south of Bangkok.

Non-fancy accommodation is still available around Samui from around 400 baht ($A14) a night, but on and around the cliffs overlooking the sea is now a growing warren of resorts with matchless views, five-star furnishings, exquisite cuisines and infinity swimming pools – at umpteen times the cost.

And these deluxe havens of privacy are attracting more and more attention from the ranks of the rich and famous.

American singer Britney Spears was reported staying at one of the newer resorts during our recent visit, and we were told that British soccer star David Beckham has invested in a million-dollar villa here. Continue reading →

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