Ban Thai
Pad kra pao is the dish people keep coming back for here, and they do come back, often on consecutive days of the same holiday. The kitchen is run by a Thai family in Bo Put, a short way inland off Laan Tong Road, and the cooking is the kind you'd get in someone's home rather than something tuned for foreign palates. Reviewers rate the soups too, and the Tom Yum and Panang both get named, though one diner wished the Panang came with more sauce. Mango sticky rice has a habit of turning up unordered.
Don't arrive expecting anything polished. It's a plain, no-frills room with a family running it, and that's the whole point: you're paying a fraction of what the beachfront places two streets away charge for food that is, by most accounts, better. If you want tablecloths and a sea view, this isn't your place. If you want someone's grandmother cooking for you, it very much is.
Taste more of Koh Samui
Street-food tours, market visits, and Thai cooking classes near Ban Thai — a guided way to eat like a local.
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Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Ban Thai, round out your day in Koh Samui with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
This is a hidden gem. Followed what people on Google were saying and it didn’t disappoint. Not on the beach front but you pay the price for the beach front! This is located slightly in land but it’s so worth it. Locally run and such reasonable food!! We ordered pork Pad Kra Pao and Pad Thai and the were both amazing. We ended up coming back here again and ordered the Panang and Tom Yum soup. Again both such a nice flavour (but I just wish the Panang was in a bowl with way more sauce as it was described as a curry but wasn’t really). What was even better is we were given a free plate of fresh fruit and mango sticky rice! And a little bag of coconut sweet treats to take home. Such caring owners who really take care of their customers :)
Just perfect, food, local atmosphere, prices and attitude. From the moment we came I knew the food will be perfect, it was 20 minutes from our accomodation but it was worth to travel here.. I had a pad krapao beef with fried egg and it was the best one which I ate on whole island🙈 this is not just some spot for tourists, this you can compare to much more expensive restaurants if you dont mind that it’s not looks luxury and it’s not a fancy place…
No-frills, home-style cooking with delicious food. Along with excellent meals, you’ll be served with a smile by a truly hospitable host. The restaurant is a bit off the main track, so make note that it opens at 9am and closes at 9pm. Don’t go expecting a 5-star place — it’s a humble, family-run Thai restaurant, and that’s exactly what makes it special.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 1,672 reviews on Google.
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Ban Thai: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ban Thai worth visiting?
Ban Thai holds a 4.9★ rating from 1,672 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated restaurants & food in Koh Samui.
What are the opening hours of Ban Thai?
Ban Thai is typically open 09:00-21:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
How expensive is Ban Thai?
Ban Thai is budget-friendly (฿) relative to other restaurants & food in Koh Samui.
When is the best time to visit Ban Thai?
The best months to visit Koh Samui are January – August, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in July – August & December — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: October – December (Gulf Coast monsoon).
Where is Ban Thai located?
Ban Thai is at H25H+977 เกาะสมุย, ถนนลานทอง, Tambon Bo Put, Amphoe Ko Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84320, Thailand, in Koh Samui. Getting around Koh Samui: Songthaews (fixed routes around the ring road); Motorbike or scooter rental.
Location Info
H25H+977 เกาะสมุย, ถนนลานทอง, Tambon Bo Put, Amphoe Ko Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84320, Thailand+66 97 003 7867Visitor Information
Best time to visit
January – August
Avoid: October – December (Gulf Coast monsoon)
Rainy season
October – December
Avg. temperature
24°C – 32°C(75°F – 90°F)
Crowds
Peak: July – August & December
Getting there
Koh Samui Airport (USM) has direct flights from Bangkok and regional hubs (Bangkok Airways monopoly). The ferry from Surat Thani takes ~1.5 hrs and it's cheaper.
Getting around
- •Songthaews (fixed routes around the ring road)
- •Motorbike or scooter rental
- •Taxis (metered or negotiate upfront)
- •Grab available in main areas
Where to stay near Ban Thai
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Tips for Visiting Restaurants & Food
Learn the Spice Scale
Say 'mai pet' for no spice, 'pet nit noi' for a little spice, or 'pet mak' if you want it Thai-hot. Most cooks will default to a toned-down version for foreigners unless you specify otherwise.
Follow the Crowds
The busiest street stalls are almost always the best — high turnover means fresh ingredients and a recipe that locals vouch for. An empty restaurant at dinner time is a red flag.
Ice Is Safe
Factory-made tube or cylinder ice (used in virtually all restaurants and stalls) is made from purified water and is safe to consume. You don't need to skip the iced Thai tea.
Nearby Places
Salt & Oak
Seafood-focused restaurant in Bo Put serving fresh catch cooked to order, open daily from 1 PM.
Samui Street Eats @Fisherman Village
Casual street food spot in Fisherman's Village serving mango sticky rice, Pad Thai, and more from noon daily.
Patuy Thaifood
Casual family-run Thai eatery in Bo Put serving authentic local dishes daily from 10am until midnight.
Malee Kitchen Fishermans
A well-regarded seafood restaurant in Bo Phut, Koh Samui, open daily from noon to 10 PM.
Similar Restaurants & Food Across Thailand
Kodtalay The Riverfront Seafood Buffet
Open-air seafood buffet on the Chao Phraya from 599 baht, and the river seats are worth asking for.
Central Pattaya
A big air-conditioned mall on Beach Road where the food court does the heavy lifting.
The Village Farm To Café
Looks like nothing from the highway, then opens up into green fields, high ceilings and properly fresh food.
Kodtalay Seafood Buffet Sukhumvit
Live river prawns from the tank, grilled at your table, and no clock ticking on how long you stay.
Where to stay near Ban Thai
Find hotels in Koh Samui on the booking sites travellers trust most.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Location Info
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
January – August
Avoid: October – December (Gulf Coast monsoon)
Rainy season
October – December
Avg. temperature
24°C – 32°C(75°F – 90°F)
Crowds
Peak: July – August & December
Getting there
Koh Samui Airport (USM) has direct flights from Bangkok and regional hubs (Bangkok Airways monopoly). The ferry from Surat Thani takes ~1.5 hrs and it's cheaper.
Getting around
- •Songthaews (fixed routes around the ring road)
- •Motorbike or scooter rental
- •Taxis (metered or negotiate upfront)
- •Grab available in main areas