Attractions — Surat Thani

The island is very small. There’s a bar and one restaurant that stays open until 22:00. Monkeys live on the island, and there’s the Lotus Cave with stalagmites and stalactites plus a fairly high viewpoint (500 meters above sea level). Some tours include an overnight stay on Ko Wua Ta Lap: a tent costs 200 baht, a house for eight — 1400 baht. There’s almost no lighting on the island, so at night you can enjoy a sky full of stars. Tours average around 1800 baht. To save money you can check the piers on Samui and arrange directly with boatmen — then you can stay on Ko Wua Ta Lap for as many days as you like.

Wat Plai Laem is located close to the Big Buddha and can be reached on foot. It’s one of the island’s most beautiful and large complexes, blending Thai, Chinese and Japanese influences. The main structures sit in an artificial pond, giving the impression that statues and temples float on large rafts. The lake is home to many large catfish and turtles. On the first islet visitors are greeted by a 12-meter statue of the goddess Guanyin with eighteen arms — two of them hold a Buddha above her head. A miniature version of the statue stands at its base. Locals believe that tying a string to Guanyin’s hand and making a wish without touching her will make it come true. On another islet stands a large statue of the smiling Buddha or monk Hotei, said to bring luck in money matters. Nearby are small statues of Vishnu, Shiva and Ganesha. Between the two large statues, on a lotus-like platform in the center of the lake, is the main temple building for joint prayers and meditation. Inside, large paintings depict the life and stages of the Buddha. In the walls around the building there are niches holding monks’ ashes — both Thai and foreign names can be seen. In the evenings monks sometimes sing within the complex.

A semi‑abandoned spot almost nobody knows about, so it’s practically empty. It’s a small area dotted with sculptures and featuring a house in Thai‑Chinese style. Sometimes there’s a person who charges around 120–150 бат for entry; if no one’s there you can drop the payment into a box.

A 12-meter statue situated on a hill reached by a 60-step staircase. From the platform where the Buddha sits there’s a lovely view. Near the stairs you can ask a monk to tie a sai sin — a sacred thread — around your wrist for protection. The site is very popular with tourists; souvenir shops surround the complex, so the Buddhist atmosphere is less pronounced. Not far from the statue, several sculptures stand in the water depicting an episode from Sunthorn Phu’s epic poem 'Phra Aphai Mani.'