Ark Bar Beach Resort is an institution in Samui. Located in central Chaweng, this beachside resort, restaurant, bar and nightclub is one-stop party destination. With two beachfront restaurants, and three swimming pools with two swim-up bars, the place has been designed for party animals. DJs, live music, fire shows, and pool parties are part of the daily program. Another resort that welcomes day and night visitors is Beach Republic in Lamai, with a resident DJ, pool and wonderful albeit expensive restaurant. Along the beach in Lamai centred around Bikini Bar and Swing Bar you will find a nightly fireshow on the beach from 7pm. Not as lively as Chaweng but closer to the house.

Muay Thai is one of the oldest martial arts around and is steeped in tradition. Known as the Art of Eight Limbs, Muay Thai combines the use of the gloved fist, elbows, knees, shins and feet during combat. This ensures full body contact and a very energetic fight. There are twice weekly Muay Thai boxing nights on Tuesdays and Fridays in the Chaweng Boxing Stadium. The Wai Khru Ram Muay, a warm up dance performed by Muay Thai fighters is to show respect to others by putting the hands together like in prayer. The headline bout is preceded by several smaller ‘warm up’ fights to get the crowd going. The stadium has a great atmosphere, something that the excitable locals contribute to no end. There is also Saturday night outdoor boxing in Lamai in the bar area around McDonalds. These bars are lively expat places with dancing girls but still remain family fun.

The night clubs are concentrated in an Area of Chaweng called Soi Green Mango. It is the beating heart of the island’s nightlife, home to cheap drinks, loud music and good times. The highlight of the street is the namesake establishment at the very end of the road – The Green Mango Club, which has been an institution of Chaweng’s nightlife for decades. There are a good few other beer bars, pool bars and nightclubs along the same street which really comes to life late at night.