Ban Thai Beach is considered one of the most suitable beaches for moms and babies on Samui. It is located next to Mae Nam Beach, another beach well-known for being family-friendly.
Despite being on the same side of the island and separated only by a small rocky headland, Ban Thai and Mae Nam differ significantly.
Beach Overview
Ban Thai stretches for one kilometer from Bang Po to Mae Nam. From the only road leading to it up to the colorful houses of the coastal resort at the end of this road, it is covered in wonderfully fine white sand with shells.
The beach is kept clean in front of residential complexes and the Mimosa restaurant, which has given this part of the beach its name. However, there are some vacant lots with ongoing construction, leaving the beach in front of these areas untouched.
The sea usually has very little debris compared to the human litter left after picnics and outings. During the high season, Ban Thai’s reputation as a children’s beach attracts many families, and the colorful houses and bungalows of the neighboring resort are always bustling with moms and kids.
Ban Thai Beach itself is divided into two distinct halves. Looking out to sea from where the boat channel is dug, the right side is covered in rocks and boulders, making it a beach for strolling rather than swimming.
The left side, running along the Thai café, resort, and Mimosa restaurant, is sandy and crowded. If you’re interested in other places, I have a brief overview of all Samui beaches to help you choose the perfect spot.
Water Entry, Depth, and Waves
During low tide, the sea recedes 10-12 meters (33-40 feet) from the shore, but nothing drastic changes. The depth at Ban Thai is balanced between shallow and normal. Adults need to walk about 30 meters (98 feet) to reach waist-deep water, which is perfect for children due to the gradual slope.
The presence of concrete rings for shore reinforcement and the heavily eroded soil between palm trees indicate that waves can be strong during the rainy season. However, on calm, windless days, the beach remains serene.
The entry into the water is challenging due to underwater vegetation and rocks, but there is a sandy area with a completely clean bottom used by locals.
Those unaware of the secret might stop halfway, find a good shaded tree, and swim carefully, watching their steps.
Sunbeds and Shade
Sunbeds are only available at the far end of the beach, where it widens to about 40 meters (131 feet) and forms a sandy area right opposite the clear water entry, where the main crowd usually gathers.
However, nothing is perfect. Palm trees and leafy trees grow along the entire beach except for the sandy area, where hammocks and swings are hung. On the sandy area, you’ll either have to ignore the sun or bring a beach umbrella.
Beach Photos
Amenities
The infrastructure around Ban Thai is scattered along secondary streets and the sides of the ring road. Right at the turn from the ring road, there is a 7-Eleven mini-market, a laundry, a water machine, and a motorbike rental shop.
Thai shops are located on the road to the sea. To reach the nearest hypermarkets, you’ll need to drive about 40 minutes, assuming there are no traffic jams, which have become common on Samui recently. On the shore, next to the restaurant following Mimosa, there are palm shelters right in the water.
There is also a leaning palm tree with a sign saying “This is Samui,” perfect for a photo. Other than that, there are no notable attractions on Ban Thai.
Accommodation
Within a kilometer (0.6 miles) of Ban Thai Beach, there are around 15 different types of accommodations.
Private homes for rent are available beyond the ring road, towards the center of the island.
If you want to book a hotel here in advance or look for accommodation on other beaches, check out my list of top hotels on Samui with good ratings and reviews.
How to Find the Beach
Since there is only one road to the beach, you need to be attentive when looking for the turn-off to the sea. While driving on the ring road, look for a brown sign with the name of the Mimosa restaurant, which is directly opposite the secondary road.
Just in case, it is marked with a blue sign saying “This is the way to the public beach.” After turning onto the secondary road, go straight until you hit the sea and the massage huts. Turn left and drive to the next restaurant after Mimosa.
Make sure to find a parking spot that won’t obstruct the way. The road along the sea is fenced with barbed wire and signs saying “Do not enter, private property.” The road is too narrow for two cars to pass.
If you leave your bike along the barbed wire or at Mimosa’s parking, you risk finding your bike’s seat slashed upon return. There have been incidents; this is not a joke. But there are other ways to reach Ban Thai.
For those who love a walk through the jungle and underground tunnels, here is a secret spot on the island. Turn off the ring road where marked on the map, then go straight until you reach a gate.
This is private property of a house under construction, but the construction is halted, and no one will stop you. Go around the gate to the right along the path, and after about 100 meters (328 feet), you will see a T-junction of dirt roads. Then, as in a fairy tale: go right to climb the mountain. Go left to enter the tunnel.
The tunnel is long, about 100 meters (328 feet), runs inside the rock, and leads to a secret beach that is not visible from Mimosa, and during high tide, access to it is closed by the sea. The beach is strewn with stones, between which you can find a spot, or walk about 200 meters (656 feet) to Mimosa on foot.
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