Ladyboys (or katoeys) are the famous third sex of Thailand; effeminate men who dress up as beautiful women to entertain locals and visitors alike.

Ladyboys are an accepted part of Thai culture –  and are often so beautiful as girls that it’s hard to imagine otherwise.

Ladyboys in Koh Samui
There is often a stigma attached to Thai ladyboys  - that they are looking to hook up with handsome foreigners and charge a fee for their company. In some cases this is true however most ladyboys are adorned with fabulous costumes in the hope of entertaining visitors to the island.

Where to Find Ladyboy’s in Koh Samui
Ladyboys can mostly be found in Lamai and Chaweng, where there is and a lively entertainment scene. Some work in standard jobs such as hotel receptionists, waitresses and bar servers and will be happy to talk to tourists about the best places to visit. There are a few bars that will be staffed only by ladyboys; freelancers can also be found hanging outside bars or the cabaret shows.

How to Spot a Ladyboy
Most ladyboys are so pretty that it’s hard to tell them apart from women. In most cases, a ladyboy’s hips will be narrower, their hands and feet larger and their voices a little more forced into a feminine pitch. Some have had their breasts surgically enhanced and are easy to spot by their overly feminine persona and keenness to talk to tourists.

The Cabarets
Chaweng Beach has some of the best ladyboy shows outside of Bangkok. The Starz Cabaret is a comical show featuring them poking fun at each other and on an unsuspecting member of the audience; it’s an uplifting evening with reasonably priced drinks. The Moulin Rouge Cabaret features ladyboys lip synching to songs such as classic Madonna tunes or more modern anthems. Some of the performers may expose their breasts which may not be suitable for children. The Moulin Rouge is the only free entry cabaret show in Koh Samui. Finally, there is Christy’s Cabaret, the oldest and most popular cabaret on Koh Samui. This Vegas-themed club features glamorous performances every night and a dazzling dance floor for everyone’s enjoyment.

Go-Go Bars
These bars are a popular attraction in Koh Samui, usually jam-packed with revellers, go go dancers and Thai ladyboys. The atmosphere can be slightly flirtatious but it does make for an entertaining and memorable evening. The majority of these bars are in Chaweng and Lamai offering small, open-fronted rooms consisting of poles, stools, a bar, a pool table and an array of girls and ladyboys. In lower scale bars the girls will challenge you to a game of pool, and in more upmarket bars they will dance for you instead. The GB Lounge on Soi Mango Street is the oldest and most popular Go-Go Bar in Chaweng, and the women here have been deemed the most attractive on the island.

Etiquette
If you meet a Ladyboy in Koh Samui the polite thing to do is be friendly but firm. Often ladyboys will be friendly and helpful, however sometimes they may offer entertainment for a fee. Visitors should be advised that although ladyboys are a popular part of the cabaret scene in Koh Samui, they may offer private services such as massages, private dancers or more.

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Koh Samui is an exciting place to explore during the day, with plenty of beaches, shops, historic villages and temples to see – but at night a whole new side of the island is revealed. Here’s our guide to the top 5 nightlife attractions in Koh Samui.

The Green Mango Nightclub - Chaweng
Location: The Green Mango Club, Koh Samui, Suratthani, Thailand

Details: Located on the buzzing beach district of Chaweng, the Green Mango club is one of the most popular nightclubs in Thailand.

Green Mango has a unique tree-house design; multiple bars and dance floors are all dispersed around a huge open air space and they are all connected by wooden bridges that pass over the Mango River.

Additionally, it features a fantastic sound system which blasts out contemporary music all night long, live shows, big screens, giveaways and games to keep everyone dancing and having a great time. View the Green Mango website for more information.

Swing Bar at Lamai Beach
Location: Swing Bar, Rich Resort Beachside Hotel, Maret, Koh Samui Suratthani Thailand

Details: Located inside the Rich Resort Beachside Hotel, the Swing Bar is the largest bar and restaurant at Lamai Beach and is close to many of the local attractions.

Its name comes from the fitted swing seats in the interior where guests can lounge comfortably with a cold beer or cocktail while enjoying a 180 degree ocean view. In the evenings, there is a fire show every night and beach parties on Monday and Friday.

Cocktails are priced at 100 baht from 6am to 8pm every day. The menu includes a wide range of breakfast, curry, burger, salad and local cuisine options – why not spend the whole day at the Swing Bar and Restaurant for some serious holiday fun! View the Swing bar website for more details.

Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan

Details: Some time ago, a group of tourists thought the full moon in Koh Phangan was the most beautiful thing they had ever seen and decided to have a party on the crescent-shaped beach of Haad Rin. Since then, the full moon parties in Koh Phangan have become legendary, attended by over 10,000 people each month.

If your visit coincides with a full moon this is a night you will not want to miss. At dusk a yellow moon makes its appearance and descends over the sunset. By late evening the whole island falls under a spell and dances into a frenzy.

Food stands and jugglers are there to entertain those who want to rest their dancing feet and just enjoy the magical atmosphere of the evening. See their website for package deals, travel information and dates of the next full moon.

Ladyboy Cabaret Shows in Koh Samui

Details: Ladyboy Cabaret shows are popular in Thailand because there are more ladyboys in Thailand than in any other country in the world. Here they are considered to be a third sex, viewed to be equally valid to both men and women.

Most cabaret shows consist of lip synching to popular songs, the ladyboys poking fun at each other and occasionally on an audience member. All shows are wonderfully entertaining and make for a unique night out.

There are three cabaret shows to choose from, the Starz Cabaret, Christy’s Cabaret and the Moulin Rouge Cabaret, which can be found along the Chaweng Beach Road, in the area not too far from the Centara Grand Beach Resort and also next to the Soi Green Mango. Each have their own unique attraction so look on the website to find the evening that best suits you.

Lava Lounge in Koh Samui
Location: Had Lamai 1, Lamai Beach, Maret, Koh Samui, Suratthani, Thailand

Details: When you have explored all the music bars and danced at all the nightclubs, the best end to the evening can be to wind down at a chilled out bar with a high quality drink.

Lava Lounge is an Irish owned and managed bar serving premium cocktails in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. It is located close to the Lamai Centre Plaza and other nearby restaurants, making it a convenient location for after-dinner drinks.

Come here to sip cocktails with travelling companions or talk to the friendly staff about the best attractions of Koh Samui. At the Lava Lounge you will find no bar girls or loud music, just simple and pleasant conversation and some of the best cocktails around. Visit the Lava Lounge website for more details.

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Nightlife in Koh Samui

Known as one of the best holiday destinations in southern Thailand, Koh Samui is home to an impressive choice of nightlife entertainment options. The heart of the night time action takes place in Chaweng with its myriad of beach bars, lounge clubs and discos.

Also on the nightlife map are each of the main resort towns in Koh Samui; Lamai, Bophut, and Maenam. Have a browse through our guide to the best nightlife in Koh Samui.

 Moulin Rouge

No trip to Thailand would be complete without meeting a lady boy or two and Koh Samui’s Moulin Rouge cabaret bar is without doubt the place to do it. Boasting three lively shows per night, expect to see throngs of performers strutting their stuff in their glitziest gear. The early shows are family-friendly while the later shows are adults only. Entrance is free however guests are expected to buy a drink. A drink starts at around 200 baht but you get the show thrown in for free! The first show starts at 8pm with plenty of sparkle, song and dance. Moulin Rouge is located in Chaweng along Choengmon Road, Chaweng Beach. Show times are 8pm, 9.30pm and 11pm.

Swing Bar

This big beachside bar is located right on one of the best beaches in Koh Samui – Lamai. Here you sit back and relax on a rope-suspended swing chair watching the areas renowned sunsets and you swig on a cocktail or three.  Swing Bar is known for its nightly fire dances as well as the Monday and Friday night parties. There are also a three pool tables to help you pass the time. The house music here plays at the perfect volume to stir your inner party animal. Swing is also a great dining venue in Koh Samui with a selection of Thai food and delicious burgers, baguettes and sandwiches on the menu, served at beautiful bamboo tables by the beach. Swing can be found at 109/12 Moo, Maret, Lamai Beach.

Lava Lounge

The Lava Lounge in Koh Samui is the ideal venue for those in search of a more relaxing evening. This simple yet sophisticated venue serves up cool cocktail creations, wines and beers with plenty of comfortable seating, great music and friendly faces. Choose from a list of more than 40 of the island’s best cocktails, served in an inviting atmosphere with mesmerising lava lamps dotted all around. The Lava Lounge is one of the most relaxing bars in Koh Samui, perfectly located on Lamai Beach.

Moon Parties

Thailand is famed around the world for its moon parties, when the sun goes down and the party crowd comes out to dance on the beach. Koh Samui and its surrounding islands are the most popular spots for moon parties, with the full moon version hosted at Koh Phangan’s Haad Rin Nok Beach, just a short boat ride from Koh Samui. Expect loud music playing out to as many as 30,000 partygoers. Koh Samui itself holds similar black moon parties in various locations across the island including Samrong Bay and Chaweng beach. For more information see the full moon party schedule.

Green Mango

This legendary super club is located in the centre of Chaweng and spans across the entire street. Chaweng is the best nightlife destination in Koh Samui and this club lives up the area’s reputation, boasting all night entertainment sure to impress even the most avid party goers. The club is famed for its iconic tree house design, and vast open air spaces featuring multiple bars and spacious dance floors connected via wooden bridges passing over the Mango River. Green Mango offers an array of facilities including big screens, pool tables, live shows and plenty to keep you entertained plus a range of house cocktails and drinks to fuel you to the dance floor. Green Mango is located on Chaweng Beach Road and is also home to sister clubs Sweet Soul and Mambo.

Luxury villas in Koh Samui are ideally located across the island offering easy access to Koh Samui’s exciting nightlife options.

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