Published 14 February 2026. Last reviewed 3 May 2026
Plai Laem is famous for what stands on it rather than what lies along it. This northeast corner of Koh Samui is home to Wat Plai Laem, the temple whose white eighteen arm Guanyin statue rises serenely from a lagoon, mirrored in the still water around it. It is one of the island most photographed sights.
The shoreline itself is a different story. The water here is shallow and rocky, turning to mud and mangrove flats at low tide, so it is not a beach you come to for a swim. The setting is calm and pretty, and the temple grounds are the real reward, but the sand does not match the postcard.
Treat Plai Laem as a temple visit with a coastal backdrop and it shines. When you want to swim, the gentler, sandier water of Choeng Mon is only minutes away, which makes the two an easy pairing for a single morning.
Who it suits: anyone visiting the temple, photographers chasing the lagoon reflection, and travellers happy to admire the coast rather than swim it.
Who should skip it as a beach: swimmers and sunbathers. The shoreline is shallow and rocky, so pair the temple with a swim at Choeng Mon a few minutes away.
Beach clubs near Plai Laem
Plai Laem is a temple beach, not a club beach, and there is no daybed scene on its rocky shore. The nearest clubs gather at Choeng Mon and Bophut. For the full lineup and to send a booking enquiry, see our Koh Samui beach club directory.
Plai Laem, Koh Samui
Plai Laem is easy to reach on the northeast coast, clearly signed for Wat Plai Laem off the road that runs toward the Big Buddha and Choeng Mon. There is parking by the temple. Pair it with a swim at Choeng Mon, only minutes away, for a complete morning.
- Dress respectfully to enter the temple grounds.
- Visit when the lagoon is still for the best reflection.
- Drive on to Choeng Mon when you want to swim.
Photo: Michael Warrelmann via GoogleBook a Beach Club
Tell us your dates and party size and we will match you to a club near Plai Laem and pass on your enquiry.
Plai Laem questions
Is Plai Laem a good swimming beach?
No. The shoreline at Plai Laem is shallow and rocky and turns to mud and mangrove at low tide, so it is not suited to swimming. The temple is the draw, and Choeng Mon nearby is the place to swim.
What is Wat Plai Laem?
Wat Plai Laem is the temple that gives the area its name, known for its white eighteen arm Guanyin statue rising from a lagoon. It is one of the most photographed sights on Koh Samui and the main reason to visit.
Do I need to cover up at Plai Laem temple?
Yes. As an active temple, Wat Plai Laem asks visitors to dress respectfully, with shoulders and knees covered. Carrying a light layer or sarong makes this easy in the heat.
Where can I swim near Plai Laem?
Choeng Mon, only a few minutes away by road, has gentler, sandier water that is far better for swimming. Many visitors pair the temple with a swim there in a single morning.