Last updated: 5 September 2026. Ranges are indicative for one person, checked September 2026 and converted at about 44 THB to the pound.. Totals are the sums of the item ranges. Most months land inside the range, not at either end.
The monthly numbers
Indicative ranges for one person, for a UK traveller: British visitors doing a slower trip: a month or so in one base before moving on, mixing sightseeing with ordinary daily life Everything is priced in baht first and converted at about 44 THB to the pound.
| Item | Per month (THB) | Approx (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent, monthly rental or serviced studio | 13,000 to 26,000 | £295 to £590 |
| Utilities, internet and phone | 2,500 to 5,000 | £55 to £115 |
| Local food and markets | 7,000 to 11,000 | £160 to £250 |
| Western food, groceries and coffee | 2,500 to 6,000 | £55 to £135 |
| Transportscooter rental plus songthaews | 2,000 to 4,000 | £45 to £90 |
| Travel insurance | 700 to 1,200 | £15 to £25 |
| Visa and immigration, spread monthlyvisa-exempt entry, extensions spread monthly | 100 to 300 | £0 to £5 |
| Boat trips, tours and misc | 5,000 to 11,000 | £115 to £250 |
| Estimated total | 32,800 to 64,500 | £745 to £1,465 |
Ranges are indicative for one person, mid-2026, converted at about 44 THB to the pound. Totals are the sums of the ranges; most months land inside, not at, either end. Check the live rate before committing.
Where the money goes
A month on Samui is the holiday-shaped month in this set: our traveller budget runs 33,000 to 65,000 baht, about 745 to 1,465 pounds, and it earns every baht in beach days, boat trips and the general joy of island life. Monthly rentals and serviced studios start around 13,000 baht, with the usual island premium on everything you buy.
What to watch
The extras line, 5,000 to 11,000 baht, is deliberately fat because boat days are the point of Samui: Ang Thong marine park, Koh Tao dives, the pig island tour and waterfalls. Book through local operators in Chaweng or Mae Nam rather than hotel desks and the same days cost less, with more room in the budget for beach-club afternoons.
Practical notes
Timing is the biggest lever: green season, roughly May to October, cuts rental prices sharply and still delivers mostly fine mornings. If your month is high season, commit to four weeks upfront and negotiate; and wherever you land in the calendar, travel insurance at 700 to 1,200 baht a month is non-negotiable on an island with helicopter-evac distances.
Convert your own budget
If your income or holiday fund is in pounds, the rate is part of your cost of living. Quick conversions nearest this budget: £1,000 in Thai baht and £1,500 in Thai baht, or use the live GBP to THB converter before committing to rent or a transfer.
Where to read next
- Koh Samui cost of living guide
- Koh Samui: UK retiree budget
- Koh Samui: digital nomad budget
- How much baht for two weeks
- ATM fees in Thailand
- Best card for Thailand
- Thailand cost of living hub
Frequently asked questions
How much does a month on Koh Samui cost?
Budget 33,000 to 65,000 baht, about 745 to 1,465 pounds, for monthly rental, scooter, travel insurance, eating out and a proper boat-trip allowance. Green season can pull the month under 1,000 pounds; high season with beach clubs runs past the top.
Is a month on Samui too long?
Not if you use it as a base: Ang Thong, Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and the mainland waterfalls all radiate out from the island, and a month lets you do them without rushing. Travellers who treat Samui as a base rather than a destination find it excellent value per day.
What is the best time of year for a month on Samui?
December to March for the premium dry season, or May to October for green-season prices with mostly dry mornings and dramatic afternoon storms. The latter saves real money on a month-long rental, roughly a fifth to a third, which is a lot of boat trips.
How we costed this: How we costed this: figures come from The Baht's existing guide baselines, published rental listings and reader reports, checked September 2026 and converted at about 44 THB to the pound. See the methodology page for how ranges and rates are handled Read the full methodology before relying on any figure here, and check the cost of living hub for the city-by-city baseline.