The island's best-value beach - a long quiet north-coast bay, an authentically local town and a settled retiree and family community.
Maenam runs along the north coast between Bophut and Nathon - a long, peaceful beach fronting an authentically local town that has become Samui's best-value base for long-term living. It draws retirees, families and budget-minded long-stayers who want space, calm and lower rents within easy reach of Bophut's dining and the airport.
The town keeps a genuine Thai feel - fresh markets, local restaurants and the island's immigration office sit here - while the beach and the hills behind hold an expanding supply of affordable villas and condos. Maenam offers the most rental value on Samui's good north coast, trading the buzz of Chaweng for a quieter, more residential island life.
RetireesFamiliesBudget long-stayersQuiet-seekers
Indicative monthly condo rents in Maenam, by unit size. Ranges reflect the spread from older or smaller stock to new, high-spec towers — verify current asking prices on individual listings.
| Unit | Monthly rent (THB) |
|---|---|
| Studio | ฿6,500 – ฿12,000 |
| 1 bedroom | ฿10,000 – ฿20,000 |
| 2 bedroom | ฿20,000 – ฿42,000 |
| 3 bedroom | ฿38,000 – ฿85,000 |
Songthaews (shared pick-ups) (north-coast ring road) · Scooter & motorbike taxis (flexible island transport) · Maenam Pier (ferry to Koh Phangan) · Samui International Airport (USM) (~15-20 min east)
Pin locations are approximate. Tap any coloured pin to draw walking & driving directions from "this residence"; use the controls to see what’s within a 15–30 min walk or drive.
International School of Samui (~15-20 min) · Greenacre International School (Bophut, ~10-15 min)
Thai International Hospital (Bandon) (~15 min) · Bangkok Hospital Samui (~20 min)
Maenam Beach (long quiet bay) · Maenam Walking Street (Thursday market) · Samui Immigration Office (Maenam) · Fresh local markets
Maenam town local restaurants · Beach-road seafood
For long-term living, yes - Maenam offers the best rental value on Samui's desirable north coast. Indicatively, studios run about THB 6,500-12,000 a month and one-bedrooms THB 10,000-20,000, below Chaweng and Bophut, while keeping a long quiet beach and easy access to Bophut and the airport.
It is one of the most popular long-stay areas for both. A calm, swimmable beach, an authentic local town, lower rents, the island immigration office on the doorstep and international schools 10-20 minutes away make Maenam a default choice for retirees and families wanting space and quiet.
Samui's immigration office is in Maenam on the north coast, so residents there can handle 90-day reporting, extensions and visa paperwork on-island without travelling far - one of the practical reasons long-stayers favour the area.
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Compare it with other areas, browse the condos here, and run the numbers before you commit.
General information, not legal, tax, immigration or financial advice. Pricing is indicative — confirm current details on individual listings or with licensed professionals. Hero imagery via Pexels.