For a cheerful, friendly bar in downtown Bophut it’s hard to beat Billabong Surf Club. Opened in 2002 and located just above the beach along Bohput’s shopping street, Billabong has outstanding views out over to Koh Phangan and sea breezes that pretty much render useless the bar’s wall fans.

Billabong also has daily faxed-in Australian newspapers, lots of (local) beers on tap and a very reasonably priced South African house wine. This is a good place to meet local expats and enjoy regular live music and live sports as it happens.