KOH SAMUI, THAILAND

"Discovered" by Western backpackers in the early 1970s as a cheaper alternative to Phuket, Samui changed considerably when Bangkok Airways put in its airport and started frequent one-hour flights to the island. Today, you'll find every kind of tourist imaginable - Eastern and Western alike.

Overview

         Ko/Koh Samui is an island located in the Gulf of Thailand, northeast of Surat Thani Province, with an area of 228.7 km2 and a population of over 50,000 (2008). are defined Ko Samui as the third largest island of Thailand after Phuket island(or Phuket Province) being first and Koh Chang come to second largest. Ko or Koh(เกาะ) in Thai language means island and the island is usually just referred to as Samui, as one of the most sought after destinations for travelers coming to Thailand. There are many things to do on the island from relaxing on a warming beach filled beach to tropical jungles or vibrant nightlife. Accomdations on the island range from bungalows on the beach to five star hotels. Samui island activities can include elephant trekking, canoeing, sailing, diving, golfing, fishing, biking, and many many more like visits to waterfalls, temples, jungle, butterfly garden, aquarium, tiger zoo, monkey theater, snake and crocodile farm, and much more.

Ko Samui is a good jumping off spot to reach Kho Tao and Kho Phangnan. And a boat ride away lies Angthong National Park, comprised of more than 40 islands. This was the inspiration for Alex Garland's The beach, later made into the film starring Leonardo Dicaprio.

The island has many fine restaurants and resorts and many hi-so Thais have a second home on Samui. The island has also made a name for itself as a holistic, detox and spa centre(Tamarind Springs is one spa, which is particularly well known).

HIGHLIGHTS AND ATTRACTIONS

The Cliff bar and Grill, just south of Chaweng is a great place for a romantic evening and a superb spot to watch the sunset over the Gulf of Thailand.

Art & Culture

Coconuts, Coconuts, Coconuts, there're everywhere and they have played a big part in the island's growth. You'll be fascinated to find out how many ways the Samui folk have found to use coconuts, and watch out for the monkeys who are trained to climb the giant palms and drop them to their minders. And if want to get a knock-off of a famous painting, check out Samui's repro artists, whose reproduction work is second to none.

Activities

Nearby Koh Phangnan is famous for its full moon party, staged monthly on Had Rin Nok(Sunrse Beach). It has attracted many over the years, including a number of noted celebraties, So much is said about this party, that many forget that is a truly glorious island to explore and spend time on.

If you want to get some sailing in, Samui holds and annual regatta, and Gulf Charters provides a bareboat charter service in season. And the Santiburi Golf Course is a fine place to tee off if golf's your thing.

Samui's party scene is full on and its happening bars and restaurants regularly play host to some of the hottest international and local DJs.

Dinning Out

As Thailand is the world's largest seafood exporter and much of the fish comes from the south, you are bound to experience some of the finest seafood you have ever tasted while travelling down Samui way. And as you get closer to the Malay border, you will no doubt notice the Malay influence on the exquisite curries and foods of food in the southern region, And if you want to try a hand at Thai cooking. The Samui institute of Thai Culinary Arts is one of the finest cooking schools in the land.

Nearby Environs

Koh Tao(Turtle Island) has long been thought of as one of the most beautiful islands in the Samui archipelago. The clarity of the water makes for some of the best snorkelling and diving in Thailand. Many chose to get their diving certification here. And if you're lucky, you'll be able to catch a glimpse of a giant manta or whale shark, while enjoying some of Thailand's finest sunsets. Ferries can take you to the island from Koh Samui and Koh Phangnan.

Only In Koh Samui:

The big Buddha temple on Bangrak Beach actually has a conveyer belt where people can put their alms in a donated box and have them whisked to the top of the wat, where the 12m high Buddha sits overlooking the Gulf of Thailand.

Walks & Shopping

Samui has some many great beaches; Chaweng and Lamai are the most popular, where practically everything is available, but if you want to kick-back and take it easy Mae Nam and Bophut Beaches offer relaxing alternatives.

More and More expats are calling Samui home, and as such more shopping centres with a greater variety of goods have been popping up around the island. Beachwear is available everywhere, and Fisherman's Village, over Bophut way, has a whole line of soft cotton earth tone fabrics, great for wear in tropical climes. Fitting in with its spa centre reputation, you can find all kinds of herbal treatments and remedies in shops throughout the islands.

Free of Charge

Samui has many natural attractions (like Hin Ta & Hin Yai Rock), so renting a motorbike is a good and cheap way to see the island. Once on Samui, the principal way to get around is by songtaew, so many tourists rent motorcycles. But if you do, be careful, many travellers have ended up crashing on Samui's twisting and turning roads.

Samui Regatta - May/June

On the night of November's full moon This is an annual race which takes place at Koh Samui's most popular and vibrant beach, Chaweng. There are six competing classes and more than 300 international participants. It is a week of yacht racing, cocktail parties and beachside fun.

Buffalo Fighting Festival

One of the popular festivals in Koh Samui is Buffalo fighting Festival which s held on New Year's Day and Songkran. The Buffalo fighting is not similar to the bull-fighting in Spain. In Koh Samui, the buffalos are adorned with ribbons and gold-painted leaves. The contest lasts for two rounds and the winning owner usually receives millions of prize money.

Local Knowledge;

It is possible to go around Samui by songthaews, covered red pick up trucks which serves as local buses in daytime. Each of the Songthaew's destinations is written in English and it follows fixed routes around the island. It is also convenient exploring the island by hiring a car or the more popular motorcycles.

077 is the Local area code used to dial to Koh Samui.

There are two seasons in Koh Samui - sunny and rainy. It is best to visit the island in late December to February and august to September where it is not too hot and it is not raining much. From March to june, it tends to get very hot. October and November are the rainiest months. Best times for the beach are from March to September.

Getting There;

Bangkok Airways has a monopoly on air travel and has its own private airport on the island full of trendy eateries and shops. Many people do still chose to visit Samui by catching a train to Surathani Province then taking a ferry over from the nearby docks. There are taxi meters, but the meters are fixed to Bangkok rates, with a much higher passenger turnover, so the drivers tend to Not to turn the meter on. The key word here is "Negotiation". On Samui, Koh tao and Koh Phang Ngan songtaews and motorcycles are the main form of transport. All three islands can be reached from boat piers in Suratthani, and you can travel back and forth between them by boat to the three big islands. You can also access Koh Tao by boat from Chumporn Province.