Travel Guide to Koh Samui

Location

One hour’s flight south of Bangkok, Koh Samui is the third largest island in the archipelago off the east coast of the Southern Thai Peninsula, surrounded on all sides by the warm waters of the Gulf of Siam.

Shopping

There are good shopping opportunities on offer with a variety of very colourful local handicrafts available virtually everywhere. Local crafts and items include the world-famous Thai silk, figurines, pottery, woodcarvings and eastern-styled umbrellas. Thai craftsmen also produce jewellery, particularly silverware and bronze. In the hotel resorts, clothing and sportswear is usually available

Geography

An island of beautiful beaches and acres of coconut palms, Koh Samui has a mountainous centre with tropical vegetation and picturesque, flat lowlands leading to the shore. The coastline is swathed in white-sand beaches that are lined with colourful reefs and marine life. The island is one of the main areas for coconut cultivation in Thailand but also has a thriving fishing industry.

History

Koh Samui has been inhabited for at least 1500 years. It is thought that the island was home to fishermen but the first officially recorded mention of the island was by Chinese cartographers on the ancient maps of the Ming dynasty. It is believed that Koh Samui traded with Chinese navigators, and these beliefs have been supported by the finding of Chinese ceramics aboard some of the shipwrecks discovered off shore. The island, as far as the available history extends, has always relied on coconut cultivation and fishing as a source of income and sustenance. Koh Samui had led a relatively unremarkable existence until the Japanese occupation during WW2. Having returned to Thai rule after the war, the Koh Samui natives continued to maintain a relative isolation from the mainland with the result being that the islanders have several cultural differences that stand them apart from traditional Thai natives. Although the island landscape is undeniably similar to Thailand, they inhabitants are very proud of their individuality.

Climate

Beautiful palm fringed beaches, lush coconut groves, a vast array of watersports, excellent hotels, good value restaurants and shopping. The island is not as developed as Pattaya or Phuket.

Where to Visit

Watersports, including scuba diving, snorkelling and fishing are available almost everywhere on the coast. There are a few nightclubs and discos, although Koh Samui is generally quieter than many of the other well-known Thai resorts. Bars and clubs include the Green Mango, the Reggae Pub (on Chaweng Beach ), Bauhaus and the Super Sub (on Lamai beach) and a few smaller pubs and bars scattered around the island. There are also adult “girlie” bars.

If you’re feeling adventurous, hire a bicycle or motorbike and explore the lush interior of the island .

Make sure you keep a day free to visit the Anthong Marine National Park, a fascinating archipelago situated 30km west of Koh Samui. The park offers fantastic diving opportunities amongst some of the most stunning sub-aquatic scenery in Asia. For non-divers, there’s the picture-perfect scenery of crystal clear lagoons, the sparkling turquoise sea, picturesque rocky islands and fabulous secluded beaches.

On the northern shore, you can’t miss the Big Buddha statue, standing at over 12-metres tall, the giant golden Buddha emblem is at the entrance to the Wat Phra Yai temple complex.

The south of the island has much to offer including the Na Muang Waterfalls at Ban Thurian, the famous Grandmother and Grandfather (Hin-Ta and Hin-Ya) rocks near Lamai Beach, the beautiful views over Chaweng Bay and the Butterfly Gardens at Na Tian – a sanctuary for many species of butterfly enclosed within lovely Thai-styled gardens.

Most Popular Tours

Samui Island tour
Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan snorkelling
Boat trips to Ang Tong Marine National Park
Butterfly Farm
Hin Lat Falls