Download
1 / 13
E N D
Koh Samui Island Koh Samui has been settled for about 1500 years. The first inhabitants here were fishermen. The island is found on 500 years old maps from Chinese Ming dynasty. Fishing and coconut plantations has been the major source of income on the island. Today, tourism is the main income for the inhabitants of the island. The people here are called "Chao Samui". Samui Island Koh Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand (bordering the South China Sea in the Pacific Ocean). The island is a "Amphoe" or district in the Surat Thani Changwat or province. Samui is divided into seven "Tambon" or sub districts (administrative regions): Maenam, Bophut, Maret, Taling Ngam, Namuang, Lipa Noi and Angthong. Koh Samui has been a backpackers destination since late 70's. Today, tourist from the whole world go to this easygoing "paradise". It is surrounded by more than sixty other islands, some small and inhabited, some are larger such as Koh Phangan and Koh Tao (divers island). Other popular destinations in the area are: Koh Nang Yuan (next to Koh Tao) and the Angthong National Marine Park (located between Koh Samui and the Suratthani mainland).
Going here from Bangkok • There are some different options to choose from:FlightThere are many daily flights from the International and domestic Airport in Bangkok; Suvarnabhumi Airport (opened in September 2006). Bangkok Air flies direct to Samui Airport. A flight schedule with Bangkok Airways is found here. Also Thai Airways has a two daily flights to Samui Airport (since February 2008).Thai Airways and Air Asia also flies to Suratthani. From there, just catch the bus or taxi to the ferry in Donsak.BusIf you prefer a more economical way to travel, we recommend a so called VIP bus from the well-known Khao San Road or from the Southern Bus Terminal at Boromrat Chonnani Road. The VIP buses are more comfortable, and has less seats than a so called A/C bus. You can buy a ticket in almost every travel agency in Bangkok. The ferry ticket is sometimes included in the price.
Train • Another comfortable way to travel is the night train from Hualamphong, (the Bangkok railway station) to Suratthani. The sleeping cars has rather comfortable beds. To travel by railway is a little more expensive than the bus, but you will probably get a better sleep. Upper beds are less expensive than the lower ones. A private "first class" cabin for two persons, is also available. Ideal for couples!FerryThe fastest ferries departures from the two main piers in Donsak on the main land with the operators Seatran, and Raja Ferry. The price is about 150 baht for passengers and 420 baht for cars (2009). You will see many of the small surrounding islands if you don't fall asleep.You might also take the Lomprayah catamaran which departures from Chumphon. The also offer bus rides from Banglamphu in Bangkok. On smaller ferries (such as the ones operated by Songserm from smaller piers situated at the Suratthani coastline), you might be contacted by Thai guys trying to convince you that "their" resort on Samui is the one to choose. It can be a blank or a prize in that "lottery". You can easily book a Koh Samui room or bungalow here.
To do on Samui • Thai Boxing StadiumsThe Lamai Stadium is located in South Lamai, between Ring Road and Lamai Beach Road. Another ring is found in a bar area in the middle of the Beach Road. (so called lady boxing and free to watch) The Chaweng Stadium is the main arena on the island and located rather close to Reggae Pub. Action several times a week. Sometimes you can see "farangs" (westerners) vs Thai guys in the ring. We also recommend Ratchadamnoern and Lumpini stadiums in Bangkok if you want to see "the real thing" even if there might be good fights on Koh Samui too.Samui Shooting RangePistols and machine guns! Location: Main Road. Close to Chaweng.
To do on Samui • Go KartThree types of go karts to choose from. Found at Bo Phut Main Road. Lots of fun!Bungy JumpThis adrenaline pumping activity is found at Chaweng, rather close to Reggae Pub and the Chaweng Lake.Buffalo FightingA couple of arenas is located around the island. This is a Thai and local tradition with a long history.Butterfly GardenHere you will see amazing butterflies and other tropical insects. It is located in the South-East at Leam Set.
Nathon • The harbor town on Samui is named Nathon. You will find banks, post offices, restaurants, stores and shops here, but it's is not a place where so many people choose to stay at. Nathon also has a rather long pier where boats arrives from mainland. • Samui Attractions • Waterfalls • To be honest, you will not find a "Niagara looking" waterfall on Samui, but it can be a nice experience anyway.Na Muang WaterfallLocated about 10 km south of Nathon. It is about 80 meters high. You have to walk for a while to get here.Hin Lad WaterfallLocated 2 km south of Nathon Town. Take a walk in the forest and enjoy a soft drink or why not a refreshing Thai beer such as Singha, Beer Chang or Leo afterwards. • BUDDHA IN WAT KHAO HUA JUK - พระพุทธรูปในวัดเขาหัวจุก Big Buddha • Wat Phra Yai is a more than 12 meter tall Buddha statue, first built in 1972. It is located on a small island but today connected with main land with a bridge. Please show respect and wear proper clothes and shoes while visiting. This is not just a tourist attraction, but also an important Buddhist symbol for the local Thai people here. In 2005 and 2006, Big Buddha has been extended with a Dharma wheel and a traditional Suphannahong boat. • Hin Ta Hin Yai • The grandfather and grandmother rocks located on south Lamai beach.
BUDDHA IN WAT KHAO HUA JUK - พระพุทธรูปในวัดเขาหัวจุก Big Buddha • Wat Phra Yai is a more than 12 meter tall Buddha statue, first built in 1972. It is located on a small island but today connected with main land with a bridge. Please show respect and wear proper clothes and shoes while visiting. This is not just a tourist attraction, but also an important Buddhist symbol for the local Thai people here. In 2005 and 2006, Big Buddha has been extended with a Dharma wheel and a traditional Suphannahong boat. • Hin Ta Hin Yai • The grandfather and grandmother rocks located on south Lamai beach.
Around the Island • WalkNice, but use a lot of sun screen and be careful in the traffic.BicycleJust rent it. It's cheap. But be very careful if the traffic is intense.MotorbikeMost common for transportation here. From 100 cc (smaller bikes such as; Honda Click, Honda Wave, Honda Dream, Yamaha Nouvo, Yamaha Mio etc), to Harley Davidson. Prices from 120 baht per day and up. Please, for your own safety, use a helmet and do never drive drunk!
Pickup Taxi (Songtaew)From early morning to 7 pm. Price: 20-50 Baht, but it's more expensive at night after 6 PM. After this time you will have to negotiate about the price.CarYou can rent a jeep or a car. Prices starts from about 700 Baht a day.TaxiConvenient! But most of them do not use the taximeter. Ask for the price in advance. The prices usually start from about 100 baht and up to 600-700 baht for a from Nathon to Lamai or similar distance.
Beaches • Most beaches has white sand and are fringed with coconut palms. Many resorts and hotels are located just a couple of meters from the beach. The most popular are:ChawengA 7 km long beach in the North-East of Samui. The most well-known and developed, but also one of the best. You can rent anything from a simple bungalows to a five star hotel room here. There are plenty of high standard resorts here. The sand is invitingly white, but it can be a lot of people here, especially at high season. • LamaiNot far as long as Chaweng but more quite and some people would say charming. The Southern part of the beach is somehow more inviting than the Northern, because there are not so much stones and corals there. Lamai is located in South-East of Samui, about 10 kilometers South of Chaweng. A little North of Lamai you will find Ao Tong Takian beach. It has became rather popular, and a few resorts are located there. Photos of Lamai beach is found here.
Diving • Koh Samui, Koh Tan and Koh Tao has many excellent diving sites. There are many schools who provide professional education. Snorkeling and wave diving is also fun. You can buy equipment in many diving shops on Koh Samui and Koh Tao. The diving section is found • Respecting Thai Culture • Thai people are normally very friendly and has high tolerance. Just remember that if you come from another country; Thai people are very proud of the monarchy and the King and also of course their religion (About 95% are Buddhists). Also remember that Buddha images, temples etc are considered as holy. Please enter a temple with respect and wear appropriate clothes. (no shorts) Don't point your feet to someone while sitting and don't touch people's head. At Koh Samui and other "tourist places" the inhabitants are normally used to "western lifestyle", so there are no problems as long as you just show the same "respect" as people show you. • Where to stay? • There are many hundreds of different accommodations alternatives available on the Samui island. Hotels, resorts, apartments and villas. Prices starts from a few hundred baht and up. Koh Samui today, has many resorts with international high class standards. Many of those "boutique resorts" has facilities as restaurants, spas, fitness rooms, jacuzzis and pools. You will find a lot of accommodation options with a wide price range from our Samui hotel reservation.
