Ko Samui is the third largest island in Thailand. It is located in the Gulf of Thailand in the South China Sea and covers an area of 228.7 sq. km. Its shape is closer to a rectangle with sides of 15 and 20 km. It is located about 35 km from the mainland city of Surat Thani and 700 km from the capital of Siam. According to various estimates, taking into account foreign citizens working and living on the island, the population reaches 80,000 people. In terms of the number of tourists, Samui is second only to Pattaya and Phuket. And there are a little fewer guests from Russia here than in Pattaya.
Orientation
The central part of the island is an uninhabited mountainous tropical jungle. The settlements are mainly concentrated around numerous beaches. The administrative center of Samui is the city of Nathon, located on the beach of the same name. The two most developed beaches in terms of infrastructure, Chaweng and Lamai, are located in the eastern part of the island. The length of the main route that encircles the island is 49 km. It starts in Nathon, passes through Chaweng and Lamai, and then returns to the administrative center again.
The island is covered in lush tropical jungle. And on the coast there are many white beaches washed by the azure waters of the South China Sea.
History
Until the beginning of the 70s of the last century, the local inhabitants of the island were engaged only in fishing and growing coconuts. Until that time, foreign guests were a curiosity, and no one dreamed of the tourism business. The tourist flow to Koh Samui was opened by hippies attracted by the privacy and beauty of its beaches. Backpackers began to arrive for them, showing the local population that tourism can be good money. After that, Ko Samui began to gain popularity among ordinary organized tourists, developing the necessary infrastructure.
Features of rest
On the shores of Koh Samui, every tourist will find a place for himself according to his taste and possibilities. It should be noted that the party life on the island is a little more modest than on the famous Pha Ngan, famous for its reckless Full Moon Parties. For the most part, they go there for a relaxing holiday, which, if desired, can be diluted with trips to a bar or a nightclub.
Transport
The most popular form of transport on Koh Samui is songteo. It is a pickup truck with two parallel benches in the trunk for passengers. The route mainly used by tourists and residents of the island is the main ring road. On average, during the day, the songthaew costs 50-100 baht, in the evening drivers raise prices.
For those wishing to move around the island on their own, there is an opportunity to rent a bicycle or motorbike. Bicycles, of course, will cost much less, about 50-70 baht / day. Motorbikes will cost an average of 200-300 baht / day. The largest bike rental offer in Nathon, Lamai and Chaweng. The roads on the island are relatively flat, and therefore traffic on the island is safer than, for example, in Phuket.
Taxi is the most expensive form of transport in Koh Samui. These are mainly Korean or Chinese cars bearing the proud name of Taxi Meter. Taxi drivers never had a counter, so prices are formed by eye. Usually, the average trip costs 300-400 baht, but you can also bargain.
Food
As in most tourist places in Thailand, Koh Samui has a wide selection of catering establishments of various levels and focus. In general, on the islands, prices are 20-30% higher than on the mainland.
The cheapest lunch is at the makashniki, roadside eateries and the evening market. There, the total bill without drinks for two will not exceed 100 baht. In a decent café, the bill will double or more. Well, in a reputable restaurant, depending on the client's appetites, the amount will start from 500-1000 baht per person.
Samui has not spared such "happiness" of human civilization as McDonald's and Burger King. In addition, the well-known chain of 7-Eleven minimarkets is quite developed on the island, where you can buy simple snacks and drinks.
Food courts in Tesco Lotus and Big C supermarkets are very popular both among tourists and Thais themselves. There you can find almost all local dishes at very low prices, and often the taste of these dishes is not inferior to restaurant dishes.
On the island you can also find a network of barbecue restaurants "98". They are interesting because visitors are invited to cook their own meals right at the table in a classic Thai brazier. You can choose from already chopped or pickled products (from vegetables to seafood). It is interesting to go to such restaurants in large companies - you can spend a fun and interesting evening around the brazier.
And, of course, hotels always have restaurants, and the larger the hotel, the more there will be a choice of establishments. Five-star hotels will always offer guests a choice of 5-10 different restaurants specializing in different cuisines. As elsewhere, the prices of hotel restaurants are higher than in independent establishments.
Beaches
Koh Samui has a large number of different beaches for every taste, only about 26. Moreover, most of the settlements are concentrated around them and bear the same names. The coastal zone is almost always separated from the road by hotels and restaurants, but anyone can freely walk to the sea.
The beaches on the island are all different. Somewhere the sand is coarse, somewhere fine as white powder, somewhere there are rocks, somewhere the landscape is more or less even, somewhere there are a lot of noisy tourists, somewhere there is silence and tranquility. Many guests of the island settle on one of the beaches, and then, depending on their mood, relax on one or the other. Almost all beaches have a well-developed infrastructure. There are always sun loungers, umbrellas, waterfront bars, cafes and whatnot.
Accommodation on Koh Samui
The island has a very wide range of accommodation options for tourists. Here you can find bungalows without any special frills for 15-25 thousand baht per month, and a luxurious villa on the beach with a private pool, tennis court and other amenities. Such rent can cost 40-60 thousand baht per month or more.
The hotel base of the island includes more than 1000 hotels. However, the supply of cheap accommodation (200-300 baht / night) on the island is limited, especially during the high tourist season. Therefore, a room in the region of 400 baht / day during the season can be considered good luck.
An exception may be the port village of Chaweng. There is no swimming beach, so the demand and, accordingly, the prices for the rooms are quite low. But even if you travel to other beaches on a songthaew every day, the cost of travel and room will be lower than those incurred by guests of accommodation on other beaches of the island. A small room without air conditioning, but with a fan in Nathon will cost 200-300 baht / day. And, most likely, it will be a room at the restaurant.
Tourists with their tents, in principle, can be accommodated on any beach, but it will not be comfortable everywhere. In the center of the island there are more suitable, flat areas that are suitable for such a residence.
sights
On Koh Samui, you can spend time not only on the beach.
The island is rich in sights that will be interesting to see for vacationers. There are beautiful temples with Buddhist relics, interesting natural formations, and original architectural objects, and cultural monuments that will allow you to get acquainted with the national characteristics of life in Thailand. But it is quite possible to bypass them all in one or two days. So you should take care of other types of recreation in advance.
Entertainment
In addition to gorgeous beaches, gentle sea and attractions, Koh Samui also offers a lot of entertainment. Water sports, boat trips, night programs, jungle treks and zoos are sure to delight outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers.
Security
Unfortunately, all major resorts in any country in the world lure various scammers and lovers of enrichment at someone else's expense. Therefore, tourists everywhere should remain vigilant and prudent. In addition to bipedal criminals, stray dogs can still be found on the island, which can be very aggressive. Therefore, it is better to avoid hiking in deserted places, or take care of self-protection, for example, ultrasonic animal repellents.
Koh Samui is an island in the Gulf of Thailand, located 644 km south of Bangkok and 84 km from the east coast of Southern Thailand.
Short description
Samui has about 40,000 inhabitants, 90% of whom are Buddhists. With an area of 247 km², it is the third largest island in Thailand (after Phuket and Ko Chang) and the largest island in the local archipelago, with more than 80 (mostly uninhabited) islets, half of which are included in the Ang Thong Marine National Park. Despite its size (25 km long and 21 km wide), it can be traveled around in just a couple of hours by car.
The island was inhabited by fishermen from the Malay Peninsula and southern regions of China in the 15th century. Chinese influence continues to be felt on Koh Samui, especially in the Fisherman's Village in Bophut. There are several Chinese temples on the island; the celebration of the Chinese New Year is one of the most pompous events. In addition to the Chinese, there is also a large diaspora of British, French, Germans, Scandinavians and Russians. The island has the International School of Samui, where the children of foreigners and wealthy Thais are trained.
Until the late 20th century, Koh Samui was an isolated island that had little in common with the mainland of Thailand. Until the early 1970s, there were no roads here, traveling from one part to another required a day's foot trek through the mountainous jungle. In the early 1970s, the island was discovered by the first tourists, but for many years after that it still received a minimal number of tourists. Everything began to change with the completion of the international airport in 1989. Koh Samui is currently the second most popular tourist island in Thailand after Phuket. It has a number of beautiful sandy beaches, coral reefs for snorkelling, attractive lagoons and scenic waterfalls.
The traditional collection of coconuts and milky juice from Brazilian hevea for the production of natural rubber still takes place in the mountainous regions of the island, but alas, many plantations have given way to the large-scale development of tourism, which is now the main source of income for the island's local population.
Samui currently receives over a million visitors a year. Thatched-roof bungalows on once pristine beaches have replaced upscale resorts, chic hotels, spas, restaurants and bars. The influx of tourists has brought a serious shortage of water resources and has caused a number of environmental problems.
Map
Take a look at the cards of a large size
Orientation
| Koh Samui Map |
Although Koh Samui is the country's third largest island, the entire coastline can be traveled by car or motorcycle for 2.5 hours. The island's main road (Hwy. 4169, also called the "Ring Road), passes through hilly, forested countryside. The island's airport is on the northeastern outskirts of Bophut. Ferries and speedboats arrive on the west coast and at Nathon." Nathon is the largest city and administrative center of the island with banks and a post office, but has no tourist attractions.
The main reason why tourists visit Koh Samui is the opportunity to enjoy the beaches. The most popular beaches are located in the east (Chaweng and Lamai), where most of the hotels, bars and restaurants are concentrated. The northern beaches and the adjacent villages of Maenam, Bophut, Bang Rak and Chongmon are much quieter, while the western and southern coasts are relatively deserted.
Beaches
The main beaches of Koh Samui:
On a ferryboat
A cheaper but less convenient option is to fly to Surat Thani with Thai Airways and other low-cost airlines Air Asia and Nok Air (departing from Don Muang Airport), then get to the pier and take the ferry. Or by train / bus from Bangkok to Surat Thani.
A combined service (bus / ferry) is available from Surat Thani train station and airport to Koh Samui. It includes a bus ride to Donsak pier followed by a ferry. Tickets are sold by numerous agents who meet each train at the station and the arrival of an airplane flight at the airport. The cost of the trip should cost around 300 baht.
Use Seatran Ferry. For the schedule of the company's ferries, see this link (the first list is the departure from the Donsak pier in the direction of Koh Samui, the second is the return back.
Alternatively, take the ferries from the Raja Ferry Port (www.rajaferryport.com). It operates from Donsak pier to Lipa Noi Pier on the western side of Koh Samui (a few kilometers south of Nathon). This ferry transports cars, you can use it if you decide to go by your own transport. A songthaw ride from Lipa Noi pier in Chaweng or Lamai will cost 100 baht per person. Taxis will cost more, with an initial offer price of up to 1,000 baht.
How to travel around the island
Automobile... A popular way to travel around Koh Samui is by renting a car. Local branches of international companies such as Budget Car Rental, Avis and Hertz have offices at the airport and popular tourist destinations on the island. They all offer a wide range of vehicles, starting at 1200-1500 baht. Local car rental companies offer cheaper options but no insurance. Read the agreement carefully, in particular the section in case of a traffic accident. The island's mountain roads have many bends and steep climbs, so it is much safer to travel with a rented car than a scooter. The car makes it possible to visit almost all interesting places on the island.
Taxi... Samui taxi drivers are very reluctant to use their meters (unlike their counterparts in the country's capital, Bangkok) and tend to charge foreigners much higher than the standard fare. This is especially true of the popular beaches and marinas where vacationers arrive on the island. Some of them may even show some kind of document with a "fixed" price of 600-800 baht for a 25-30 km trip to Chaweng or Lamai. Such prices do not correspond to reality at all, and as soon as the drivers find out that you know the real prices, they begin to bargain and significantly discount the cost of the trip.
Songthav(songtaew). These pickup trucks are the easiest and most economical way to get around the island. They follow Highway 4169 (ring road) around the island. Can stop anywhere along the road. Daily rates are fixed at around 40-60 baht, but after dark they charge like a taxi (500 baht and more).
Motorbike/ scooter... Motorcycles and scooters can be rented almost anywhere in Koh Samui for about 120-700 baht per day, depending on engine power and season (a small scooter should cost no more than 200 baht even on New Years).
They are not looking for cheap prices and it is advisable to use the services of reputable companies so as not to fall for the bait of scammers. Fraud consists in attributing old scratches and dents to you and ripping off money for the “damage caused”. For this reason, carefully inspect the scooter, be sure to write down any existing scratches and damages in the contract, and only then use the service.
The motorcycle rental shop will most likely want you to leave your passport as security. This is a common practice in Thailand, but it is not advisable to leave your passport as collateral. Your passport can be left as a "deposit" until you pay the "damage caused". For this reason, do not use the scooter rental on the last day of departure so that you have time to resolve any problems you may have. If the claims are clearly illegal and the price asked for the damage is unreasonable, or if it was caused prior to your rental of the vehicle, call the tourist police.
Please note that motorcycle and scooter are the most dangerous forms of transport. Tourists are killed and maimed in road accidents every year. However, they are the most popular means of travel around the island. Remember there is a 500 baht fine for driving without a helmet.
Bicycles... Bicycles for rent are very cheap, the price should not exceed 200 baht per day.
What to see
Besides lying on the beach with a cold beer in hand, take the opportunity to see the following interesting places.
Waterfalls... Koh Samui has quite a few waterfalls, but only two of them are easily accessible to visit. These are Hin Lad and Na Muang. The best time to visit any waterfall is during or just after the rainy season. At other times, there is little water and it is hardly worth visiting the waterfalls.
Hin Lad(Hin Lad) is located about three kilometers from the city of Nathon. Easy to navigate by road signs. From the road, a 2 km long trail leads to the waterfall, you can swim in the reservoir at its foot.
To muang(Na Muang) consists of two waterfalls - Na Muang 1 and Na Muang 2. The first is actually on the very road (the main ring road of the island), not far from the Wat Khunaram temple. The waterfall itself is small (height 18 m), but it looks good in the photos. To enter the water and swim in its reservoir, you need to climb the slippery huge stones. Further, the trail stretches to the second waterfall (Na Muang 2), you will have to walk for about 30 minutes. The stream of water from the second waterfall flows in several cascades from a height of about 79 m.
Many tour operators of the island offer excursions to the Na Muang Falls. You can use the tour of the company Ung Safari. In addition to visiting both waterfalls, get the opportunity to go down the jungle water slides (two 20m and 70m long slopes), then rope through the jungle (4 ziplines), and before returning to taste Thai food and fruits at the largest fruit market in Samui. Details of the excursion follow this link. There is also the option of visiting the waterfalls on elephants; any travel agency in the city will help organize them.
Old house... This house in the Chinese style, almost 200 years old, represents the cultural identity of Samui. The current owner has opened the house for visitors to the island.
Wat Khunaram. Here lies the body of the monk Lung Pordaeng, mummified in 1983. The believers lay flowers and incense to the glass sarcophagus. Wat Khunaram is located on Highway 4169 (ring road) about six kilometers west of Lamai Beach.
Hin Ta(Hin Ta) and Hin Yai. The names translate as grandfather and grandmother. This is the most popular attraction on Koh Samui. The strange looking rocks bear a striking resemblance to male and female genitals. Located about two kilometers south of Lamai Beach.
Tiger Aquarium & Zoo(Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo) The zoo is represented by Bengal tigers, leopards and lions, the aquarium has sharks, turtles, tropical fish from the Gulf of Thailand. Judging by the feedback from visitors, the Tiger Aquarium and Zoo did not impress many. Open daily from 09:00 to 18:00, located on Ban Harn beach in the south of the island, website www.samuiaquariumandtigerzoo.com
Temple Wat Phra Yai(Wat Phra Yai, sometimes called Big Buddha Temple) is the site of the most important religious shrine of Koh Samui - the Big Buddha statue. The statue and temple are in Bang Rak.
Laem Sor Pagoda. This pagoda is another important shrine of the island. It is located in the very south of the island off road 4170 between Ban Tale and Ban Pang Ka. Follow the road to the Waikiki Bungalows sign.
Butterfly Garden and Insect Museum(Samui Butterful Garden / Insect Museum) has a collection of various butterflies, visitors can visit the insect museum and see many rare beetles and bee hives. There is an observation deck nearby. Located in Taling Ngam.
Monkey theater(Samui Monkey Theater). This is a kind of open-air menagerie on the main road near Bophut Beach. You can see a demonstration demonstration of the collection of coconuts by the monkeys. It works seven days a week from 10:30 to 17:30.
Paradise Park Farm(Paradise Park Farm). Visitors will have the opportunity to feed birds and animals, learn about the local flora and fauna, dine in a restaurant, relax in the pool overlooking the valley, relax at the spa, and climb to the observation deck overlooking the islands of Ang Thong National Marine Park. Located near Taling Ngam Beach, the site of the park is http://paradiseparkfarm.net
Snake farm(Snake Farm). Most of Thailand's tourist spots feature snake shows, and Koh Samui is no exception. Snake Farm is located on the southern outskirts of Phangka, a small village near Thong Krut Bay. Snake shows twice a day: 11:00 and 14:00. Demonstration cockfighting serves as a prelude, followed by a show of scorpions. Here you can also watch crocodiles, lizards, monitor lizards, pythons. Website http://samuisnakefarm.com
Rum production plant(Magic Alambic Rum Distillery). The French-Thai company Magic Alambic uses only natural ingredients to make rum on Koh Samui. The business offers tours that include free Thai rum tasting. For some reason, the owners of the enterprise do not demonstrate the real processes of production and distillation of rum on their equipment, but show all this on the recorded video. So you won't actually see the factory itself, but you can try the types of rum produced here. Once you have tried it, naturally you will want to buy. The factory is located on the south coast of the island, address: 44/5 Moo 3 T. Namuang, Koh Samui, website www.rhumdistillerie.com
Bull fighting... Bullfights are held on the island from time to time. Unlike the bloody massacres in Spain, the Thai version of the competition is much more humane. Animals butt each other with horns, and the loser simply runs away to measure their strength on another day. There are usually two fights, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
There are several stadiums on Koh Samui, notably in Ban Makham, Ban Saket and Nathon. It is not always possible to predict when the bullfight will take place, but generally, advertisements appear around the island's main ring road prior to each event (or check with your hotel receptionist). Bullfights are a colorful and spectacular event, with rituals and prayers, animals are decorated with ribbons and their horns are decorated with patterns. The cost for men is around 100 baht, women are free. Men accompany the spectacle with a fair amount of alcohol and bets on the winner.
Things to do
The most interesting places in Koh Samui can be seen on a day trip around the island. Such trips, in particular, are offered by the company Ung Safari... The most popular excursion is Full Day Jungle Safari Tours (09:00 AM to 5:30 PM). It includes, in particular:
Visiting Hin Ta and Hin Yai;
observing the collection of coconuts by monkeys;
elephant trekking;
swimming in the waterfall;
descent in the jungle on 2 water slides, length 20 m and 70 m;
a trip by off-road vehicles to the mountains;
visiting observation platforms in the mountains;
visit to the Buddha's Garden;
visiting the temple of Wat Khunaram, in which there is a melo mummified monk;
traditional Thai lunch;
visit to the Buddha statue in Bang Rak.
Diving... The best time of the year for diving in the Koh Samui region is from June to August, but snorkeling is practiced here almost all year round (the unfavorable period is October and November). Most of the diving tours take place in the nearby Ang Thong and Koh Tao National Marine Park, as visibility around the sandy beaches of Koh Samui is, with rare exceptions, poor. Divers are attracted by huge underwater boulders, coral gardens, the opportunity to see whale sharks, rays, sea turtles, schools of barracudas. Most of the diving centers are located in Phang Nga Bay (which has the most beautiful sea caves in Thailand), this trip is the most interesting option.
Kayak rentals are offered on all popular beaches at a cost of about 100 baht per hour.
Surfers the island is unlikely to please, since its beaches do not have waves for practicing this sport. Due to the absence of waves, stand-up paddling has become popular, lessons and equipment rental are available in Chaweng Ang Thong National Marine Park
Lamai Beach has several clubs, but they are all aimed at lower income visitors compared to Chaweng. Bophut has a small strip of restaurants and bars. After Bophut, nightlife options are dwindling and revolving around individual resorts and bungalows.
Climate and best time to visit
Samui's weather is different from the rest of Thailand. In April-September, when most of the country is the rainy season, the island is still quite dry, but from October to December, the island receives a lot of rain, while other regions of the country are already dry. October, November and the first half of December are the wettest months. The driest season is from January to March.
The peak tourist season is from mid-December to mid-January. The best weather is from January to April, after which it becomes very hot, with only a rare tropical storm providing short-term relief. During this period, the cost of recreation can be 50% of the price in the season of influx of tourists. There is usually a short-term increase in the number of holidaymakers in July and August, but during these months the western part of the island often receives a lot of rainfall.
Koh Samui - an island belonging to the state of Thailand. If you look at the map of Thailand, then the island of Koh Samui is located to the right of the mainland of Thailand in the Gulf of Thailand in the South China Sea (in English, the bay is called the Thai Gulf of Tailand), while the popular Phuket island is located on the left (in the west ) and is located in the Andaman Sea. The difference in the location of these islands makes Koh Samui safer than Phuket in the event of a tsunami. Since Samui is located in an enclosed sea, the possibility of a large wave is extremely small.
History of Koh Samui
For a long time, Samui was an unremarkable island. The island of Koh Samui lies far from the main straits, over which historical battles have always been fought, so the history of Koh Samui is a smooth transition from the island of anglers to a very popular resort. It is believed that immigrants from the Malay peninsula settled it fifteen hundred years ago, it is obvious that the island of Koh Samui was also inhabited by immigrants from China. The island is designated on a 17th century Chinese map under the other name Pulo Cornam. The island lived its own life and was very weakly connected with the mainland of Thailand. Only in the middle of the 19th century was a permanent ferry connection with the mainland organized. At that time, the 35 km separating Samui from Surat THani on the mainland were covered in a whole day. Now, from Bangkok to Koh Samui, you can fly in an hour.
During World War II, the island was occupied by Japan.
The bypass road on the island was built in 1973; before that, residents traveled on foot or by boat. The tourist history of the island began in the 70s of the last century. As elsewhere in Thailand, the main instigators were hippies, who formed entire communes on the island.
Then the Thai government realized that the island had significant potential for tourism development and started investing, and an airport was built in the late 1980s. Now Samui is the third most popular resort in Thailand after Pattaya and Phuket.
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