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| The Island of Coconuts |
A Holiday experience with memories to last a lifetime has never been easier than on Koh Samui, Thailand’s third biggest island. Located 700 kilometers south of Bangkok in Suratthani province, the island has long been developed into a popular holiday resort enveloped by more than fifty stunning island. Koh Samui is conceived as a paradise for beach lovers, seafood gourmets and water sports enthusiasts alike. It has been able to maintain its exceptional charm and classical image of a tropical beach resort fringed by coconut trees. This treasure trove in the Gulf of Thailand enjoys a blend of allthat is best in Thailand natural wonders, friendly folks and attractive spots to discover. Lovely beaches, crystal clear waters and lush tropical gardens also await all visitors to island. Recommended places here include Hat Chaweng, Hat Lamai, Hat Na Thon, Mu Kho Ang Thong National Marine Park, Animal Farms & Shows, Hin Ta-Hin Yai, Samui Aquarium, Samui Golf&Country Club and Wat Phra Yai or the Temple of the Buddha. |
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 Koh Samui Tourist Attractions: |
The second largest island in the country of Thailand, Koh Samui epitomizes the pristine beauty of nature, almost personifying nature herself. Also known as Koh Samui, this island in the Gulf of Thailand is a major tourist attraction of South East Asia. A leading holiday destination of the world today, the Koh Samui tourist attractions charm all the tourists in Koh Samui with their charm, which is even today, surprisingly uncorrupted.
The beaches of Koh Samui form the predominant tourist attraction of Koh Samui with their scenic beauty as well as bustling atmosphere. However, the island has a lot more to offer than just beaches. If you are planning a holiday in Koh Samui, make sure to visit some of the main Koh Samui tourist attractions like:
The Big Buddha
Perhaps one of the most recognizable symbols of Koh Samui, this is a 15 meters high statue of Lord Buddha and is a must-visit while planning a trip to Koh Samui.
Buddha's Footprint
As there is no sign posted, finding this attraction will be part of the adventure. Take Rt. 4170 and 2 km west of the turnoff for the Butterfly Garden, go up the concrete slope on the left. Housed in a hilltop shrine, four footprints have been engraved one atop another. There are 163 steps to climb in all, but the view up there of the surrounding treetops and valleys will be worth it.
Hin Ta Hin Yai (at Lamai Beach)
Upon viewing those astonishing creations, even scientific purists would be tempted to believe that nature can also be as whimsical as the most eccentric artist. Also known as "Grandfather and Grandmother rocks"; entirely formed by the elements, two extraordinarily accurate male and female genitalia-shaped rock formations share a perch overlooking the sea. Delightfully refreshing forest forays, if you plan to do more than admiring the view - that is plunge into one of the island's natural waterfalls, then take along a sturdy and non-slip pair of old shoes and tread carefully. Those who have difficulty walking mountain paths are advised to visit Na Muang 1, and content themselves with enjoying the view. The volume of water at the falls will vary, depending on the time of year and recent rainfall. The last few months of the year are the wettest, while the months of March through September are fairly dry.
Namuang Waterfall
Picturesque in the way it represents the constant influence of nature on Thailand, the Na Muang Waterfall, located just around 10 kms south of Nathon at Ban Thurian is one of the principal tourist attractions of Koh Samui.
Samui Monkey Theatre
Located in Bophut, this crude zoo with a performing animal arena features shows several times a day. Small monkeys are trained to perform various tricks on stage, and then they climb the trees to demonstrate how they harvest coconuts; a feat for which the area's monkeys are uniquely skilled.
Chaweng Beach
Chaweng is the longest and most developed of Samui's beaches. The soft white sands attract thousands of visitors all year round and there is a vast choice of accommodation and food both on the beach and all along the main shopping street just behind it. Chaweng is the resort capital of the Island which gives the area an international flavor and means that much of the best shopping and entertainment is also to be found here. There are stalls and shops selling every kind of gift and souvenir plus innumerable bars, clubs and restaurants.
Lamai Beach
Lamai is Chaweng's smaller sister, another fine white sand beach with good swimming and lush tropical scenery all around but slightly less developed in terms of the big international resorts and chains. There are more mid-range and budget choices here as well as a large number of resident foreigners who came to Samui years ago and never quite managed to leave. Lamaj has the same type of long shopping and entertainment strip as Chaweng and the nightlife can certainly be iust as lively as the number of bars, clubs and restaurants is increasing all the time |
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Coconut island
is not a good reference in Thailand today but it was some 30 years ago. Everyone would know that the name referred to Samui island in the Gulf of Thailand as the island was then full of coconut trees. Boats that ply between the mainland of Surat Thani province and the 314-square-kilometer island used to actively carry coconuts. Detail |
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 How to get there: |
Koh Samui is one of the popular tourist destinations in Thailand and attracts travelers from all across the globe. How to get there to Koh Samui is not difficult to answer as there are several modes of transport making it all easy.
The quickest and comfortable way to get to Koh Samui is by air and flights connect all the important cities of the Thailand and also important cities of the world. Koh Samui Airport is owned by Bangkok Airways that operates up to 15, eighty minute, flights per day on the Bangkok-Samui route and 4, ninety minute, flights per week on the new Samui-Singapore route. There are several other flights that connect the important cities of Thailand.
Koh Samui can be easily reached by Boat and is located 80kms from Surat Thani and 560kms from Bangkok. One can also get to Koh Samui by train. The price of train tickets generally varies depending on the carriage class and whether you are boarding an air-conditioned carriage or not.
Koh Samui is located 80kms from Surat Thani and 560kms from Bangkok and one can reach Koh Samui is by bus. The Bangkok to Samui buses leave from the Southern Terminal. The fares depend on whether you are boarding first class or second-class buses.
Koh Samui is famous for its beaches and captivating sunrise and sunsets. The best beaches of Koh Samui are Chewang and Lamai Beach. You can stroll along these palm fringed beaches and spend hours in watching the magnificent sunset and sunrise everyday. Besides this there are a number of Water Sports in Thailand that also attract the tourists. |
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Travel Around |
By Motorbike:
Many of the tourists who come to Samui Island prefer to rent motor bikes to get around the island, go to the beach and go out for the evening. Since it is an inexpensive option, it is the most popular option by far. Please beware that many local drivers have not received proper instruction in traffic safety and there were accidents happened around the island and some even lost their lives. Moreover, most of the tourists are often riding these motor bikes for the first times in their lives. However careful riders are not necessary to be panic. These accidents are almost always due to a serious lapse in judgment. Please do not forget to grab the Guide Booklet for the safe driving tips.
Driving a Car:
Renting a car is easily available from many family-owned shops, famous International car rental companies, and the tour counters at most of the resorts and hotels. Renting Jeep is more common on the island. The rental of a 4-wheel drive vehicle will allow you to freely explore the whole island. You can visit many hillside natural and attractions which are easily accessible from the ring road. You can stop at all these places. Other kinds of vehicles are available from some shops and major car rental companies. If you are especially adventurous and have experience in off-road driving, you may head up unto the mountains. There, if you can negotiate the ruts and sometimes seemingly impossibly steep inclines, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the surrounding islands, as well as flora and fauna that are overwhelmingly beautiful. If Samui is paradise, its mountains are its Shangrilah.
Some of these vehicles come with insurance, but the coverage is limited and some even don't have insurance. Basically, major car rental companies arrange the rent with full insurance coverage. It is better to ask for the details before you rent the vehicle from any place. |
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 Essentials : Callbox |
Airprort: 0-7724-5600-8
Marine Police: 0-7742-1245
Immigration: 0-7742-1069
Seatran Ferry: 0-7727-5060, Raja Ferry: 0-7742-3190
Hospitals Bandon Int.'l Hospital: 0-7724-5236
Samui Hospital: 0-7742-2272
Telephone Directory: 1133, 183
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