Koh Samui Land guide
Koh Samui information
Koh Samui is located in the province of Surat Thani about 685 km from Bangkok. It takes about 45 minutes to fly from Bangkok to Koh Samui. The name Surat Thani means "City of the good people" and covers an area of 12,891 square kilometers.
Koh Samui is an island outside of the coast of Surat Thani and is Thailand's third largest island after Koh Phuket and Koh Chang. The area of Samui are 228.7 km² and there is about 50,000 citizen that lives in Koh Samui.
Under the last 20 years, Koh Samui has become one of Thailand's most popular islandīs. Samui is also located very near Koh Phangan which is the home of the world famous Full moon party that is held every month.
Read more about Koh Pha Ngan...
It was only the early 1970s that the first backpackers traveling on the back of a coconut boat arrived on Koh Samui. And for years after that the island just had a few bungalows and a trickle of travelers. Things started to change however, in the early 1990s; tourists started arriving in the boat-full and since then the place has soared in popularity. Samui is now the second most popular place as an island destination in Thailand (first is Phuket). Koh Samui may not be the country’s most beautiful island but it is still an oasis of natural beauty with its white sandy beaches, dazzling coral, luscious lagoons, picturesque waterfalls, swaying coconut trees and crystal clear water. Tourism is now ahead of coconuts as the islands main industry.
Koh Samui weather and climate
Koh Samui has a tropical climate and has itīs high season is a little bit later than other places in Thailand. Koh Samui has only two seasons; the rainy from May to December and the dry from January to May. Some people donīt know this and get very disappointed when the come to Samui in the late rain season.
Read more about the weather in Koh Samui...
Koh Samui History
Koh Samui was first settled by fishermen from Malay Peninsula and Southern China for about 1500 years ago. Koh Samui first appear on the Ming Dynasty maps back in 1687. On that map, the islandsīs name was Pulo Cornam.
The island had almost nothing to do with the mainland for many years and it was even without roads until the early 70īs. Today is Koh Samui one of the most popular places for touristīs and the population is about 45,000 people. They have roads almost everywhere and the even got an international airport that fly to Bangkok and other major airports in Southeast Asia.
Administration
Prior to June, 2008, administratively, Koh Samui is an Amphoe (district) of Surat Thani Province. As of June, 2008 Koh Samui was granted official municipal status as an independent city.
The district is subdivided into 7 subdistricts (tambon). Also the complete island is one municipality (thesaban mueang). The district covers the island, as well as the Ang Thong archipelago and some other small islands nearby.
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Transportation's
Koh Samui Airport
Koh Samui Airport (USM) is a private airport originally built by Bangkok Airways, which is still the main operator and was for a long time the only airline with services to Koh Samui from Thailand.
Samui Airport (USM) in the northeast of the island is served by Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways International. Several ferries connect the island with the mainland, including the car ferry from Don Sak to a pier in the west of the island, south of the main town Nathon.
Bus and Boat
There are both non air-conditioned and air-conditioned buses to Bangkok and other southern provinces. There are also non air-condition inter-provincial buses. From Koh Samui are regular boats to and from Surat Thani and Koh Phang-ngan. There is also a daily boat to Koh Tao. Private speedboats are also hired for travel to and from Koh Samui.
Taxi
The Koh Samui Taxi Service is a public taxi service which operates around the island.
Songthaew
Pickup trucks/public passenger pick-up vehicles ("songthaews") are the most popular form of transport on Koh Samui
Motorbike
Motorbikes are out rented virtually everywhere on Koh Samui. Popular with the locals are motorbike-taxis.
Bicycles
Many foreign visitors prefer to use the rented bicycles to get around.
Attractions
Koh Samui has a wide range of tourist attractions like, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, Jungle Trekking, Thai Boxing, Elephant Trekking, Spa, Golf and much more.
Read more about attractions in Koh Samui here...
Shopping
Shopping in Koh Samui is by far most intense in areas such as Nathon, Chaweng and Lamai. You will find all kind of shops and boutiques here. There are a number of skilled tailors and dressmakers, who can sew a perfect fitting suit or dress of your choice. You will also find several sport shops, beauty shops, clothing and fashion boutiques (brand names in the shops and the copies outside) a few DVD and CD shops, photo shops and opticians etc.
Thai traditional handicrafts and souvenirs like Thai silk, souvenir, antique, lacquer ware, paintings and more can be found along with other jewelry, gold, silver shops, Buddha idols, antiques and souvenirs. Several 7-Eleven and Family Mart (Japanese chain) and local owned convenience stores are found all over Chaweng too. Big department stores such Makro, Tesco Lotus, Big C offer a big range of products for all your needs at reasonable prices.
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