Koh Samui Thailand
Koh Samui is the third largest island of Thailand. Around 247 square kilometres in size, it is surrounded by 80 smaller islands of which only six are inhabited:
Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Taen, Ta Loy, Ma Ko and Ta Pao.
The island history began with the first settlers from Hainan Island (in China) who came here almost 150 years ago and took up coconut farming. And they are still growing coconuts, around two million are shipped each month to the mainland. The Hainan connection is still strong and a map of the Hainan Island can be seen at the Chinese Temple at Na Thon, Samui's oldest and only town.
As an island retreat Samui is taking off from where Phuket stopped. This needn't dissuade you: Samui has retained, despite the tourists, its casual laid back attitude. It boasts of just one town - the port town of Na Thon which is in the west of the island. A 50 km long main-road circles the islands with off shoots darting towards the interior. The interior is also where you'll encounter the lush tropical jungle
Koh Samui Island is one of the most popular islands in Thailand, it possesses the characteristic beauty and offers a wide variety of activities. Originally, Koh Samui was used to be the area of coconut plantations, but after being discovered by backpacked travellers, it is noted by them as a peaceful and magnificent paradise some time 20 years ago. Since then, Samui Island began to be a relaxation heaven for the travellers who are looking for spending their valuable holidays in this paradise island.
Koh Samui is strategically located in the Gulf of Thailand, approximately 84 kilometres east of Surat Thani mainland, or approximately 700 kilometres south of Bangkok which is called Coconut Island. It is one of the most famous and popular destinations in southern Thailand with an area of 247 square kilometres, where Koh Samui is the third largest island in Thailand after
Phuket (the largest) and the second largest
Koh Chang (of Trat Province). The topography of the island is formed of plains on both sides with a mountain range in the middle and 7 important streams. In addition, there is a 50-kilometer paved ring road covering the whole island for the convenience of transportation around the island. Moreover, Samui island stretches to a group of 48 surrounding islets including the famous Anthong National Marine Park.
Koh Samui is also very near to Koh Phangan where world's famous
Full Moon Party is held every month.
Despite its fast-going development, Koh Samui has been able to maintain its charm of natural beauty – its classical image of a tropical beach resort destination fringed by coconut trees. Travellers can enjoy a mixed blessing of vibrant day and nightlife along with tranquillity which can readily be found over different parts of Koh Samui as the archipelago is a peaceful home for fishermen and also a natural den for seagulls and other rare birds.
The Southern dialect and the standard Thai language are spoken while English is understood in tourist areas and widely used in International standard
hotels and resorts.
Geography
Koh Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand, about 35km northeast of Surat
Thani town (9°N, 100°E). It is surrounded by about sixty other islands, most
of which comprise
the Ang Thong National Marine Park, but also
include other tourist destinations Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan.
The
island is roughly circular in shape, and is about 15km across. The central
part of the island is an (almost) uninhabitable mountain jungle (peak Khao
Pom, 635m) and the various lowland areas are connected together by a single
road, that covers the circumference of the island.
There is one town, Na Thon, on the west coast of the island, with a major
port for fishing and inter-island transportation. Each of Koh Samui's many
beaches is also nominally considered a town, due to the number of hotels,
restaurants and bars that have sprung up in recent years.
Weather and Climate
Unfortunately, visitors are sometimes incorrectly informed about the seasons of
Koh Samui prior to their departure from their home. It is unaware by most of the
visitors. For instance, we do not have the same rainy season as it does in
Bangkok and other parts of Thailand.
