 The
247-square-kilometre Samui island is Surat Thani's major
tourist attraction. Located 258 nautical miles south of
Bangkok, and some 84 kilometres east of the provincial
capital, Koh Samui measures some 21 kilometres at its
widest point, and 25 kilometres at its longest. A 51-kilometre
ring and largely coastal road encircles the island, which
has numerous lovely beaches and bays, and is almost literally
an island of coconuts and  forested
hills.
Koh Samui's best beaches line the northern and eastern
coasts, the most popular being Hat
Chaweng and Hat Lamai,
where generally attractive accommodation can be found.
Other beaches include Hat
Choeng Mon, Hat Mae Nam
in the north and Hat Na Thon, the island's major seafront
settlement where shops, restaurants and tour agencies
are concentrated.
At the southern end of Lamai Bay are phallic rock formations
called Hin Ta Hin Yai. A path connects the three waterfalls,
called Namtok Hin Lat, Namtok Lat Wanon, and Namtok
Na Muang, from west to south. The waterfalls are best
visited during rainy season. Elephant riding is an interesting
activity at the Na Muang waterfall.
There are some Buddhist monuments and temples on the
island: Phra Yai is a massive seated Buddha image at
Fan isle; Phrathat Hin Ngu is a stupa containing the
Buddha’s relics and Chedi Laem So, a golden stupa
on the western coast; and Wat Khunaram houses the dead
body of Luang Pho Daeng which does not decay.
The weather
December to February (main season)
it is up to 30°C (86°F). Sometimes a short tropical
rain, mostly in December. This is the best season for
European people, because it is not too hot.
March to June it becomes very hot, up to 40°C (114F),
are rarely raining. You will enjoy to have a bungalow
with air condition !
July to September (main season) is
hot, but some days its raining. August is called the
Italian season (you can guess why).
June, October, November are rainy seasons.
But its not raining every day. In contrast to other
regions of Thailand, Samui not really have a raining
season. But sometimes there are sunless periods of 2
or 3 days.
GENERAL INFORMATION
If variety is truly the spice of life, Thailand ensures
the most exciting holidays possible. Not only does it
feature beach resorts amongst its myriad attractions,
it also offers a widely differing choice of beach locations.
Among these Samui Island is a rare gem.
Whereas Pattaya blends the city with the seaside and
Phuket adds luxury comforts to natural beauty, Samui
preserves the idyllic simplicity of a tropical hideaway.
It is characterized by almost deserted beaches of powdery
white sand, crystal-clear waters and a hinterland of
fresh green coconut plantations and rice paddies. Here
you can delight in a letter-day Robinson Crusoe experience
-- in comfort.
AWAY FROMIT
ALL
Koh Samui (the full name, with
Ko meaning "island" in Thai) is located some
80 kilometers off the coast of Surat Thani, about 560
kilometers from Bangkok. It is part of a true island
world being just one of a group of more than 80 tropical
islands, only four of which are inhabited.
An airport has being built and
you may access Koh Samui by ferry boat from Surat Thani
which can be reached from both Bangkok and the main
southern town of Hat Yai by plane, train and tour bus.
So Koh Samui remains very much away from it all, complete
unto itself as it has been for centuries.
The island, Thailand's third
largest, measures 21 kilometers at the widest point
and 25 kilometers in maximum length. A mountain ridge
runs east to west and most of the hinterland comprises
forested hills. The rich hues of wild vegetation are
dappled throughout with the contrasting greens of coconut
palms and emerald paddy. Indeed, besides fishing, cultivation
of coconuts is the main source of livelihood for the
islanders and Koh Samui ships some two million nuts
a month to Bangkok -- they are reputedly the best in
the country.
Sometimes trained monkeys are
employed to help harvest the coconut and these nimble
creatures provide endless entertainment as they go about
their work.
SUNRISE BEACHES
 Against
the backdrop of green hills, the shore line of Koh Samui
stands out as one of palm-fringed beaches and quite
coves and bays.
Clean and uncluttered, the beaches
are long, near-deserted strands of fine sand -- everyone's
dream of a tropical island escape. The most popular
spots are Chaweng and
Lamai. Both are on the
east coast where each day greets you with a spectacular
sunrise.
In such an idyllic setting the
temptation is simply to laze peacefully on the beach
and soak up a tropical sun tan. But if you want more
there are amenities for water sports, such as windsurfing
and snorkeling. The coastal waters are exciting to explore
and are especially rich in shoals of brightly coloured
fish and exotic coral formations.
EASE & COMFORT
Although there are a few first-class
hotels, Koh Samui's typical form of accommodation is
the beach bungalow. Usually palm-thatched and commanding
uninterrupted views of the beach and sea beyond, bungalows
offer good, simple facilities, with or without airconditioning.
You are assured of all basic comforts and yet the amenities
we all appreciate do not detract from the easy-going
Robinson Crusoe feel of an island retreat.
Most beach bungalows have their
own restaurants, while other small establishments are
common. Fresh seafood and tropical fruits are the natural
specialties of Koh Samui, though you'll find menus sufficiently
varied of cater to all tastes. International favorites
as well as spicy Thai dishes are available.
Getting around the island is
easy. A 50-kilometre ring road skirts the coast, giving
ready access to all beaches and the little administrative
centre of Na Thon, a compact beachside huddle of houses,
shops, restaurants and small hotels. The best form of
transport is a motorbike which can be readily hired.
This gives the freedom to explore at your leisure, although
mini buses do ply the main routes.
ISLAND EXCURSIONS
 Should
you want a little more activity than simply swimming,
windsurfing and sunbathing, the other islands in the
archipelago beckon. You can easily hire a boat for a
trip to Ko Pha Ngan, the nearest and largest island
nest to Koh Samui which has some economy class bungalows.
The beaches are good and there are also several scenic
waterfalls. Close by and accessible on day trips by
boat are two smaller, uninhabited islands, Ko Tao and
Ko Nang Yuan, where beautiful bays with colourful coral
formations offer excellent conditions for snorkeling.
A more adventurous full-day excursion
can be made to Ang Thong Marine National Park, a group
of 40 islands northwest of Koh Samui. Here you will
see spectacular limestone formations, caves, blue lagoons
and amazingly beautiful beaches. On Ko Wua Ta Lap, where
the park headquarters are located, there are bungalows
for rent. Organized daily tours to Ang Thong are available
from travel agents in town on Koh Samui.
MAINLAND SIGHTS
Either on your outward or return
journey, it is worthwhile to spend a little time in
Surat Thani, the mainland hopping-off point for Ko Samui.
this bustling fishing and shipbuilding centre is picturesquely
located and has a distinct charm. A casual stroll around
town or a canal tour on the Tapi river are rewarding
for the glimpses they give of southern culture. Surat
Thani is also a famous for its oyster farms, harvesting
a giant species of the mollusk.
More specifically for the serious
sightseer, Chaiya, about a 45-minutes drive north of
the town, is a major historical site. Its importance
stems from the fact that some scholars contend that
it was here that the ancient Srivijayakingdom had its
capital. Whatever the merits of the claim and despite
the fact that little remains to attest to the glories
of Srivijaya, Chaiya does boast some ancient temples
of note. Wat Phra Boromathat Chaiya, a highly revered
temple, has a Chedi believed to be more than 1,300 years
old, while Wat Wiang, Wat Long and Wat Kaeo are also
worth visiting.
A few kilometers west of Chaiya
is Wat Suan Mok, "Monastery of Flowing Water"
which is a tranquil meditation centre for both Thais
and foreigners set amid a peaceful natural park.
The picturesque Khao Sok National
Park, about 100 kilometers west of Surat Thani, is another
notable attraction. The are is rich in flora and fauna
and basic bungalow accommodation is available. Alternatively,
there is a "tree-top" guesthouse near by. |
