The resort of Ko Samui is located off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus in the Gulf of Thailand and stands adjacent to the Ang Thong Marine National Park, a picturesque group of over 40 limestone islands. Samui is Thailand’s third largest island after Phuket and Chang, and forms part of the Surat Thani Province within the region of Southern Thailand. Being approximately 25 kilometres from north to south and 20 kilometres from east to west, the island covers over 220 square kilometres and is surrounded by many, beautiful sandy beaches. The fertile, coastal lowlands of Ko Samui rise to the central peak of Khao Pom at 635 metres which is covered in dense uninhabitable mountain jungle. Samui lies approximately 20 kilometres off the mainland coast and is easily reached by air from Bangkok which is located approximately 700 kilometres to the north, and frequented by several ferries from the mainland city of Surat Thani. Ko Samui is a very popular visitor destination and is known primarily for its magnificent beaches which can be reached from the coastal road that encircles the island and travels through the palm fringed lowlands which are used for coconut, rubber and fruit production.
Once a small self-sufficient fishing community, Ko Samui has grown to become a busy resort island and provides visitors with approximately 60,000 beds and an extensive range of glorious beach resorts. The largest town of Na Tho, which is located on the west coast, is the administrative, commercial and fishing centre on the island as well as the main port for the numerous inter-island ferries. Na Thon provides little of interest to the average visitor although local shopping and markets do offer a colourful reminder of simpler days. The town retains some old teak Chinese shop-houses amongst the restaurants, cafes and guest houses which provide services to the numerous visitors that arrive or depart by ferry.
As the island has gained popularity the beaches themselves have developed their own local communities which centre around the hotels and restaurants, and provide visitors with entertainment and nightlife activities. The most popular and therefore the most developed is the 6 kilometre long Chaweng Beach on the northern part of the east coast, which provides a wide variety of accommodation from 5 Star Luxury to backpacker guesthouses. It is known for its fantastic white sandy beach and excellent nightlife. – the second most popular beach can be found at Lamai on the southern part of the east coast, which also provides a wide range of accommodation although it has a slight emphasis on backpacker guesthouses. Recent developments are changing this disparity and prices are generally slowly increasing. Lamai benefits from its closeness to Ko Samui’s most popular tourist attractions. Other beaches include Mae Nam, which is on the central-north coast and known as a quiet and beautiful beach which stretches for 7 kilometres - Laem Yai, which lies on the western side of the north coast and is known as a secluded beach with distant views over the islands of the Ang Thong Marine National Park – Bang Rak, which lies on the eastern side of the north coast and is known as the home of the Big Buddha – Choeng Mon, which lies on the north coast is a small, quiet and clean beach – Bophut, which stands on the north coast, is well known due to its local fishing village. The sheltered bay of Bophut is often filled with murky water although the beach stretches for 2 kilometres and is comprised of beautiful white sand - the south coast of Ko Samui is comprised of several small quiet beaches.
Several attractions are worth noting and include the island’s most famous Kunaram Temple, which is known for its mummified monk - the 15 metre tall Wat Phra Yai (or Big Buddha Temple) – the Snake Farm – the Butterfly Garden – the Magic Buddha Garden, and the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks, better known as the Grandpa and Grandma rocks.
|