Samui Island is a rare gem, preserving the idyllic simplicity of a tropical hideaway.

It is characterised by beaches of powdery white sand, crystal-clear waters.

I love this Island. It´s wonderful and this is the Paradise of earth.

Here you can delight in a latter-day Robinson Crusoe experience-in comfort.

The island, Thailand's third largest in the western Gulf of Thailand, measuring 21 kilometres at its widest point and 25 kilometres in maximum length. Is one of a group of more than 80 tropical islands, only a few of which are inhabited.

Samui has a population of approximately 34 000.Around the island runs a 50 km long main-road.

The most popular beaches are Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut and Maenam beach.

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 fields.

Nature lovers will be entertained by the wide range of local fauna. If you're lucky, you might get to see one of these very shy lizards.

Weather

March to June it becomes very hot, up to 40°C (114F), rarely raining. You will enjoy to have a bungalow with air conditioning !

July to September is hot, but some days it also rains. August is called the Italian season (you can guess why).

June, October, November are rainy seasons, but it does not generally rain every day. In contrast to other regions of Thailand.

Samui does not really have a well defined rainy season but sometimes there are sunless periods of 2 or 3 days, especially during November (monsoon).

It can be reached by air from Bangkok or by ferry boat from Surat Thani town.

The major access to the island is still by sea, with a large car ferry running continuously from Don Sak to the west coast and passenger craft running between Surat Thani and Na Thon. Buses carry passengers over the ferry, allowing uninterrupted travel between Samui and Bangkok or Samui and Hat Yai.

Statue on Ko Samui

Paid respects to the Big Buddha who sits serenely on a hilltop shrine. This temple is the home of Koh Samui's most famous landmark.

Buddha images should be treated with great respect. It is against the law to take or send them out of Thailand except under very special circumstances.

Most Visitors come to marvel at the sheer size and beauty of this remarkable statue at some point during their holiday.

Feet must be kept to yourself. Take of you shoes before enter the temple.

And not on the table and certainly not pointing at anybody.

Monks are the most important people in society and must be treated with respect at all times. Touching a monk or his robes by a woman is strictly taboo.

Central Chaweng Beach

has the greatest concentration of venues and most of the nightlife attractions are located here.

A good choice of music venues ranges from traditional Thai to jazz, rock to reggae and many of them keep going until dawn.

For a quieter evening there are plenty of bars and restaurants right on the beach, offering a dreamy view of the Gulf.

Food lovers can find just about anything, whether it be Thai or western and there are some very good seafood restaurants.

Chaweng has the greatest number of shops.

When bargaining : Always smile and bargain with good humor. Not only is it fun but will also help you to get the best prices.

Shopping in Koh Samui is limited to three major areas, are Nathon market, Chaweng market and Lamai market.

The Samui shopping areas offer you many kind of retail goods that make you to enjoy a great shopping. The major of Thai goods which famous in the world are Thai silk and handicraft.

Chaweng and Nathon Town

Whether you bring them your own personal sketches or have clipped a photograph of the style you wish, you can be assured of receiving a quality garment within few days.

Imported linens, blended wool's and print cottons are popular fabrics to choose from, while the lustrous Thai silk is hard to resist.

Despite all the activity, however, Chaweng still maintains the classic image of a palm-fringed tropical beach. Whatever their location, virtually all resorts offer a full range of watersports, including, yachting, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, windsurfing, waterskiing and more.

At the more developed beaches there are also dive shops and scuda enthusiasts will find ideal conditions in the clear waters which are rich in coral and marine life.

* Visit the Butterfly Garden.

Visiting a butterfly farm is a great way of getting up close to some beautiful creatures that one would otherwise only ever see as a flash of vivid color against green forest. The butterflies on the Samui farm flit about naturally amid tropical foliage, but they can't completely escape from view.

* Photographed the two X-rated geological formations "Grandfather Stone" and "Grandmother Stone".

Hin Ta - Hin Yai the name in Thai.Strangely shaped rocks at south Lamai.

A local story tells of an old couple whose ship was wrecked in the bay. Their body's were washed ashore to create the rocks.

* Leisurely driven around to the "Big Six" most popular beaches.

* Driven to the highlands and enjoyed the panoramic view.

* Enjoyed the delicious local seafood and savored a fresh Samui coconut.

The traditional way to eat Thai food is to share several different dishes at same time. Enabling each dinner to discover al many different flavors as possible.

One spoonful of one dish at a time, ladled onto a plate of steaming fragrant rice (Khao Plow in Thai), helps to keep the flavors distinct, while a sip of Chinese tea (Cha Jin) in between mouthfuls helps to prepare the taste buds for the next exhilarating experience.

* Take a bath under the Namuang Waterfall.

Hin Lad Waterfall is located 2 km south of Nathon Town. It can be reached by a 3 - 4 km walk down a country foot walk. In evergreen, rain forest setting with palms and creepers, the waterfall have several levels with a cool fresh water swim.

* Monkies on Samui.

The monkey undoubtedly qualifies as man's best friend. This isn't surprising, since for centuries the people here have used monkeys to do the hardest part of the work climbing the trees to pick ripe nuts on their coconut plantations.

* Buffalo shows.

This is a sport specific to the south of Thailand and on Samui it generates a great deal of excitement.

There are about a half dozen rough " stadiums" around the island, most being no more than a cleared area under the palms with a wall of bamboo matting or coconut leaves to hinder the view of those who haven't paid for a seat.

* Nightlife.

The popular Reggae Pub in Chaweng, noted for its logo which shows the face of Bob Marley. Reggae music (what else) is the fixture here and a live band leads you to wild dancing.

One of the most popular discos is the Green Mango. Dancing starts 10 p.m. and lasts until the wee hours of the morning. The big dance floor throbs with a crowd sweating it out to the latest disco tunes. But you can also have an open space with tables just a little farther from the main dance floor.

Finally, at Santa Fe disco, you dance until sunrise.

Cabaret shows are relatively new in the Samui scene. But slowly, the shows are gaining adherents both locals and foreigners. The show is patterned over the elaborate musicals and features songs and dances spiced up with gags by popular comedy acts as available on the island.

The glamour of the performers are probably the main attraction.

These performers excite the audience with their glittering costumes, made to complement the dazing production designs. Bring your whole family and spend a wonderful time with cabaret show.

* Nathon.

Until the recent popularity and growth of Chaweng, had been the busiest town on the island.

Here can still be found all the government offices including the immigration department and the general post office, main police station and the major banks.

There are some antique wooden houses in the town and a few hotels.

A sight worth seeing is the catch landed by the fishermen on the seafront every evening for sale on the beach road.

Nathon has some superb sunsets.

Please say "Thank you" or smile your appreciation. The Thai phrase is "Kop Khun Krap" by a man and "Kop khun Kha" by a woman.

Smile and people will like you. A smile can be used to excuse small inconveniences or to thank for small services.

There are 24 Hour services from the centers of Lamai and Chaweng but be prepared to negotiate depending on the distance and the number of people.

Stores and shops and Exchange counters, all close at 19.00 in Nathon.

Make sure you reconfirm your flight at least 72 hours before your departure.

Drugs are illegal in Kho Samui and Thailand imposes stiff sentences for possession.

Do not leave your valuables in the car or unguarded on the beach.

The sea is rough during the monsoon season.

Go for it now !

                Last updated   1999-09-09