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KOH SAMUI
An island of great natural beauty and variety, Koh Samui is home to about 40,000 full-time inhabitants, 90% of whom are Buddhist. The palm fringed shoreline and coconut and fruit cultivation of the coastal lowlands rise to a central granite massive, the slopes of which are cloaked in virgin rainforest.
At 247km Koh Samui is the third largest island in Thailand and the largest island in an archipelago of over 80 (mostly uninhabited) islands which form the Ang Thong National Marine Park, a kayaking and snorkeling paradise. At 25km long and 21km wide, Koh Samui is big enough for serious exploration by the adventurous and fit, but can be circumnavigated in just a couple of hours by motorbike or car.
Tourism has long since overtaken coconut farming and fishing as the main sources of income. The latter are still practiced though to a lesser extent and the pleasant aroma of charring coconuts can still be smelled on many parts of the island. Many of the fish on local restaurant and hotel dining room tables come from the surrounding Gulf of Thailand's warm waters, although increasing amounts are imported from elsewhere as demand outstrips supply.
CLIMATE
Koh Samui, like the rest of the south of Thailand has only the two seasons. The rainy season is from May to December and the dry season is from January to April. Since the weather is tropical however, the rain when it does fall, does so heavily but doesn’t last long.
HISTORY
The island was probably first inhabited about 15 centuries ago, settled by fishermen from the Malay Peninsula[1] and Southern China. It appears on Chinese maps dating back to 1687, under the name Pulo Cornam. The name Samui is mysterious in itself. Perhaps it is an extension of the name of one of the native trees, mui, or it is a corruption of the Chinese word Saboey, meaning "safe haven".
Until the late 20th century, Samui was an isolated self-sufficient community, having little connection with the mainland of Thailand. The island was even without roads until the early 1970s, and the 15km journey from one side of the island to the other involved a whole-day trek through the mountainous central jungles.
GEOGRAPHY
Koh Samui is located some 84 km. east of the provincial capital. The island measures some 21 km. at its widest point, and 25 km. at its longest. There is a 51-kilometre ring and largely coastal road encircles the island. Altogether, the area comprises of 42 islands featuring lime stone massifs, tropical rainforests and secluded beaches. Among the islands, Koh Wua Talap (island of the Sleeping Cow) is the largest.
TOURISM
It was only the early 1970s that the first backpackers traveling on the back of a coconut boat arrived on Ko 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. Koh 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.
Unfortunately, development on Koh Samui is starting to take its toll and the beaches of Chaweng and Lamai are as overcrowded as anywhere on the Costa-del-Sol. Other than that however, there are still legions of quieter locations to ‘get away from it all’.
CULTURE
The south of Thailand is a melting pot of Buddhists, Thai Chinese, Muslims and even sea gypsies. The majority of the population in the rural areas is Muslim. Koh Samui however, does not suffer from any religious tension and the folk live in peace and harmony. Outside of the tourist areas, the rural folk speak with a thick Southern dialect which is difficult for even other Thais to understand. With this kind of mixture, Koh Samui is always celebrating something be it part of Thai Buddhist, Thai-Chinese or Thai-Islamic tradition.
TRAVEL TIPS
The best time to visit Koh Samui is between the months November to March when the area’s climate is less hot than usual. Then, down on the beaches one can enjoy nice sea breezes. From June to November the area gets a lot of rainfall, more on average than the rest of the country. Visitors however, coming in this period will find it cheaper.
Travel Thailand Cultural Tips The best time of the year to see Koh Samui is from November to March when the weather is slightly cooler and the seas are calmer. For visitors who like crowds and excitement they come in July and August. The temperatures throughout the year are from 28-32 degree Celsius.
Do
Do buy gems from a reputable company
Do carry around small change
Do take water when jungle trekking and do drink a lot in such a hot climate
Do bargain with vendors
Do take as many photos as you can
Do make sure your scuba diving instructor is fully accredited
Do keep your alcohol consumption under control
Don’t
Don’t take any boat unless it has life jackets
Don’t go into the jungle alone
Don’t touch narcotics
Don’t go to the beach at night either to walk or swim
Don’t get involved with any narcotics
Don’t, as a woman, got topless on the beach
Don’t, as a man, walk around shirtless, other than at the beach.
STAY SAFE
Motorbikes are somewhat risky, but jeeps, trucks, and other cars for rent are readily available at very reasonable rates, and are considerably safer. If you must use a motorbike always wear a helmet and never drive drunk; the roads are hazardous with many large potholes. After a good time drinking in the party areas of Chaweng, Bophut, and Lamai, taxis are readily available to take you home.
A recent development has been the appearance of Quad Bikes to rent for use on the roads. These do not appear to be registered for road use so care should be taken as they may not be insured.
Be careful about beaches in night time as crime often occurs there.
Useful Contacts
Emergency call Tel 191
Tourist police emergency hotline Tel 1155
24 hours emergency service (BangkokSamuiHospital) 42 9500
SamuiInternationalHospital: 23 0781 2
Samui Tourist Police 42 1281
Suratthani Tourist Police 28 1300
Samui Rescue: 42 1444
Marine Police: 42 1245
KohSamuiAirport: 42 5012
Koh Samui Immigration Office: 42 1069
TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) office - Koh Samui: 42 1230
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