Koh Samui, situated off the East coast in Southern Thailand, is the largest of an archipelago of more than 59 islands, for the greater part uninhabited, the Angthong Marine National Park (The Golden Bowl).

Of a surface area of about 253 square kilometres, it is the third largest island of the Kingdom after Phuket and Koh Chang. The most close continental city is Suratthani at about 84 kilometres westwards.

Discovered at the beginning of the 70s by backpackers when there were only huts without electricity and tap water, and a population which lived mainly on the fishing and coconut plantations. Presently, Koh Samui still sends more than 2 million of coconuts a month to Bangkok.

Tropical island lined with coconut palms and with white sandy beaches, Samui is connected several times a day by boats and planes. It is part of Suratthani's province.

Within two decades, Samui became a choice destination in Asia. Today, with its guests, Samui built up itself a robust reputation of small tropical paradise.

SAMUI’S TOWNS AND BEACHES.
By.Choliday travel,lifestyle & community. Free Copy.
The island of Koh Samul has been a hidden treasure for paradise seekers over the past 40 years. Today the beaches remain to be the passion of the island, with resorts and hide-away bungalows spilling out and onto the white sands. Each beach on Samui has maintained its own personality, relating to the area that it lies within. Featured here are some of the highlights of each of these areas for the holiday traveller to enjoy.

BOPHUT:
Bophut stands out as the only village on Samui that exudes authentic island charm. It consists of a single street lined with traditional shop-houses, many of which have be.en converted into restaurants, sales shops and guesthouses. The distinct designs of the beachside dining sector, as well as the chosen cuisine that is available, have created an exceptional Mediterranean atmosphere. Bophut is expanding constantly, generating new wining and dining options every year. Despite i- growth, the essential seaside appeal remains, making it one of the island’s mo attractive locations.

HUA THANON:
The Muslim fishing village of Hua Thanon offers a handful of seafood restaurants, but its main attraction lies in the ancient cultures of the local fishermen. Intricately pointed wooden boats are used to this day to catch and deliver fish directly to the local markets. Take a stroll through its market and capture a glimpse into the lives of one of the island’s original communities. Beyond Hua Thanon, the southern coast offers some of the most unspoiled natural scenery on Samui. You will find quaint local villages and coconut plantations that have endured the test of time.

LAMAI:
Lamai has often been referred to as Samui’s second beach, but there are many who believe it has a greater beauty than that of chaweng. The waters are excellent for swimming and the beaches and streets are less crowded. The southern end of the bay features elegant granite boulders while the beach itself seems endless. The nightlife in Lamai hosts some excellent restaurants and bars scattered along its strip. The surrounding area notably hosts some of the islands best spas and health resorts available.lf you wander off the beaten track here, you might get a glimpse of some true Thai culture.

NATHON:
This is the island’s main administrative centre. All government offices, banks, as well as the main ferry pier are located in Nathon, making it the most important place for communication with the Thai mainland. Nathon also boasts a number of original teak shop-houses, lining the quiet middle roads, showing the more traditional, Chinese influenced Samui life. Any major local events, ceremonies or celebrations are held in the car park in front of the main pier in Nathon. Visitors tend to pass through this beautiful village on their way to either Chaweng or Lamai, missing some of the least expensive shopping on the island. A nightly food market establishes itself here regularly, giving visitors their first taste of the delights available on Samui.
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Angthong National Marine Park, consisting of 42 islands featuring limestone massifs, tropical rainforests, secluded beaches and wildlife, was established as a national park in 1980. Also known as the Golden Basin, the park in Koh Samui is renowned for activities like snorkeling, walking and swimming. Similar nearby islands are Koh Sam Sao, Ko Prayad, Koh Hin Dap and Koh Kha.

HOW TO GETIN
KOH SAMUI
Beautiful Samui.


Samui AIRPORT Map.

SOCIAL CUSTOMS SOCIAL CUSTOMS AND HOME LIFE

Social customs differ in all parts of the world. Informality and general friendliness in personal relationships in all age, economic, and social groups characterize the Thai people. Thais will gladly tell you what they would do in certain situations. They also will be interested in knowing how you do things in your country. A few “Thai ways” may be of help to you in your visit to Thailand.

The Thai people do not say “good morning,” “good afternoon,” “good evening” or “good night.” They greet one another with the word Sawadi and instead of shaking hands, they put their two palms together in front of their chests under the chins and bow slightly. It is customary for the younger or lower in social status to begin the greeting When taking leave, the same word and procedure is repeated.
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Thailand’s third biggest island, Samui is the ideal tourist destination, with its tranquil atmosphere and miles of white-sand beaches fringed by palm trees.

The most well-known beaches

are Chaweng and Lamai. The others—B ophut, Maenam and Big Buddha—are off the beaten path, although they are preferred by those who want to avoid the crowd.

Chaweng beach,

with a coastline that stretches for about six kilometers, is in the eastern part of the island. The waters are clear and suitable for windsurfing, parasailing, kayaking and snorkeling.

Parallel to the coast

is Chaweng Beach Road where many resorts, bars and restaurants are situated. It is also here where the shopping, enter- tainment and nightlife districts are located, concen- trated in the central part. The northern part is quieter.

Chaweng is usually where

many ambulant vendors sell Thai food, beverages, fruits, and other wares to tourists.

Lamai, whose coastline

is half that of Chaweng, is Samui’s second most popular beach. It is less crowded than Chaweng. The waters here are calmer and the coast is marked by granite boulders that jut out to the sea. This is an excellent area for fishing. Also within the vicinity are the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks, one of the island’s top natural attractions.

The two-kilometer Bophut

Beach offers the best sunset view on the island. Bophut, facing Koh Pha- Ngan, is quite secluded, making it a perfect hideaway. At the west end of Bophut is Fisherman’s Village, where wooden houses and local shops are reminis- cent of the old Samui.

Nearby is Big Buddha Beach

, so-called because of the famous landmark Big Buddha statue, whose 12-meter height on a small hill dominates the scenery. Big Buddha Beach has its own nightlife provided by several restaurants and bars, some with live music. Located about two kilometers to the west of Bophut is the 4-km Maenam Beach, which is best for those seeking solitude, since it is not visited often by tourists.

There are some dive

and water-sport shops in this area since Maenam is great for windsurfing, espe- cially in November and December. The Maenam pier is also where many speedboats depart for Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.

+ Bangkok Airways Timetable
+Lomprayah Express Boat Timetable (Samui to +Phangan to Koh Tao)
+Seatran Express Boat Timetable (Samui to Phangan to Koh Tao)
+SEATRAN FerryTimetable (Donsak to Samui)
+RAJA FerryTimetable (Donsak to Samui) (Donsak to Phangan)
+BUS Timetable  (Samui to Bangkok)
+ON BUDDHIST MONKS AND NUNS.
+Important telephone number
+Koh samui,Koh Phangan Land Price +Overvalued!!
+Suratthani Central : Thailand
+SUNTUBURI SAMUI GOLF CLUB
+Getting Around Koh Samui

The quickest and comfortable way to get to Koh Samui is by air and flights connect all the important cities of the Thailand and also important cities of the world. Koh Samui Airport is owned by Bangkok Airways that operates up to 15, eighty minute, flights per day on the Bangkok-Samui route and 4, ninety minute, flights per week on the new Samui-Singapore route. There are several other flights that connect the important cities of Thailand.