Introduction to Koh Samui Island 1

Despite its popularity, Koh Samui remains one of the country's more beautiful island destinations.

Koh Samui (เกาะสมุย in Thai language) is the island of the coconut trees and the third largest island in Thailand (only Phuket and Koh Chang are larger by size).

In the past, Thai people about Koh Samui, Koh Samui, the coconut yield that most travelers today. Travel around the world, dubbed the Koh Samui. Central Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui is paradise with beautiful white sand beach along the sea and coconut trees along the male Had almost around the island. A unique charm that creates a passion for the visitors. Koh Samui is not only subject and only those islands nearby are all there. With superb views. And visitors to Samui sense of worth more than the journey. Each beach on the island, the atmosphere here which vary as a white-sand beach, Chaweng crystal clear waters ideal for swimming. Lamai Beach is a beautiful curved bay Taling Ngam Beach is the most beautiful sunset on the island. Not only the natural attractions of Samui are available only to restaurant tours, accommodation facilities and entertaining facilities equipped to travel to Koh Samui is very convenient. With ferries and passenger ships across the nearly every hour and a trip Direct flights to Koh Samui as well.

The total area is about 247 km² and it is located in the Gulf of Thailand, 700 km South of Bangkok in the Surat Thani province. There is a 55 kilometer long ring road on the island which makes it convenient to travel from beach to beach.

Well known beaches are Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut, Big Buddha, Choeng Mon, Hua Thanon and Maenam. Samui do also has many sister islands; Koh Tao (top diving destination in Asia), Koh Phangan (known for it's Full Moon Party etc.), Angthong National Marine Park, Koh Tan and the spectacular Koh Nang Yuan.

Popular Resort Areas
Originally settled by Hainanese from China in the mid-19th century, well-developed Koh Samui has a rather different culture to other parts of Thailand. The descendants of those pioneers now live mainly in the villages, as outsiders populate most tourist-oriented resorts. Known as Chao Samui (Samui folk), many of them still do the trade of their forebears - coconut farming. Indeed, the island is covered with palms, and coconut is a common ingredient of many local dishes.

Beaches & Nightlife
Hat Chaweng and Hat Lamai are Samui's most beautiful and most popular beaches. Both have a huge selection of places to stay, and prices rise from December to July. The nightlife of each is different: Chaweng is better for couples, women and families, while single men predominate amidst the beer bar culture of Lamai. These resorts, as well as Na Thon (Samui's main town), have communications, exchange and car/motorcycle hire facilities.

Temple Visits
Nice temples to visit are Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha Temple) in the north, with its 12-meter Buddha statue, and Wat Laem Saw in the south, with its old and sacred stupa. Monks conduct meditation courses for foreigners at Wat Pang Ba, near Hat Chaweng.

Sports
Buffalo fighting is a famous spectator sport on Samui. Duels between bulls last just a few seconds: the first to run loses, and injuries are rare. Seven bullrings around the island take turn to host competitions. For keen fight fans, human combatants box in regular matches at Muay Thai rings in Chaweng and Na Thon. Divers will find no end of operators around Samui, but most of them are at Hat Chaweng.

Getting to Koh Samui.
Getting to Koh Samui are several very easy ways.

• Drive from Surat Thani, take Highway No. 401 to the junction housing. Turn left to the Don Sak ferry terminal. The total distance is about 60 km

• The train's rail services with the bus fare to the train station to Surat Thani Buses to get to a ferry across to Koh Samui.
• The vessels are ferries from the Municipal Pier to Koh Samui at about 22:00 pm and leaving the ferry pier every hour on the bus was able to purchase tickets. From the district town. Don Sak pier to the ship or the port that will come up at all.
• Airlines Bangkok Airways Co. offers flights to - back Bangkok - Koh Samui every day.

Find more places here http://www.bestbeachthailand.com