| Koh Samui is a popular tourist destination and | | | | beaches. |
| sprawling island paradise. It is known to locals | | | | However with the persistence of the local and |
| simply as "Samui", as the word "koh" means | | | | national government roads were finally completed |
| "island". It measures around 25 kilometres at its | | | | in 1970s, at around the same time the first |
| longest point, and 21 km at its widest. It is | | | | European tourists arrived on the island by boat. |
| surrounded by more or less sixty other islands, | | | | Many of these tourists would make Koh Samui |
| which comprise the Ang Thong National Marine | | | | their new home, and many of today's |
| Park. It has a population of around 5,000. | | | | establishments and restaurants reflect this. |
| Koh Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand, and | | | | Koh Samui became somewhat of a hippie haven |
| was probably discovered by fishermen and | | | | in 70s and 80s, its laidback atmosphere providing |
| traders seeking shelter from storms and rough | | | | Westerners especially with an escape from their |
| waters. The island first appeared in Chinese maps | | | | hectic modern lives and the chance to start anew. |
| in the 1500s and was known as "Pulo Cornam". | | | | The real turning point in the island's history began |
| Koh Samui was first inhabited by Malay and | | | | in the 1990s with the construction of the Koh |
| Chinese settlers and the name Samui is believed | | | | Samui airport, which was originally serviced |
| to be either an extension of "Mui", one of the local | | | | exclusively by Bangkok Airways but today is also |
| native trees, or a corruption of the Chinese word | | | | served by Thai Airways International. For more |
| "saboey" meaning safe haven. | | | | flights information to Koh Samui, you can visit this |
| The island's warm tropical climate makes it an | | | | website. Also, several ferries including car ferries |
| ideal home for delicious fruits like the local Lang | | | | became more common, a popular route being one |
| San, small, round and similar to lychee. The | | | | from Don Sak to a pier in the Western part of |
| infamous durian, with its intoxicating pungent taste | | | | Koh Samui. Regular and private boats can also be |
| and smell, also flourishes here. The island is also | | | | easily hired from Surat Thani and Koh Phang-ngan. |
| home to more varieties of coconut palm than | | | | A public taxi service operates within the island |
| anywhere else in the world, even with recent | | | | along with songthaews or public passenger pick-up |
| infestations of beetles. | | | | vehicles, the latter being most favoured on the |
| Sixty years ago, you wouldn't have thought that | | | | island. Motorbikes and bicycles can also rented out |
| Koh Samui would be the bustling vacation spot it | | | | on Koh Samui. |
| is today. There were no cars or roads in the | | | | The last twenty years has seen a massive influx |
| island until the 1940s, and even after a 6-hour | | | | of both tourists and migrants to Koh Samui. |
| night boat ride from Surat Thani in the mainland, | | | | Resorts, villas, bungalows, and all sorts of |
| you would have to rely on walking as your main | | | | accommodations (a list of accommodations in Koh |
| means of transport within the island. It was quite | | | | Samui) along with restaurants, pubs, and discos |
| a headache to simply transport machinery and | | | | have sprung up all over the island. The island now |
| equipment as there were no piers, on top of that | | | | even has access to a stable, high-speed internet |
| rough mountainous terrain was especially difficult | | | | connection. Perhaps Koh Samui is not the pristine |
| to manage, preventing the development of | | | | and virgin tropical paradise it once was, but it is |
| infrastructure. | | | | still a very welcome retreat from the hustle and |
| You could imagine how, upon finally arriving on the | | | | bustle of urban life. Before travelling to Koh |
| island after hours of travel, you would be greeted | | | | Samui, have a look at this site for Thailand travel |
| by the most pristine waters and virgin, white sand | | | | advice. |