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Virtually unknown until a decade ago, Samui Island rivals Phuket as Thailand's most popular beach resort. As the same time, this idyllic island remains quite distinct from its sister resort, preserving the natural simplicity of a tropical hide way.
Located in the Gulf of Thailand, on the opposite side of the southern peninsula From Phuket, Samui is characterized by quiet beaches of powdery white sand, deserted little coves, balmy waters and a lush green hinterland of coconut plantations and rice paddies. Here is the place to get away from it all and relax in the sun without a care in the world.
A world apart
In spite of easy access, with several daily flights from Bangkok and Phuket and ferry services from Surat Thani, Samui remains very much away from it all, complete unto itself as it has been for centuries.
Located 84 kilometers off the coast of Surat Thani, about 560 kilometers south of Bangkok, Ko Samui (Ko means ‘island” in Thai) is part of a true island world, being tile largest in a group of more than 80 tropical isles, only four of which are inhabited.
Samui ranks as Thailand’s third largest island, covering a total area of 247 square kilometers and measuring 21 kilometers wide and 25 kilometers in maximum length. 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 paddies.
Besides fishing, the cultivation of coconuts is the traditional and principal source of livelihood for the islanders, and Ko Samui ships some two million nuts a month to Bangkok — they are reputedly tile best in the country.
