The Thai resort island Koh Samui is the second largest island in Thailand after the famous James Bond island of Phuket. The island is roughly circular in shape and is located just off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus which is near the mainland town of Surat Thani and it is also one of the most popular tourist attraction in the Kingdom of Thailand.
Koh Samui has a land mass of almost 230 sq km ( about 90 sq mile) with a population of about 50,000 people (2007). The main island is surrounded by about 60 other smaller islands. The central part of Koh Samui is almost uninhabited and is dominated by a mountain jungle with Mount Khao Pom as its highest peak at 635m (about 2100ft). The island’s lowland areas are inter-connected together with just one single road that weaves the circumference of the island.
Historians estimated that the island started to see its first inhabitants in about 1500 years ago. The early settlers were probably fishermen from Malaysia and Southern China. The island even appears on the Chinese Ming Dynasty maps way back in 1687. No one knows for sure how Koh Samui got its name. Some speculated that it was derived from a native Mui tree while others think that it is a hybrid of the Chinese word “saboey”, which means “safe haven”.
Situated on the southwestern coast of the island is Nathon, the ancient capital of Koh Samui. This area is a still major fishing port and also an inter-island transportation hub today. Koh Samui was an isolated self-sufficient community until as late as the 20th century as it had little contact with mainland Thailand back then. The island did not even have a road until one was built in the early 1970s.
Today, the island of Koh Samui is one of the most popular tourist attraction in Thailand and it even have its own international airport, called Samui Airport. Bangkok Airways have flights to and from Samui every day. Samui Airport also receives flights from Bangkok and other major cities in South East Asia.
Samui island’s economy used to be based on subsistence agriculture and fishing, however, from the 1980s, the tourism industry grew by leaps and bounds and is now Koh Samui’s main source of income.
Being an island, Koh Samui’s main tourist attractions are naturally its white beautiful beaches and beach resorts. Tourists can find stretches of beaches and accommodations along the beaches of Chaweng, Lamai, Maenam, Bophut, Bangrak, Choeng MoN, Ao Tong Takian and Nathon with Chaweng and Lamai beaches being the most popular but crowded. For tourists who prefer a quiet beach for relaxation, then check out Maenam beach.
Another popular attraction in Koh Samui is a 12 metre (35 ft) tall statue of the Buddha, affectionately called “Big Buddha”. This statue is located at the top of a ceremonial dragon-steps at the temple of Wat Phra Yai. Koh Samui and is also home to quite a few other impressive temples such as the Wat Khunaram. Wat Khunaram is where the mummified body of Loung Pordaeng, a monk who died in a meditating lotus position is on display.
A sightseeing trip to see Papa and Mama rock at the south of Lamai beach can be very hilarious due to the rocks’ hilarious resemblances to the male and female sexual genitals.
To the more adventurous tourists, the jungle mountain in the interior of the island is a good camping ground for jungle trekking. This area is also home to a number of beautiful gardens, waterfalls at Na Muang and rubber plantations.
Animal lovers can also visit Koh Samui’s numerous animal attractions such as the crocodile farm, the monkey theatre, take elephant rides, a snake farm, a marine aquarium and a butterfly garden.
Most tourists to Koh Samui will make a day trip to the awe inspiring Ang Thong National Marine Park. The best time to visit Koh Samui is in summer (Feb-Apr). With such interesting landscape and attractions, no wonder this island is drawing tourist from around the world all year long.
By: Chris Chew
Archive for September, 2009
Tourist Attractions in Koh Samui Island Resort
September 17th, 2009Thailand Holiday Secrets- Ten surefire ways to stay, eat and live on pennies to the dollar in Thailand
September 13th, 2009It’s practically no secret that tourists from all over the world just love flocking over to Thailand for a vacation that is teeming with Asian culture. Given its rich heritage, tourists- especially those from the West, get amazed at how in spite of all the modern things that one can find in Thailand, the people still abide the common Thai traditions and practices. In Thailand, tourists can definitely enjoy the best of both worlds wherein old-world traditions and sites will fill their need for some cultural immersion while the many modern additions to the country, especially to its capital city of Bangkok, promises to be able to provide them with creature comforts that they have been so used to back home. However, given that not everybody has thousands of dollars to spare for a vacation, one can still enjoy a visit to Thailand even on a budget, we’ll show you how through these ten ways:
l Feast like a king on a poor man’s budget: it’s practically a no brainer that Thais are highly regarded for their incredibly delicious food. While restaurants abound, those who are on a budget should know that one of the best Thailand holiday secrets can be found in the country’s variety of hawker stalls. These food stalls are the best place to be if you want some authentic Thai food at less the price without having to scrimp on taste.
l Another one of those Thailand holiday secrets that every traveler should not miss out on is the incredible shopping Thai experience. Again, while there are loads of malls all over Thailand – most especially in Bangkok. There are also a lot of alternative shopping places where people can score great bargains on equally fantastic items.
l Chatuchak market: this sprawling outdoor market is a must-visit on weekends. Yes, it is only open on weekends so you better make sure that you put it in your itinerary because it houses stall upon stall of all sorts of goods. From fashion items, food, trinkets, furniture – even pets.
l Tourist traps and scams: while the Thai people are naturally friendly, tourists- especially Westerners who stick out like a sore thumb in Asian countries- should always watch out for tourist traps wherein they’ll get ripped off of their own money.
l Always bring a calculator when shopping. This makes it easier to haggle with vendors who don’t understand much English.
l Buy touristy items at markets as it is cheaper compared to the ones being sold in souvenir shops.
l Buy in bulk for additional savings.
l Wear comfortable clothing as Thailand’s weather tends to get quite hot at times.
l Try to learn a few Thai praises to make the people warm up to you more especially when asking for directions or haggling to get a good price when shopping.
l Fill up on breakfast, hotels in Bangkok usually offer breakfast for free for their guests unlike in other cities like Hong Kong where it will cost you a bit. Do take advantage of this and fill up before heading out for a big day.
Make sure that you follow these Thailand holiday secrets to be able to enjoy the best of what Thailand has to offer without having to break the bank.
By: Basic Bruce
Jumeirah | Private Islands | Property in Phuket | Thailand Homes
September 12th, 2009Islands phuket have more vistas for tourists when compared with other tourist havens in Thailand. Naturally, private islands have tropical beauty with flowing rivers and still beaches. Thailand homes barely present sign of magnificence in the row of Thailand property. Comparatively, property in phuket such as 5 star hotels phuket, homes for sale phuket and phuket hotel resorts under real estate companies’ phuket leave a lasting impression on the mind of tourists. Phuket property solely is a guaranteed investment opportunity in real estate phuket for investors to come to view beauty and go return back with loads of profit with credit cards.
Not only has that but jumeirah construction’s involvement in property phuket more beautified phuket to give inspiration to every one to invest and visit. The name jumeirah belonged to Dubai based sky scrapper first now it has keen regard for Phuket as well. Jumeirah construction has raised several magnificent building and resorts to give reason to tourists to visit phuket every year. Before, phuket the people mostly loved to visit Vegas, Zurich and Dubai etc but the eternity has been earned now by Phuket.
One can walk the islands phuket to enjoy the breeze in early morning with refreshing effect or reserve a 5 star hotel phuket room around private islands easily to have all comforts at once and for all. Besides, one can have lunch at any phuket hotel resort to enjoy the bites of the Thai food which is counted to be of great taste in the world. The dinner has more dishes of refined tasty sea food with soft music played in phuket.
Nights in private islands leave their impression on mind of tourists due its touching effect because clubs offer much facility to them than they could have had possibly at any other place of the world with multiple flavors of spirit. Everything in phuket Thailand is just perfection .Not only tourist instincts get satisfaction but there are so many other fields available for investors as well to generate certain funds from.
Real estate companies phuket and jumeirah construction have together developed phuket into a investment place as well. The investment opportunities are open to every one to make investment according to financial strength. An investor can start from a minor transaction at first and later on it can be multiplied. Real estate phuket involves avenues of investment in homes for sale phuket, phuket hotel resorts, Thailand homes and other phuket property.
Nevertheless, Thailand property such as private islands including phuket as an archipelago generate more funds due to biggest investment opportunities. Phuket hotel resorts provide all kind of comforts whereas property in phuket proves to be a place to make investments and enjoy the profit.
This way a visit to phuket, Thailand can give more than a casual visit to a place because it provides comfort in luxurious style in 5 star hotels phuket with still life at sunny beaches down the waves you can swim as well, whereas, the investment opportunities can earn a great deal too. Therefore , any one who has never visited phuket , Thailand or has not made an investment with a place excessively visited should get seats reserved as soon as possible because great opportunity never offers the second chance.
By: Sanjiv Sharma
