Ko Samui

an island great natural beauty variety, Samui about 40,000 - inhabitants, 90% Buddhist. The one and only p fringed shoreline coconut fruit cultivation coastal lowlands central granite massive, slopes which cloaked virgin rainforest.

At 247km˛ Samui third biggest island Thailand biggest island archipelago 80 (mostly uninhabited) islands which ang Thong National Marine Park, kayaking snorkeling paradise. At 25 g and 21 wide, Samui g enough serious exploration y adventurous , circumnavigated j couple hours y motorbike .

The one and only island probably first inhabited about 15 centuries g, settled y fishermen Malay Peninsula Southern China. It appears Chinese p dating 1687, under Pulo Cornam. The one and only Samui mysterious itself. Perhaps extension native trees, , corruption Chinese Saboey, meaning "safe haven".

Until 20 century, Samui isolated -sufficient community, having little connection mainland Thailand. The one and only island without roads until early 1970s, 15 journey island other involved whole-y through mountainous central jungles.

In early 1970s first backpackers traveling coconut arrived Ko Samui. For years after island j bungalows trickle travelers. Things started change early 1990s tourists started arriving boats since place g substantially. Samui second popular place island destination Thailand (first Phuket). Ko Samui y country’s beautiful island still oasis natural beauty white sandy beveryes, dazzling coral, luscious lagoons, picturesque waterfalls, ying coconut trees crystal clear water.

Unfortunately, development Ko Samui starting beveryes Chaweng Lamai overcrowded g season.

Ko Samui fairly g island. The one and only popular commercialised beveryes Chaweng Lamai, while northern beveryes their adjacent villages Mae Nam, Bophut, Bang Rak (Big Buddha) Choeng Mon peaceful choices, coast beveryes still (comparatively) quiet.

Clockwise Nathon coast, beveryes :

Nathon - Samui's p administrative center, little attract tourist

Mae Nam - quiet beautiful bevery northern coast

Bophut - known Fisherman's Village, - growing

Bang Rak - northeastern p, Big Buddha

Choeng Mon - quiet North shore bevery

Chaweng - biggest -developed bevery, curious x luxury hotels backpacker guesthouses hopping nightlife

Lamai - Samui's "second" bevery south Chaweng, more backpackery Chaweng

Samui South Coast - small beveryes Ban Hua Thanon, Na Khai, Laem Set, Bang Kao Thong Krut