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Place in Surat Thani, Thailand
Photo: J. Miers, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ko Samui (เกาะสมุย), often called just Samui (สมุย) is an island of great natural beauty and variety in the Gulf of Thailand. The palm-fringed shoreline and coconut and fruit cultivation of the coastal lowlands rise to a central granite massif, the slopes of which are cloaked in virgin rainforest.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
This village grows high quality fruits, including rambutan, durian, mangosteen and the famed langsat.
Also known as “Big Buddha Beach”, in northeast Samui, Big Buddha offers visitors good swimming and lovely views. The area has developed a lot and there are now plenty of restaurants, shops, and bars.
In the north of the island, is a popular starting point for diving tours. The place isn't in any way as developed as Chaweng but there are still plenty of restaurants, shops, and bars.
The major beach on Ko Samui and one that has developed tremendously since the early 1990s. The beach used to be home to just a sprinkle of wooden bungalows but now the place is swamped with hotels, pizza joints, pubs, and go-go bars. Samui’s nightlife is becoming legendary but unfortunately does not always attract the highest standard of tourist. Chaweng’s once hippie-only backpackers have given way to a lot of lager louts. Chaweng is the place to be if you are one of them.
In the northeast corner of Samui just 10 minutes from Chaweng. Unlike the latter, it is a perfect place for relaxing.
These odd-looking rocks at the south end of Lamai Beach bear a striking resemblance to male and female genitalia and they have turned into one of the island’s biggest attractions. For those who would like to hear a legend or two surrounding the rocks, they need only ask a local.
Easily accessible by car. Some of the numerous tiny levels have a large basin for swimmers.
Like Chaweng, Lamai has been transformed from a hippie hangout into a fun, party place packed out with bars and exciting nightlife. The beach though, is still in better condition than Chaweng and the place doesn’t get quite so crowded. But if it’s a quiet relaxing location you are after, then the tourist downtown, known as Lamai Beach, won’t be the ideal place for you. The quieter northeast end of the beach is lined by both good-quality luxury resorts and low-cost guesthouses and bungalows, which front along the highway towards Chaweng.
This quiet beach, in the north of the island, is decent enough for swimming and sunbathing especially for families with children due to the shallow water.
A local road leads to the Na Mueang 1 Waterfall just off Rte 4169. A walk of about 30 minutes ends up at the more scenic Na Mueang 2 Waterfall. Purple rocks surround the stream of water, which gushes in from an impressive height of around 79 m.
This Chinese-style house, almost 200 years old, hints at Samui's distant cultural past. Grandpa Si and Grandma Maen Hancharoen, the present owners, open the house to visitors.
Crystal Beach
Beautiful beach which is normally a little less crowded than other nearby options.
These shows can be observed at the open-air theatre on the main road behind Bophut beach. The entertainment also includes performing elephants. However, the capturing and training of otherwise wild animals is at best ethically questionable.
The undersea world of the aquarium has an amazing collection of tropical fish and other vibrant aquatic animals such as turtles and colourful coral. The tiger zoo is home to Bengal tigers and leopards. For those who are daring enough, they can have their photograph taken with the animals.
There is a huge collection of butterflies, some a quarter of a metre wide. In the nearby Insect Museum, you can see a variety of rare bugs and a bee house.
This chedi (pagoda) at Laem Sor temple is one of the most important shrines on Ko Samui. The structure with its yellow tiles which gives off a golden aura is quite impressive.
This temple is the island’s most famous temple for its mummified monk on display. The mummy sits upright in a glass casket and devotees offer it flowers and incense. The mummy is in fact the body of a very revered former abbot of the temple who was also a meditation master who was able to predict his own death.
Also known as Big Buddha Temple
Has a 15 m tall statue of the Buddha. It was built in 1972.
A recurring cultural event bringing together art lovers, local Thai and international artists, and their artwork. The annual event, hosted at various resorts and other venues, focus on building the art community on Ko Samui, with presentations by featured artists.
The Ko Samui Midnight Run is a charity run organized by the Thai Hotel Association (THA) and the Thai Association of Ko Samui (TAKS). It is a yearly event usually held in March. With up to 2000 participants, the run is one of the biggest on Samui and in Thailand. Participants will run 5 or 10 km around the buzzy and lively streets of Chaweng Beach. The first run was held in 2013.
A sailing race held every year. The tournament is internationally known and competitors come from as far away as Australia, Singapore, Japan and China. The event began in 2002.
The International Triathlon Union organizes this event every year. This event draws more than five hundred participants from around the world.
By boat
From Surat Thani train station and Surat Thani Airport (URT), there are combined bus/ferry services to Ko Samui costing 200-300 baht.
By taxi
By day, Ko Samui's public transport is provided by songthaew, pick-up trucks with two rows of seats.
By ridehailing
By bus
Pickup trucks/public passenger pick-up vehicles (songthaews) also serve as group taxis.
By motorbike
Motorbikes can be rented virtually anywhere on Ko Samui for between 120-700 baht per day depending on the size and season (small 125 cc bikes should cost no more than 200 baht even during New Year).
By bicycle
Bicycles can be hired very cheaply on Ko Samui. One shouldn't cost any more than 50-100 baht per day.
By car
There are many car hire options on Ko Samui, including the local arms of international companies such as Budget and Avis.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Na Thon (Ko Samui Island) · International · USM
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