Koh Samui, the beautiful island of the coconut trees, is the third largest Thai island. (Only Phuket and Koh Chang are larger by size) The area is about 250 km² and it is located 700 km South of Bangkok in the Surat Thani province..
Koh Samui is the largest of an archipelago of more than 80 islands, for the greater part uninhabited, the Angthong Marine National Park (The Golden Bowl).
The most close continental city is Suratthani at about 60 kilometres westwards.
Beautiful white sand beaches, clean, clear warm water; lush tropical gardens and gentle ocean breezes await you at this ideal holiday destination.
Discovered at the beginning of the 70s by backpackers when there were only huts without electricity and tap water, and a population which lived mainly on the fishing and coconut plantations. Presently, Koh Samui still sends more than 2 million of coconuts a month to Bangkok.
Tropical island lined with coconut palms and with white sandy beaches, Samui is connected several times a day by boats and planes. It is part of Suratthani's province.
Within two decades, Samui became a choice destination in Asia. Today, with its guests, Samui built up itself a robust reputation of small tropical paradise.
accommodation for every budget, a varied and delicious local food (sometimes a little bit too spicy for Westerners...), a lushy tropical vegetation, waterfalls, idyllic beaches, numerous Buddhist temples, strolling around with motorbike or car, trek inside the island, a nice population, a whole variegated colorful which makes a destination of it for all the tastes.
CLIMATE
The climate is very pleasant all year round, with temperatures varying between 25 and 34 degrees Celsius.
There are three seasons, warm and dry season from February till May, rainy season from the end of September till November and "cool" season which extends from October till January.
Rainy season often amounts in fact to some "refreshing"showers followed by the return of the sun.
The climate is tropical so very humid all year round, but Samui remains always refreshed by a pleasant sea breeze blowing from the Gulf.
In conclusion, if you love the sun and if you can withstand heights of summer, come from February till May! It is very rare that it rains...
POPULATION
Samui counts a population of about 40'000 Thais, mainly Buddhists with a minority of Moslems, especially concentrated in Hua Thanon village and in the neighborhood of Nathon town. There is also a small Chinese population.
How To Get There
Air
Bangkok Airways is the only airline that flies directly to Koh Samui. The Bangkok Airways counter at Don Muang Airport is on the arrivals level in the domestic terminal. For further information regarding flights to Koh Samui from Bangkok (and other locations)
You can also fly by Thai Airways to the Surat Thani airport and arrange for bus and ferry transportation to Koh Samui.
Train
There are many trains running throughout the day from Bangkok to Surat Thani and return. The Surat Thani train station is about an hour from the ferry pier where you catch the boat to Koh Samui. You will need transportation from the railway station to the pier. The most popular trains are the sleeper trains where you travel at night and arrive in either Bangkok or Surat Thani in the morning.
Any travel agent in Bangkok or Koh Samui can book a ticket for you that will include train, bus and boat, to or from Koh Samui. We recommend 2nd class air conditioned as the best value at approximately 700 baht for the train, bus and boat ticket combined.
Bus
All buses for Koh Samui leave from the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok. There are buses run by private companies and there are buses run by the government. If you are taking the bus from Bangkok to Koh Samui, we recommend any of the VIP bus as there are fewer seats on the bus, and the seats recline to somewhat of a sleeping position. These buses tend to leave late afternoon, early evening. A one way ticket including the ferry boat will cost you approximately 600 Baht. You can purchase a ticket that includes bus and ferry at the Southern Bus Terminal, or through any travel agent in Bangkok. The bus ride to Surat Thani is about 10 hours. Then you have another hour to the pier and then about a 90 ferry trip to Nathon.
Things to do
When it gets too hot out on the beach just find a hammock in the shade of a seaside grove of coconut palms and watch the fishing boats float by. Or rent a bicycle or motorcycle for touring (a paved road circles the island). Or follow one of the hiking paths that lead inland to waterfalls.
Look for the handsome Buddha attached to a temple at one end of the island. You can also dive among reefs off neighboring islands. If you visit on the weekend take the daylong cruise from the Na Thon pier to the Ang Thong National Marine Park. The park is a series of beautiful tropical isles with interesting rock formations and coral reefs.
Festivals
Koh Samui is a party island and celebrates everything!!
Look at the signs and advertisements. We celebrate the Full Moon, the dark moon, Mondays!, Buddhist holidays, Christian holidays, Party Days from St. Patrick's Day to Halloween! AND New Years!!
Koh Phangan Full Moon Party
Full Moon Party is an all-night beach party that takes place in Haad Rin Beach on Koh Phangan.
Next Full Moon Party date is Saturday 24 November, 2007
Monday 25 December, 2007 (Christmas Party)
Monday 31 December, 2007 (New Year Party)
Tuesday 22 January, 2008
Friday 22 February, 2008
Friday 21 March, 2008
Sunday 20 April, 2008
Tuesday 20 May, 2008
Thursday 19 June, 2008
Saturday 19 July, 2008
Saturday 16 August, 2008
Sunday 14 September, 2008
Tuesday 14 October, 2008
Wednesday 12 November, 2008
Friday 12 December, 2008
How to get to Full Moon Party, Koh Phangan
Boat Services from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan
There are approximately 10 daily transfers to Koh Phangan. Boats depart between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The trip takes approximately 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the weather conditions. Boats leave from Thong Sala Pier and Haad Rin on Koh Phangan to Koh Samui Pier including Na Thon Pier, Mae Nam and the Big Buddha.
