KOH SAMUI
Area: Thailand


Location:
300 miles S of Bangkok, Samui Island is located some 45 miles into the Gulf of Thailand from the peninsula leading down to Malaysia and Singapore, opposite the city of Surat Thani.

Telephone code from UK:
66 77

Description:
Koh Samui is the largest of a group of islands, some of which comprise the Ang Thong Marine National Park. It is a lush, tropical island with many white sandy beaches surrounding a series of hills leading into the interior of the island. Coconut trees and plantations abound, but are being eroded by "slash and burn" farmers seeking increased arable land. Coral reefs are to be found surrounding some 60% of the island's shoreline. The island has an airport owned and operated by Bangkok Airways Ltd, with scheduled flights to/from Bangkok.

Suitability:
Previously catering for backpackers, the opening of a number of luxury beachside hotels attracting more upmarket tourists. Most suitable for those seeking sun and sand in a tranquil rather than lively setting.

Accommodation:
From shared fan or air-conditioned rooms for rent through to 4-star beach hotels.

Shopping:
The usual tourist trinkets only.

Beach:
Chaweng
Beach: on the E shore, the most developed beach with a range of hotels, bars and restaurants along either side of the pot-holed and narrow beachside road. A white sandy beach 2 miles long with a coral reef at the N end, water sports equipment can be hired. Dangerous currents are known to exist at this and other beaches but don't expect to find any warning notices. Lamai
Beach: on the E shore, S of Chaweng, around a hilly promontory, Lamai Beach is some 1» miles long, with a white sandy beach. While not as developed as Chaweng, it is similarly served by hotels, bars and restaurants along a pot-holed and narrow road. Water sports equipment can be hired. Bangrak
Beach: around a large promontory to the N of Chaweng, it is the beach nearest the airport. A small, white sandy beach. The promontory separating Bangrak from Chaweng is the location of several luxury hotels. Bophut
Beach: some half a mile W of Bangrak, a small undeveloped white sandy beach with a coral reef at its E end. Maenam
Beach: less than half a mile W of Bophut, the beach is almost 1 mile of white sand, as yet sparsely developed.

Entertainments:
Daytime: water sports, snorkelling, scuba diving, walking, climbing, waterfalls, temples, fishing villages, Cultural Hall at Lamai, monkey training school. Nightlife: most hotels provide some form of live music during the peak periods, apart from which tourists make their own entertainment.

Eating:
Seafood abounds; there are many small open-air beachside restaurants in addition to those provided by hotels.

Public-transport:
Bus service provided by converted pick-up and 6-wheeler trucks. Jeeps and motorcycles can be hired, but this is not recommended owing to unavailability of adequate insurance, scams and the poor condition and narrowness of the roads on the island _ accidents are frequent and hospital facilities are not yet to Western standards.

Local-excursions:
By boat to the nearby Pha Ngan, Tao and Nang Yuan Islands and further afield to the islands of the Ang Thong Marine National Park. Visits can be made to the mainland at Surat Thani.