Picture an island nestling in the calm, azure blue waters of the Gulf of Thailand fringed by coral reefs with beaches of powder soft white sand framed by a backdrop of coconut trees, their fronds dancing in the gentle breeze. The palms stretch upward to the central uplands, thick with lush tropical vegetation. The coast and lower slopes are awash with coconut palms making Koh Samui the ‘Coconut Capital of Thailand’. It is said the island sends 2,000,000 coconuts per month to Bangkok. This green vista is interspersed occasionally by black granite boulders. Some of these rock formations appear to defy gravity by hanging dramatically against the hillside. This tropical paradise is called Koh Samui. A 250 square kilometre rounded island which is about the same size as Penang.
Koh Samui translates from Koh, the Thai word for island, and Samui, which is probably derived from the Chinese “saboey” meaning safe harbour. The magic island first came to the attention of world travellers when it started to crop up in conversation in many of the cheap hotels that then clustered around Bangkok’s Hualamphong Railway station some 45 years ago. It was difficult to get to, requiring special negotiation with fishermen in Suratthani lying 80 kilometres across the sea on the mainland. When you reached the island, there was no road and so those intrepid voyagers hopped from beach to beach by boat. In the past forty plus years things have changed hugely.
The island is now served by an international airport that looks more like a botanical garden than the accepted tradition of functional ‘air station’. Flights leave hourly for the new Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok and link the island to additional destinations such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Pattaya and Phuket. A 52-kilometre road rings Samui and links all the major towns. Nathon the capital plays host to government buildings and banks and serves as one of the ferry ports serving the Thai mainland. The road skirts the 635-metre mountain that sits centrally astride the landmass and takes in the main resorts of Lamai and Chaweng. Lamai is the smaller of the two and offers a quieter and perhaps cleaner beach. The latter caters for, perhaps, a younger and more energetic visitor. Further on lies Bangrak is better known as “Big Buddha Beach” as it takes its name from the huge Buddha statue at the eastern end of the bay.
Borphut boasts a trendy fisherman’s village, much favoured by French tourists and Maenam to the north offers spectacular views across to Koh Phangan and the Ang Thong Natural Marine Park. This area is much less crowded than the bustling Chaweng and the marginally quieter Lamai. It still retains its original Thai flavour. However, to get to grips with authentic ‘Samui’ you need to rent a car or motorbike and take one of the many roads that lead up away from the coast and into the mountain. As you climb higher you come to rubber plantations and hidden away villages clustering around paddy fields, still hanging onto a traditional way of life that is far removed from the tourist dominated hotels, resorts, restaurants and bars that cluster around the coast.
Samui has over the years developed a reputation as centre of complementary medicine offering spas designed to detox inhabitants of an overstressed globe. The Health Oasis Resort located adjacent to the unspoiled Bang Po Beach to the west of Maenam offers stunning views across to Koh Phangan. Sit in the authentic vegetarian restaurant after six p.m. and turn your head to the west you will witness spectacular sunsets over the islands that comprise the Ang Thong National Park. Health Oasis is unique in that the Thai Department of Health lists it as a traditional medicine hospital. It specializes in supervised detox and fasting treatments.
Be sure of this, whatever your tastes Koh Samui will be able to provide a venue for a holiday that will linger long in your memory. So if you are planning a trip of a lifetime whether it be for tourism or health this magical island is a venue well worth considering.
Why Samui?
In a world full of attractive holiday locations what is it that makes this island so special?
Global competition for tourists, and the money they spend, is as strong as it’s ever been. Access to information on the internet and easier transport links have opened the world up to those willing to travel.
Samui is only a small island in the Gulf of Thailand and yet the world’s biggest hotel groups are queuing up to open showcase resorts here; supermarkets and retail chains are appearing everywhere you look; large international companies are investing in real-estate projects; the airport has recently expanded to cater for increasing visitor numbers; there are constant rumors of superstars from sport, music and film being linked to the island; and individuals are always searching for holiday homes, or a permanent move to Samui to work or retire. All of this continues, despite some complaints about the infrastructure and, the opinion of some, that it’s easier to live in other countries. So, why do they come? What is the attraction with Samui?
Well, the reasons for everyone will be different; many aspects of the island can combine to create the ideal situation to suit each individual’s needs. The island’s diversity may well be one of the major attractions as all nationalities, cultures, classes and religions seem to live side-by-side in total harmony.
It’s a small island and so, for those that live here, you’re always seeing people you know, whether it’s in a restaurant; out shopping; or even just getting around. Familiarity definitely helps to create a feeling of comfort and it’s one of the reasons why people always appear relaxed and happy. When you meet someone you know you generally smile at them, so when you meet one after the other you tend to smile a lot. This can have many benefits including reducing your stress levels and promoting a more relaxed atmosphere. Happiness can be infectious; if you’re always smiling, those around will usually reciprocate.
The size of the island also means that you’re never far from where you want to be and so the stresses of travelling from A-to-B, or being late for appointments are never really an issue.
Samui has always had a unique, indescribable atmosphere which is probably the culmination of all of the island’s individual little charms working together. One aspect that separates Samui from other places is the method of the island’s development. In pretty much all other popular destinations the tendency has been for developers to go upwards. High-rise apartments, hotels and department stores can all change the nature, and aesthetic appeal, of a destination; especially on a tropical island.
Fortunately, the government has done everything possible to maintain the atmosphere and appearance without preventing the island’s evolution. In fact, the development of the island has been on an incredible scale. But tight building regulations and the introduction of even stricter zoning laws have ensured that the small-island feeling has remained throughout. The lack of high-rise buildings is important for the future of tourism on Samui as many people are attracted here because of that distinction and the effect it has on the overall ambience.
Sympathetic, and sensible, development has changed the face of Samui without losing its aesthetic appeal. It’s replaced one form of beauty with another. Take two of the newer large scale developments for example, Samui Town Centre and the BigC shopping complex. Here you have two big projects that have been built on land previously occupied by palm trees, and yet a great deal of care has been taken to sustain a tropical feel; the design, style of architecture and landscaping has produced something that has its own beauty and will certainly enhance the island’s popularity. Not to mention improving the quality of life.
Protecting the natural beauty of the island is of paramount importance for the future. And, it’s probably the first thing most people will notice. Fantastic stretches of white sandy beaches and densely forested mountains are both littered with interesting and varied rock formations that are universally attractive and create picture-perfect scenes all around Samui. The climate is pretty impressive, too, with good year-round temperatures and no real monsoon to speak of. In summary, Samui has ample sunshine and just enough rain throughout the year to keep the green tropical appearance.
Low crime rates, the low cost of living and still relatively low prices for property all encourage people to visit, relocate or invest here.
Samui’s metamorphosis from a secret backpackers’ haven to a top luxury destination is almost complete. And the
associated lifestyle choices have increased with the changes. The island now offers many lifestyle opportunities. It’s the sophisticated luxury living with fine-dining; trendy bars and clubs; private yachts and jets; exclusive designer shopping; and world leading luxury villas that’s the main lifestyle currently being promoted on Samui. And it’s all here. But don’t panic if that’s not your scene. Samui still gives people the opportunity to have a less extravagant and expensive existence. For example, people who come here for the simple life, on a small budget, will be equally satisfied with life on the island.
For investors, the attractions are clear; Samui has a big future in high-end tourism. An expansion of the airport and the opening of hotels such as Conrad and Four Seasons confirm how far the island has come, and where it’s heading. And Samui’s airport linking directly with so many South-East Asian destinations makes it an obvious stop-over for anyone visiting the region.
People like to have choices, whether they are a tourist; an individual or couple looking for a holiday home; someone relocating here to work, or retire; or a big company looking for an investment with a considerable guaranteed return. Whatever it is you’re looking for, Samui will give you options. Surprisingly, for a small island, it has outstanding choices in all areas: beaches, accommodation, dining, shopping, nightlife, property, and lifestyle.
So, ultimately, it is the diversity of Samui that makes it so attractive to such a wide market. The ability to give people what they want, and have something to please everyone, is priceless. And it’s what has always encouraged visitors to return year after year. Many other locations around the world benefit from great beaches }impressive facilities, a friendly atmosphere, good transport links, or a low cost of living. But there are few other places, if any, that have all of these winning factors?
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Transportation
Motorbike
In the old days, the only way to get from one beach to another beach on Samui was by motorcycle. The "roads" were really just dusty bullock, cart tracks but out of the jungle and in the rainy season they turned into long narrow swamps that were impassable to anything with four wheel. But in the last couple of years the provincial government has done a truly remarkable job of road building and now you can go from one end to the other end of the island without ever losing sight of the ocean on wide, well-maintained roads.
There are three types of motorcycle generally offered for rent on Samui. The most popular are the "Step throuhts" these are small, usually no more than 100cc's, and have automatic transmission. If you want to rent, it will cost you around 100 - 170 Baht per day (24 hours).
In the days before the new roads, the only type of bike offered for rent was the "dirt bike" and even though there are few places left on the island where knobby tires, low gear ratio and high center of gravity are necessary. It's almost always a single, mail tourist who rent them. This bikes are not recommended for the beginning rider. For rent this kind of motorbike, plan on paying 150 - 200 Baht per day (24 hours).
The third choice for bike riders on Samui is fairly new phenomenon, the "chopper". These are big bikes, anywhere from 400 - 900 cc's made exclusively for highway touring. A chopper has a big power plant that can take you down hundreds of kilometers of tropical highway without strain, and seats that are almost as comfortable as those in any small car. Their only liabilities are the rental price, 500 - 700 Baht per day (24 hours).
Jeep & Car
Another way to traveling around the island is driving a car. Samui offers you many cars for rent which can be easily found around the island; or just sk the hotel where you stay. For renting a jeep , it will cost you around 800 - 1500 Baht per day (24 hours). If you like it more comfortable you can rent a car from Budget Car Rental which delivers the car to your hotel or awaits you at the airport on your arrival. It is also a good way to discover Thailand as you can return the car everywhere in the country.
Bicycle
The cheapest vehicle you can rent is a bicycle, which will cost app. 100 Bath per day and you can have a lot of fun and a very special experience.
You don't feel very well driving around by yourself?
No problem; you can hire a taxi for 20 to 50 Baht per 10 km during the day. The taxi will cost 150 to 200 Baht at night time. You stop the taxis at the street or you will find them at the market place.
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