Koh Samui: From coconut island to popular tourist destination
Koh Samui is an island in the Gulf of Thailand. The island is part of the Koh Samui archipelago, which includes about 40 islands and seven of which are inhabited.
The people of Koh Samui used to live off the produce of coconut palm plantations and fishing, but tourism is now the main source of income. Before 1990 Koh Samui was immensely popular with backpackers (backpackers), after the arrival of the airport in 1989 mass tourism started. Many backpackers therefore chose other destinations in the area, such as Koh Pha Ngan or Koh Tao.
Despite the increase in tourism, Koh Samui has retained much of its charm. The beaches are not marred by tall buildings and hideous ones hotels. It is not allowed to build on the island higher than the top of the palm trees. As a result, you will find quite a lot of bungalows, some of which are directly behind the beach.
Sandy beaches
Thailand's third largest island is characterized by beautiful, kilometers of sandy beaches with bays. Of course you will find the huge coconut palms everywhere on the island. On Koh Samui, traditions are highly valued. Evenings with traditional Thai dance and music are organized in some accommodations, often in combination with a Thai specialty buffet.
The beaches in Lamai Beach and Chaweng Beach are especially busy. On these beaches you will also see the famous beach vendors with soft drinks, ice cream, fresh fruit and clothing. The beaches on the north coast have a view of the Big Buddha, a huge Buddha statue. Chaweng Beach offers various water sports, including sailing, windsurfing, parasailing, banana ride, water skiing, wakeboarding and water scooters.
Bophut (Chantal de Bruijne / Shutterstock.com)
The beaches on the west coast are quiet and deserted and you can take long walks without meeting a tourist. If you want to drive around the island via the main road, you will come across a few (simple) seaside resorts in addition to the port city of Nathon and a few villages along the main road. The waters of the nearby islands of Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Tao and Ang Thong National Park are loved by divers, snorkelers and canoeing.
nightlife
Chaweng beach is quite busy and touristy. Lamai Beach and Bo Phut Beach are already a lot quieter. Most shops can be found in Chaweng Beach. There are many clothing shops and workshops where you can have tailor-made clothing made. In addition, there are plenty of tourist shops with leather goods, wood carvings, jewelry and imitation brand watches.
The nightlife is fairly varied with a concentration in Chaweng Beach and Lamai Beach. You will find beer bars, disco bars, discotheques and restaurants. The most famous nightlife area is the Green Mango Square en Soi reggae both in Chaweng Beach. The ARK bar is also an icon. On Wednesday and Friday evening there is a fun beach party with DJs.
The number of attractions is limited. Koh Samui is primarily a beach destination. If you want to see something, you can go to:
- The Big Buddha, a large gold-colored Buddha statue.
- Hin Lad and Na Muang Waterfalls.
- The Samui Highland Park.
- You can visit Thai kickboxing matches (Muay Thai). But the level is significantly lower than in Bangkok.
Excursions such as a jeep safari are also offered. A boat trip along the coast and to Ang Thong National Park is definitely worth it. You can also take a ferry to the islands of Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao.
Full Moon Party (GlebSStock / Shutterstock.com)
Full Moon Party
On the nearby island of Koh Pha Ngan, the monthly Full Moon Party organized (not during the corona pandemic). In the week of the Full Moon Party it is significantly busier on Koh Samui. You can book a trip to the Full Moon Party anywhere on Koh Samui. You will then be picked up from the hotel by minivan and taken to a speedboat, which will take you to the island of Koh Pha Ngan. A cheaper alternative is by ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Pha Ngan. During the Full Moon Party, however, waiting times are quite long and the ferries are packed.
For golf enthusiasts, there are golf courses on Koh Samui:
- Santiburi Golf at Mae Nam Beach: 18 holes.
- Bophut Hills Golf Club at Bo Phut Beach: 9 holes.
Lovers of diving and snorkelling can also enjoy themselves on Koh Samui. Because the water around Koh Samui is quite shallow, various diving trips to beautiful dive spots are organized. Most diving trips go to the islands with coral reefs, such as Koh Tao, Koh Pha Ngan and Ang Thong National Park.
I have been to Koh Samui a number of times in recent years and I really liked it. You can have fun going out and the beaches are beautiful. The average age of the tourists is somewhat lower than elsewhere in Thailand, you will find relatively many young people there.
Koh Samui is highly recommended, especially for beach lovers.
I have been to Koh Samui at least 20 times in over 25 years. By the way, it is very easy to reach from where I live: by High Speed Catamaran Lomprayah from Paknam (Chumphon) or by ferry from Don Sac.
I always stayed in Lamai. Originally it was backpackers (Hippies) who discovered Koh Samui as a destination.
There is now a lot to do on Koh Samui and worth a visit, you are never bored and you are never far from the sights. Filling a day with touring around, by motorbike, is no problem at all and, you are on an island, so you can't get lost much and you can't just get off.
Since the early days, when I came there, a lot has changed: the traffic has become much busier, many attractions have been added, and now also disappeared due to the corona vicissitudes….. but there is enough left to still have one to have a pleasant stay. There are plenty of places where you can get a tourist map with just about all the places of interest indicated
So highly recommended.
Tony Wheeler wrote about Koh Samui in 1974 as the real escape. I can't get there until 1982.
No bank or telephone on the island.
A private person where you could exchange money.
A few bamboo huts right on the beach for 100 baht per night.
No restroom.
Electricity from a petrol generator for a few hours in the evening.
Together with my girlfriend at the time, I consumed 12 guilders a day, including a rented motorcycle.
Good times
Been to Koh Samui for the first time this year just at the start of the traditional high season (November). You can merge everything that the island has received a considerable blow from Corona. In Lamai I estimate that 1/3 of the beach-side buildings were empty, where in Bophut it was a lot less. For Chaweng I have no insight in that area. What was also striking is that there was still a lack of tourists. In Lamai there were only a handful of tourists in the many bars/restaurants in the center, too few for a real atmosphere. Chaweng was busier, but even there I didn't have the idea of being in an über-touristy place.
As mentioned in the introductory text, there are a few places of interest, but you have of course seen them after one visit. This means that the island remains a beautiful beach destination where you can easily spend a few days. At the moment still in relative peace, for those looking for it.