Ko Samui, Thailand
Koh Samui Island is one of
the most popular islands in Thailand, it possesses the characteristic
beauty and offers a wide variety of activities. Originally, Koh Samui
was used to be the area of coconut plantations, but after being
discovered by backpacked travellers, it is noted by them as a peaceful
and magnificent paradise some time 20 years ago. Since then, Samui
Island began to be a relaxation heaven for the travellers who are
looking for spending their valuable holidays in this paradise island.
Koh Samui is strategically located in the Gulf of Thailand,
approximately 84 kilometres east of Surat Thani mainland, or
approximately 700 kilometres south of Bangkok which is called Coconut
Island. It is one of the most famous and popular destinations in
southern Thailand with an area of 247 square kilometres, where Koh Samui
is the third largest island in Thailand after Phuket (the largest) and
the second largest Koh Chang (of Trat Province). The topography of the
island is formed of plains on both sides with a mountain range in the
middle and 7 important streams. In addition, there is a 50-kilometer
paved ring road covering the whole island for the convenience of
transportation around the island. Moreover, Samui island stretches to a
group of 48 surrounding islets including the famous Anthong National
Marine Park.Koh Samui is also very near to Koh Samui where world's
famous Full Moon Party is held every month.
Despite its fast-going development, Koh Samui has been able to maintain
its charm of natural beauty – its classical image of a tropical beach
resort destination fringed by coconut trees. Travellers can enjoy a
mixed blessing of vibrant day and nightlife along with tranquillity
which can readily be found over different parts of Koh Samui as the
archipelago is a peaceful home for fishermen and also a natural den for
seagulls and other rare birds.
The Southern dialect and the standard Thai language are spoken while
English is understood in tourist areas and widely used in International
standard hotels and resorts.
History
The
island was probably first inhabited about 15 centuries ago, settled by
fishermen from Malay Peninsula and Southern China. It appears on Ming
Dynasty maps dating back to 1687, under the name Pulo Cornam. The name Koh
Samui is mysterious in itself. Perhaps it is an extension of the name of one
of the native trees, mui, or it is a corruption of the Chinese word Saboey,
meaning "safe haven".
Until the late 20th century, Koh Samui was an isolated self-sufficient
community, having little connection with the mainland of Thailand. The
island was even without roads until the early 1970s, and the 15km journey
from one side of the island to the other involved a whole-day trek through
the mountainous central jungles.
Today, Koh Samui has a population of about forty-five thousand, and lives on
a successful tourist industry, as well as exports of coconut and rubber. It
even has its own international airport, with flights daily to Bangkok and
other major airports in Southeast Asia. While the island presents an
unspoiled image to the public perception, economic growth has brought not
only prosperity, but changes to the island's environment and culture, a
source of conflict between local residents and migrants from other parts of
Thailand and other countries. Reflecting Koh Samui's growth as a tourist
destination, the Cunard ship MS Queen Victoria (a 2000-plus passenger ship)
will dock at Koh Samui during its 2008 world cruise.
Geography
Koh
Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand, about 35km northeast of Surat
Thani town (9°N, 100°E). It is surrounded by about sixty other islands, most
of which comprise the Ang Thong National Marine Park, but also include other
tourist destinations Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan.
The island is roughly circular in shape, and is about 15km across. The
central part of the island is an (almost) uninhabitable mountain jungle
(peak Khao Pom, 635m) and the various lowland areas are connected together
by a single road, that covers the circumference of the island.
There is one town, Na Thon, on the west coast of the island, with a major
port for fishing and inter-island transportation. Each of Koh Samui's many
beaches is also nominally considered a town, due to the number of hotels,
restaurants and bars that have sprung up in recent years.
