Samui is easily accessible, features beautiful beaches and a variety of activities, and caters to visitors on any budget. Koh Samui, Thailand’s second most popular island destination, is located in the Gulf of Thailand roughly 700km south of Bangkok and 80km from Thailand’s eastern seaboard.

Samui is the third largest island in Thailand and the largest in an archipelago of more than 80 islands that includes the Ang Thong National Marine Park, a kayaking paradise and top day trip from Koh Samui. While Samui is small enough to be circumnavigated in just a couple of hours by motorbike or car, the island features such a variety of beaches and activities that it would be impossible to experience everything in a single visit. However, this was not always the case.

The beaches of Chaweng and Lamai are bustling beach towns with fabulous beach resorts, internationally acclaimed restaurants, and world-class nightclubs; activities around Koh Samui include cooking courses, yoga instruction, Muay Thai training, scuba diving, and even golf. While there are a few quieter beaches that are ideal for relaxation, particularly those that feature some of the finest 5-star resorts in the world, and some that exude old world charm, such as Bo Phut, which features converted, old Chinese shop houses, Samui is far from the unspoiled island it was a few decades ago. Nonetheless, Koh Samui has developed into its own style of island paradise, retaining much of its natural beauty while offering nearly every imaginable activity or service for the ultimate beach holiday.

Koh Samui, the third largest island in Thailand, is the second most popular island destination in the kingdom, thanks in part to its airport that connects the island to a number of Thai and international destinations. Koh Samui features spectacular beaches, outstanding dining, and a comprehensive array of activities including cooking courses, yoga instruction, Muay Thai training, scuba diving, and even golf. Koh Samui has secluded beaches that are the exclusive domain of luxury 5-star resorts, family friendly beaches with shallow shores, and shopping, dining, and nightlife venues that make the island a paradise both day and night.

Most restaurants on Koh Samui serve a variety of cuisines, including Thai and international foods. Most guesthouse and resorts have restaurants that serve both, while the more popular beaches, such as Chaweng Beach, feature restaurants specializing in Thai or various international cuisines, such as Italian or German. Beachside, seafood barbeque restaurants are also common on all beaches. As on most islands, the food on Koh Samui is generally higher priced than on the mainland as there is mark-up on supplies shipped to the island. Where dining options are more limited prices are even more expensive.

Shopping in Koh Samui is centered on three major areas, Nathon market, Chaweng market, and Lamai market. More accurately perhaps, other than restaurants and bars in Chaweng “town”, which flanks both sides of the road running parallel to the entire length of the beach, Chaweng is an enormous outdoor shopping mall with street stalls selling knick-knacks and knock-offs in front of boutique shops selling authentic beachwear and other international products.

For more information: tourismthailand.org

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