Information
Koh Samui is a small tourist island just off the east coast of Thailand around 600km south of Bangkok. At 250 square km it is the largest island of around 100 in the area and is the most popular destination for tourists.
Getting to Koh Samui
There are two ways of arriving on Koh Samui. The most popular way is by air with direct flights available domestically from Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Krabi. Internationally you can arrive directly from Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpa. There are a few other international routes in planning at the moment so this could increase soon. The main airline flying to Koh Samui is Bangkok Airways.
Secondly, you can arrive by ferry from Donsak, Suratthani and Koh Phangan, with three different companies offering services, Seatran, Ratcha and Lompraya.
For those of you wanting to arrive in Style Thai-Real.com can offer a private jet and helicopter service, click here
Real Estate in Koh Samui
Koh samui’s property market has grown rapidly over the past ten years and now seems to be undergoing a change towards the high end market. The arrival of luxury resort brands has taken Samui to a new level in the tourist industry, with the modern trend being to offer luxury villas within these resorts for sale which are then put back into the management company which gets the investor a good return on their investment (ROI).
For a list of property for sale on Koh Samui please click here
For a list of quality development land on Koh Samui please click here
Accomodation
Koh Samui has two kinds of accommodation to offer tourists visiting the island, resorts and private holiday villa rentals. The villas are becoming ever more popular as it enables large families to come on holiday and stay together rather than spread throughout a resort. Each villa comes with in house staff to look after your every need during you stay.
For luxury hotel bookings on Koh Samui please click here
For luxury holiday villa rentals please click here
Koh Samui Weather Seasons
Koh Samui enjoys the longest hot season in Thailand with only about 6 weeks of monsoon each year between the end of October and the beginning of December. The rest of the year the average temperature is around 30 degrees Celsius which is 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
What to see on Koh Samui
Koh Samui is a 'boutique' island with scores of high-end resorts, spas and hotels. While there is still a burgeoning budget traveller scene on Samui, over the years the cheap shacks have been replaced with steel and glass villas and the elite crowd have taken over in their droves. But Koh Samui is an island with a litany of great sites to be explored other than the beach or spa treatment table, so here is our pick of the best. For more information about Koh Samui visit 1stopSamui.
Beaches
As with any island in the Thai gulf, Koh Samui beaches are a major draw for tourists. Most visitors spend some of their day in the sand and surf, while many never leave the stunning tranquillity of the coastline. The six main tourist beaches on Koh Samui boasting the major resorts are all in the north and east of the island. Chaweng and Lamai are by far the most developed and have lovely, if crowded, beaches. Big Buddha, Mae Nam and Bo Phut are much quieter with less hawkers and watersports vendors while Choeng Mon is a small exclusive beach with a smattering of five star hotels.
Wat Phra Yai
This popular temple on the headland between Big Buddha beach and Ban Plai Laem is where the famous 12m-high golden smiling Buddha statue can be found. Sunset photo opportunities here keep the crowds coming as well as getting that obligatory snap mimicking the grinning one's pose. There are lots of craft and souvenir stalls offering some well-made curios for those in a buying mood. Big festivals like Thai new year Songkran in April and the festival of light Loi Kratong in November draw large crowds to the monument.
Waterfalls
Koh Samui is home to some of the most attractive waterfalls anywhere in Thailand which can provide an extremely well-needed break from the sometimes hectic life of the built-up beaches. Renting a car or bike and touring some of Samui's best waterfalls is an relaxing way to spend an afternoon, especially during the wet season when everything becomes much more verdant and impressive. Na Muang one is arguably the most popular waterfalls on Koh Samui as it is easy to reach and has a scenic swimming area. But there are more difficult to reach examples which involve a hearty trek, but this makes arriving and that initial invigorating splash all the more rewarding. For more on Koh Samui waterfalls.
Wat Khunaram
Those with a strong stomach shouldn't miss the mummified monk of Lung Padaeng situated within Wat Khunaram. This highly revered religious figure has been preserved within his special gazebo in a meditating state for more than two decades. Visitors can find our what the future has in store using fortune-divining ancient numerology sticks. The modern temple can be found opposite Namuang waterfalls by Hua Thanon fishing village.
For more on Koh Samui attractions.
Popular Things to do in Koh Samui
Restaurants
With the arrival of a large number of tourists Koh Samui has an abundance of restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets. You can find anything from a 30 baht noodle dish on the side of the road up to a 10,000 Baht per head meal in an exclusive resort.
Diving
The local islands surrounding Koh Samui offer some of the finest diving in Thailand and with a number of good companies offering daily trips.
Spa Retreats
Koh Samui is very popular with tourists coming to pamper themselves in one of the many spas on the island. Services range from massaging, body wraps, Yoga and for those looking for a new start there is the full detox fasting programmes.
Useful Websites
KohSamui.org - Koh Samui guide
Real Estate Samui
