Kho Samui(
koh means island) is Surat Thani’s major tourist attraction.
It is the third largest of Thailand’s islands, measuring 21
kilometres at its widest point and 25 kilometres in length. It is
full of tropical jungles and mountains up to 600 m high and is covered
by almost 3 million coconut trees. Samui’s best beaches line
the northern and eastern coasts. The most popular are Hat Chaweng
and Hat Lamai where, attractive accommodation can be found. Besides
marvellous beaches, other interesting attractions include the Samui
Butterfly Park, the Monkey Center, the Hin Lat and Na Muang waterfalls,
the phallic rock formations at the southern end of Lamai Bay, and
a massive seated Buddha image on Ko Fan. The island’s major
sea front settlement is at Na Thon where shops, restaurants and tour
agents are located.
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Unfortunately visitors are sometimes incorrectly
informed about Koh Samui's seasons prior to their departure. Not everyone
is aware, for example, that Samui does not have the same rainy season as
Phuket. Generally speaking, between the months of January and September,
most days will be filled with sun, except for the occasional downpour, which
usually doesn't last long. The frequent showers (not monsoons) come in October,
and last until some time in December. Water sports enthusiasts should note
that the sea can get rough at this time, and visibility can be affected.
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Koh
Samui or Samui Island is
located some 80 kilometres off the coast of Surat Thani, about
560 kilometres from Bangkok. It can be reached by air from
Bangkok, or by ferry from Surat Thani town. The major access
to the island is still by sea, with a large car ferry running
continuously from Don Sak to the west coast and a passenger
craft running between Surat Thani and Na Thon. Buses carry
passengers onto the ferry, allowing uninterrupted travel between
Samui and Bangkok, or Samui and Hat Yai. in residence.
By Ferry
Two ferry companies
operate from three ferry piers along the Surat Thani coast
on the main land and two on Koh Samui Ratcha Ferry Co. operates the vehicle and passenger ferries
from the Don Sak pier to the
- Thong Yang pier on Koh Samui.
The ferry departs Don Sak daily at 8.00 am, 10 am,12 noon, 2 pm and 5 pm. and the crossing takes one and a half
hoursand costs about 25 baht. From Samui's Thong Yang pier, there are seven daily departures at 7 am, 8 am ,10am, 12 noon, 2 pm, 4 pm and 5 pm.
- Songserm Travel operates the
express passenger ferries from the Tha Thong pier with 3 daily departures at 7.30 am, 11.30 am, and 2 pm. Songserm
Travel also operators a slow night boat from Ban Don pier in downtown Surat Thani to Koh
Samui, departing at 11 pm nightly and reaching the Nathorn pier around 5 am.
By Air
- From
Bangkok , Bangkok Airways offers 8 direct flights daily to
Koh Samui. Thai
International Airways offers three flights daily to Surathani,
from which you can get to Koh Samui via ferry, express boat, or hovecraft.
- From Phuket ,Bangkok Airways offers 2 direct flights to Koh
Samui and Thai International Airways flies to Surathani daily.
By Train or Coach
You can also take the Bangkok - Surathani
journey by train (eight departures daily ) or first-class air-conditioned coach , from which you can get
to Koh Samui via ferry, express boat, or hovercraft
new way to see
some of the island's interior is to take a tour. Fat-wheeled
machines
can be hired to go over all kinds of terrain, and with a little
practise are easy to handle.
More conventionally, motorcycles and jeeps can easily be hired
at many places, or take a seat in one of the
songthaews that go to all the attractions.
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