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Tourist
Attractions in Koh Samui
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to Thailand - Thailand Cities and Attractions
Tourist
Attractions in Koh Samui by Ben Ken
The island of Koh Samui
is the 2nd biggest island in Thailand. It is nearly circular in shape and
situated just off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus, near Surat Thani.
It is also one of the most famous tourist attractions in Thailand.
Koh Samui has an area of
about 230 sq km (approx. 90 sq mile) and a population of around 50,000
people as of 2007. The chief island is encircled by around 60 other smaller
islands. The middle part of Koh Samui is practically deserted and controlled
by a mountain forest with Mount Khao Pom as its tallest peak at 635m (around
2100ft). The island's lowland regions are inter-linked together with only
1 road that crisscrosses the perimeter of the island. The island was first
inhabited around 1500 years back. The initial residents were mostly fishermen
from Malaysia and Southern China. It was even shown on the Chinese Ming
Dynasty maps as far back as in 1687.
Located on the southwest
coast of the island lies Nathon, the olden capital of Koh Samui. This region
is yet a main fishing harbor and also an inter-island haulage center today.
Koh Samui was a secluded
independent community as far back as the 20th century, since it has hardly
any dealings with mainland Thailand. There was no road on the island and
the first one was constructed during initial 70s.
Today Koh Samui is one of
the most famous tourist attraction in Thailand and also has its own international
airport, known as Samui Airport. Bangkok Airways conducts daily flights
to and from Samui. Samui Airport also has flights from Bangkok and other
main cities in South East Asia.
Samui's economy originally
depended on agriculture and fishing, but, since the 80s, the tourism industry
flourished and is today Koh Samui's primary source of income.
Koh Samui's chief tourist
attractions are its white lovely beaches and beach resorts.
There are sections of beaches
and accommodations down the beaches of Chaweng, Lamai, Maenam, Bophut,
Bangrak, Choeng MoN, Ao Tong Takian and Nathon. Of these Chaweng and Lamai
beaches are the most famous yet packed. If you want a secluded beach for
recreation, then go to Maenam beach.
Another famous attraction
in Koh Samui is a 12 metre (35 ft) high idol of the Buddha, lovingly known
as "Big Buddha". This idol is situated above a traditional dragon-steps
at the temple of Wat Phra Yai. Koh Samui also has some other imposing temples
like the Wat Khunaram. It displays the embalmed body of a monk, Loung Pordaeng.
If you are very adventurous,
the forest mountain within the island is an excellent camping area for
jungle trekking. It also has numerous lovely gardens, waterfalls at Na
Muang and rubber farms.
If you love animals, take
a trip to Koh Samui's various animal attractions like the crocodile farm,
the monkey theatre, go on elephant rides, a snake farm, a nautical aquarium
and a butterfly garden.
You can take a day trip
to the amazing Ang Thong National Marine Park. The ideal time to go to
Koh Samui is during summer (Feb-Apr). With these exciting attractions,
this island is attracting tourists from all over the world throughout the
year.
Thailand
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