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 Koh Samui is Thailand's third largest island, lying around 80 kilometres northeast of Surat Thani in the Gulf of Thailand. Once famous as the destination of choice for backpackers winding their way across Thailand and Asia, Koh Samui is today a cosmopolitan resort island with hotels and resorts offering levels of luxury to rival - and often exceed - Thailand's more developed destinations such as Phuket or Pattaya.
Koh Samui is Thailand's third largest island, lying around 80 kilometres northeast of Surat Thani in the Gulf of Thailand. Once famous as the destination of choice for backpackers winding their way across Thailand and Asia, Koh Samui is today a cosmopolitan resort island with hotels and resorts offering levels of luxury to rival - and often exceed - Thailand's more developed destinations such as Phuket or Pattaya.
The island was first "discovered" by travellers in the mid-1970s, and soon became a magnet for backpackers wandering across Asia. During the early 1980s, tour operators began offering packages to the island, and beaches that once provided only very basic bungalow accommodation at rock-bottom prices underwent rapid development as they were transformed into luxurious modern resorts. The opening of the island's airport in 1989 significantly increased the number of visitors, and Koh Samui today is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Thailand, with tourism now the island's main source of income. However, Koh Samui remains relatively unspoilt in the main: Pristine, near deserted beaches can be found just a few miles from major resorts, and the interior of the island is very sparsely populated. While luxury resorts are plentiful, budget accommodation is still available, with bungalows on the beach going for just 500 baht (US$12) per night. Or you can opt to pay more than 12,000 baht (US$375) at some of the islands super-luxury operations such as Le Meridien Baan Taling Ngam or the Imperial Tongsai Bay. And there's a whole range of options in between. Dining out on Samui is a delight, and fresh seafood is an obvious speciality of the island's many restaurants. Entertainment is available from a range of bars and clubs, ranging from basic, beach front bars to sophisticated nightclubs in the resort hotels. Ko Samui also offers some excellent recreational diversions including parasailing, water skiing, scuba diving, jet skiing and other watersports. The island's interior is beautifully unspoilt, and offers some spectacular scenery and other diversions. For a family holiday or a short break from life in Bangkok, Koh Samui is a great destination and offers a warm welcome for all. To explore Ko Samui further, and for details of special deals currently on offer for ElephantGuide members, simply select your channel of choice from the menu at left and let The Elephant guide you.
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