Samui Pedia

I. History

Archives tell us that the island was most likely first inhabited about 15 centuries ago, settled by fishermen from the Malay Peninsula and Sothern China. It first appeared on Chinese maps dating back to 1687 and was first known by the name Pulo Cornam. The name Samui is mysterious in itself. It is thought that the name Samui derives from an extension of the names of one the native trees on the island known as Mui which is a corruption of the Chines word Saboey meaning "safe heaven" which almost seems ideal as it is definitely heaven on earth. Up until the late 20th century, Samui was very much an isolated self-sufficient community, having little connection with the mainland of Thailand. The island did not even have any roads until early development in the 1970's and the 15 km journey from one side of the island involved a whole day trek through the mountainous central jungles.

The population of Samui is about 40-45 thousand and thrives on a successful Tourism Industry all year round as well as exports of coconut and rubber. It even has its own International airport (Samui International Airport) with daily direct flights to Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai, and other major airports In southeast Asia such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Penang. While the island preserves its unspoilt image to the public eye its economic growth has brought not only prosperity but also changes to the islands environment and culture which results in a minor kind of harmless conflict between local residents and visitors from other countries. With an almost non-existent crime level Koh Samui is still a very safe and attractive holiday destinations for singles and families alike.

II. Geography

Koh Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand situated about 35 km. northeast of Suratthani town. The island measures 21 km. at its widest point and 25 km. at its longest point. The scenic 51 km. road circles the largely coastal road and is an ideal way to explore the island.

The island is roughly circular in shape and is 15 km across. The central part of the Island is an almost uninhabitable mountain jungle known as Khao Pom and standing at 635 meters at its highest point and most of the various low land areas are connected together by a single road that covers the entire circumference of the island. Still in large proportions the island is green and relatively untouched.

The capital of the island is Nathon. Situated on the southwest coast of the island it still remains the major port for fishing and inter-island transportation. Nathon is where the seat of the regional government is found and the true commercial hub for the Koh Samui locals. It has a warm and charming atmosphere and is almost small enough to walk everywhere. The old Chinese shop houses along the middle street are rich in exotic aromas and have a long history.

Each one of Samui's primary beaches such as Chaweng and Lamai are now also considered towns, mainly due to the number of hotels, restaurants and bars that have sprung up in recent years.

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III. Administration and the Divisions

Koh Samui itself is considered an Amphoe or district of the Surat Thani Province. The district is subdivided into 7 sub-districts or tambon. The island comes under one municipality known as Thesaban Mueang. This district covers the entire island, as well as the Ang Thong archipelago and some other small islands nearby such as Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Ang Thong, Lipa Noi, Taling Ngam, Na Mueang, Maret, Bo Phut and Mae Nam.

IV. Climate and Weather Conditions in General

The island of Koh Samui just like the rest of the south of Thailand has only the two major seasons. The rainy season is mainly from the end of September to middle of December and the dry season is from January to April. Since the weather is tropical however, monsoonal troths move over the area depositing large amounts of rain but they do not last long. If you do travel during the monsoonal season be prepared to get wet tho. During the dry season the weather is much nicer with clear sunny days warm balmy evenings and crystal clear skies making those walks on the beach that little more romantic.

V. Economical Structure

Historically the island's economy has been based around subsistence agriculture and fishing, with coconuts as the main cash crop. From the 1980s onwards however, tourism has become an economic factor and is now the dominant industry. The construction of a stable, high-speed internet connection in recent years has also made the island a practicable location for IT-based enterprises, which are beginning to provide a certain degree of economic diversity. The island's climate and accessibility make it particularly attractive for international investors.

VI. Transportation in and out

Koh Samui International Airport is a privately owned airport originally built by Bangkok Airways which is still the main operator in and out of the island and for a long time the only airline with services to Koh Samui from mainland Thailand.

Koh Samui Airport is situated in the northeast of the island is serviced by Bangkok Airways with almost 15 scheduled flights in and out a day. According to the high or low seasons it may be more frequent for high and less frequent for low season. Thai Airways International has 2 scheduled flights a day. There are also several ferries connecting the island from the mainland to Nathon pier. Also there are car ferries from Don Sak to Lipa Noi pier which is situated in the west of the island and south of the capital Nathon and in recent years very reliable operators like Seatran and Lomprayah have started to run daily high speed ferries and catamarans between Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and Chumporn which can connect with bus services to destinations like Hua Hin and Bangkok with the operator of your choice.

Bus and Boat

There are both non air-conditioned and air-conditioned buses to Bangkok and other southern provinces. By bus it takes approx. 12 hrs to and from Bangkok so air-conditioned is recommended. There are also non air-condition inter-provincial buses to smaller regions. From Koh Samui Island there are regular boats that travel to and from Surat Thani and Koh Phangan. There is also a daily boat that travels to Koh Tao. Private speedboats are also available for hire to travel to and from Koh Samui. Operators such as Petcharat offer a very high standard of service and a safe means of speedboat chartering.

Taxi (yellow cabs)

The Koh Samui Taxi Service is a public taxi service which operates all around the island, with bright yellow colors they are very easy to distinguish. Most of the time they don't tend to use meters but recently some of them have started to use them with the surcharge of 90 Thai Baht but it is accepted to haggle for the best fare before you depart. Still the yellow cabs are very convenient offering low prices and friendly service as well as their easy availability.

Songthaew

These slow moving pickup trucks with mainly red maroon color carries public passengers similar to your local bus service back home. They are considered the cheapest and most popular form of transport on Koh Samui Island with fixed routes. As your walking down the street if you here a horn behind you very strong chance it's a Songthaew asking if you need a lift. For larger groups or those with plenty of luggage these vehicles can also be hired as yellow cabs but you must negotiate first.

Motorbike

Motorbikes or mopeds are available for hire virtually everywhere on Koh Samui Island and are around 150-200 Thai Baht per day for mopeds and 250-300 Thai Baht for motorbikes depending on year and model. There are many motorbike taxi services available as a cheaper alternate way of transportation as well.

Bicycles

Bicycles are not the most common form of transport on the island due to the amount of hills but still some of our foreign visitors prefer to use rented bicycles to get around the island or even to get fit but its not everyone's idea of a relaxing holiday.

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VII. Tourism

It wasn't until the early 1970s that the first backpackers began traveling on the back of a coconut boats started to arrive on Koh Samui. For years after that the island just had a few bungalows and a small trickle of travelers. Things started to change however, in the early 1990s; tourists started arriving in the boat-full and since then this island paradise has soared in popularity. Koh Samui is now one of the most popular island destinations in Thailand. Koh Samui may not be the country's most beautiful island but it is still an oasis of natural beauty with its long white sandy beaches, dazzling bright coral reefs, luscious lagoons, picturesque waterfalls, thousands of swaying coconut trees and crystal clear water. Tourism has now taken over from coconut farming as the islands main form of income.

Beaches

Koh Samui is the destination most holidaymakers choose for those just wanting to "get away from it all". Its main appeal is its funky rural beach communities with white sandy beaches and crystal clear water & warm seas. The island has a few exceptional beaches to choose from. Koh Samui is hardly the "away from it all" destination it was anymore, but rather a cool and bustling international island. Chaweng Beach covers a large portion of the island's northeast coast, and is easily the most crowded and tourist saturated region on the island. The beach itself is beautiful, clean and receives many visitors who want to discover the island. Several hotels, ranging from budget resorts to luxury villas line up the shore without spoiling its natural beauty. Many restaurants are set right along the beachside for that romantic candle lit dinner. Chaweng Beach is also renowned for its attractive people that just spend the day beer or cocktail in hand soaking up the sun and enjoying this true island paradise. The nightlife on the beach is also something that has to be seen to believe with many beach parties to attend there is definitely no shortage of activities to keep you entertained. Lamai is the second most popular tourist destination after Chaweng and although it is much smaller in size the beach is equally as beautiful and atmosphere just as relaxed. There are vendors that walk up and down the beach offering a wide variety of things from foot massage to fresh fruit which we recommend but there is also a distinct possibility that you may be offered drugs as well from sum of these vendors and in this case we strongly recommend you decline as Thailand has sum of the toughest drug laws in the world and you don't want to spoil your holiday.

In the summer months the waters in Chaweng and Lamai can occasionally have some strong wind swell & wild surf, so be aware of strong rip tides or side shore currents. The waters are relatively shallow, but as always inexperienced swimmers should either stay close to shore or swim with other people.

Lamai's beaches are very clean and a lot less crowded than Chaweng Beach. Lamai was the original destination for travelers to Samui and compared to Chaweng the town is a bit more low budget but it still has its own distinct charm and personality.

Located on the North coast of the island, Maenam Beach offers spectacular views of Ko Phangan to the North, and the Ang Thong National Marine Park to the East. The waters here are calm and clean due to the fact that they are protected from the North Easterly currents by Ko Phangan. Meanam Beach is much less crowded than Lamai or Chaweng, and Maenam's restaurants and bars still retain much of the local Thai flavor as well as being more affordably priced and inexpensive. Overall Maenam Beach is quieter, much more relaxed, with the local Thai community still pretty much intact. There is also a very nice golf course located on Maenam Beach which is very popular with tourists and Thai people alike.

Bophut Beach is just to the east of Maenam. The lifestyle is relaxed and more traditional than the larger communities and is commonly referred to by locals as Fisherman's Village. Bhophut's laid back vibe is popular with the more relaxed sort of travelers, and has a number of pricey but very good French-owned cafes and restaurants. Bang Rak, just two kilometers east of Bophut but still part of Bophut "province" is also known by the name Big Buddha Beach, after the 19 meter gold tinted statue of the ancient spiritual master which overlooks the entire bay (Big Buddha). Bang Rak is quite close to the airport, and is one of the calmest beaches, though the huge sweeps of its jade colored waters are often a bit murky. Bang Rak is the jump off point to sister island Ko Phangan and there are ferries departing daily.

Choeng Mon is one of the smallest of Koh Samui's tourist beaches, but lies in a secluded bay on the northeastern tip of the island, making it perfect for those who want peace and quiet. It doesn't have much of a town but there are a number of small restaurants and a couple of shops, in addition to some very luxurious (and expensive) hotels that surround the bay and it is only five minutes north from the bright lights of Chaweng and well worth a visit.

Ao Tong Takian is a small cove just north of Lamai beach. It's long been popular among stoners and hippy tourists for its inviting white sand, and is also commonly referred to as Silver Beach. Here you will find five resorts: La Mer Samui Resort, the Samui Yacht Club (with no yachts or sailors at all), Tong Ta Kian Villa, Silver beach and Crystal Bay. This used to be a relatively unknown spot but is gradually growing in popularity. There is great swimming here as the water is calm and crystal clear but only if the local fishing boats are not around. Be careful if you are walking in the waters here as Tong Takian has a lot of small sharp rocks so take care.

Nathon on the Southwestern coast is the island's capital and main port and the beaches here lack the beauty or deep water found on the east coast of the island. The city of Nathon offers great shopping with some of the best prices to be found anywhere on the island but does not have the variety of Chaweng. There are also some truly good local Thai restaurants including fantastic places in the side streets where you can get delicious low priced traditional Chinese Duck lunch. The open-air food market is piled high with inexpensive and fresh local fish and other fresh local produce. Some of the shops in Nathon are really offbeat, selling umbrellas, computer parts, stationary and cheese in a one single shop. Banks and Travel agencies here make life easier for travelers, and the ferry to the mainland departs daily from the main port of Nathon. Lipa Noi is really the only useful swimming beach on the west coast of the island, this wide sweep of sand is the last quiet place on the island. Lipa Noi faces due west and looks directly into the stunning Thai sunsets and is very popular with honeymooners. It won't be long before its discovered by more tourists, but for now this is the part of the island where you can still feel like you are free from the tourist circus. It's the ideal romantic location and the perfect spot to sit and watch that unforgettable sunset.

Tong Krut on located in the South West corner of the island is currently one of the quieter areas of Koh Samui and is the proposed site for the islands future multi-million dollar mega-yacht harbor.

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VIII. Tourist Attractions

Angthong National Marine Park: Angthong National Marine Park is made up of 42 islands in total, featuring stunning lime stone massifs, lush tropical rainforests and pristine secluded beaches and an abundance of wildlife thrown in for good measure. It was established as a national park in 1980. Also known as the Golden Basin, Angthong National Marine Park in Koh Samui is renowned for activities like snorkeling, bush walking and swimming. Nearby smaller islands are Ko Sam Sao, Ko Prayad, Ko Hin Dap and Ko Kha. There are very well organized daily tours to Angthong National Marine Park by speedboat which offer kayaking (canoeing), snorkeling and great swimming at some of the most picturesque bays and lagoons you will find anywhere in the world.

Wat Khunaram: Koh Samui This temple is the island's most famous temple for its mummified monk on display. The mummy sits upright in a glass casket and devotees offer it flowers and incense. The mummy is in fact the body of a very revered former abbot of the temple who was also a meditation master that was able to predict his own death’ this temple is well worth a visit and is highly recommended.

Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo: Koh Samui The undersea world of the aquarium has an amazing collection of tropical fish and other vibrant aquatic animals such as turtles and colorful coral. The famous Tiger Zoo is home to the magestic Bengal tigers and leopards. For those who are daring enough, they can have their photograph taken with these awesome animals.

Laem Sor Pagoda: Koh Samui This chedi (pagoda) situated at Laem Sor temple is one of the most important shrines in Koh Samui. The structure with its yellow tiles which gives off a golden aura is very impressive and well worth the visit.

Big Buddha: standing at twelve-meter high this statue of Buddha is one of the most recognized landmarks on the island. It lies at the top of amazing ordained ceremonial dragon-steps made up of sparkling jewels at the Wat Phra Yai. Koh Samui also has a number of other impressive temples and a journey around the island by moped or car is the easiest way to discover these temples.

The Grandmother and Grandfather: Better known as Hin Ta - Hin Yai these rocks on the south end of Lamai beach are an occasional source of amusement for tourists due to their striking similarity to a representative reproductive organs for male and female.

The Mountain Jungle: located in the interior of the island this alone is an excellent day out and is home to a number of impressive gardens built by legendary Samuian farmer Nim Thongsuk. Home to breathtaking waterfalls such as Na Muang which is definitely a must see you will also visit real working rubber plantations and the most amazing views over the Ang Thong archipelago just don’t forget your camera. The roads in the jungle are an adventure in themselves, and tourists normally take a jeep safari tour to explore all above mentioned spots on the island which really does give a great way to explore the island of the Koh Samui.

Muay Thai (Thai Boxing): Thai Boxing Events takes place regularly at the island's stadiums in Chaweng and Lamai.

Saturdays is traditionally lady boxing night in Lamai and is free to attend, not only will you see lady fighters but young boys and grown men competing in this highly electric and exciting sport.

Ko Phangan has a full-moon party at the appropriate time each lunar month and tourists in Koh Samui often hop a slow ferry or speedboat to the nearby island to join in the dusk to dawn high energy dancing and drinking marathon.

Animal Attractions: Numerous animal attractions are dotted around the island, these include crocodile farms, monkey theatre, elephant trekking, a snake farm, an aquarium and a butterfly garden.

Most visitors to the island take a day trip out to the beautiful Ang Thong National Marine Park at least once on their stay in Koh Samui and again here you will see a rich and diverse range of wildlife in there natural habitat.

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IX. Activities

Scuba Diving & Snorkelling

Koh Samui's clear waters although still good are not the best of the islands but snorkeling and diving are still very popular at Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan which are considered the best of the islands for these activities and are part of the Angthong Marine National Park. The dive boats leave from the pier at Bophut daily and you can join Koh Tao snorkeling tours and also scuba diving tours to nearby islands just by booking with your operator.

Sea Kayaking

With a rich coastline composed of natural mangroves, limestone walls, untouched small coves, caves and small islands and an interior with rivers lined with numerous cave systems, Koh Samui provides sum of the most natural and scenic habitats for kayaking enthusiasts and is one of the most amazing ways to explore this island paradise.

Bird Watching

Koh Samui's pristine forests are decent for bird watching. The areas are a safe nesting ground for several rare species of birds and attract enthusiasts from all over the world at different times of the year.

Sailing Yachting & Cruising

All types of boating have soared in popularity in Koh Samui over the past decade. This is due to the success of the Ko Samui Regatta, various day cruises and romantic sunset cruises. The only problem with sailing however in Koh Samui, is that there isn't much in the way of safe mooring although improvements in infrastructure and yachting services are on the increase.

Fishing

Fishing is growing in popularity in Thailand as people discover the rich, relatively untapped abundance of marine life in the local waters. Enthusiasts catch pelagic and sports fish such as Marlin, Sailfish, Barracuda and Tuna on a regular basis. The majority of the fishing tours leave from the south-west corner of Koh Tong Krut and there is day and night fishing available. Your tour includes all your fishing gear, licensed guide, lunch buffet and full insurance. If you like we also offer private fishing or cruising trips to your designated destination.

Jungle Trekking

Samui's forests with attractive flora and fauna are popular for trekking.

Bungy Jumping

For those ultimate thrill seekers Bungee Jump is situated on the Reggae Street side of Chaweng Lake.

Golf

There is one 18-hole golf course available on Koh Samui called the Santiburi Samui Country Club. It is popular for its scenic natural surroundings and high valley fairways. The island is also the location of a few golf shops, especially on Chaweng Beach.

Trekking & Elephant Trekking

Due to diversity of the landscape and tropically lush forests, Koh Samui is a great place for trekking, either on foot or by elephant, the latter being one of the most memorable things to do on the island and something you will long remember for years to come.

Snooker & Pool

Snooker and pool tables can easily be found at the island's bars. Some tables are more crooked than others but most bars in Chaweng Beach or Lamai have pool tables.

Spa

For those who love to be pampered you must indulge in one Thailands world famous "spa" experiences. Koh Samui is one of the most popular destinations to enjoy this therapeutic relaxing therapy. Koh Samui Island prides itself with countless spas offering the highest world class services at extremely reasonable rates. Much of the recent success of this therapy is due to the tremendous support given by the Thai Spa Operators Association. Not only have they assisted in the training of therapists to international standards but also trained them in keeping methods traditional and distinctively "Thai-style". Spas can be found at most major hotels and resorts on Koh Samui.

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X. Shopping

Shopping in Koh Samui is by far more popular in areas such as Chaweng, Lamai and the capital of Nathon. You will find all kind of shops and boutiques in these places. There are a number of skilled tailors and dressmakers, who can sew a perfect fitting suit or dress of your choice within 24 hours. You will also find a wide variety of sport shops, beauty shops, clothing and fashion boutiques (original brand names in the shops and the original fakes on the outside) many DVD and CD shops, professional photo shops and opticians and 7-Elevens at every corner.

Thai traditional handicrafts and souvenirs like Thai silk, souvenir gifts, traditional antiques, lacquer ware, tradional and modern paintings and a whole lot more can be found along with other a diverse range of jewellery such as gold and silver. Thip Chang is a good place to find the best selection for Buddha idols, traditional antiques and a wide variety of souvenirs in Chaweng. Several 7-Eleven and Family Mart and local owned convenience stores are found all over the island as well. A big department store such as Makro, Tesco Lotus and Big C offer a big range of products for all your needs at the most affordable prices and is where many of the locals shop which is always a good indication.

Local Products

Besides coconuts, Koh Samui is also famous for its high quality silk and wide range of handicrafts including precious gems, these items can easily be bought at great prices from reputable shops and companies and even some beach vendors if you know what your looking for. There is also a huge range of lacquer ware, silverware, nylon ware, pewter ware, wood-carvings, brass ware, gold and tailor-made suits.

XI. Night Life

Beer Bars

Chaweng Beach is especially famous for its beer bars (also called bar-beers), staffed by pretty hostesses. Beer bars can be found all over Chaweng. The bars offer pool, Connect4 and other popular bar games. Day time is always more laid back and as soon as the sun goes down the pace steps up a notch until the wee hours of the morning.

Nightclubs

Chaweng Beach is packed out with nightclubs playing the latest rave sounds and serving exotic cocktails. Most of these clubs don't swing into top gear until around midnight but once they get going hold on and get ready for a big night and a hangover the next day.

Live Music and Entertainment

There are many quality live music venues for live music lovers. There are also comedy drag shows that appears with a hint of Thai style so called "Ladyboy Shows" These shows are well worth a look as they are very funny and amusing and something you don’t see everyday.

Koh Samui was mentioned as the honeymoon destination in the 2000 outrageous comedy hit "Meet the Parents" starring Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro.

Koh Samui was also mentioned in the 2002 box office hit "The Beach" starring Leonardo Di Caprio about a group of young people living on a secret paradise island.

Koh Samui is also mentioned in Michel Houellebecq's best selling novel "Platform".

The Big Buddha statue on the island is featured prominently in the video game Burnout 3 even if not mentioned by name it is quite easy to recognize.

Koh Samui is also among 67 global locations mentioned in the hit song "Rambling Man" performed by Lemon Jelly.

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XIII. Local Culture

Lifestyle

Even though Koh Samui dominates the islands of Southern Thailand, where Islam has a strong influence, the original inhabitants of the island, known as "Chao Samui", are predominantly Buddhist. In the past most of the island locals made their living in the coconut farming business. Nowadays, however, the majority of them work in jobs related with the ever growing tourism industry.

Many of the locals have become wealthy from selling off land they have owned for decades. As a result of the extensive development of the island many Thai-Chinese have come to Koh Samui from the capital of Bangkok to conduct business. Most of the manual labor needed to keep up with the island's growth has been supplied by folks native to the country's poorer north-eastern region, and as a result you have a wide cross section of economic classes on the island.

The south of Thailand is a melting pot of Buddhists, Thai Chinese, Muslims and the traditional sea faring gypsies. Koh Samui does not seem to suffer from the religious tensions that one hears about in the news originating in communities along the southern border of Malaysia and Thailand, and in general the locals live in harmony. Outside of the tourist areas one can hear Thai language spoken with a thick Southern dialect which is even difficult for northern Thais to understand.

With this broad mixture of cultures Koh Samui is always celebrating some tradition or another, be it part of Thai Buddhist, Thai-Chinese, Thai-Islamic, or western culture.

Events & Festivals

Buffalo Fighting Festival: One of the most famed festivals coming out of Samui is its Buffalo Fighting Festival which is held on special occasions such as New Years Day and Songkran. Unlike Spanish Bullfighting, where the bulls get killed while fighting sword-wielding men, Buffalo Fighting Festival, Ko Samui is fairly harmless. The fighting season varies according to some ancient customs and ceremonies. The buffalos are beautifully decorated with ribbons and gold-painted leaves. Before the contest which lasts just two rounds, monks spray them with holy water. This is a big money event with the winning owner going home with millions of baht in prize money.

Bowling Championship: This is an annual bowling event held in May every year.

Avis Samui Tennis Open: The annual amateur tennis tournament held in July.

The Fisherman's Village Festival: This five-day long festival is celebrated with great fun and lots of music and food. The music is usually played by well-known artists and the amount of food (and quality of it) dished up is just amazing. A number of food tents sell a wide range of inexpensive and tasty cuisine provided by many local hotels. All these things make this festival the best on the Samui calendar.

Triathlon Event: The International Triathlon Union organizes this event every year. This event in Ko Samui draws a more than five hundred participants from all round the globe. The event attracts not only competitors but visitors at the same time. Local people participate enthusiastically and at same time cheer up the participants. This Triathlon Event is a lot of fun.

Samui Regatta: The Samui Regatta, Ko Samui is a sailing tournament, which is a grand attraction on this island every year. The tournament is internationally acclaimed around the world and has become one of the major sailing events on Samui. The organizers put in a lot of preparation for the successful completion of this event. Locals as well as tourists take part; racers come from as far away as Australia, Singapore, Japan and China. This event began in 2002. The yacht racing association of Thailand organized this popular yachting festival and the event is recognized by the prestigious international sailing federation. Boats of all sizes and shapes are used in this event. The "Radical Bay 8000" is one such boat that is used in this event.

Full Moon Party (Koh Phangan): Once upon a time Had Rin Beach on nearby Ko Phangan was a secret haven for a few hippy backpackers who could only get to the beach by boat. Nowadays however, Had Rin is packed with bungalows, bars, pizza joints and even a 7-11. Every month on full-moon a huge party is held, one that has become internationally renowned. All through the night party-gors can drink and dance to the latest rave sounds played by well-known DJs from around the world. Literally ten of thousands appear solely for the point of joining in the action.

Learn

Learning Thai Cooking

There are schools which provide basic skills sufficient to prepare a Thai meal at home, or even training to professional standards. Some hotels that have their own in-house Thai restaurant offer cooking classes to their customers.

Meditation

Thai way of meditation can help treat those suffering from a bugging, moody, monkey-like or impatient mind. This can be done at either a temple or Samudra Retreat.

Local Food

In general, Southern Thai food is renowned for its spiciness. Much of the cuisine has its origins in Malay, Indonesian and Indian food. Favourite dishes from the south include Indian-style Muslim curry (massaman), rice noodles in fish curry sauce (Khanom Jeen) and chicken birayani.

Local food in Koh Samui and its province of Surat Thani are salted eggs and rambutan.

XIV. Medical Health Care

Samui has the internationally renowned Bangkok Samui Hospitals. For those who are just a little sick there are countless clinics and pharmacies, especially at Chaweng Beach. With its more than 4 international hospitals, many dental clinics and pharmacies even Boots and Watsons Koh Samui is certainly a health care consicous destination.

XV. Retirement

There are a lot of retirees living on Koh Samui Island and enjoying the peaceful, relaxed style of life. This is probably due to the climate, natural surroundings and fair cost of living as well as friendly and free environment.

XVI. Media Contact

Internet Dial-up connection in Thailand is getting rarer as people are turning to ADSL. Typical monthly charges including the telephone line are around 20 USD+. Thailand also has more than its fair share of Internet cafes, the hourly charge is about 1 USD. For those residing in rural areas, hooking up to the Internet can be done via broadband satellite and Koh Samui certainly keeping up with Thailand standards in this department.

Cable TV Most foreigners living in Ko Samui usually prefer more than just Thai language TV and yearn for something in the English language. Western TV is available on UBC with all the usual channels such as BBC, CNN, MTV and Star Sports etc.

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