Ko Samui (Samui Island, เกาะสมุย)

Ko Samui, or Koh Samui, is a lovely island in the Chumphon Archipelago off Thailand's southeastern coast. On all sides of the island are marvelous beaches and inland you will find mainly coconut plantations. The coconut-business is the major source of income for the island and some 2 million of them are shipped to Bangkok each month.
Some of the most interesting places on the island include:
- The two most popular beaches are Hat Chaweng, Hat Lamai, Hat Maenam and Hat Choeng Mon.
- Quieter beaches include Mae Nam, Bo Phut, or Big Buddha, all on the island's northern coast.
- The main town on Ko Samui is Na Thon.
- There are several Elephant Sanctuaries in Ko Samui, where visitors can learn more about elephants as sentient beings.
- The so-called Fisherman's Village is a popular tourist destination.
- The Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks are natural rock formations that resemble male and female genitalia and are thus believed to bring fertility and good luck. They are also known as Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks.
- Na Muang Waterfalls.
- The Secret Buddha Garden.
- Wat Phra Yai, or the Big Buddha Temple is one of Ko Samui's most iconic landmarks. The temple features a 12m tall golden Buddha statue, which is seated in a lotus position. The statue is regarded a symbol of peace and prosperity.
There is quite a lot of accommodation available in the form of thatched-roofed bungalows along most of the island's beaches. During the tourist season, from December to February and in July and August, accommodation can be tight. The best time to visit Ko Samui is during the dry season, which runs from February to June. Ko Samui's Don Sak Airport has air connections with Bangkok, while ferries operate from Surat Thani.
Ko Samui is 475 km south of Bangkok and 20 km north of the island lies the Ko Pha-Ngan island, which is also worth a visit.

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Images

Ko Samui ©Stefan Kunze

Ko Samui ©Johannes Mändle

Ko Samui ©Samuel C.

Ko Samui ©Sloane Yerger

Big Golden Buddha ©Kit Suman

Temple ©AXP Photography

Buddha ©Chelsea Chehade

Laem Sor Pagoda ©Robert Eklund

Tean Island 6copy;Raimond Klavins

ko Samui ©Antonio Araujo
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