Learning a Little bit about the Island of Koh Samui

 

Relax at the fabulous ShaSa hotel during your stay in Koh Samui

Tourists who prefer laid-back vacations or holidays can find what they seek in the lovely and serene Koh Samui, an island located at the Gulf of Thailand. This splendid destination is only an hour plane ride from the Thai capital, Bangkok, and those who opt for a Koh Samui travel will more than likely be impressed by this island’s distinctive offerings.  

The third largest archipelago of 80 islands in the gulf, Koh Samui has managed to preserve its rustic charm even as it hosts such superb tourist enclaves such as the ShaSa Resort located at the southern end of the island. Visiting Koh Samui means not only an interlude with the island’s pristine beaches and dazzling seascapes ideal for many water-based leisure activities. Inland trips into Koh Samui will reveal expansive plantations of coconut palms, the produce of which sustains a great portion of the island’s economy.

In a manner of speaking, the coconut is the tree of life for the locals. They derive substantial revenue from some 2 million-coconut fruits, regarded as Thailand’s best, which are shipped monthly to the mainland. In addition the coconut palm is a source for native thatch roofing, and its harvested fruits yield raw materials for mats and ropes. The processed coconut meat is even more vital, coming in the form of vegetable oil and as ingredients for foodstuff, soap, and candles.

Rice cultivation and fishing are the other means of livelihood in Koh Samui. In recent years, tourism too has grown its contribution to the island’s economy.  The opening of an international airport ushered in the accelerated growth of the travel industry in Koh Samui. Despite the influx of tourists, though, the island’s charm, including nearby attractions, remained unspoiled as local authorities endeavoured hard to preserve the local natural splendour.

A communion with the best Mother Nature has to offer can be had with a trip to the neighbouring island of Koh Phangan, about 14 kilometres north of Koh Samui. In addition to its superb beaches, Koh Phangan is a preserve for majestic waterfalls. Koh Tao Island, is another nearby destination worth the trip with its abundant and colorful corals. Likewise, an excursion to the Ang Thong Marine National Park should be a memorable experience, given this preserve’s setting akin to a rare sea paradise. Reserve a whole day to partake of these wondrous offerings around the fascinating island of Koh Samui.

Vacationing in Koh Samui

Gorgeous view from Beyond the Sea in Koh Samui

Even a brief stopover at the vacation island of Koh Samui can readily captivate a passing visitor who in most probability would vow to come back for a longer stay. This alluring tourist destination is located off the eastern coast of Thailand, now easily accessible within an hour by plane from the country’s capital, Bangkok. The island dazzles with the pristine sands of its beaches and its blue crystal clear waters. Samui also boasts of a wide selection of fine bars and restaurants serving both local and international cuisine.

The third biggest in the Gulf ofThailand, Koh Samui is actually the crown jewel of an archipelago made up of eighty islands. Thus, a Samui visit enables choices from a wide array of beaches to chill out. Despite the growing influx of tourists drawn by these kaleidoscopic delights, it is endearing to note that this tourist attraction has retained much of its rustic splendor. Islands near Samui worth a visit include Ko Pha Ngan which has superb beaches and eye-pleasing waterfalls. A stop at the Ko Tao is likewise an enticing option as this virgin island flaunts magnificent corals in its waters.

An inland tour of Samui will reveal sprawling plantations of coconut palms which is a major driver of the economy in the island. The produce from the coconuts are sold at the mainland, and the plantations’ palms likewise locally supply  fiber for mats or ropes, thatch for roofing, and vegetable oil which isn’t only a base for food items but also serves as raw material for consumer products like soap and candle. Besides coconut farming, rice cultivation and fishing are also sources of livelihood for the locals.

With the growing importance of tourism in the island in recent years, the travel business has also started to have a positive impact on the local economy and the island’s residents. It was not too long ago that tourists found the path to Koh Samui which was erstwhile popular only among backpackers.

Travel to the island when the transport facilities weren’t as developed as today was a challenge. Samui was then fairly isolated, as it is 560 kilometers north of Thailand’s capital, Bangkok. Geographically, Samui is in fact closer to Malaysia than it is from Bangkok. The island is also about 80 kilometers from Surat Thani, the local capital. With the construction of the island’s airport, however, the travel time between the Thai mainland and Samui was significantly reduced, enabling the island’s tourist industry to blossom.