Koh Samui is usually called Samui by the locals of Thailand. This island is located at the east coast Kra Isthmus of the country. It is the country's 3rd major island having a vicinity of 228.7 km as well as a population of more than 50,000. The island is prosperous with white sandy beaches, innate reserves, coconut trees and coral reefs.



Initially, the island was dwelled in by fishermen settlers for approximately 15 centuries back. They came from Southern China and Malay Peninsula. The term Samui is mysterious in particular. Probably this word is an addition to the name of a certain native tree called mui, or perhaps this is a version of the Chinese term Saboey which means ?safe haven?. Koh is a Thai term meaning ?island?.

During the late twentieth century, the island was a remote independent district, having short association with the Thailand mainland. Koh Samui lack roads until early 1970s, and there is a 15km trip from a side of Samui going to the other side which included a whole-day trek via the mountainous central rain forests.

The island only encounters 2 seasons similar to other areas of southern Thailand. Rainy season arrives during May until December, and dry season happens during January until April. Because the island has a tropical weather, every time there is rain, it pours heavily but not too long.

Previously, Koh Samui's economy centers on survival agriculture, fishing, and coconut as their main source of crop. Starting 1980s, tourism has made way to change their status and is prevailing nowadays. The establishment of steady, high speed internet connection has made this island a practical spot for IT businesses, which is now providing a certain level of economic assortment. With the island's weather and accessibility, this has made it really striking for international investors.

A private airport known as Koh Samui Airport is primarily constructed by the Bangkok Airways. Still it is the major operator and the sole airline that provides services to the island going to main Thailand. There are private speedboats that you can hire going back and forth of Koh Samui. Regular boats are linked to Koh Phang-gan and Surat Thani. At daytime there is a boat going to Koh Tao.

It was just in the early 1970s when the original visitors who rode a coconut boat came to Koh Samui. For many years the island only contains a small number of bungalows and a seep of tourists. During the early 1990s was when boats packed with travelers began to arrive at the island and that was when the island become well known. Today, Samui is the 2nd well-liked island destination of Thailand next to Phuket.

This island is a sanctuary of innate beauty, having nice white sand beaches, stunning corals, luscious lagoons, scenic waterfalls, crystal clear water and captivating coconut trees. Tourism is now the leading industry, than the previous one which is the coconut. The progress of Koh Samui is no w paying off. Beaches such as Lamai and Chaweng are congested. Though, there are still serene beaches around.