This is not your mother's Koh Samui

Not by a long shot.
Gone are the days when Samui Island catered almost exclusively to  the young "backpacker" crowd, Samui has moved into the big time baby, whether you like it or not.


But what's not to like?
The island has lost none of its natural beauty and charm, in fact it has gained massively on almost all fronts. Luxury resorts, once a rarity on this almost perfect tourism retreat, are now the rule, rather than the exception.

But those on a limited budget should not fret either-there are lots of great spots to chill out at cool prices. Just browse these pages.  Great dining is plentiful too, albeit a bit pricey, and Spas are as plentiful on Samui as they are in the rest of the Kingdom. The only thing it  does not have is golf, but guess what? Watch this space

The 247-square-kilometer Samui Island is Surat Thani's major tourism attraction.  Located 258 nautical miles south of Bangkok, and some 84 kilometers east of the provincial capital, Koh Samui measures some 21 kilometers at its widest point, and 25 kilometers at its longest.

A 51-kilometer ring and largely coastal road encircles the island, which has numerous lovely beaches and bays, and is almost literally and island of coconuts and forested hills. Samui's best beaches line the northern and eastern coasts, the most popular being Chawaeng and Lamai, where generally attractive accommodation can be found.

Bo Phud and Mae Nam are other popular beaches.  Besides beaches, other island attractions include coral beds at Laem Sed and Tong Takien; the Hin Lat and Na Muang waterfalls; the phallic rock formations at the southern end of Lamai Bay; the nearby butterfly garden and honey farm; a massive seated Buddha image on Fan isle in Plai Laem Bay; a herbal garden at Ban Makam; a monkey training center a Ban Khao Phra; and Na Thon, the island's major seafront settlement where shops, restaurants and tour agencies are concentrated.