Koh Samui Map and Travel Guide
Koh Samui Travel Guide
 Ko
Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand, approximately 84 kilometers
east of Surat Thani Province, or approximately 700 kilometers south
of Bangkok. Known as the Coconut Island, Ko Samui is one of the
most famous and popular attractions of Thailand. With an area of
247 square kilometers, Ko Samui is the third largest island of Thailand
after Phuket and Ko Chang (of Trat Province). The topography of
the island is that of a plain with a mountain range in the middle
and 7 important streams. In addition, there is a 50-kilometer paved
road that encircles the island. Moreover, the area of the island
stretches to a group of 48 surrounding islets.
Despite the fast pace of development, Ko Samui has been able to
maintain its charm its classical image of a tropical beach resort
fringed by coconut trees. Travelers to the island can enjoy a mixed
blessing of vibrant day and nightlife along side with tranquility
which can easily be found across different parts of Ko Samui as
the archipelago is a peaceful home for fishermen and a natural den
for seagulls and other rare birds.
Hat Chaweng and Hat Lamai are Ko Samuis most beautiful and most
popular beaches. Both have a huge selection of accommodations suitable
for every budget. Please note that room rates increase during the
high season, from December to July, when Samui sparkles. The nightlife
of each beach is different: Hat Chaweng is better for couples, women
and families, while single men are drawn to the beer bar culture
of Hat Lamai. These resorts, as well as Na Thon (Samui's main town),
have communications, exchange and car/motorcycle hire facilities.
Other beaches include Hat Choeng Mon, Hat Mae Nam in the north and
Hat Na Thon, the island's major seafront settlement where shops,
restaurants and tour agencies are concentrated.
Apart from its many lovely beaches and tranquil bays, Ko Samui
is also noted for its high quality coconuts that grow densely everywhere.
The best time to visit Ko Samui is from February to April when the
sea is calm. The Southern dialect and the standard Thai language
are spoken while English is widely understood in tourist areas.
How to get there
By air
Bangkok Airways flies from Bangkok to Ko Samui 13 times daily.
The flight takes about one hour and 10 minutes. It also offers daily
flights between Phuket and Samui. For more information, call its
Bangkok office, 0 2229 3456, 0 2229 3434, Samui office, 0 7742 2512
- 9 or Samui Airport Office 0 7724 5601-8.
By bus
Air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses leave Bangkok's Southern
Bus Terminal for Surat Thani several times daily. The trip takes
about 11 hours. For further information, call 0 2435 1199, 0 2435
1200 (air-con), 0 2434 5557 - 8 (non-air-con).
By car
From Bangkok, take Highway 4 (Buddha Monthon Road) through Phetchaburi
and Chumphon Provinces and then drive on to Highways 41 and 401
to Surat Thani Province. From Surat Thani, visitors can take their
cars to Ko Samui through a vehicle ferry at Donsak Pier. The trip
takes 1.30 hours.
By rail
Several trains leave Bangkok's Hualamphong Station for Surat Thani
daily. The trip takes about 12 hours. Train / bus / ferry combination
tickets are also available. For more information, call Hualamphong
Railway Station, 0 2223 7010, 0 2223 7020.
From Surat Thani to Ko Samui
1.Express boat
1.1 An express ferry boat of Songserm Travel departs from Tha Thong
Pier in Surat Thani at 8.00 a.m. and arrives at Na Thon Pier in
Samui at 10.30 a.m. every day. For the return trip, the boat leaves
Na Thon Pier at 2.00 p.m. and reaches Tha Thong at 4.30 p.m.
1.2 Express boats of Seatran Express operate three times a day
between Ban Don and Ko Samui. Departure times are 7.00 a.m., 12.30
p.m. and 2.30 p.m. The trip takes two hours.
2. Ferry Boats of Seatran
Seatran Ferry, which can accommodate 60 cars and 400 passengers,
operates several trips per day between Don Sak (Surat Thani) and
Ko Samui, from 5.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. The trip takes about 1.30
hours.
3. Night ferry
A slow night ferry leaves Ban Don Pier nightly at 11 p.m. and reaches
Na Thon Pier at Samui around 5 a.m. (6 hours). For the return trip,
the boat leaves Na Thon Pier at 9.00 p.m. and arrives at Ban Don
Pier at 4.00 a.m. (7 hours).
Getting around Ko Samui
Samui is an explorer's dream to discover something new. Offering
a wealth of diversity of landscape, vistas, flora and fauna, and
yet small enough to seek adventure in its many out-of-the-way places,
Samui is best seen by taking songthaews (red local bus) which operate
around the island. The fare starts at 20 baht, depending on the
distance of the destination.
By Taxi
For many reasons, the least suitable for exploring, but the safest
and easiest way to get to the destination is to go by taxi. The
official taxi service time is until 9.00 p.m. Visitors are recommended
to negotiate strongly for the fare and keep in mind that negotiation
should always be dome before boarding. Note that the fare at night
will be escalated.
By a rented Jeep
Rented Jeep, 4WD, is available from many family-owned agencies
and some well known large companies. The vehicle will serve as the
basic means of transportation taking visitors around many hillside
natural and man-made attractions which are easily accessible from
the ring road. Some of these vehicles come with insurance, but the
coverage is limited. Always ask for details first. The minimum price
is from 800 baht.
By Motorcycle
A more flexible way to get around the island, rented motorcycle
costs approximately 200 baht / day. Beware, as roads other than
the main roads on Ko Samui are quite rough in some parts.
Getting to nearby Islands from Samui
1. Ko Pha-ngan
1.1 Na Thon Pier (Ko Samui) -- Thong Sala Pier (Ko Pha-ngan)
Songserm Travel Co. operates ferry boats and express boats between
Na Thon Pier on Ko Samui and Thong Sala Pier on Ko Pha-ngan, four
times a day. The trip takes about 45 minutes for express boats,
and one hour for ordinary ferry boats.
1.2 Bo Phut (Ko Samui) -- Hat Rin (Ko Pha-ngan)
There is a ferry boat leaving Bo Phut for Ko Pha-ngan twice daily
at 9.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. The return trips depart Hat Rin on Ko
Pha-ngan at 10.30 a.m. and 3.30 p.m.
2. Ang Thong Islands
Visitors can hire a boat on Ko Samui to Ang Thong. The charge depends
on the boat size and number of passengers. The trip takes 1.30 hours.
It is also possible to join a full-day excursion organized by tour
operators in Ko Samui.
3. Ko Tao
Boat services for Ko Tao are available at Na Thon Pier of Ko Samui.
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