Samui
Island (Ko Samui)
 Samui
Island or Ko Samui is the largest of a group of nearly 100
tropical islands in the Gulf of Thailand along the east coast
of Surat Thani Province. These islands are known as the Samui
archipelago. The most phenomenally famous tourist destinations,
attracting a wide range of visitors from all over the world,
are the three largest islands: Samui, Phangan, and Tao. Long
sandy beaches, green mountainous interiors, colorful coral
reefs, a warm tropical climate and an easy-going people with
a ready smile clearly define Samui's appeal.
Some 1,500 years ago Samui was probably first inhabited by
fishermen using the island as a base to fish its rich waters.
The island was first officially recorded on a Ming Dynasty
map from China in approximately 1,500 AD. Many immigrants
from Hunan have settled in the northern villages of Nathon
and Maenam. Muslim fishermen settled in the South and East
and Huan Thanon is still a strong Muslim enclave. During the
17th to 18th centuries the islands came under the rule of
Nakhon Si Thammarat which at that time was t he
main power in southern Thailand. Eventually it came under
the direct rule of the Siamese from Bangkok in the late 18th
century, but Samui and other islands have always been essentially
self-governing. By the end of the 19th century, the remote
communities had been established and word of the beautiful
islands in the Gulf of Thailand was already seeping through
to the greater Thai country. After the Second World War, Thailand
became more economically sophisticated and natural products
such as timber, rubber and fruit became tradable commodities.
These fertile islands were important for the plantations of
coconuts which began to assume economic value to the country.
Then the backpackers arrived and gradually tourism began to
dominate the island economically and socially.
Ko Samui, the third largest island of Thailand and the largest
in the southeast in the Gulf of Thailand, is surrounded with
almost a hundred islands. The main islands, which are all
near Samui Island and are inhabited, are Phangan, Tao and
Tan Islands. Samui Island is 247 sq km It is full of tropical
jungle and mountains up to 600 m high and is covered by almost
3 million coconut trees, some over 160 years old and 35 m
tall.
The
interesting spots on the island of paradise include:
Big Buddha Temple:
The Big Buddha temple, locally called "Wat Phra Yai",
is named after the 22 m golden Buddha enshrined at the very
far end of the northeast coast. It is really a must for every
visitor to Samui.
The temple is located on route 4171 not far from the airport.
The Big Buddha sits magnificently upon the small island, Ko
Fan. Usually plenty of tourists both local and international
visit the huge statue. It is the island's most prominent landmark,
which you can often see from the air before your aircraft
even lands. There are a number of restaurants and souvenir
stands around the temple to serve the visitors.
 Kunaram
Temple:
The highly respected Kunaram Temple houses the mummified body
of Samui's most famous monk, Loungpor Daeng. The body is on
display here in a specially constructed building. Over 20
years ago, he died in the sitting position while he was performing
meditation and his body shows few signs of any major decay.
Wat Khunaram is on the 4169 ring road between the Na Muang
waterfalls and Hua Thanon.
The
Laem Sor Pagoda:
The pagoda is located on the grounds of Laem Sor Temple. It
sits magnificently at the rocks on the water's edge. It is
covered in countless small yellow tiles, which appear golden
when viewed from a short distance. At the far south of the
island off the 4170 road between Ban Tale and Ban Page Ka,
you can reach the temple by following the track with a sign
that reads "Waikiki Bungalow."
Sumret
Temple:
This old temple is the guardian of the ancient White Marble
Buddha, believed by the monks there to be many hundreds of
years old. It also has within its grounds the "Secret
Hall of Buddhas." This building houses a fine collection
of revered and valuable Buddha images, some of which have
recently been stolen resulting in the temple doors being locked
most of the time. However, the monks will open them for a
request, although a donation will be expected. Wat Sumret
is 200 meters down the second concrete road on the left, West
of
Hua Thanon on the 4169 ring road.
 Na
Muang Waterfalls:
Na Muang Waterfalls, a set of two waterfalls, are the finest
natural scenery on the island. The waterfalls are located
just 10 kms south of Nathon near Ban Thurian.
The
first level of Na Muang Waterfalls is 18 m high and tourists
can easily take a vehicle to reach there as it is at the end
of the road. The second level of falls is about 80 m high
and a 30 minute walk is the only way to reach them. The second
level is less frequently visited even though they are arguably
the prettiest falls on the island and worth the walk. If you
prefer to experience the elephant ride into the forest, Na
Muang Safari located at the cross roads and can take you for
a wild ride.
Hin
Lad Waterfalls:
Hin Lad Waterfalls with a well-posted
sign are a 2 km walk from the main road just south of Nathon.
It is quite a tough trek so make sure you have decent footwear
or else you may get hurt from the uneven uphill and downhill
track. The falls are really nice as long as there is enough
water, but during the dry season, it is probably not worth
the trek. Within the waterfalls, there is a pool that you
can swim in to cool off.
 Hin
Ta and Hin Yai:
The famous Hin Ta and Hin Yai or Grandfather and Grandmother
rocks are strange natural formations fashioned by the elements
into massive sculptures of male and female genitals. The strange,
scenic spot makes an interesting viewpoint where the tourists
can take great photographs. A local story has been told generation
to generation about an elderly couple. They sailed a ship
and it was wrecked in the bay. Their bodies were washed ashore
to create the rocks. The rocks are well signposted and can
be reached from the 4169 ring road just south of Lamai.
Samui's
Butterfly Park, Bee House and Insect Museum:
For nature enthusiasts interested in tropical insects, Samui's
Butterfly Park houses many brightly colored butterflies. They
live in a peaceful garden setting within a huge net cage.
It is probably worth visiting for a nature walk although the
price is quite expensive.
At
Samui's Butterfly Park there is also a Bee House. All bees
are kept in an old traditional Thai-style house and visitors
are allowed to observe the activities of bees. Rare
insects from Thailand and other countries are on display in
the Insect Musuem. The
Butterfly Park is situated in Laem Set on the southeast coast
of Samui off highway 4170.
Samui's
Monkey Center:
Samui's Monkey Center is located on highway 4169 near Bophut.
There are funny and enjoyable elephant and monkey shows. There
are daily elephant rides for an adventurous jungle trek. The
Monkey Center is open daily from 9 am until 5 pm. Show times
for the hilarious performances are 10.30 am, 2 pm and 4 pm.
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