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KOH SAMUI
click here for SAMUI DIVING
THE HISTORY…
Koh Samui lays in the Ang Thong archipelago in the South Western part of Thailand ( Gulf of Thailand ) and is some 80kms from the nearest mainland.
Actually, not much written documentation exists about Koh Samui as the Island was rarely inhabited by ‘outsiders' until the early 1970's due to its mountainous jungle and the length of time it took to reach the Island. Most of Koh Samui's history (or Samui as it is better known) has been passed down from generation to generation.
It is suspected that Samui had settlers as far back as 1,500 years ago, but it is known that Samui has been inhabited by Chinese & Malay fisherman since at least 1687 as maps still exist to this day showing the Island. However, on these maps Samui has been written as “Saboey” which translates from Chinese as “Safe Haven” and could well have been deemed as such due to its largely protected waters.
It was only during the 1940's that some progress to reach different parts of the Island was made by the way of a dirt path or a dirt road. In fact, it would take the whole day to reach Lamai from Maenam due to the jungle terrain unlike today where it takes a mere 20 – 30 minutes! A return trip back then was an impossibility.
During the early 1970's, the very first acknowledgement of a foreigner setting foot on Samui was a Peace Corps Volunteer. From then on, foreigners were starting to appear on the Island out of curiosity for its sheer beauty and as word got to the ‘outside' world, Samui soon became a popular tourist destination. As such, construction began on a 2-metre wide road that would encompass the entire Island ; and with that, came the development and modernization of Samui as we see it today.
TODAY…
Samui is now a bustling city Island that hosts international PGA golf tournaments, sailing regattas and annual music festivals amongst other attractions.
The Island is also seen as a travelling hub to reach the other South Eastern parts of Thailand such as Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Chumphon, Suratthani, Had Yai and Hua Hin.
Samui caters for all budgets and all tastes; so there is something for everybody! Wherever one travels in Samui, the Gulf of Thailand is all around and travellers can snorkel or scuba dive from any one of the countless smallers Islands around the large Samui.
HOW TO GET THERE…
Koh Samui Via Bangkok
The quickest way to Koh Samui is by way of Bangkok Airways who fly direct from Bangkok , Krabi, Phuket , Singapore , Kuala Lumpur and a number of other destinations.
Upon arrival at Koh Samui, one can arrange transfer to anywhere on the Island.
Koh Samui Via Chumphon
Getting to Chumphon from Bangkok is very simple either by train or a comfortable VIP bus. Both options can easily be booked in Bangkok or online. Again Lomprayah Catamaran or the Seatran ferries offer two trips to Chumphon from Bangkok daily with the price including the catamaran transfer to Koh Samui.
Koh Samui Via Suratthani
Travellers from Phuket & Krabi typically pass through Suratthani, which is a long and at times uncomfortable journey in a minibus. Travellers can then take the Seatran ferry from Donsak or the Sonserm ferry from the Songserm pier to Koh Samui.
From Donsak, the ferries leave hourly from 6am up to 7pm with travelling time being around 1? hours and from Songserm, they leave twice daily at 9am and 11am with the travelling time being around 2? hours.
KOH SAMUI WEATHER…
The climate on Samui is generally pleasant all year around due to its location in the Gulf of Thailand . Temperatures generally vary from around 25 to 34 degrees Celsius.
There are three seasons…
- Warm season from February until May.
- Rainy season from the end of September until November.
- Cooler season from October until January.
From February until October, the temperature averages of 32 to 38 degrees, but from July until September, there can be some heavy showers, which for the most part seem to hit early morning or late afternoon.
The tropical climate is quite humid all year round, but fortunately Koh Tao, being a tropical paradise also gets a refreshing sea breeze every now and then stretching in from the Gulf of Thailand .
If you are planning a trip to Koh Tao soon and want to plan your diving and vacation a little better, you can check out the weather forecast for the next 10-days.
Choices of SAMUI ACCOMMODATION
Samui accommodation : Samui dive : Samui diving : Samui reservation : Samui scuba diving : Samui travel
Copy right@2004 By Coral Grand Divers 