Samui
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.
Awarded To
Coral Grand Divers
- koh Tao, 2006'.
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KOH TAO : THE TURTLE ISLAND
General
:
Koh Tao
is a small island covering 21 sq km., located 44 km. north of Koh
Pha-Ngan and 45 km Northeast of Samui. It is rumored that during the
40's it was used to hold political prisoners captive. Koh Tao's boom
started when it was discovered by the diving industry. It is a
paradise for both beginning and experienced divers, and also the
largest dive training center in Southeast Asia. Sea turtles are ever
present around the island's shores, and more turtles are expected to
thrive in the coming years. The "We love Koh Tao" foundation has
been turning their efforts toward bringing more turtles to the
island, and last year they released 300 baby turtles into the
beaches.
Spots of Interest:
Although the
island of Koh Tao is a beauty in itself, the most spectacular
scenery can be found in the underwater world. This is the primary
reason why the island has become a mecca for scuba divers across the
world. Coral reefs, deep off-shore pinnacles and rock formations can
be reached within ten minutes by boat. Here you can find rocks that
come alive through sponges, anemones, soft and hard corals. Lucky
divers and snorkelers can even spot the massive, harmless whale
sharks in season, or manta rays and turtles while swimming among
schools of exotic fish. To those unwilling to scuba dive but dying
to see the underwater world, snorkeling gear is available all over
the island. With a water temperature between 27 - 30 degrees Celsius
one easily falls in love with the sea.
As for those who
don't like water sports and only plan to stay for a day or so, the
Thai food on the island is amazing. Pizza or a tender steak with
good wine are some of the more popular dinner choices. The sunsets
of Koh Tao are known as some of the most spectacular to watch, and
places to relax and view them while having a " sundowner " are easy
to find.
BANKING/FOREIGN
EXCHANGE/ATMS :
Although Koh Tao is
remote to a point (90 minutes) from the mainland, there is an
abundance of ATM's on the Island located in Chalok Ban Khao, Sairee
Village and Maehaad town. All the ATMs accept international credit
card withdrawals and are rarely offline. There are also licensed
Foreign Exchange facilities throughout the Island as well as two
Siam City Bank exchange facilities again in Sairee village and
Maehaad town. Siam City Bank is the only banking facility on the
Island at this time. Credit cards, particularly Visa &
Mastercard, are widely accepted throughout the Island. Today's
Baht exchange rate is?
KOH TAO
CLIMATE:
The climate on Koh Tao is generally pleasant all
year around, with temperatures varying 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.
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