Play golf in Samui
Ko Samui became a dream destination discovered by backpackers. Samui's concrete ring road was finished in 1973
passing beautiful beaches around the island and connecting sub-district areas, the road facilitated tourism. The Tourism
Authority of Thailand explored the island in 1980 and realizing the high tourism potential of Samui, a plan to develop and
promote tourism on the island was implemented. As a result, it has become and will continue to be a popular tourist destination
in Thailand.
Ko Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand, approximately 84 kilometers east of Surat Thani, 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. 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
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| Samui; Accomodations & Attractions |
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Chaweng beach and Lamai beach are 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: Chaweng beach is better for couples, women and families,
while single men are drawn to the beer bar culture of Lamai beach. Other beaches include Choeng Mon beach, Mae Nam beach
in the north and Na Thon beach, the island's major seafront settlement where shops, restaurants and tour agencies are
concentrated.
The best time to visit 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.
Getting to Samui
By air
Bangkok Airways flies from Bangkok to Samui 13 times daily. The flight takes about one hour. It also offers daily flights
between Phuket and Samui.
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 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 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 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 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.
By a rented Jeep
Rented Jeep, 4WD, is available from many family-owned agencies and some well known large companies.
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 Samui are quite rough in some parts.
Getting to nearby Islands from Samui
1. Ko Pha-ngan
1.1 Na Thon Pier (Samui) -- Thong Sala Pier (Ko Pha-ngan)
Songserm Travel Co. operates ferry boats and express boats between Na Thon Pier on 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 (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 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 Samui.
3. Ko Tao
Boat services for Ko Tao are available at Na Thon Pier of Samui.
Samui has 2 golf course, The most famous golf course in Samui, “Santiburi Samui country club”
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