Geography, History, Religion, Economics
Koh Samui is Thailand's second largest island covering an area of 247 square kilometers. It is located in in the Gulf of Thailand, 35 kilometers east of the southern mainland. Samui belongs to the Samui island group consisting of more than 60 islands.
Most of the island's original rain forest has been replaced by coconut groves. The island interior away from the coast is hilly jungle. The highest mountain is Thai Kwai and is 635 meters high.
Koh Samui belongs to the province of Surat Thani. The island itself is divided into seven administrative disctricts called "tambons": Angthong, Bo Phut, Lipa Noi, Mae Nam, Maret, Namuang Taling Nam. The capital is Nathon.
History
Koh Samui was first drawn on a Chinese sea map dated 1687. Probably the island was previously known to seamen. According to legend Samui was repeatedly visited by settlers 1500 to 2000 years ago. At the end of the 18th century the island was populated by Chinese settlers and - somewhat later - Thais from the mainland. At the beginning of the 20th century, Moslem fishermen from the southern Thai provinces settled on the island. This particular ethnical mix and Koh Samui's relative isolation led to a special culture, marked by a mixture of tolerance and pride. It is no coincidence that the inhabitants of Koh Samui refer to themselves as "Chao Samui", people of Samui.
Religion
The majority of the Thai population on Koh Samui are Buddhists, living in peaceful coexistence with Moslem and Christian communities. On Samui there are 31 Wat (Buddhist temples) some with, some without pagodas. The most well known- and most visible - religious symbol on Koh Samui is the "Big Buddha", a golden Buddha twelve meters tall.
Economics: Coconuts and Tourism
Until the 1970's fishery and coconuts as the cash crop formed the economic basis for the populaiton of Koh Samui. The last few decades, however, have seen a remarkable growth in the tourist industry, especially after completion of the Samui Airport in 1988. Originally a stopover for backpacker and dropouts, Koh Samui has now become an attractive destination for "normal" tourists. Over one million visitors come to Koh Samui each year.
Koh Samui is a tourist paradise. Its main attraction are the broad beaches on the eastern coast with the tourist towns Chaweng and Lamai. Koh Samui offers accomodation and restaurants for any budget, countless recreational facilities and activites, and a liberal and easy going lifestyle.
Koh Samui is also a good home base for trips to the neighboring islands, especially for those interested in diving. Transport connections via air and sea are excellent. There are ferry connections to the neighboring islands of Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao. Direct flights to Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Krabi, Singapur and Hong Kong are available.
