| Koh Samui,
280 Km2, is the largest island of the Gulf of Siam, about 1 hour and
20 minutes from Bangkok by plane. It is part of an archipelago of 80
smaller islands of which 6 only are inhabited. It is almost
literally an island of coconuts and forested hills, on chalk
mountains, culminating at 636 meters. Its beautiful beaches, its
jungle, its hills and waterfall create a very changing landscape,
rarely found in other islands. The economy of the island depended mainly, besides fishing, on the culture of coconuts, which are plucked by trained monkeys. Samui export more than 2 millions of coconuts per month. The
first inhabitants of Koh Samui settled about 1 500 years ago. They
were first fishermen looking for shelter against the winds in the
quiet and protected waters of Bophut bay, in the North of the
island. They quickly realized that the waters around the island
offered plenty of ink-fishes and all other kinds of sea-food. Also
the ground was very fertile. Quickly small villages developed and
that is how the population of Samui started to grow. |
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| The story of Samui started to change in the beginning of the 80's, when it was discovered by backpacker-travelers. These brought the creation of small simple bungalow resorts with palm leaves roofs, but the secret could not be kept for long and now the island is fast becoming a resort of international stature. Yet, in spite of the development of tourism, its inhabitants are well determined to preserve its natural charm and exceptional attraction. Samui's best beaches line the northern and eastern coasts, the most popular being Chaweng and Lamai. | |
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