Ko Samui
Gulf Of Thailand Island; The Gateway To Ang Thong Marine National Park And Ko Pha Ngan · Ko Samui, Surat Thani
Ko Samui is Thailand's second-largest island, in the Gulf of Thailand off Surat Thani, a green, hilly island of coconut groves ringed by a road of about 50 kilometres and lined with beaches from busy resort strips to quiet coves. Chaweng on the east coast is the liveliest, a long white beach behind which runs a strip of hotels, bars and clubs; Lamai to the south is a little calmer, with the granite rocks of Hin Ta Hin Yai. On the north coast Bophut's Fisherman's Village keeps old wooden shophouses and a weekly walking street market, and nearby stand the Big Buddha on its islet and the colourful Wat Plai Laem. Inland are the Na Muang waterfalls and jungle viewpoints. Samui is also a base for day trips to the 40-odd islands of Ang Thong Marine National Park and for boats to Ko Pha Ngan, with its Full Moon Party, and Ko Tao, known for diving courses. Wellness and detox resorts are a big draw, and a hit television series has raised its profile. The wettest months are about October to December.
Chaweng Beach, Bo Phut, Ko Samui, Surat Thani, 84320, Thailand
NO OPENING TIME HERE WAS CHECKED. The typical pattern: beaches are open at all hours; the Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem are open daily from about early morning to early evening, roughly 6 or 7 am to 6 pm, with no closing day; Na Muang is best by daylight. Ang Thong tours leave between about 7 and 9 am and return mid to late afternoon, and the park has closed to visitors during part of the monsoon around November and December. Bophut's walking street has been on Friday evenings and Lamai's market on Sunday evenings. The Full Moon Party runs from dusk to after dawn on or near the full moon, moved when it clashes with a Buddhist holiday. The traps that ruin a day are booking Ang Thong during its closure, a ferry cancelled by the monsoon, shops refusing alcohol outside legal sale hours and the Full Moon Party moved from the date you assumed. Confirm current times before relying on them.