Ko Samui or Koh Samui lies in the Gulf of Thailand and is easy to reach from Bangkok via Bangkok Airlines. The flight takes one to one and a half hours and lands at Ko Samui international airport. Travelling via train and ferry from Bangkok to Surat Thani and then to Ko Samui can take a whole day.
Ko Samui has grown rapidly over the past two decades from a backpackers' paradise in the 1990s to an international tourist destination today with a huge range of mid to high priced hotels, restaurants and nightlife. Budget accommodation can still be found but is becoming harder as time goes by.
The main beach area is Chaweng Beach. this is also the busiest part of the island with a busy nightlife scene, numerous restaurants & many hotels that cover the full length of the beach.
Other popular and more quieter locations include Lamai Beach, Bo Phut, Mae Nam and Big Buddha Beach (Hat Bang Rak). Ko Samui is relatively easy to travel around by motorbike or car but care must be taken as many tourists are injured or even killed on the roads each year. There are a wide range of transport options available for people who do not hire a motorbike including songthaews, motorbike taxis and taxis.
