Travelling to Koh Samui
With its well-serviced international airport positioned only 2km from the island’s main tourist town of Chaweng, travel to Koh Samui is relatively easy. Flights between Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok and Koh Samui operate more or less hourly. Direct international flights also connect from Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and mainland China. Domestic flights are also available from Chiang Mai, Krabi, Phuket and Pattaya. The island can also be accessed by ferry from the mainland at Surat Hani and by boat from Chumphon, Koh Tao, and Koh Phangan.
The Koh Samui Climate
Thailand's tropical climate can be very humid and hot. Typically, March, April (especially) and May can be very hot and dry. Occasionally you will even hear the locals complaining in these three months! June through to mid September is normally quite dry but not as hot as April and May. Mid-September sees the start of the South West Monsoon. Heavy rain showers become more frequent and this weather may last into the first few weeks of December. The start of December sees a quite a nice change in the climate for most people. The rain stops and the sun comes out, but it’s generally not too hot and this lasts until the end of February. Subsequently this is peak season, and also regarded as the best time to come to Koh Samui, Thailand.
Local Towns and Beaches in Koh Samui
Chaweng is situated on the east coast of Koh Samui and is a popular and trendy destination with young travelers and families alike. The resort is well known for its beautiful white powdery sand beaches and turquoise waters. It’s probably not the most ideal location for those looking for a peaceful getaway in Koh Samui; it’s more suited to those who want to be near the hub of Samui. Being a tourist favourite, Chaweng is home to a plethora of fashionable restaurants, bars and nightclubs, and the closer you get to the centre the more frequent they become. Also, it is relatively easy for those staying in Chaweng to go on the various tours of Koh Samui, pay a visit to the surrounding islands, do a spot of diving or take advantage of some of the other water sports available to them.Lamai is the second most popular town on the island and has its own remarkable brand of nightlife, albeit slightly more limited. The beach is also long and beautiful but the sea gets deep quickly and may not be so suited to some young travellers. It typically offers cheaper accommodation compared to Chaweng and consequently has a more backpacker feel to it.
Fisherman’s Village in Bo Phut is another popular place for the tourists to congregate in Koh Samui. This is probably due to its incredible choice of great restaurants and bars. With a distinctly Mediterranean feel it, this town also boasts some nice resorts and a few of the islands top hotels can also be found here.
…and then there’s Cheong Mon! Probably home to the best beach on the island, with beautiful white sand and arguably the best hotels, to date, the island has to offer.
Nathon is the old capital of Samui and has remained more Thai than its counterparts on the island. This is the home of the main ferry terminal, the only way to get here before the airport, and also is the home of the police headquarters and a few other useful buildings, such as the state run hospital and the primary suppliers of electric and water on the island!