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The island of Ko Samui (228 km²) is located along the east coast of Thailand about 500 kilometers south of Bangkok. This is the second largest island in the country after Phuket. Ko Samui is surrounded by about 60 islands that make up its archipelago. Many of these islands are part of the Ang Thong National Marine Park (Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park).
The interior of the island is largely mountainous and is covered with secondary forest. The highest peak of the island is the Khao Thai Kwai (635 meters) which is located in the southwestern part of the island. The town of Nathon, located on the north-western coast of the island, is the administrative center of the island, in addition to being the main fishing port and the point of arrival and departure of maritime connections with the mainland.
Thanks to its beautiful beaches, its lush vegetation and crystal clear sea, Ko Samui is among the best known tourist destinations in Thailand.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS: WHAT TO VISIT
Ko Samui is the classic tropical island full of vegetation, coconut palms, white sand beaches, and with a beautiful coral reef. In fact, the main economic resource of the island is tourism. The interior of the island is wild formed by jungle and mountains, but the most important attraction of this Thai island are its beaches.
Among the best known beaches are those of Lamai Beach, along the southeast coast. Chaweng Beach is 7 km long and is located on the east coast just north of Lamai Beach. While along the north coast there are the beaches of Boh Put Beach, Maenam Beach and Big Buddha Beach.
On the east and the northern coasts as well as the beaches are hotels, restaurants, shops, entertainment venues and nightlife.
Ko Samui is part of an archipelago of 60 tropical islands most of whom form the Ang Thong Marine National Park (Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park), in addition to Ko Samui other islands visited by tourists are those of Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Mae Ko, Ko Wua Talab and Ko Tao.
HOW TO GET TO KO SAMUI
The island is served by Samui International Airport (USM), which is located 2 km north of the town of Chaweng, in the north-eastern part of the island. The airport is connected by scheduled flights with the main airports in Thailand, and with some Asian countries (Singapore, Malaysia).
Alternatively, you can use Surat Thani Airport (Surat Thani Airport (URT)), located on the mainland, and from there with a bus and ferry service to reach the island of Ko Samui.
Numerous ferries connect the island with the mainland, they depart from the port of Don Sak on the mainland and arrive at the port of Nathon in Ko Samui.
