Where is Koh Samui. Maps of Koh Samui - Koh Samui on the map of Thailand, attractions, resorts, parks, hotels, neighboring islands - Thailand Detailed map of Koh Samui in Russian
Koh Samui - an island owned by the state of Thailand. If you look at the map of Thailand, the island of Koh Samui is located on the right side of the mainland of Thailand in the Gulf of Thailand of the South China Sea (in English, the bay is called the Thai Gulf of Tailand), while the popular island of Phuket is located on the left hand (in the west ) and is located in the Andaman Sea. The difference in the location of these islands determines the greater safety of Koh Samui than Phuket in the event of a tsunami. Since Koh Samui is located in a closed sea, where the possibility of a large wave is extremely small.
History of Koh Samui
For a long time, Koh Samui was an unremarkable island. Koh Samui lies far away from the main straits, which have always fought historical battles, so the history of Koh Samui is a smooth transition from the island of anglers to a very popular resort. It is believed that immigrants from the Malay Peninsula settled it one and a half thousand years ago, it is obvious that the island of Koh Samui was also inhabited by immigrants from China. The island is marked on a 17th century Chinese map under the other name Pulo Cornam. The island had a life of its own and was very loosely connected to the Thai mainland. Only in the middle of the 19th century was organized a permanent ferry service to the mainland. At that time, the 35 km separating Koh Samui from Surat THani on the mainland could be covered in a whole day. Now you can fly from Bangkok to Koh Samui in an hour.
During World War II, the island was occupied by Japan.
The ring road on the island was built in 1973, before that, residents traveled on foot or by boat. In the 70s of the last century, the tourist history of the island began. As elsewhere in Thailand, the main skirmishers were the hippies, who formed entire communities on the island.
Then the Thai government realized that the island had serious potential for developing tourism, and began to invest, and in the late 80s an airport was built. Now Koh Samui is the third most popular resort in Thailand after Pattaya and Phuket.
Koh Samui is deservedly famous for its beautiful beaches.
Koh Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand in the South China Sea. Since the South China Sea belongs to the Pacific Ocean, formally, swimming in the coastal waters of Koh Samui, you will swim in the Pacific Ocean.
Koh - in Thai means island and the name Koh Samui - translates as the island of Koh Samui.
You can get to Koh Samui from Bangkok, you can from nearby visa-free countries for Russians -
Malaysia, Singapore.
It is especially worth noting that the location of Koh Samui practically excludes the possibility of tsunami impact.
Koh Samui beaches
On some of the beaches of Koh Samui, during low tide, the bottom becomes very shallow and swimming becomes problematic. On the popular beaches of Chaweng, Lamai, Maenam, ebbs and flows do not interfere with swimming, to find out about other beaches, take a look at the map. Those places that are colored yellowish-brown on the map become very shallow during low tide and expose the land. Beaches where there are many such spots are not very suitable for swimming.
The most popular beaches of Koh Samui are located in the east. These are Chaweng and Lamai beaches - these beaches are famous for their white sand, clear water. In the north, the beaches of Bophut and Maenam are popular. There the sand is yellow, the water is clean, but not transparent.
Beaches in the west Nathon and Bang Kham are not popular. The presence of a port makes the water in these places dirty and muddy.
Map of Koh Samui beaches in Russian
Best beaches in Koh Samui
| Beaches Koh Samui |
Cards | Located- ing | Infrastructure, attractions | Conditions for bathing |
To whom fits |
Hotels |
| Chaweng Chaweng |
|
6 km on the east coast |
The most popular and most developed beach on Koh Samui. Shops, bars, restaurants, market, Thai boxing, transvestite shows, nightclubs | The best places for swimming are central and southern Chaweng - clear water, fine white sand, no waves | On Chaweng Beach, all vacationers can find a place to their liking - the central part is the most party-like, the southern part is more secluded. | Hotels of all categories |
| Lamai Lamai | 4km south of Chaweng |
Entertainment in the center of the beach center with discos, small restaurants |
Very good sea especially in the southern and central part, clear water for swimming one of the best beaches, yellowish sand, steeper entry than in Chaweng, Out of season, strong waves |
For a relaxing romantic getaway, for families with children | Hotels of different categories, prices are lower than in Chaweng | |
| Mae Nam (Menam) Mae Nam |
4 km in the northern part of Koh Samui | Near the village in Chinese style with restaurants, cafes, shops. Boat dock to visit National park. View of Koh Phangan |
Yellow coarse sand, palm trees on the shore. The water is opaque. The entrance is convenient, the depth is rapidly increasing. | For family holidays, for budget holidays. | Bungalow, there are large hotels | |
| Bophut (Bo Phut) Had Bo Phut |
3 km To the north- east, between Maenam Bay and Big Buddha statue |
Good fish restaurants Few shops and nightlife |
the beach is narrow at the very beginning, then the sand is quite wide, light, the water is clean, but rarely transparent, in the eastern part there may be foam, the sand is yellow from fine to coarse. The most suitable for swimming is the central part. The least is the eastern one, where the bottom is muddy and there may be stones. | For a relaxing holiday | Many SPA hotels, five-star hotels | |
| Big Buddha Big Buddha second name Bangrak Bangrak |
2km Northeast Koh Samui east of Bo Put Beach |
Piers to send to Full Moon Party, Thai fish market, big buddha statue. The beach is directly on the course of takeoff and landing of aircraft |
A good entrance is only in the center of the beach, along the edges of the bay the beach is not very convenient for swimming. The water is often cloudy due to the many boats. The coast is strongly exposed at low tides. | Not very suitable for living and swimming Best to visit before heading to nearby islands, or in the evening for restaurants or parties |
Bungalows, hotels in a small number | |
Koh Samui is the second largest island in the Kingdom of Thailand, and its dimensions are 20 by 16 kilometers. For comparison, this is a little more than the city of Tver. Those who have spent more than one month on Koh Samui do not need to use the map, but for beginners it can be very useful, especially when preparing for a trip. I also have similar cards.
I personally like Google Maps, which I consider one of the best online maps for Thailand: there are photos of places, almost all streets and paths are present, there is a map search and navigation. In addition to them, it is also convenient to use paper maps on the spot or their scans on a computer. They clearly give an idea of what areas and beaches are on the island and where they are located. And you can immediately figure out where the sights are located. Yes, the detailing of such maps sometimes leaves much to be desired, but every time I take them on the spot, put them in the glove compartment of a bike or car, and the first days with them are very, very convenient.
Such cards are available at the airport, shops, at the counters of hotels or car rentals. If you are flying directly to Koh Samui, then do not rush to buy a card at the Suvarnapumi airport shop. Excellent free cards of several types, on good paper, are located in the lounge area of Bangkok Airways, the only carrier from Suvarnapumi to Koh Samui.
If we consider the island globally, then the most lively and interesting for swimming are the northern, northeastern and eastern coasts. The south of the island has an exceptionally shallow and rocky bottom. Swimming here is unsafe in places, but the landscapes and the color of the sea leave the impression of a bounty fairy tale. The western part of the island is not popular with the mass tourist, but it is distinguished by beautiful sunsets and stretches of the coast, on which there are completely wild beaches isolated from people. In the west, there are two main piers of Koh Samui, which does not add to the purity of the local ecology.
The most popular beaches of Koh Samui are:, and. Chaweng Beach is considered the unofficial entertainment capital of the island. Lamai Beach is the light version of Chaweng, although the length of both beaches is almost the same. Maenam Beach has long had a reputation for being a calm and family place with life “in the area” falling asleep after sunset.
My favorite beach on Koh Samui is Maenam. A lot of shade, deep sea, no noisy parties and entertainment venues, a decent selection of cafes and two whole markets. As well as a convenient geographical position between the airport and the piers. There is a great combination of tranquility and infrastructure, and there are few people on the beach due to the small number of hotels, mainly those who come for a long time live here.
No less attractive for us was the second beach, where we rented the first house -. Being "across the wall" from Maenam, this beach is deserted and quiet. Bang Po is an even more secluded version of Maenam. The sea is an amateur there (children are fine, adults are not so good), but I personally am ready to forgive him for the almost complete absence of people on the shore. True, after a month you need more services within walking distance, and you want to go to a more civilized place.
Supermarkets (Big C, Tesco, Macro) and the Central Festival shopping center are located between and Chaweng, and there are also medium-sized Tescos right on Lamai, which is why Lamai is quite an attractive beach for many. Actually, if I chose where we live with the child, I would choose between Maenam and Lamai.
Koh Samui beaches on the map
Below are 2 different paper maps of Koh Samui that I used while on Saumi and photographed for you. Only the most famous beaches are marked on them. Almost all pictures are clickable and by clicking the maps you can download to your computer in good resolution (files 2-4 mb).
You can clearly see how the ring road on Koh Samui passes.
Maps of individual beaches
Now enlarged sections of the most popular beaches are also clickable and can be downloaded.
Koh Samui is white sand beaches, coconut palms, amazing rocks, islands and islets, crazy full moon parties, waterfalls and, of course, eternal summer. An important difference between Koh Samui and other resorts in Thailand is the absence of big waves on the sea all year round. And the rainy season on the island is not as pronounced as on the territory of the whole. This is a bounty resort where you can endlessly enjoy gorgeous views of virgin nature, blue sea and white sand.
Koh Samui is the second largest island after the island. Koh Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand of the Pacific Ocean and covers an area of about 230 square kilometers. The distance to the capital of Thailand, Bangkok, is about 700 kilometers. To get from Koh Samui to the nearest point of the mainland, you need to overcome about 40 kilometers along the waters of the Gulf of Thailand.
Tours in Koh Samui
Prices for tours for 2 people for 7 nights with departure from Moscow
There is everything for vacationers here, but it is still worth noting that the infrastructure of the island is not as well developed as, for example, on the island, in and in other major resorts in Thailand. If you choose a tour to Koh Samui, you make the right choice. It is worth coming here for couples in search of a romantic getaway, as well as families with children.
Weather
The climate of Koh Samui compares favorably with the climate of other resorts. The rainy season and the hot season are not so pronounced here. It is important to note that holidays on Koh Samui will be comfortable not only in winter, but also in summer. Big waves and muddy seas on Koh Samui are absent all year round. The most rainfall occurs from October to December, but short showers at this time of the year are unlikely to spoil your holiday. The average annual air temperature on Koh Samui is 30-31 °С, water - 27-29 °С.
Hotels
The main feature of the island's hotels is the proximity of buildings or bungalows to the sea. In addition to five-star hotels offering luxurious vacations, here you can even live in a small house without water and electricity.
The latter option is suitable for those who want to plunge into the atmosphere of the untouched civilization of nature as much as possible.
Beaches
The clean beaches of Koh Samui are covered with white sand and surrounded by coconut palms. In total, there are more than 30 beaches along the perimeter of the island. During your vacation, you can visit several beaches to get to know the island better.
The most beautiful beaches are located on the east coast, for example, the famous Chaweng, the largest and busiest beach on the island and the center of tourist life. Tourists with children will love Bangpo Beach. If you are looking for solitude, head to the deserted coast of Talingngam Beach surrounded by cliffs.
Interesting entertainments are available on the tourist beaches of the island: kayaking, jet skiing, banana boating.
On the territory of little-visited beaches, any infrastructure may simply be absent. Only you, the clear sea and the gentle sun above your head!
Attractions
On Koh Samui, there is something for both adults and children. If you do not want to spend your entire vacation on the seashore, you can get acquainted with a large number of interesting sights of the island. It will be comfortable for both elderly tourists and young people. For example, young people flock to the neighboring island of Koh Phangan, where there are huge open-air discos: the Full Moon Party.
Those who went on a well-deserved rest go to the cozy Maenam Beach, where you can admire the stunning sunsets. From Koh Samui, you can go to many islands, for example, to the "turtle" Tao, to go diving or snorkeling.
The very beautiful island of Madsum awaits its guests on snow-white beaches that embrace the virgin tropical jungle. In the heart of Koh Samui, waterfalls, butterfly parks, snake farms are hidden of stunning beauty. Tourists with children will not be disappointed by visiting the tiger and leopard show, an aquarium with tropical fish.
Sightseeing lovers will not miss the famous rocks of Hin Ta and Hin Yai (Grandma and Grandpa), the Big Buddha and many beautiful stupas and temples.
Kitchen
Thai restaurants of the island are located literally at every turn. Wherever you stay during your vacation, you will always find a cozy place where you can enjoy authentic Thai cuisine and a hospitable atmosphere. A large number of cafes, restaurants and bars are located on the coastline, where you can not only eat delicious food, but also admire the views of the Gulf of Thailand. In addition to restaurants offering Thai cuisine, lovers of European, Russian, Indian, Chinese cuisine can also always find an institution of interest to them.
If you want to get a complete understanding of Thai cuisine, we advise you to try some local dishes cooked on a macaroon (a scooter equipped for cooking).
Transport
The public transport of the island is songteo. Songteo is a brightly colored truck equipped to carry passengers. But it is worth noting that during the day, songthaews, as a rule, follow a certain established route, while in the evening or at night they work exclusively as an individual taxi. Prices for trips during the day and at night, of course, are very different. To avoid misunderstandings, be sure to check the cost with the driver before the start of your trip, and not at the place of arrival.
The rest of the transport options to the island will invariably consist of a ferry crossing. The nearest town on the mainland is Donsak, from whose pier ferries and boats depart daily to Koh Samui. In an hour and a half, the ferry will take you to the Bounty Island. You can get to Donsak by bus from Bangkok.
Another option on how to get from the capital of Thailand to Donsak is to take a train to Surat Thani, and from there take a regular bus to Donsak.
Souvenirs
On Koh Samui you can buy natural pearls, which will be a great gift for you or your loved ones. Another gift option is natural coconut oil, which is produced on the island.
One of the most important stages in preparing for any trip is planning a cultural program. Surely you have already outlined several attractions that you would like to visit. Upon arrival to Koh Samui, right at the airport, at the tourist information stand, you can take a free detailed map of the island with all the marked attractions. Well, we suggest that you do not waste time in vain and already now familiarize yourself with the selection of electronic maps of Koh Samui. They will be a good help when drawing up a route and will help you easily navigate the terrain.
Koh Samui is the third largest island in Thailand (280 km²). It is located in the south of the Kingdom, in the province of Surat Thani, and is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Thailand.
Samui is located 84 km northwest of Surat Thani, 560 km southwest of Bangkok and 400 km (+30 km by water) northeast of Phuket.
The island is surrounded by about 80 tiny islands, of which three are widely known to divers and ordinary tourists: Koh Tao,
Ko Pha Ngan
and Ko Nang Yuan. There is a ferry service to them.
Koh Samui can be reached by bus and fast ferry from Surat Thani or by air from Bangkok. The airport " Koh Samui Airport» is based in the north of the island, near Bo Phut beach. This is a simple one-story building without any interior space. The arrival and departure areas are located on the street. Their designs resemble gazebos.
First of all, Koh Samui attracts with its amazing beaches. The map shows Chaweng, Lamai, Maenam, Bophut, Big Buddha Beach, Choengomon, etc.
This map shows the main attractions, beaches, villages, hospitals and police stations. You will also see where the ring road runs.
We hope that our maps will be useful to you!