Koh Samui Blog

Just the word Coconut conjures up tropical thoughts. It has been called "the tree of a thousand uses". The coconut palm yields up to 75 fruits per year. Nearly all parts of the palm are useful and it has significant economic value.
The flower is used in weddings, the husks are used in soil to help produce healthy trees and are also made into charcoal. Coir is the fiber  from the husks of the coconut. This is used in making  ropes, doormats, brushes, sacks, caulking boats and as stuffing fibers for mattresses.
The shells are made into bowls and utensils and crafts like buttons and soap dishes. They are used in theatre to make sound effects of horse’s hoof beats, and as musical instruments. …Read More

Spirit house’s can be seen at a prominent spot outside a lot of business establishments in the country. It can be seen on a pedestal in front of most hotels. It dresses the corner garden area of a restaurant, the front of a bar or disco.They are built on the grounds of Buddhist temples, outside caves in the mountains and occasionally in the middle of uninhabited forests.

Many Thais believe that when a Thai family builds a new house, there is always the possibility that it has disturbed the spirits who live on the land.
…Read More

After a few days of total relaxation, most visitors want to travel around Koh Samui.

Looking for natural habitats can be fun. There are birds, water buffalo, terrapins and crazy insects sunning themselves after the rains.

November through February is a migratory time for birds in Southern Thailand.
Travelling off the main roads and away from the beach, birds can be spotted. Many of the waterfall hikes and temples have interesting birds! …Read More

One of the best new weekly events available on Samui is the "Walking Streets". They are great places to meet up with friends, for the locals and for tourists! It provides a great glimpse into the foods, the culture and the smiles of the Thai people.

Food tasting is by far the most popular activity as many vendors will allow you a taste before buying. But since most things are inexpensive it is worth buying them and sharing for the experience. Everytime we go we try one or two new food items. Silked candy was the latest experience! …Read More

Koh Samui appears on Chinese maps dating back to 1687. The name Samui has two likely origins. Either the name is an extension of the name of one of the native trees "mui" or else the name comes from the Chinese word Saboey, meaning “safe haven”. Koh means "island" in Thai.

Koh Samui does not suffer from religious tensions and in general the locals live in harmony. It is a melting pot of Buddhists, Thai Chinese, Muslims and traditional sea-faring gypsies.
Therefore Chinese New Year is widely celebrated on the island. …Read More

Many of the tourists visiting Koh Samui come from countries where recycling is organized and commonplace.

Our local government is currently focusing on major infrastructure improvements such as road repairs, while the private sector and community organizations are now also making their own contribution to the island’s well being.

Koh Samui has an emerging Green Program set up by the Thailand Hotel Association which is brilliant and has a great educational component in all the schools, ensuring a better future. …Read More

You’ll find that in all the big Bangkok hospitals’ senior staff are fully qualified and have it "all sewn up" when it comes to "cutting" edge procedures. (Sorry.)

But this means that, on a very practical level, you can make the most of it all when you come here on holiday, if you plan ahead.

Dental treatment, for instance: a simple "clean and de-scale" in other countries will cost you at least twice as much as it would when getting in done at a dentist on Koh Samui e.g. 700 Baht ($23). …Read More

In 2011 there will be at least 22 plus cruise ships arriving in Nathon. These are Australian based ships from Clean Cruising which are part of the “Go Carbon Neutral” program. Each passenger will pay for the planting of Australian Native trees equivalent to the greenhouse gas emission for a passenger.

The amount generated per passenger is 1.8 tonnes of greenhouse gas which is offset by planting 8 Australian native trees at a cost of $18 AUD / tonne or $36 AUD added on to their cruise charges. These figures are based on an average 10 day South Pacific Cruise. …Read More

Probably the best value for money when it comes to quality dining on Koh Samui is the fine dining buffet.

These are only offered by the top resorts and usually also includes entertainment such as Thai dancing or a ladyboy cabaret.

Perhaps be aware of resorts (yours included) that only do this once a week – as they can charge over the odds knowing this is aimed at their own guests and they won’t be coming back next week! …Read More

Many visitors come to Koh Samui for Christmas.
Making dinner plans for each evening can be greatly improved by knowing the time of moonrise.

Moonrise on the east side of Samui gives breathtaking and romantic backdrops to many beach restaurants and resorts on Chaweng beach.

Chaweng boasts a 6 km stretch of beach and there is lots of space everywhere. It is a broad beach of up to 35 metres before you get to the water. …Read More