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 The
Big Buddha (Phra Yai)
The Big Buddha is one of Samui's most popular attractions. This
huge 12-meter high golden image of the sitting Buddha was built
in 1972. You will find this huge landmark sitting on "Hoh
Fan" (a small rocky islet reached by a causeway). From
this location, you can clearly see Phangan Island and the beautiful
scenery of Bophut and Bangrak beaches. The extraordinary sense
of calm and tranquility inspired by the sight of the Big Buddha
silhouetted at sunset is not be missed. As situated in Bophut
district in the northeast of Samui, it is a very short drive
from Samui airport. 
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Hin
Ta Hin Yai (Grandfather & Grandmother Rocks)
These unusual rock formations are natural occuring phenomena,
in which through heat and constant washing by the sea and wind,
the granite rocks were deformed into strange shapes resembling
male and female genitals. This place is located about 1 kilometer
before the first northern entrance to Lamai Beach. You will
see the sign for entrance, just turn in and continue straight
for another 300 meters
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Namuang
1 Waterfall
This waterfall is set amid a scenic landscape. Its water is
from the central mountains of Samui island passing through the
long range till it spills into the plain below. The stream of
water plummet about 30-40 meters down a steep rocky staircase
before tumbling into a large and deep pool. The area of the
waterfall and its immediate surroundings covering a total area
of 10 rai has been designated a national park by the Department
of Forestry. To go there, just drive along the Samui's ring
road, you will see the sign at the entrance. Turn in at the
entrance sign and follow the road for about another kilometer
to the parking lot. The waterfall is about 100 meters from the
parking lot.
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Namuang
2 Waterfall
This waterfall is an imposing curtain of water set amid peaceful
woodland. A pleasant 15- minute walk up the hill through the
natural forest will bring you to the base of the most beautiful
waterfall on Samui. The entrance of this waterfall is 100 meters
from that of Namuang 1 Waterfall.
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Hin
Lad Waterfall & Monastery
This pretty waterfall is not far from Nathon. Hin Lad Waterfall
is at the end of a two-kilometer jungle trail. Its stream of
water cascades over rocks to form a delightful natural swimming
pool beneath. Packing a picnic will allow you to spend a couple
of hours here. At the foot of the waterfall, you will find Hin
Lad Monastery. The tranquil feel of the grounds and Buddhist
maxims lining the path should encourage those in need of enlightment.
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The
Lord Buddha's Footprint
Located in a modest shrine 150 steps up a steep hill, this is
both fascinating in itself and remarkable for the fine views
afforded by its elevated site. It is just 2 kilometers west
of the turnoff for the Butterfly Garden. Then, go up the concrest
slope on the left.
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Wat
Samret
This old temple is the guardian of the ancient White Marble
Buddha, believed to be many hundreds of years old. Within its
grounds is the Secret Hall of Buddha, homed to a surprisingly
good collection of Buddha images. This hall will be opened on
request. From Ban Hua Thanon, just drive along Samui's ring
road in the direction to Nathon. It is 200 meters down the second
concrete road on the left.
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Wat
Kunaram
This temple enshrines the embalmed body of a famous Thai Buddhist
monk, "Luang Por Daeng." Miraaculously, given the
hot and humid climate, the body is well-preserved, prompting
various mystical explanation. His mummified body is on display
here in the same meditation position he died in over 20 years
ago. This temple is on the Samui's ring road between the Namaung
Waterfall and Ban Hua Thanon.
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Wat
Sila Ngu
The golden chedi (pagoda) facing the temple entrance is a popular
place of worship. It is believed that this chedi contains a
relic of the Lord Buddha. This temple is on the Samui's ring
road. Just 1 kilometer south of Hin Ta Hin Yai on the beach
side.
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Laem
Sor Pagoda
You will find an ornate little chedi/pagoda (reliquary tower)
covered in golden-yellow tiles, sitting on the rocks at the
water's edge on the grounds of this temple. This chedi is also
mostdestly tucked away among palm trees.
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Other
Places to Go & Other Activities:
Samui Butterfly Garden, Crocodile Farm, Samui Aquarium &
Tiger Zoo, Snake Farm, Buffalo Show, Monkey Theater, Jungle
Tours, Elephant Treking, Kayaking, Sailing, Diving and Exploring
Samui's neighboring islands ...For the information, contact
our Tour service (First Island Tour) |
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..........Koh
Samui is remarkably easy to get around. A round trip by car
can be done in about an hour. Anyway, it makes much more sense
to take a little longer and see some of the sights along the
way to explore Koh Samui.
Songthaews
The
main mode of public transport is by covered red pick-up trucks
called "songthaew", served as local buses. Each songthaew's
destination is clearly marked in English on the front and sides
of the truck. It is usually found in Nathon picking up people
from the ferries but there are no official stops around the
island. Just flag down the first one you see and tell the driver
where you want to go. Press the ringing button or bang on the
roof to signal when you want to get off. The fare starts from
20 baht, depending on the distance. From Nathon to Chaweng,
the fare is about 30-40 baht per person. You can negotiate the
fare with the driver. Drivers usually set for 10-20 baht per
person for rides within Chaweng's Beach Road strip, about 30
baht for Chaweng to Lamai and about 50 baht for the popular
Chaweng to Nathon. The official songthaew service time is until
6.00pm and after that plenty of them are still available but
the fares are higher depending on where you are going and how
many people are travelling. It is better to agree on a fare
before getting in. As a rule, the more people who are ready
in a songthaew at night, the cheaper it will be.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Renting
your own vehicle is an excellent way to get around and explore
Koh Samui. You can rent a 100cc motorbike for 150-250 baht a
day or a car that cost varies from 800-2,000 baht a day according
to type and condition of the car. For a Suzuki jeep it is 800
baht plus depending on the model. You will sometimes be asked
to leave your passport as collateral on the vehicle. Fuel is
available around the island at modern petrol stations or from
roadside stands. For rental service, please contact our First
Island Tour. Remember to drive on the left side of the road!!!
Taxis
Yellow
metered taxis are also available in Koh Samui but meter is hardly
used so it is better to negotiate before boarding.
First Island Tour Services
Our
First Island Tour also offers you the around island tour services
in an air-conditioned van We allow you plan your own personal
trip upon your interest. For more details, please contact First
Island Tour in First Bungalow Beach Resort's lobby.
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Chaweng Beach
is not only the most popular and lively beach but also the center
of all tourist oriented nightlife on Koh Samui. The pubs, open-bars
and cabaret shows of Chaweng Beach are the most popular nighttime
destinations on Samui island for most visitors. They give the
town its unique flavor of a lively, fun place until long after
the sun goes down. Chaweng Beach features a lot of great discos,
pubs, bars, clubs, restaurants and shops. People who finish
a days diving, sunbathing or sightseeing usually congregate
in these places to meet chat and party the night on.
Lamai Beach is
a much more intimate. It is Samui's second most popular beach.
Lamai is a little quieter, a little looser, and a little cheaper
than Chaweng. The nightlife and entertainment venues are all
within walking distance from each other making it easier to
get around. There are some real home-style alfresco places with
Thai and western food, the saloons offer live bands, video features
and a variety of food styles, and there are few discos which
start swinging at about midnight.
Fisherman's Village
in Bophut is a charming, romantic atmosphere, and it is perfect
for a little privacy. Bophut is one of Samui's oldest settlements
and remains a quaint little fishing village, with several of
the seafront shophouses converted into restaurants, pubs and
bars. This quaint little fishing village is the perfect place
to chill out and relax away from the maddening crowd.
Beach Parties --Ritual Beach, Black Moon and
Freedom Beach--are organised at Rocky Bay in the far north of
Koh Samui. You can enjoy these beach parties without actually
leaving the island. Some discerning clubbers actually rate them
higher than the original Full moon party since they are on a
smaller scale and the music can be a bit more imaginative. To
check when to have a party, just look for the announcement around
the island.
Koh Phangan Koh
Phangan is one of Samui neighbouring islands. It is about two-third
the size of Samui with the mix of sandy coves and rugged forested
interior. The beaches range from the tranquil to the more populated
and active. The northernmost as well as the southernmost beaches
are acclaimed for their natural beauty and peacefulness while
the eastern and southeastern coasts are more colorful with the
activities and abundance of tourists. The island is much less
developed, comparing to Koh Samui. This makes it appeal to many
tourists. Koh Phangan is also very famous for its full moon
party, for which people and DJs come from all over the world
every month. Several tables are set upon Had Rin and thousands
of lamps are lit. You will find all kinds of music here. To
go there from Samui, you can take daily ferry boat from Big
Buddha pier to Had Rin. There are three times a day and it takes
about 45 minutes from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan. You can check
the timetable at our First Island Tour.For accommodation in Koh Phangan, please click here
Koh Tao
Koh Tao or Turtle island is the largest dive training center
in Southeast Asia. It offers ideal conditions to learn diving
for those who have never dived before. Koh Tao is shaped like
a kidney bean. Most of the island is mountainous, surrounded
by coconut plams and huge boulders. This, therefore; is a perfect
place for those who want to get away from the crowded, blastling
cities. From Samui to Koh Tao the normal boats take 3 hours
while the daily speed boat services leaving the Bophut pier
at 8.30am and Nathon pier at 12.00pm take around 2 hours. Or
just contact our First Island Tour for information or booking
a trip to Koh Tao & Koh Nang Yuan.
Koh Nang Yuan
Lying 1 kilometer off the northwest coast of Koh Tao is Koh
Nang Yuan, a spectacular little island. It consists of three
small islets that are connected by a strip of beach. This very
clean and peaceful beach is about 50 meters long that you can
walk over. There is only one resort on this island and near
it is a viewpoint where you can get a look at the impressive
scenery around Koh Nang Yuan. Since there is almost no infrastructure,
the resort requests that you do not bring plastic bottles or
other items to the island that will be difficult to dispose
of. This island is also famous for its underwater world. These
are why it is a perfact place for honeymooners, scuba divers
and snorkellers. Please contact First Island Tour for information
of a trip to Koh Tao & Koh Nang Yuan or diving courses/trips.
Ang Thong National Marine Park
"The Golden Bowl of the Gulf of Thailand" is 25 kilomaters
west of Koh Samui. It has been enlisted as the second national
marine park since 1980. The park is composed of 42 islands which
Koh Pa Luay, Koh Wua Taa Lub, Koh Mae Kon, Koh Hin Dub, Koh
Nai Put, and Koh Tai Plao are part of. The archipelago consists
of tropical rainforests, wildlife, deserted beaches and massive
rock formations. There is a good snorkelling, diving, hiking
and even camping on some of the islands. Many people regard
sea kayaking as the best way to explore the area. You can contact
our First Island Tour service for information and booking a
trip.
Koh Tan
Koh Tan is just south of Koh Samui. Most of the island, which
has been inhabited for more than 200 years, is cultivated as
coconut and cashew plantations. Mostly, it is also a mountainous
and covered with virgin forest. The east end of the island lies
the long beach of Aow Ok paralled by the coral reefs in the
sea. On the west side there is a beach called "Aow Tok"
which has a beautifully formed coral reef very close to the
shore. Off the southern shore it has excellent hiking trails
for an easy stroll, or a serious all-day trek through the jungle.
Since the island is largely uninhibited, it has several nature
study points maintained by the Koh Tan Conservation Club. Koh
Tan, therefore, is marked as a destination for eco-torism. The
club is supported by the Widlife Conservation Foundation of
Thailand under the support of the Queen, and by the Thailand
Institute of Scientific and Technological Research. You can
find that there are four different trails on the island suitale
for nature walks. You can arrange longtail boat transport to
Koh Tan from Thong Krut Bay on Samui's southern shore. For trip
arrangement, contact our First Island Tour.
Koh Raab
This small island is south of Koh Samui. It has tiny beaches
for relaxing and beautiful coral reefs for snorkelling. Koh
Raab Resort is the only place that has accommodation available
on the island. This is the place to go is you are looking for
tranquility and the purity of nature.
Koh Mad Soom
Koh Mad Soom is located east of Koh Tan and has many beautiful
beaches to relax on. One day tours are available to the island
which usually includes lunch. |
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