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{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->| name                    = Ko Samui<!-- at least one of the first two fields must be filled in -->
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->| name                    = Ko Samui<!-- at least one of the first two fields must be filled in -->
| official_name            = City of Koh Samui<br>เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย
| official_name            = City of Koh Samui<br>{{lang|th|เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย}}
| native_name              = เกาะสมุย
| native_name              = เกาะสมุย
| native_name_lang        = th<!-- ISO 639-2 code e.g. "fr" for French. If more than one, use {{lang}} instead -->
| native_name_lang        = th<!-- ISO 639-2 code e.g. "fr" for French. If more than one, use {{lang}} instead -->
| other_name              =  
| other_name              = Koh Samui<br>Samui
| settlement_type          = Island; [[List of cities in Thailand|City Municipality]] <!-- such as Town, Village, City, Borough etc . -->
| settlement_type          = Island; [[List of cities in Thailand|City Municipality]] <!-- such as Town, Village, City, Borough etc . -->
<!-- images, nickname, motto --->| image_skyline            = Koh Samui Lipa Noi2.jpg
<!-- images, nickname, motto --->| image_skyline            = Koh Samui Lipa Noi2.jpg
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| footnotes                =  
| footnotes                =  
}}
}}
[[File:Bo Phut Beach.jpg|thumb|Bo Phut Beach]]
[[File:Bo Phut Beach.jpg|thumb|Bo Phut Beach]]
'''Ko Samui''' (or '''Koh Samui'''), often locally shortened to '''Samui''' ({{langx|th|เกาะสมุย}}, {{IPA|th|kɔ̀ʔ sā.mǔj|pron}}), is an island off the east coast of [[Thailand]]. Geographically in the [[Mu Ko Samui|Chumphon Archipelago]], it is part of [[Surat Thani Province]], though as of 2012, Ko Samui was granted municipal status and thus is now locally self-governing. Ko Samui, with an area of {{convert|228.7|sqkm}}, is Thailand's second largest island after [[Phuket Province|Phuket]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Ko Samui |url=https://www.tourismthailand.org/Destinations/Provinces/Ko-Samui/360 |website=Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) |access-date=14 February 2020}}</ref> In 2018, it was visited by 2.7 million tourists.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Worrachaddejchai |first1=Dusida |title=Koh Samui opts for luring Thais as foreigners flee |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1732671/koh-samui-opts-for-luring-thais-as-foreigners-flee |access-date=14 February 2020 |work=Bangkok Post |date=19 August 2019}}</ref>
 
'''Ko Samui''' or '''Koh Samui''' ({{langx|th|เกาะสมุย}}, {{IPA|th|kɔ̀ʔ sāmǔj|pron}}), often locally shortened to '''Samui''', is an island off the east coast of [[Thailand]]. Geographically in the [[Mu Ko Samui|Chumphon Archipelago]], it is part of [[Surat Thani Province]], though as of 2012, Ko Samui was granted municipal status and thus is now locally self-governing. Ko Samui, with an area of {{convert|228.7|sqkm}}, is Thailand's second largest island after [[Phuket Province|Phuket]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Ko Samui |url=https://www.tourismthailand.org/Destinations/Provinces/Ko-Samui/360 |website=Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) |access-date=14 February 2020}}</ref> In 2018, it was visited by 2.7 million tourists.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Worrachaddejchai |first1=Dusida |title=Koh Samui opts for luring Thais as foreigners flee |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1732671/koh-samui-opts-for-luring-thais-as-foreigners-flee |access-date=14 February 2020 |work=Bangkok Post |date=19 August 2019}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
The island was probably first inhabited in about the 6th century, settled by fishermen from the [[Malay Peninsula]]<ref>{{cite book|title=Thailand's Islands and Beaches|author1=Joe Bindloss |author2=Steven Martin |author3=Wendy Taylor |year=2004 |page=199|publisher=[[Lonely Planet]]|isbn=1-74059-500-9}}</ref> and southern [[China]]. It appears on Chinese maps dating back to 1687, under the name ''Pulo Cornam''.<ref name=TP>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddT6ucN2EgE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/ddT6ucN2EgE |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|work=youtube|language=th|access-date=2020-02-22|date=2012-01-20|title=พินิจนคร (Season 2) ตอน สมุย 1|trans-title=Pinijnakorn (Season 2) ep. Samui 1|author=TPBS}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
===Early Period===
According to oral tradition, the island of Ko Samui was first inhabited in about the 6th century, settled by fishermen from the [[Malay Peninsula]]<ref>{{cite book|title=Thailand's Islands and Beaches|author1=Joe Bindloss |author2=Steven Martin |author3=Wendy Taylor |year=2004 |page=199|publisher=[[Lonely Planet]]|isbn=1-74059-500-9}}</ref> and visited by passing traders from southern [[China]].<ref name="chatkaewnapanon" /> It has also been claimed by some local historians that the island was used as a safe haven during storm seasons.<ref name="chatkaewnapanon" /> However, recent archaeological evidence suggests that Ko Samui may have been inhabited significantly earlier, more than 2,000 years ago, with bronze ritual drums with etchings of birds, boats, and spirits being found in the southern hills on the island.<ref name="suwannathamma"></ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |title=Koh Samui Unveiled: A Tapestry of Nature and Culture |url=https://press.fourseasons.com/kohsamui/trending-now/interesting-facts-about-koh-samui/ |website=Four Seasons Press Room |publisher=Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref>
 
Beginning in the thirteenth century, Ko Samui was part of Siam's feudal system and at the time the island acted as a crucial intermediary for ongoing trade between China and India.<ref name="chatkaewnapanon" /> As a result of its position in Southeast Asia, the island began receiving immigrants from many ethnic and religious groups.<ref name="chatkaewnapanon" /> At the time, Ko Samui was connected to the ''[[muang]]'' system through [[Nakorn Si Thammarat]] and Thai people constituted the ethnic majority, moving the island to a more agrarian society.<ref name="chatkaewnapanon" /> These individuals tended to live further inland than previous inhabitants.<ref name="chatkaewnapanon" />


The origin of the name ''samui'' is unknown. It may come from the Sanskrit-Tamil word สมวย, meaning 'sea weather'. Or it may derive from the name of a [[Micromelum minutum|tree]] known locally in [[Southern Thai language|southern Thailand]] as {{Lang|sou|ต้นหมุย}} (full name {{Lang|sou|ต้นสมุย}}). A third possibility is that it originated from early Hainanese traders to Samui. In Hainanese Chinese, เซ่าบ่วย means 'first island', 'barrier', or 'gate', or literally 'beautiful beach'.<ref name=TP/> As it was their first port of call in Thailand, it became its name and evolved to สมุย. Some people believe that the word "samui" derives from the Malay word ''saboey'', or 'safe haven'. There is no firm corroboration of any of these theories.<ref>{{cite web|title=ชื่อนามที่มาของเกาะ สมุย|language=th|trans-title=Origin of the name of Ko Samui|url=http://www.komchadluek.net/news/local/25143|website=komchadluek.net|access-date=2018-12-30|date=2009-08-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230181030/http://www.komchadluek.net/news/local/25143|archive-date=2018-12-30|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Ko'' เกาะ is the Thai word for "island".
Ko Samui appears on Chinese maps dating back to 1687, under the name ''Pulo Cornam''.<ref name=TP>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddT6ucN2EgE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/ddT6ucN2EgE |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|work=youtube|language=th|access-date=2020-02-22|date=2012-01-20|title=พินิจนคร (Season 2) ตอน สมุย 1|trans-title=Pinijnakorn (Season 2) ep. Samui 1|author=TPBS}}{{cbignore}}</ref>


Until the late 20th century, Ko Samui was an isolated self-sufficient community, having little connection with the mainland of Thailand. The island was without roads until the early 1970s and the {{convert|15|km}} journey from one side of the island to the other could involve a whole-day trek through the mountainous central jungles.
===Colonial Period===
Beginning in the 19th century, a significant number of Chinese immigrants moved to many areas in Thailand, including Ko Samui.<ref name="chatkaewnapanon" /> Most of these individuals were traders moving from [[Hainan]], who culturally assimilated into the majority Thai society on the island.<ref name="chatkaewnapanon" /> While much of these individuals' Chinese culture and identity have not been preserved, a number of Hainanese temples and communities still exist on Ko Samui.<ref name="chatkaewnapanon" /> It was these immigrants who first began cotton and coconut plantations on the island, transporting them to the mainland on boats known as ''panuk lang si''.<ref name="chatkaewnapanon" /> As a result, these Thai-Chinese individuals tended to live closer to the beaches of Ko Samui, in contrast to the ethnic Thai individuals who lived further inland.<ref name="chatkaewnapanon" />


Ko Samui's economy now is based primarily on a successful tourist industry, as well as exports of [[coconut]] and [[rubber]].
During [[World War II]], Ko Samui was used by Japan as a base of operations in conjunction with [[Royal Thai Navy|Thailand's Navy]].<ref name="oconnell">{{cite web |last=O'Connell |first=Ronan |date=27 February 2025 |title=The Secret World War II History of Koh Samui, the New Setting for 'The White Lotus' |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/the-secret-world-war-ii-history-of-koh-samui-the-new-setting-for-the-white-lotus-180986137/ |website=Smithsonian Magazine | access-date=6 July 2025}}</ref> It is believed that, as a result of conflicts between the Allies and Japan, the area around the island contains a number of shipwrecks from the era.<ref name="oconnell" /> Locals reported a large explosion around that time, which academic [[Paul Chambers (academic)|Paul Chambers]] attributed to a Japanese tanker being bombed alongside Ko Samui on 15 June 1945.<ref name="oconnell" />
 
In the 1960s, two [[dengue hemorrhagic fever]] (DHF) epidemics occurred on Ko Samui.<ref name="thavara">{{cite journal |last1=Thavara |first1=Usavadee |last2=Apiwat |first2=Tawatsin |last3=Phan-Urai |first3=Prakong |last4=Ngamsuk |first4=Wichai |last5=Chansang |first5=Chitti |last6=Mingtuan |first6=Liu |last7=Zhijun |first7=Li |date=March 1996 |title=Dengue Vector Mosquitos at a Tourist Attraction, Ko Samui, in 1995 |url=https://www.tm.mahidol.ac.th/seameo/1996-27-1/1996-27-1-160.pdf |journal=The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health |volume=27 |issue=1 |pages=160–163 |pmid=9031420 |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref>
 
===Tourism Period===
Until the late 20th century, Ko Samui was an isolated self-sufficient community,<ref name="chatkaewnapanon" /> having little connection with the mainland of Thailand. The island was without roads until the early 1970s and the {{convert|15|km}} journey from one side of the island to the other could involve a whole-day trek through the mountainous central jungles.
 
At first, tourists were primarily backpackers to whom locals provided basic accommodations. However, as [[Bangkok]], [[Pattaya]], and [[Phuket]] started to become major tourist destinations in the 1980s, Ko Samui began to attract significant foreign investment and travelers.<ref name="chatkaewnapanon" /> The first era of development projects began at Chaweng Beach, followed by a steady outgrowth of resorts across the rest of the island.<ref name="chatkaewnapanon" /> This period of economic growth was primarily the result of Thailand's Fifth
National Economic and Social Development Plan, which lasted from 1982 until 1986.<ref name="chatkaewnapanon" /> In 1985, the [[Tourism Authority of Thailand]] (TAT) launched the Master Plan for Tourism Development of Ko Samui/Surat Thani.<ref name="chatkaewnapanon" />
 
In 1989, [[Samui Airport]] was constructed, facilitating a spike in mass tourism growth on the island during the 1990s.<ref name="chatkaewnapanon" /> As a result of the increased income from tourism, Thailand's central government began reorganizing local administrative procedures on the island.<ref name="chatkaewnapanon" /> Leases and joint ventures also came to replace direct land sales during this period, especially as the devaluation of the Thai [[baht]] and [[May 1998 riots of Indonesia|political instability in Indonesia]] led many to view Ko Samui as an affordable and relatively safe alternative destination.<ref name="chatkaewnapanon" /> DHF outbreaks continued to occur on the island following the 1960 epidemics, with an incidence of nearly 500 cases per 100,000 during one outbreak in 1995, potentially impacting tourism during the period.<ref name="thavara" /><ref name="thavara2">{{Cite Q|Q40589314}}</ref>


Economic growth has brought not only prosperity but also major changes to the island's environment and culture, including "explosive tensions" between rich and poor residents and crime linked to that or otherwise.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Levy|first1=Adrian|last2=Scott-Clark|first2=Cathy|title=Danger in paradise| url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2006/apr/08/travelnews.weekendmagazine|access-date=12 Feb 2015|work=The Guardian|date=2006-04-08}}</ref>
Economic growth has brought not only prosperity but also major changes to the island's environment and culture, including "explosive tensions" between rich and poor residents and crime linked to that or otherwise.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Levy|first1=Adrian|last2=Scott-Clark|first2=Cathy|title=Danger in paradise| url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2006/apr/08/travelnews.weekendmagazine|access-date=12 Feb 2015|work=The Guardian|date=2006-04-08}}</ref>


===Governance===
==Name==
The origin of the name ''samui'' is unknown. It may come from the Sanskrit-Tamil word สมวย, meaning 'sea weather'. Or it may derive from the name of a [[Micromelum minutum|tree]] known locally in [[Southern Thai language|southern Thailand]] as {{Lang|sou|ต้นหมุย}} (full name {{Lang|sou|ต้นสมุย}}). A third possibility is that it originated from early Hainanese traders to Samui. In Hainanese Chinese, เซ่าบ่วย means 'first island', 'barrier', or 'gate', or literally 'beautiful beach'.<ref name=TP/><ref name="chatkaewnapanon">{{cite thesis |last=Chatkaewnapanon |first=Yuthasak |title=Tourism and History: Change and Adaptation of Locals in the Tourism Period: A Study of Koh Samui in Southern Thailand |url=https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/ap-st01.ext.exlibrisgroup.com/64OTAGO_INST/storage/alma/68/0F/C4/34/70/83/75/16/6D/5C/11/05/67/B9/95/D2/bitstream_6556.pdf |date=October 2011 |degree=MTour |location=University of Otago |publisher= |access-date=6 July 2025 |page=}}</ref> As it was their first port of call in Thailand, it became its name and evolved to สมุย. Some people believe that the word "samui" derives from the Malay word ''saboey'', or 'safe haven'. There is no firm corroboration of any of these theories.<ref>{{cite web|title=ชื่อนามที่มาของเกาะ สมุย|language=th|trans-title=Origin of the name of Ko Samui|url=http://www.komchadluek.net/news/local/25143|website=komchadluek.net|access-date=2018-12-30|date=2009-08-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230181030/http://www.komchadluek.net/news/local/25143|archive-date=2018-12-30|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Ko'' เกาะ is the Thai word for "island".
 
==Government==
The first local government on Samui island was established in 1956 with the sanitary district Ko Samui, which however only covered the area around the settlement.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Royal Gazette|volume=73|issue=75 ง ฉบับพิเศษ|pages=84–85|title=ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง จัดตั้งสุขาภิบาลเกาะสมุย อำเภอเกาะสมุย จังหวัดสุราษฎร์ธานี|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2499/D/075/84.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405152949/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2499/D/075/84.PDF|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 5, 2018|date=1956-09-20|language=th}}</ref> In 1963 it was enlarged to cover the entirety of Samui and Pha-Nga islands, which at that time were still in the same district.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Royal Gazette|volume=80|issue=38 ง|pages=1203–1204|title=ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง เปลี่ยนแปลงเขตสุขาภิบาลเกาะสมุย อำเภอเกาะสมุย จังหวัดสุราษฎร์ธานี|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2506/D/038/1203.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200738/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2506/D/038/1203.PDF|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 24, 2021|date=1963-04-23|language=th}}</ref> In 1973, the area of the Ko Pha-Ngan District became a separate sanitary district.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Royal Gazette|volume=90|issue=106 ง|pages=2443–2447|title=ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง เปลี่ยนแปลงเขตสุขาภิบาลเกาะสมุย อำเภอเกาะสมุย จังหวัดสุราษฎร์ธานี|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2516/D/106/2443.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405153017/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2516/D/106/2443.PDF|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 5, 2018|date=1973-08-21|language=th}}</ref> Since 1981, the sanitary district covers the area of the whole district.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Royal Gazette|volume=98|issue=215 ง|pages=4769–4771|title=ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง เปลี่ยนแปลงเขตสุขาภิบาลเกาะสมุย อำเภอเกาะสมุย จังหวัดสุราษฎร์ธานี|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2524/D/215/4769.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405152829/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2524/D/215/4769.PDF|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 5, 2018|date=1981-12-29|language=th}}</ref>
The first local government on Samui island was established in 1956 with the sanitary district Ko Samui, which however only covered the area around the settlement.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Royal Gazette|volume=73|issue=75 ง ฉบับพิเศษ|pages=84–85|title=ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง จัดตั้งสุขาภิบาลเกาะสมุย อำเภอเกาะสมุย จังหวัดสุราษฎร์ธานี|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2499/D/075/84.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405152949/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2499/D/075/84.PDF|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 5, 2018|date=1956-09-20|language=th}}</ref> In 1963 it was enlarged to cover the entirety of Samui and Pha-Nga islands, which at that time were still in the same district.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Royal Gazette|volume=80|issue=38 ง|pages=1203–1204|title=ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง เปลี่ยนแปลงเขตสุขาภิบาลเกาะสมุย อำเภอเกาะสมุย จังหวัดสุราษฎร์ธานี|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2506/D/038/1203.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200738/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2506/D/038/1203.PDF|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 24, 2021|date=1963-04-23|language=th}}</ref> In 1973, the area of the Ko Pha-Ngan District became a separate sanitary district.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Royal Gazette|volume=90|issue=106 ง|pages=2443–2447|title=ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง เปลี่ยนแปลงเขตสุขาภิบาลเกาะสมุย อำเภอเกาะสมุย จังหวัดสุราษฎร์ธานี|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2516/D/106/2443.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405153017/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2516/D/106/2443.PDF|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 5, 2018|date=1973-08-21|language=th}}</ref> Since 1981, the sanitary district covers the area of the whole district.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Royal Gazette|volume=98|issue=215 ง|pages=4769–4771|title=ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง เปลี่ยนแปลงเขตสุขาภิบาลเกาะสมุย อำเภอเกาะสมุย จังหวัดสุราษฎร์ธานี|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2524/D/215/4769.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405152829/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2524/D/215/4769.PDF|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 5, 2018|date=1981-12-29|language=th}}</ref>


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The conversion of the municipality into a special administrative area with greater powers of self-governance similar to [[Pattaya]] has been discussed since 2008, but as of 2018, no action has been taken.
The conversion of the municipality into a special administrative area with greater powers of self-governance similar to [[Pattaya]] has been discussed since 2008, but as of 2018, no action has been taken.
===Administration===
Ko Samui is an [[amphoe]] (district) of [[Surat Thani Province]], divided into seven sub-districts (''[[tambon]]s'') and 39 administrative villages (''[[muban]]s''). The entire island is one city municipality (''[[thesaban nakhon]]''). The district covers the island, as well as the [[Ko Phaluai|Ang Thong archipelago]] and some other small islands nearby.
[[File:Tambon 8404.png|thumb|Map of Tambon]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! No.
! Name
! Thai
! Villages
! [[Population|Pop.]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stat.dopa.go.th/stat/statnew/statTDD/views/showZoneData.php?rcode=8493&statType=1&year=60|publisher=Department of Provincial Administration|title=Population statistics 2017|language=th|access-date=2018-04-04}}</ref>
|-
||{{0}}1.||Ang Thong||{{lang|th|อ่างทอง}}||{{0}}6||13,043
|-
||{{0}}2.||Lipa Noi||{{lang|th|ลิปะน้อย}}||{{0}}5||{{0}}5,432
|-
||{{0}}3.||Taling Ngam||{{lang|th|ตลิ่งงาม}}||{{0}}5||{{0}}6,138
|-
||{{0}}4.||Na Mueang||{{lang|th|หน้าเมือง}}||{{0}}5||{{0}}5,339
|-
||{{0}}5.||Maret||{{lang|th|มะเร็ต}}||{{0}}6||{{0}}9,051
|-
||{{0}}6.||Bo Phut||{{lang|th|บ่อผุด}}||{{0}}6||19,014
|-
||{{0}}7.||Mae Nam||{{lang|th|แม่น้ำ}}||{{0}}6||{{0}}9,248
|}
Originally, the district included all of the islands of Surat Thani Province. The islands [[Ko Pha-ngan]] and [[Ko Tao]] were split off as the minor district (''[[king amphoe]]'') [[Ko Pha-ngan District|Ko Pha-ngan]] effective 1 October 1970.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Royal Gazette|volume=87|issue=90 ง|pages=2790|script-title=th:ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง แบ่งท้องที่ตั้งเป็นกิ่งอำเภอ|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2513/D/090/2790.PDF
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203095659/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2513/D/090/2790.PDF
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=December 3, 2008
|date=24 Sep 1970|language=th}}</ref> In 1980, administrative village number seven of Ang Thong Sub-district covering the islands Ko Chueak, Ko Nok Phao, and Ko Rikan was reassigned to [[Don Sak District]],<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Royal Gazette|volume=97|issue=165 ก ฉบับพิเศษ|pages=4–6|title=พระราชกฤษฎีกาเปลี่ยนแปลงเขตอำเภอเกาะสมุย กับอำเภอดอนสัก จังหวัดสุราษฎร์ธานี พ.ศ. ๒๕๒๓|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2523/A/165/4.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410072028/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2523/A/165/4.PDF|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 10, 2018|date=1980-10-27|language=th}}</ref> where it now forms village number 11.


==Geography==
==Geography==
Line 194: Line 244:
The town of Nathon on the west coast is the closest town to the mainland and is the original capital which still houses many government offices. Two of the island's five main piers make Nathon the main port for all transportation from the mainland  and the commercial centre for Samui residents. The transition from dependence on the local coconut industry and the continued growth and development of the tourist industry, as well as the northeastern location of the airport, has led to the increase of commercial activity in Chaweng and Bophut.
The town of Nathon on the west coast is the closest town to the mainland and is the original capital which still houses many government offices. Two of the island's five main piers make Nathon the main port for all transportation from the mainland  and the commercial centre for Samui residents. The transition from dependence on the local coconut industry and the continued growth and development of the tourist industry, as well as the northeastern location of the airport, has led to the increase of commercial activity in Chaweng and Bophut.


==Climate==
===Climate===
Ko Samui has a [[tropical monsoon climate]] according to the [[Köppen climate classification]], based on an analysis of 1971–2010 Thai Meteorological Department data.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Wutthipong Sangmanee |title=การจําแนกเขตภูมิอากาศ |trans-title=Classification of Climate |url=http://www.geog.pn.psu.ac.th/CAIClimate/11Classification49_2.pdf#page=14 |publisher=Department of Geography, Faculty of Humanities and Social Science, Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus |access-date=31 March 2024 |pages=317–318 |language=th}}</ref> The climate is warm and humid for most of the year. In comparison to [[Phuket]] and most of the rest of southern Thailand, Samui's weather is relatively drier (Samui receives about {{cvt|1,960.|mm}} rain per year, and Phuket gets {{convert|2,220|mm|0|abbr=on}}). Phuket's [[wet season]] is spread over six to eight months. Ko Samui has only two months with more than {{convert|212|mm|0|abbr=on}} of rain.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} The heaviest precipitation typically falls in the time frame from mid October to early December.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.travelfish.org/weather_fish.php |title=Weather in Thailand |publisher=Travelfish.org |access-date=2013-11-15}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=March 2024}} For the rest of the year, given the tropical climate, rain showers are brief; 20–60 minutes duration is typical.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}
Ko Samui has a [[tropical monsoon climate]] according to the [[Köppen climate classification]], based on an analysis of 1971–2010 Thai Meteorological Department data.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Wutthipong Sangmanee |title=การจําแนกเขตภูมิอากาศ |trans-title=Classification of Climate |url=http://www.geog.pn.psu.ac.th/CAIClimate/11Classification49_2.pdf#page=14 |publisher=Department of Geography, Faculty of Humanities and Social Science, Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus |access-date=31 March 2024 |pages=317–318 |language=th}}</ref> The climate is warm and humid for most of the year. In comparison to [[Phuket]] and most of the rest of southern Thailand, Samui's weather is relatively drier (Samui receives about {{cvt|1,960.|mm}} rain per year, and Phuket gets {{convert|2,220|mm|0|abbr=on}}). Phuket's [[wet season]] is spread over six to eight months. Ko Samui has only two months with more than {{convert|212|mm|0|abbr=on}} of rain.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} The heaviest precipitation typically falls in the time frame from mid October to early December.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.travelfish.org/weather_fish.php |title=Weather in Thailand |publisher=Travelfish.org |access-date=2013-11-15 |archive-date=2013-08-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130804063037/http://www.travelfish.org/weather_fish.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{failed verification|date=March 2024}} For the rest of the year, given the tropical climate, rain showers are brief; 20–60 minutes duration is typical.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}


{{Weather box
{{Weather box
Line 207: Line 257:
|Apr record high C = 38.0
|Apr record high C = 38.0
|May record high C = 37.2
|May record high C = 37.2
|Jun record high C = 37.4
|Jun record high C = 37.9
|Jul record high C = 37.7
|Jul record high C = 37.7
|Aug record high C = 37.2
|Aug record high C = 37.2
Line 267: Line 317:
|Dec low C = 24.0
|Dec low C = 24.0
| year low C =
| year low C =
|precipitation colour = green
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 126.8
|Jan precipitation mm = 126.8
|Feb precipitation mm = 64.3
|Feb precipitation mm = 64.3
Line 347: Line 397:
|Decd sun = 5.7
|Decd sun = 5.7
|yeard sun = 5.9
|yeard sun = 5.9
|source 1 = [[World Meteorological Organization]]<ref name=WMOCLINO>{{cite web
|source 1 = [[World Meteorological Organization]],<ref name=WMOCLINO>{{cite web
| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/Thailand/CSV/KoSamui_48550.csv
| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/Thailand/CSV/KoSamui_48550.csv
| title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020
| title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020
| publisher = World Meteorological Organization
| publisher = World Meteorological Organization
| access-date = 12 October 2023}}</ref>
| access-date = 12 October 2023}}</ref> Meteomanz (record)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.meteomanz.com/sy3?l=1&cou=2050&ind=48550&m1=01&y1=2009&m2=06&y2=2024 |title=KO SAMUI– Weather data by month |website=meteomanz}}</ref>
|source 2 = Office of Water Management and Hydrology, Royal Irrigation Department (sun 1981–2010)<ref name=RID>{{cite web
|source 2 = Office of Water Management and Hydrology, Royal Irrigation Department (sun 1981–2010)<ref name=RID>{{cite web
| url = http://water.rid.go.th/hwm/cropwater/CWRdata/ETo/ETo_PenMon_2554.pdf
| url = http://water.rid.go.th/hwm/cropwater/CWRdata/ETo/ETo_PenMon_2554.pdf
Line 362: Line 412:
| title = Climatological Data for the Period 1981–2010
| title = Climatological Data for the Period 1981–2010
| publisher = Thai Meteorological Department
| publisher = Thai Meteorological Department
| accessdate = 4 August 2016}}</ref>
| accessdate = 4 August 2016
| archive-date = 26 December 2018
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181226035029/http://climate.tmd.go.th/content/file/75%0A
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>
}}
}}


==Administration==
===Nature===
Ko Samui is an [[amphoe]] (district) of [[Surat Thani Province]], divided into seven sub-districts (''[[tambon]]s'') and 39 administrative villages (''[[muban]]s''). The entire island is one city municipality (''[[thesaban nakhon]]''). The district covers the island, as well as the [[Ko Phaluai|Ang Thong archipelago]] and some other small islands nearby.
[[File:Namuang Waterfall.jpg|thumb|right|One of the two Na Muang waterfalls]]
[[File:Tambon 8404.png|thumb|Map of Tambon]]
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
The jungles of Ko Samui are home to a number of notable waterfalls, including the Na Muang Waterfalls, the Hin Lad Waterfall, the Khun Si Waterfall, the Wang Sao Thong Waterfall, the Tang Rua Waterfall, the Tar Nim Waterfall, and the Lat Wanorn Waterfall.<ref name="ot_staff">{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=11 March 2025 |title=7 Must-Visit Waterfalls In Koh Samui, Thailand |url=https://www.outlooktraveller.com/experiences/nature/7-must-visit-waterfalls-in-koh-samui-thailand |website=Outlook Traveller |publisher=Outlook Publishing India Pvt Ltd. |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref> Many of these waterfalls are especially popular tourist destinations, despite a number of visitors experiencing severe injuries or death due to slips or falls around these areas.<ref name="chaolan">{{cite web |last=Chaolan |first=Supapong |date=11 November 2024 |title=Indian tourist found dead after falling down Samui waterfall |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2900062/indian-tourist-found-dead-after-falling-down-samui-waterfall |website=Bangkok Post |publisher=Bangkok Post Public Company Limited |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref><ref name="the_nation">{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=15 May 2022 |title=Romanian tourist was swimming at Samui waterfall before death plunge |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015581 |website=The Nation |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref><ref name="hagan">{{cite web |last=Hagan |first=Rachel |date=28 February 2023 |title=Brit tourist plummets from 130ft waterfall during terrifying hike with friends  |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/brit-tourist-plummets-130ft-waterfall-28815675 |website=Mirror |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref><ref name="yahoo">{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=3 September 2022 |title=Tourist's dangerous mistake before falling down 60m waterfall |url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/tourist-seriously-injured-after-falling-60-m-down-waterfall-in-thailand-005022862.html |website=yahoo! news  |publisher=Yahoo |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref><ref name="itthipongmaetee">{{cite web |last=Ittipongmaetee |first=Chayanit |date=7 January 2016 |title=Croatian Man Falls to Death from Koh Samui Waterfall |url=https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/2016/01/07/1452151838/ |website=Khaosod English |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref>
! No.
 
! Name
A number of fruit trees grow on the island, including [[langsat]], [[durian]], mamud, and mamuang thaai tor (the latter two of which are local [[mango varieties]]).<ref name="suwannathamma" />
! Thai
 
! Villages
[[File:Ape collecting coconut - vycvičená opice trhá kokosy - panoramio.jpg|thumb|right|A monkey collecting a coconut]]
! [[Population|Pop.]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stat.dopa.go.th/stat/statnew/statTDD/views/showZoneData.php?rcode=8493&statType=1&year=60|publisher=Department of Provincial Administration|title=Population statistics 2017|language=th|access-date=2018-04-04}}</ref>
 
|-
Several mammal species have been noted on the island, including the [[peninsular shrew]], the [[crab-eating macaque]], the [[common treeshrew]], the [[small flying fox]], the [[lesser short-nosed fruit bat]], the [[cave nectar bat]], the [[long-tongued nectar bat]], the [[Black giant squirrel]], the [[grey-bellied squirrel]], the [[black rat]], the [[Sikkim rat]], the [[ricefield rat]], the [[Polynesian rat]], the [[brown rat]], the [[white-bellied rat]], the [[red spiny rat]], and the [[Asian palm civet]].<ref name="marshall" /> [[Stray dog]]s are common on Ko Samui, with tens of thousands being reported; before 1999, no organizations dedicated to spaying or neutering dogs were established, leading to the dog population of the island growing unchecked.<ref>{{cite web |last=Shorer |first=Nitsan |date=18 January 2025 |title=The harmonious relationship between the stray dogs of Koh Samui, island's residents |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/article-837832 |website=The Jerusalem Post |publisher=Jpost Inc. |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref> Macaques are forced by some farmers on the island to harvest coconuts, often under [[Coconut#Monkey_labor_controversy|threat of violence]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Sherwell |first=Philip |date=2 July 2023 |title='Monkey slaves': the coconut trade's cruel secret |url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/wildlife-nature/article/monkey-slaves-the-coconut-trades-cruel-secret-2jtqvrgm7 |website=The Times |publisher=Times Media Limited |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref> Many [[Elephants in Thailand|elephant]] sanctuaries exist on Ko Samui, but there are no standards for what constitutes a sanctuary in Thailand and unethical and unsafe practices such as elephant riding still occur.<ref name="jones">{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Portia |date=12 February 2025 |title=How the rise of regenerative travel is changing Thailand's elephant tourism for the better |url=https://www.euronews.com/travel/2025/02/12/how-the-rise-of-regenerative-travel-is-changing-thailands-elephant-tourism-for-the-better |website=Euronews |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref> In one case in 2016, a British tourist was killed after being thrown from an elephant after its handler hit the animal several times.<ref name="quinn">{{cite web |last=Quinn |first=Ben |date=1 February 2016 |title=British tourist killed by elephant on trek in Thailand |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/01/british-tourist-killed-by-elephant-on-trek-in-thailand |website=The Guardian |publisher=Guardian News & Media Limited |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref>
||{{0}}1.||Ang Thong||{{lang|th|อ่างทอง}}||{{0}}6||13,043
 
|-
[[File:Thailand, Samui, Frog - panoramio.jpg|thumb|right|One of many species of frogs found on Ko Samui]]
||{{0}}2.||Lipa Noi||{{lang|th|ลิปะน้อย}}||{{0}}5||{{0}}5,432
 
|-
Amphibian species include the frogs ''[[Limnonectes blythii]]'',<ref name="nabhitabhata">{{cite book |last1=Nabhitabhata |first1=Jarujin |last2=Chan-ard |first2=Tanya |last3=Chuaynkern |first3=Yodchaiy |date=September 2000 |title=Checklist of Amphibians and Reptiles in Thailand |url=https://patricklepetit.jalbum.net/_FAUNA%20OF%20THAILAND/LIBRARY/Amphibians%20and%20Reptiles%20of%20Thailand.pdf |location=Bangkok, Thailand |publisher=Office of Environmental Policy and Planning |isbn=974-87704-3-5 |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref> ''[[Limnonectes doriae]]'',<ref name="nabhitabhata" /> ''[[Limnonectes|Limnonectes pseudodoriae]]'',<ref name="yodthong">{{cite journal |last1=Yodthong |first1=Siriporn |last2=Rujirawan |first2=Attapol |last3=Stuart |first3=Bryan L. |last4=Aowphol |first4=Anchalee |date=22 February 2021 |title=A New ''Limnonectes'' (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from Southern Thailand |journal=Animals |volume=11 |issue=2 |publisher=MDPI (Basel, Switzerland) |pages=566 |doi=10.3390/ani11020566 |doi-access=free |pmid=33671629 |pmc=7926908 }}</ref> ''[[Polypedates leucomystax]]'',<ref name="nabhitabhata" /> ''[[Microhyla ornata]]''<ref name="nabhitabhata" /> and ''[[Sylvirana nigrovittata]]''<ref name="matsui">{{cite journal |last1=Matsui |first1=Masafumi |last2=Nishikawa |first2=Kanto |last3=Khonsue |first3=Wichase |last4=Panha |first4=Somsak |last5=Nabhitabhata |first5=Jarujin |date=August 2001 |title=Allozymic Variation in ''Rana nigrovittata'' (Amphibia: Anura) within Thailand with Special Reference to the Taxonomic Status of ''R. mortenseni'' |journal=The Natural History Journal of Chulalongkorn University |volume=1 |issue=1 |publisher=Chulalongkorn University |pages=15–22 }}</ref> and the caecilian ''[[Ichthyophis supachaii]]''.<ref name="nishikawa">{{cite journal |last1=Nishikawa |first1=Kanto |last2=Matsui |first2=Masafumi |last3=Yoshikawa |first3=Natsuhiko |last4=Khonsue |first4=Wichase |last5=Pomchote |first5=Porrawee |last6=Hibino |first6=Masatoshi |last7=Nguyen |first7=Tao Thien |last8=Sanamxay |first8=Daosavanh |date=2021 |title=''Ichthyophis bannanicus'' Yang, 1984, a junior subjective synonym of ''I. kohtaoensis'' Taylor, 1960 (Amphibia, Gymnophiona, Ichthyophiidae) |journal=Alytes |volume=38 |issue=1–4 |pages=1–17 }}</ref><ref name="nabhitabhata" /> Reptile species include the rock geckoes ''[[Cnemaspis samui]]''<ref name="ampai">{{Cite Q|Q116200221|doi-access=free}}</ref> and ''[[Cnemaspis siamensis]]'',<ref name="nabhitabhata" /> the frilly geckoes ''[[Cosymbotus craspedotus]]''<ref name="nabhitabhata" /> and ''[[Hemidactylus platyurus]]'',<ref name="nabhitabhata" /> the Malayan forest gecko ''[[Cyrtodactylus pulchellus]]'',<ref name="nabhitabhata" /> the common four-clawed gecko ''[[Gehyra mutilata]]'',<ref name="nabhitabhata" /> the Indo-Pacific gecko ''[[Hemidactylus garnotii]]'',<ref name="nabhitabhata" /> the Asian slender gecko ''[[Hemiphyllodactylus yunnanensis]]'',<ref name="nabhitabhata" /> the garden lizards ''[[Calotes emma]]'' and ''[[Calotes versicolor]]'',<ref name="nabhitabhata" /> the spotted flying dragon ''[[Draco maculatus]]'',<ref name="nabhitabhata" /> the skinks ''[[Dasia olivacea]]'', ''[[Eutropis multifasciata]]'', and ''[[Subdoluseps bowringii]]'',<ref name="nabhitabhata" /> and the snakes ''[[Ahaetulla prasina]]'', ''[[Argyrophis diardii]]'', ''[[Boiga cynodon]]'', ''[[Cylindrophis ruffus]]'', ''[[Homalopsis buccata]]'', ''[[Python reticulatus]]'', and ''[[Xenopeltis unicolor]]''.<ref name="nabhitabhata" />
||{{0}}3.||Taling Ngam||{{lang|th|ตลิ่งงาม}}||{{0}}5||{{0}}6,138
 
|-
Mosquito species ''[[Aedes albopictus]]'' and ''[[Aedes aegypti]]'' were the vectors for two epidemics of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) on Ko Samui in 1966 and 1967.<ref name="thavara" />
||{{0}}4.||Na Mueang||{{lang|th|หน้าเมือง}}||{{0}}5||{{0}}5,339
 
|-
[[File:Самуи май 2013 Чавенг-Ной - panoramio (5).jpg|thumb|right|Fish found on the beach of Chaweng Noi]]
||{{0}}5.||Maret||{{lang|th|มะเร็ต}}||{{0}}6||{{0}}9,051
 
|-
Sea life around Ko Samui is diverse, including many species such as reef squid,<ref name="suwannathamma" /> [[sand whiting]] (known locally as ''pla sai''),<ref name="suwannathamma" /> [[flying fish]],<ref name="suwannathamma" /> [[whale sharks]],<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Magson |first1=Kirsty |last2=Monacella |first2=Emily |last3=Scott | first3=Chad |last4=Buffat |first4=Noémie |last5=Arunrugstichai |first5=Sirachai |last6=Metavee |first6=Chuangcharoendee |last7=Pierce |first7=Simon J. |last8=Holmberg |first8=Jason |last9=Araujo |first9=Gonzalo |date=31 May 2022 |title=Citizen science reveals the population structure and seasonal presence of whale sharks in the Gulf of Thailand |url=https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15121 |journal=Journal of Fish Biology |volume=101 |issue=3 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons, Inc |pages=540–549 |doi=10.1111/jfb.15121 |pmid=35638311 |bibcode=2022JFBio.101..540M |access-date=6 July 2025|url-access=subscription }}</ref> and [[box jellyfish]].<ref name="thaikruea">{{cite journal |last1=Thaikruea |first1=Lakkana |last2=Siriariyaporn |first2=Potjaman |date=17 February 2016 |title=The magnitude of severe box jellyfish cases on Koh Samui and Koh Pha-ngan in the Gulf of Thailand |journal=BMC Research Notes |volume=9 |publisher=BioMed Central Ltd |article-number=108 |doi=10.1186/s13104-016-1931-8 |doi-access=free |pmid=26888067 |pmc=4756446 }}</ref> It has been noted that the highest incidence of jellyfish-related deaths in Thailand have occurred on Ko Samui and [[Ko Pha-ngan]], with six of the seven cases of box jellyfish-related deaths from 1999 to 2015 occurring on those two islands.<ref name="thaikruea" />
||{{0}}6.||Bo Phut||{{lang|th|บ่อผุด}}||{{0}}6||19,014
 
|-
==Demography==
||{{0}}7.||Mae Nam||{{lang|th|แม่น้ำ}}||{{0}}6||{{0}}9,248
In 1913, around 8,000 people lived on the island of Ko Samui, increasing to around 30,000 people by 1970.<ref name="marshall">{{cite journal |last1=Marshall |first1=Joe |last2=Nongngork |first2=Vandee |date=1970 |title=Mammals of Samui Island, Thailand |url=https://thesiamsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/NHBSS_023_4-5f_Marshall_MammalsOfSamuiI.pdf |journal=Natural History Bulletin of the Siam Society |volume=23 |issue=4 & 5 |publisher=The Siam Society Under Royal Patronage |pages=501–507 |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref> By 1993, according to the City Council of Ko Samui, the island had a local population of 31,643 and a non-local population of around 15,000 (including tourists and migrant workers).<ref name="soontayatron">{{cite thesis |last=Soontayatron |first=Somruthai |title=Socio-cultural Changes in Thai Beach Resorts: A Case Study of Koh Samui Island, Thailand |url=https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/15787/1/Thesis-final_version-_amandements.pdf |date=January 2010 |degree=Ph.D. |location=Bournemouth University |publisher= |access-date=6 July 2025 |page=19}}</ref> By 2007, the local population had grown to 51,117 and the non-local population was estimated to be between 100,000 and 150,000 people.<ref name="soontayatron" /> In 2023, it was estimated that the local population of Ko Samui was around 70,000 with more than 200,000 coming to the island for work.<ref name="ratcliffe">{{cite web |last=Ratcliffe |first=Rebecca |date=1 June 2024 |title=Thai island of Samui weighs 'White Lotus effect' against environmental cost |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/01/thai-island-samui-white-lotus-effect-tourism-environment |website=The Guardian |publisher=Guardian News & Media Limited |access-date=6 July 2025}}</ref>
|}
 
In 2001, the local population included 16,192 households, mostly practicing Buddhists with a minority population of [[Islam in Thailand|Thai Muslims]].<ref name="soontayatron" /> Buddhist temples are scattered across the island, including Wat Samret, [[Wat Khunaram]], Wat Laem Sor, Wat Khiri Wongkaram, Wat Sila Ngu, and [[Wat Phra Yai]].<ref name="suwannathamma">{{cite magazine |last=Suwannathamma |first=Paphaon |date=July–August 2025 |title=Very Samui: The Island's Soul Revealed |magazine=Fah Thai: The Official Inflight Magazine of Bangkok Airways |publisher=Bangkok Airways |url=https://fahthaimag.com/very-samui-the-islands-soul-revealed/ |pages=34–49}}</ref> Wam Samret is among the oldest of the temples on the island, being more than 200 years old, and Wat Khuaram holds the preserved body of [[Luang Pho Daeng]].<ref name="suwannathamma" /> Less formalized religious practices are common across Ko Samui, such as the Loy Khro ritual practiced in Baan Tai, the tradition of Gin Hor, and the rite of Lah Pho Ta.<ref name="suwannathamma" />
 
The Muslim community of Ko Samui has historically and contemporarily been focused on the village of Ban Hua Thanon, Tambon Maret.<ref name="chatkaewnapanon" />
 
[[File:Guan Yu statue at Guan Yu Koh Samui Shrine.jpg|thumb|right|Guan Yu statue at Guan Yu Koh Samui Shrine]]
 
A small [[Thai Chinese]] population has also been reported,<ref name="soontayatron" /> with the tallest statue of [[Guan Yu]] in Thailand appearing in [[Hua Thanon, Ko Samui|Hua Thanon]], one of the oldest [[Hainan people|Chinese-Hainanese]] settlements on Ko Samui.<ref name="suwannathamma" />
 
==Economy==
Ko Samui's economy now is based primarily on a successful tourist industry, as well as exports of [[coconut]] and [[rubber]].
 
==Tourism==
[[File:Bo Phut Beach Ko Samui.jpg|thumb|Tourists on Bo Phut beach]]
 
Sociologist Erik Cohen noted that modern tourism to Ko Samui began to pick up pace in the late 1970s.{{sfn|Cohen|1996|page=xi}} The expansion of tourism on the island has resulted in growth of building resorts, bungalows, and luxury private villas on the island. The island's total of 17,479 hotel rooms in 2013 was increased by an additional 459 new rooms in 2015. A gradual shift in demand is seeing more Asian visitors and families, but the top three source markets have been Germany, the UK, and Thailand, which contribute a combined 27 percent share. Bangkok Airways continues to modernize its fleet with new Airbuses, phasing out older ATR 72 propeller planes, which will provide 189,000 additional airline seats for Samui travelers. The airport has already increased the number of daily flights from 36 to 50.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://centreforaviation.com/analysis/reports/bangkok-airways-part-2-plans-for-further-network-fleet--partnership-portfolio-expansion-for-2016-256648|title=Bangkok Airways Part 2: Plans for further network, fleet & partnership portfolio expansion for 2016|website=CAPA - Centre for Aviation|access-date=August 1, 2019}}</ref>
 
The island received more than 2.5&nbsp;million foreign visitors in 2017, up from 2.34&nbsp;million in 2016. According to a luxury hotelier, tourists traveling to Ko Samui spend an average of 7,700 to 8,200 baht per head per day.<ref name="BP-20180706">{{cite news |last1=Sritama |first1=Suchat |title=Cape Fahn to open on private island |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/1498198/cape-fahn-to-open-on-private-island |access-date=6 July 2018 |work=Bangkok Post |date=6 July 2018}}</ref> It is a well-known destination for scuba diving and snorkeling due to availability of coral reefs around the island.<ref>{{cite web |title=Koh Samui |url=https://www.padi.com/diving-in/koh-samui/ |website=PADI |access-date=19 July 2025}}</ref>
 
{{as of|2020}}, legislators in the Thai parliament have put forward a proposal to build an {{convert|18|km|abbr=on}} bridge linking mainland [[Nakhon Si Thammarat Province]] with Ko Samui. The [[Member of parliament|MPs]] claim that the project would spur economic growth in south Thailand. They propose that—if built—it be named "Chan-o-cha" in honour of Prime Minister [[Prayut Chan-o-cha]].<ref>{{cite news |title=18km Samui bridge urged |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1849199/18km-samui-bridge-urged |access-date=3 February 2020 |work=Bangkok Post |date=3 February 2020}}</ref>
 
Ko Samui's tourist appeal made it a plotline of the 2000 comedy movie ''[[Meet the Parents]]'', starring [[Ben Stiller]] and [[Robert De Niro]], as well as shooting location for the [[The White Lotus season 3|third season]] of ''[[The White Lotus]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/travel-preparation/white-lotus-craze-bolsters-thai-island-s-april-hotel-bookings/ar-AA1BGc8a|title='White Lotus' craze bolsters Thai island's April hotel bookings|website=[[MSN]] |date=26 March 2025|access-date=26 March 2025|language=en}}</ref>
 
==Culture==
Ko Samui has its own specific dialect, customs, cuisine, and observed ceremonies.<ref name="suwannathamma" /> A number of rituals, festivals, and other events take place across the island over the year, such as Loy Khro, where bamboo boats floated on top of immature coconuts are launched into the sea. These small boats carry hair, nail clippings, and other offerings said to cast away misfortune.<ref name="suwannathamma" /> The Southern Thai tradition of Gin Hor, where villagers bring together homemade food to share, continues to be celebrated in the form of temple fairs and beach gatherings.<ref name="suwannathamma" /><ref name="objectifthailande">{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=4 June 2021 |title=Samui Festival 2020 : ne manquez pas le plus grand Festival de Koh Samui |url=https://objectifthailande.com/samui-festival-2020-ne-manquez-pas-le-plus-grand-festival-de-koh-samui/ |website=OBJECTIF THAILANDE |publisher=www.objectifthailande.com |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref> The ritual of Lah Pho Ta is held in June before village shrines as a way to honor guardian spirits with savory and sweet offerings, followed by the [[Menora (dance)|Manora]].<ref name="suwannathamma" /> In addition to more traditional festivals, new celebrations have developed, such as the Samui Latin Festival and the Samui Regatta.<ref name="2025_koh_samui">{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=1 January 2025 |title=The 2025 Koh Samui events calendar |url=https://www.thekohsamuiguide.com/post/koh-samui-events-2025 |website=The Koh Samui Guide |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref> There is a small but developing LGBTQ+ scene in Ko Samui, with the first Ko Samui Pride Celebration taking place in 2018,<ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=15 April 2018 |title=First every Pride Parade of Koh Samui. Thank you to all who joined and supported. |url=https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AwwZCsRig/ |website=Facebook |publisher=Alpha Gay Resort & Spa |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref> and the ALPHA Gay Resort and gay-owned café The Road Less Travelled (RLT) both frequented by LGBTQ+ tourists.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |title=Koh Samui |url=https://www.gothaibefree.com/portfolio/samui/ |website=Go Thai. Be Free. |publisher=Tourism Authority of Thailand New York Office |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref>


Originally, the district included all of the islands of Surat Thani Province. The islands [[Ko Pha-ngan]] and [[Ko Tao]] were split off as the minor district (''[[king amphoe]]'') [[Ko Pha-ngan District|Ko Pha-ngan]] effective 1 October 1970.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Royal Gazette|volume=87|issue=90 ง|pages=2790|script-title=th:ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง แบ่งท้องที่ตั้งเป็นกิ่งอำเภอ|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2513/D/090/2790.PDF
A number of culturally-specific dishes are native to Ko Samui, including the raw fish and fermented shrimp paste salad known as Yam Rad Ley, the spicy coconut salads Yam Kati Hoi Phuekan and Yam Kati Goong Chon Nam Groi, the squid broth Tom Look Em, and the reef squid coconut milk mixture known as Wai Khua.<ref name="suwannathamma" /> [[Night market]]s are a staple on the island, as in many parts of Thailand, with some of the most popular being Fisherman's Village, the Wharf, and Plaza the Green Night Market.<ref>{{cite web |last=Liao |first=Christina |date=21 February 2025 |title=A Guide to Koh Samui, Thailand—the Setting for The White Lotus Season 3 |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/koh-samui-thailand-guide |website=Vogue |publisher=Condé Nast |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref>
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203095659/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2513/D/090/2790.PDF
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=December 3, 2008
|date=24 Sep 1970|language=th}}</ref> In 1980, administrative village number seven of Ang Thong Sub-district covering the islands Ko Chueak, Ko Nok Phao, and Ko Rikan was reassigned to [[Don Sak District]],<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Royal Gazette|volume=97|issue=165 ก ฉบับพิเศษ|pages=4–6|title=พระราชกฤษฎีกาเปลี่ยนแปลงเขตอำเภอเกาะสมุย กับอำเภอดอนสัก จังหวัดสุราษฎร์ธานี พ.ศ. ๒๕๒๓|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2523/A/165/4.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410072028/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2523/A/165/4.PDF|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 10, 2018|date=1980-10-27|language=th}}</ref> where it now forms village number 11.


==Transport==
==Transport==
Line 405: Line 479:
Several ferries connect the island with the mainland, including two car/passenger ferries, and connect Don Sak to piers in the west of the island, in Lipa Noi and in [[Nathon]]. Public buses to all parts of the mainland operate from a new bus station north of Nathon. Privately operated [[songthaew]]s circle the ring road like a bus service with fixed fees mostly only in the daytime, and private taxis which charged a fixed, flat fee depending on the destination.{{Citation needed|date=June 2019}}
Several ferries connect the island with the mainland, including two car/passenger ferries, and connect Don Sak to piers in the west of the island, in Lipa Noi and in [[Nathon]]. Public buses to all parts of the mainland operate from a new bus station north of Nathon. Privately operated [[songthaew]]s circle the ring road like a bus service with fixed fees mostly only in the daytime, and private taxis which charged a fixed, flat fee depending on the destination.{{Citation needed|date=June 2019}}


==Tourism==
==Health and education==
[[File:Bo Phut Beach Ko Samui.jpg|thumb|Tourists on Bo Phut beach]]
=== Education ===
Sociologist Erik Cohen noted that modern tourism to Ko Samui began to pick up pace in the late 1970s.{{sfn|Cohen|1996|page=xi}} The expansion of tourism on the island has resulted in growth of building resorts, bungalows, and luxury private villas on the island. The island's total of 17,479 hotel rooms in 2013 was increased by an additional 459 new rooms in 2015. A gradual shift in demand is seeing more Asian visitors and families, but the top three source markets have been Germany, the UK, and Thailand, which contribute a combined 27 percent share. Bangkok Airways continues to modernize its fleet with new Airbuses, phasing out older ATR 72 propeller planes, which will provide 189,000 additional airline seats for Samui travelers. The airport has already increased the number of daily flights from 36 to 50.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://centreforaviation.com/analysis/reports/bangkok-airways-part-2-plans-for-further-network-fleet--partnership-portfolio-expansion-for-2016-256648|title=Bangkok Airways Part 2: Plans for further network, fleet & partnership portfolio expansion for 2016|website=CAPA - Centre for Aviation|access-date=August 1, 2019}}</ref>
There are a number of international schools on the island, including [[Windfield International School Koh Samui]] (WIS), the [[The International School of Samui|International School of Samui]],<ref name="schools">{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Schools on Koh Samui |url=https://phanganist.com/koh-samui-family-travel-guide-article/schools-koh-samui |website=phanganist.com  |publisher=Phanganist |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref> [[Lamai International School]],<ref name="schools"></ref> [[Oonrak Koh Samui Bilingual School]],<ref name="schools"></ref> [[Greenacre International School]],<ref name="schools"></ref> [[PanyaDee - The British International School of Samui]] (PBISS).<ref name="schools"></ref>
 
The island received more than 2.5&nbsp;million foreign visitors in 2017, up from 2.34&nbsp;million in 2016. According to a luxury hotelier, tourists traveling to Ko Samui spend an average of 7,700 to 8,200 baht per head per day.<ref name="BP-20180706">{{cite news |last1=Sritama |first1=Suchat |title=Cape Fahn to open on private island |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/1498198/cape-fahn-to-open-on-private-island |access-date=6 July 2018 |work=Bangkok Post |date=6 July 2018}}</ref>


{{as of|2020}}, legislators in the Thai parliament have put forward a proposal to build an {{convert|18|km|abbr=on}} bridge linking mainland [[Nakhon Si Thammarat Province]] with Ko Samui. The [[Member of parliament|MPs]] claim that the project would spur economic growth in south Thailand. They propose that—if built—it be named "Chan-o-cha" in honour of Prime Minister [[Prayut Chan-o-cha]].<ref>{{cite news |title=18km Samui bridge urged |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1849199/18km-samui-bridge-urged |access-date=3 February 2020 |work=Bangkok Post |date=3 February 2020}}</ref>
[[Suratthani Rajabhat University]] (SRU) opened its Koh Samui Interdisciplinary School (initially known as the International School of Tourism) in 2010, offering two bachelor's degrees in Hotel Management and Cruise Business and Thai and International Culinary Arts.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |title=University info history |url=https://sru.ac.th/en/university-info-history-en/ |website=Suratthani Rajabhat University |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |title=History of SRU |url=https://sru.ac.th/history-of-suratthani-rajabhat-university/ |website=Suratthani Rajabhat University |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref>


Ko Samui's tourist appeal made it a plotline of the 2000 comedy movie ''[[Meet the Parents]]'', starring [[Ben Stiller]] and [[Robert De Niro]], as well as shooting location for the [[The White Lotus season 3|third season]] of ''[[The White Lotus]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/travel-preparation/white-lotus-craze-bolsters-thai-island-s-april-hotel-bookings/ar-AA1BGc8a|title='White Lotus' craze bolsters Thai island's April hotel bookings|date=26 March 2025|access-date=26 March 2025|language=en}}</ref>
=== Healthcare ===
Samui has five private hospitals: Samui International Hospital;<ref>[http://www.sih.co.th/ Samui International Hospital. Retrieved on 21 March 2015.]</ref> Wattanapat Hospital Samui;<ref>[https://samuihospital.com/ Wattanapat Hospital Samui. Retrieved on 9 December 2023.]</ref> Thai International;<ref>[http://www.thaiinterhospital.com/ Thai International Hospital. Retrieved on 21 March 2015.]</ref> Bandon Hospital;<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bandonhospitalsamui.com/|title=Samui's Leading First Class Medical Center {{!}} Bandon International Hospital Samui|website=Bandon International Hospital Samui|language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-28}}</ref> and Bangkok Hospital Samui.<ref>[http://www.bangkokhospitalsamui.com/index.php?lang=en Bangkok Samui Hospital. Retrieved on 21 March 2015.]</ref> The government hospital is in [[Nathon]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://samui.thaivisa.com/koh-samui-hospitals/ |title=Koh Samui Hospitals (Thai Visa Samui) |access-date=2013-07-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920084518/http://samui.thaivisa.com/koh-samui-hospitals/#.U4joW3J_uSo |archive-date=2013-09-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Medical care==
A few health emergencies have taken place in the 20th and 21st centuries in Ko Samui, including multiple outbreaks of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF),<ref name="thavara"></ref> at least two cases of [[leptospirosis]],<ref name="christen">{{Cite Q|Q33426272}}</ref> and at least two cases of [[chikungunya]]<ref>{{Cite Q|Q63246365}}</ref> The island's healthcare system was severely strained during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand|COVID-19 pandemic]]. In July 2021, it was reported that there were 54 beds available for COVID-19 patients in Koh Samui Hospital.<ref name="new_cluster">{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=30 July 2021 |title=New cluster of infections in Samui puts tourism model at risk |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003959 |website=The Nation |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref> Field hospitals were set up in repurposed resorts to handle overflow.<ref name="olesker">{{cite web |last=Olesker |first=Max |date=13 January 2022 |title=Covid in Koh Samui? It's scary |url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/article/covid-in-koh-samui-its-scary-0hs7h0pk9 |website=The Times |publisher=Times Media Limited 2025 |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref><ref name="new_cluster"></ref>
Samui has five private hospitals: Samui International Hospital;<ref>[http://www.sih.co.th/ Samui International Hospital. Retrieved on 21 March 2015.]</ref> Wattanapat Hospital Samui;<ref>[https://samuihospital.com/ Wattanapat Hospital Samui. Retrieved on 9 December 2023.]</ref> Thai International;<ref>[http://www.thaiinterhospital.com/ Thai International Hospital. Retrieved on 21 March 2015.]</ref> Bandon Hospital;<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bandonhospitalsamui.com/|title=Samui's Leading First Class Medical Center {{!}} Bandon International Hospital Samui|website=Bandon International Hospital Samui|language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-28}}</ref> and Bangkok Hospital Samui.<ref>[http://www.bangkokhospitalsamui.com/index.php?lang=en Bangkok Samui Hospital. Retrieved on 21 March 2015.]</ref> The government hospital is in [[Nathon]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://samui.thaivisa.com/koh-samui-hospitals/ |title=Koh Samui Hospitals (Thai Visa Samui) |access-date=2013-07-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920084518/http://samui.thaivisa.com/koh-samui-hospitals/#.U4joW3J_uSo |archive-date=2013-09-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
Line 425: Line 497:
File:Bo Phut Beach on the north end of Koh Samui.jpg|Bo Phut Beach
File:Bo Phut Beach on the north end of Koh Samui.jpg|Bo Phut Beach
File:Sunrise thailand ko samui.jpg|Sunrise, Ko Samui
File:Sunrise thailand ko samui.jpg|Sunrise, Ko Samui
File:KoSamuiAirport OwlofDoom.jpg|Samui International Airport
File:ChawengBeach55.jpg|Aerial view of Chaweng
File:ChawengBeach55.jpg|Aerial view of Chaweng
File:Laem Yai Cape.jpg|Laem Yai Cape from Bang Po Beach
File:Laem Yai Cape.jpg|Laem Yai Cape from Bang Po Beach

Latest revision as of 04:41, 22 December 2025

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File:Bo Phut Beach.jpg
Bo Phut Beach

Ko Samui or Koh Samui (Template:Langx, Script error: No such module "IPA".), often locally shortened to Samui, is an island off the east coast of Thailand. Geographically in the Chumphon Archipelago, it is part of Surat Thani Province, though as of 2012, Ko Samui was granted municipal status and thus is now locally self-governing. Ko Samui, with an area of Script error: No such module "convert"., is Thailand's second largest island after Phuket.[1] In 2018, it was visited by 2.7 million tourists.[2]

History

Early Period

According to oral tradition, the island of Ko Samui was first inhabited in about the 6th century, settled by fishermen from the Malay Peninsula[3] and visited by passing traders from southern China.[4] It has also been claimed by some local historians that the island was used as a safe haven during storm seasons.[4] However, recent archaeological evidence suggests that Ko Samui may have been inhabited significantly earlier, more than 2,000 years ago, with bronze ritual drums with etchings of birds, boats, and spirits being found in the southern hills on the island.[5][6]

Beginning in the thirteenth century, Ko Samui was part of Siam's feudal system and at the time the island acted as a crucial intermediary for ongoing trade between China and India.[4] As a result of its position in Southeast Asia, the island began receiving immigrants from many ethnic and religious groups.[4] At the time, Ko Samui was connected to the muang system through Nakorn Si Thammarat and Thai people constituted the ethnic majority, moving the island to a more agrarian society.[4] These individuals tended to live further inland than previous inhabitants.[4]

Ko Samui appears on Chinese maps dating back to 1687, under the name Pulo Cornam.[7]

Colonial Period

Beginning in the 19th century, a significant number of Chinese immigrants moved to many areas in Thailand, including Ko Samui.[4] Most of these individuals were traders moving from Hainan, who culturally assimilated into the majority Thai society on the island.[4] While much of these individuals' Chinese culture and identity have not been preserved, a number of Hainanese temples and communities still exist on Ko Samui.[4] It was these immigrants who first began cotton and coconut plantations on the island, transporting them to the mainland on boats known as panuk lang si.[4] As a result, these Thai-Chinese individuals tended to live closer to the beaches of Ko Samui, in contrast to the ethnic Thai individuals who lived further inland.[4]

During World War II, Ko Samui was used by Japan as a base of operations in conjunction with Thailand's Navy.[8] It is believed that, as a result of conflicts between the Allies and Japan, the area around the island contains a number of shipwrecks from the era.[8] Locals reported a large explosion around that time, which academic Paul Chambers attributed to a Japanese tanker being bombed alongside Ko Samui on 15 June 1945.[8]

In the 1960s, two dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) epidemics occurred on Ko Samui.[9]

Tourism Period

Until the late 20th century, Ko Samui was an isolated self-sufficient community,[4] having little connection with the mainland of Thailand. The island was without roads until the early 1970s and the Script error: No such module "convert". journey from one side of the island to the other could involve a whole-day trek through the mountainous central jungles.

At first, tourists were primarily backpackers to whom locals provided basic accommodations. However, as Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket started to become major tourist destinations in the 1980s, Ko Samui began to attract significant foreign investment and travelers.[4] The first era of development projects began at Chaweng Beach, followed by a steady outgrowth of resorts across the rest of the island.[4] This period of economic growth was primarily the result of Thailand's Fifth National Economic and Social Development Plan, which lasted from 1982 until 1986.[4] In 1985, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) launched the Master Plan for Tourism Development of Ko Samui/Surat Thani.[4]

In 1989, Samui Airport was constructed, facilitating a spike in mass tourism growth on the island during the 1990s.[4] As a result of the increased income from tourism, Thailand's central government began reorganizing local administrative procedures on the island.[4] Leases and joint ventures also came to replace direct land sales during this period, especially as the devaluation of the Thai baht and political instability in Indonesia led many to view Ko Samui as an affordable and relatively safe alternative destination.[4] DHF outbreaks continued to occur on the island following the 1960 epidemics, with an incidence of nearly 500 cases per 100,000 during one outbreak in 1995, potentially impacting tourism during the period.[9][10]

Economic growth has brought not only prosperity but also major changes to the island's environment and culture, including "explosive tensions" between rich and poor residents and crime linked to that or otherwise.[11]

Name

The origin of the name samui is unknown. It may come from the Sanskrit-Tamil word สมวย, meaning 'sea weather'. Or it may derive from the name of a tree known locally in southern Thailand as Script error: No such module "Lang". (full name Script error: No such module "Lang".). A third possibility is that it originated from early Hainanese traders to Samui. In Hainanese Chinese, เซ่าบ่วย means 'first island', 'barrier', or 'gate', or literally 'beautiful beach'.[7][4] As it was their first port of call in Thailand, it became its name and evolved to สมุย. Some people believe that the word "samui" derives from the Malay word saboey, or 'safe haven'. There is no firm corroboration of any of these theories.[12] Ko เกาะ is the Thai word for "island".

Government

The first local government on Samui island was established in 1956 with the sanitary district Ko Samui, which however only covered the area around the settlement.[13] In 1963 it was enlarged to cover the entirety of Samui and Pha-Nga islands, which at that time were still in the same district.[14] In 1973, the area of the Ko Pha-Ngan District became a separate sanitary district.[15] Since 1981, the sanitary district covers the area of the whole district.[16]

Like all sanitary districts, Ko Samui became a subdistrict municipality (thesaban tambon) in 1999.[17] The subdistrict municipality was upgraded to a town municipality (thesaban mueang) in 2008,[18] and to a city municipality in 2012.[19]

The conversion of the municipality into a special administrative area with greater powers of self-governance similar to Pattaya has been discussed since 2008, but as of 2018, no action has been taken.

Administration

Ko Samui is an amphoe (district) of Surat Thani Province, divided into seven sub-districts (tambons) and 39 administrative villages (mubans). The entire island is one city municipality (thesaban nakhon). The district covers the island, as well as the Ang Thong archipelago and some other small islands nearby.

File:Tambon 8404.png
Map of Tambon
No. Name Thai Villages Pop.[20]
1. Ang Thong Script error: No such module "Lang". 6 13,043
2. Lipa Noi Script error: No such module "Lang". 5 5,432
3. Taling Ngam Script error: No such module "Lang". 5 6,138
4. Na Mueang Script error: No such module "Lang". 5 5,339
5. Maret Script error: No such module "Lang". 6 9,051
6. Bo Phut Script error: No such module "Lang". 6 19,014
7. Mae Nam Script error: No such module "Lang". 6 9,248

Originally, the district included all of the islands of Surat Thani Province. The islands Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao were split off as the minor district (king amphoe) Ko Pha-ngan effective 1 October 1970.[21] In 1980, administrative village number seven of Ang Thong Sub-district covering the islands Ko Chueak, Ko Nok Phao, and Ko Rikan was reassigned to Don Sak District,[22] where it now forms village number 11.

Geography

File:Sunrise thailand ko samui.jpg
Sunrise, Ko Samui

Ko Samui is in the Gulf of Thailand, about Script error: No such module "convert". northeast of Surat Thani town (9°N, 100°E). It is the largest island in the Chumphon Archipelago, measuring about Script error: No such module "convert". at its widest point. To the north are the populated resort islands of Ko Pha-ngan, Ko Tao, and Ko Nang Yuan. Close to Bangrak in northeast Samui is the small uninhabited island of Ko Som, and to the northeast of Chaweng is the tiny Ko Matlang. To the south are Ko Taen and Ko Matsum, each of which have small tourist facilities. To the far west are 44 other islands which together compose Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park which is accessible by a day-trip boat tour from Ko Samui.

The central part of Ko Samui is mostly tropical jungle with tree coverage and wildlife and its largest mountain, Khao Pom, peaking at Script error: No such module "convert".. The lowland and coastal areas are connected by a Script error: No such module "convert".-long road, encircling the island. Other concrete roads branch off to service other areas.

The town of Nathon on the west coast is the closest town to the mainland and is the original capital which still houses many government offices. Two of the island's five main piers make Nathon the main port for all transportation from the mainland and the commercial centre for Samui residents. The transition from dependence on the local coconut industry and the continued growth and development of the tourist industry, as well as the northeastern location of the airport, has led to the increase of commercial activity in Chaweng and Bophut.

Climate

Ko Samui has a tropical monsoon climate according to the Köppen climate classification, based on an analysis of 1971–2010 Thai Meteorological Department data.[23] The climate is warm and humid for most of the year. In comparison to Phuket and most of the rest of southern Thailand, Samui's weather is relatively drier (Samui receives about Template:Cvt rain per year, and Phuket gets Script error: No such module "convert".). Phuket's wet season is spread over six to eight months. Ko Samui has only two months with more than Script error: No such module "convert". of rain.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". The heaviest precipitation typically falls in the time frame from mid October to early December.[24]Script error: No such module "Unsubst". For the rest of the year, given the tropical climate, rain showers are brief; 20–60 minutes duration is typical.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

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Nature

File:Namuang Waterfall.jpg
One of the two Na Muang waterfalls

The jungles of Ko Samui are home to a number of notable waterfalls, including the Na Muang Waterfalls, the Hin Lad Waterfall, the Khun Si Waterfall, the Wang Sao Thong Waterfall, the Tang Rua Waterfall, the Tar Nim Waterfall, and the Lat Wanorn Waterfall.[25] Many of these waterfalls are especially popular tourist destinations, despite a number of visitors experiencing severe injuries or death due to slips or falls around these areas.[26][27][28][29][30]

A number of fruit trees grow on the island, including langsat, durian, mamud, and mamuang thaai tor (the latter two of which are local mango varieties).[5]

File:Ape collecting coconut - vycvičená opice trhá kokosy - panoramio.jpg
A monkey collecting a coconut

Several mammal species have been noted on the island, including the peninsular shrew, the crab-eating macaque, the common treeshrew, the small flying fox, the lesser short-nosed fruit bat, the cave nectar bat, the long-tongued nectar bat, the Black giant squirrel, the grey-bellied squirrel, the black rat, the Sikkim rat, the ricefield rat, the Polynesian rat, the brown rat, the white-bellied rat, the red spiny rat, and the Asian palm civet.[31] Stray dogs are common on Ko Samui, with tens of thousands being reported; before 1999, no organizations dedicated to spaying or neutering dogs were established, leading to the dog population of the island growing unchecked.[32] Macaques are forced by some farmers on the island to harvest coconuts, often under threat of violence.[33] Many elephant sanctuaries exist on Ko Samui, but there are no standards for what constitutes a sanctuary in Thailand and unethical and unsafe practices such as elephant riding still occur.[34] In one case in 2016, a British tourist was killed after being thrown from an elephant after its handler hit the animal several times.[35]

File:Thailand, Samui, Frog - panoramio.jpg
One of many species of frogs found on Ko Samui

Amphibian species include the frogs Limnonectes blythii,[36] Limnonectes doriae,[36] Limnonectes pseudodoriae,[37] Polypedates leucomystax,[36] Microhyla ornata[36] and Sylvirana nigrovittata[38] and the caecilian Ichthyophis supachaii.[39][36] Reptile species include the rock geckoes Cnemaspis samui[40] and Cnemaspis siamensis,[36] the frilly geckoes Cosymbotus craspedotus[36] and Hemidactylus platyurus,[36] the Malayan forest gecko Cyrtodactylus pulchellus,[36] the common four-clawed gecko Gehyra mutilata,[36] the Indo-Pacific gecko Hemidactylus garnotii,[36] the Asian slender gecko Hemiphyllodactylus yunnanensis,[36] the garden lizards Calotes emma and Calotes versicolor,[36] the spotted flying dragon Draco maculatus,[36] the skinks Dasia olivacea, Eutropis multifasciata, and Subdoluseps bowringii,[36] and the snakes Ahaetulla prasina, Argyrophis diardii, Boiga cynodon, Cylindrophis ruffus, Homalopsis buccata, Python reticulatus, and Xenopeltis unicolor.[36]

Mosquito species Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti were the vectors for two epidemics of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) on Ko Samui in 1966 and 1967.[9]

File:Самуи май 2013 Чавенг-Ной - panoramio (5).jpg
Fish found on the beach of Chaweng Noi

Sea life around Ko Samui is diverse, including many species such as reef squid,[5] sand whiting (known locally as pla sai),[5] flying fish,[5] whale sharks,[41] and box jellyfish.[42] It has been noted that the highest incidence of jellyfish-related deaths in Thailand have occurred on Ko Samui and Ko Pha-ngan, with six of the seven cases of box jellyfish-related deaths from 1999 to 2015 occurring on those two islands.[42]

Demography

In 1913, around 8,000 people lived on the island of Ko Samui, increasing to around 30,000 people by 1970.[31] By 1993, according to the City Council of Ko Samui, the island had a local population of 31,643 and a non-local population of around 15,000 (including tourists and migrant workers).[43] By 2007, the local population had grown to 51,117 and the non-local population was estimated to be between 100,000 and 150,000 people.[43] In 2023, it was estimated that the local population of Ko Samui was around 70,000 with more than 200,000 coming to the island for work.[44]

In 2001, the local population included 16,192 households, mostly practicing Buddhists with a minority population of Thai Muslims.[43] Buddhist temples are scattered across the island, including Wat Samret, Wat Khunaram, Wat Laem Sor, Wat Khiri Wongkaram, Wat Sila Ngu, and Wat Phra Yai.[5] Wam Samret is among the oldest of the temples on the island, being more than 200 years old, and Wat Khuaram holds the preserved body of Luang Pho Daeng.[5] Less formalized religious practices are common across Ko Samui, such as the Loy Khro ritual practiced in Baan Tai, the tradition of Gin Hor, and the rite of Lah Pho Ta.[5]

The Muslim community of Ko Samui has historically and contemporarily been focused on the village of Ban Hua Thanon, Tambon Maret.[4]

File:Guan Yu statue at Guan Yu Koh Samui Shrine.jpg
Guan Yu statue at Guan Yu Koh Samui Shrine

A small Thai Chinese population has also been reported,[43] with the tallest statue of Guan Yu in Thailand appearing in Hua Thanon, one of the oldest Chinese-Hainanese settlements on Ko Samui.[5]

Economy

Ko Samui's economy now is based primarily on a successful tourist industry, as well as exports of coconut and rubber.

Tourism

File:Bo Phut Beach Ko Samui.jpg
Tourists on Bo Phut beach

Sociologist Erik Cohen noted that modern tourism to Ko Samui began to pick up pace in the late 1970s.Template:Sfn The expansion of tourism on the island has resulted in growth of building resorts, bungalows, and luxury private villas on the island. The island's total of 17,479 hotel rooms in 2013 was increased by an additional 459 new rooms in 2015. A gradual shift in demand is seeing more Asian visitors and families, but the top three source markets have been Germany, the UK, and Thailand, which contribute a combined 27 percent share. Bangkok Airways continues to modernize its fleet with new Airbuses, phasing out older ATR 72 propeller planes, which will provide 189,000 additional airline seats for Samui travelers. The airport has already increased the number of daily flights from 36 to 50.[45]

The island received more than 2.5 million foreign visitors in 2017, up from 2.34 million in 2016. According to a luxury hotelier, tourists traveling to Ko Samui spend an average of 7,700 to 8,200 baht per head per day.[46] It is a well-known destination for scuba diving and snorkeling due to availability of coral reefs around the island.[47]

since 2020Template:Dated maintenance category (articles)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters"., legislators in the Thai parliament have put forward a proposal to build an Script error: No such module "convert". bridge linking mainland Nakhon Si Thammarat Province with Ko Samui. The MPs claim that the project would spur economic growth in south Thailand. They propose that—if built—it be named "Chan-o-cha" in honour of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.[48]

Ko Samui's tourist appeal made it a plotline of the 2000 comedy movie Meet the Parents, starring Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro, as well as shooting location for the third season of The White Lotus.[49]

Culture

Ko Samui has its own specific dialect, customs, cuisine, and observed ceremonies.[5] A number of rituals, festivals, and other events take place across the island over the year, such as Loy Khro, where bamboo boats floated on top of immature coconuts are launched into the sea. These small boats carry hair, nail clippings, and other offerings said to cast away misfortune.[5] The Southern Thai tradition of Gin Hor, where villagers bring together homemade food to share, continues to be celebrated in the form of temple fairs and beach gatherings.[5][50] The ritual of Lah Pho Ta is held in June before village shrines as a way to honor guardian spirits with savory and sweet offerings, followed by the Manora.[5] In addition to more traditional festivals, new celebrations have developed, such as the Samui Latin Festival and the Samui Regatta.[51] There is a small but developing LGBTQ+ scene in Ko Samui, with the first Ko Samui Pride Celebration taking place in 2018,[52] and the ALPHA Gay Resort and gay-owned café The Road Less Travelled (RLT) both frequented by LGBTQ+ tourists.[53]

A number of culturally-specific dishes are native to Ko Samui, including the raw fish and fermented shrimp paste salad known as Yam Rad Ley, the spicy coconut salads Yam Kati Hoi Phuekan and Yam Kati Goong Chon Nam Groi, the squid broth Tom Look Em, and the reef squid coconut milk mixture known as Wai Khua.[5] Night markets are a staple on the island, as in many parts of Thailand, with some of the most popular being Fisherman's Village, the Wharf, and Plaza the Green Night Market.[54]

Transport

File:KoSamuiAirport OwlofDoom.jpg
Old Samui International Airport

Samui Airport is a private airport built and owned by Bangkok Airways, which is the only airline with services to Ko Samui from mainland Thailand since the airport's construction in 1989. Due to its use of locally produced palm leaves and a natural, open-air cooling system, the terminal complex received an Environment Impact Assessment Award under the guidance of Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth. Ko Samui airport is built in an open style, drawing connections between it and traditional Thai architecture. In 2009, the airport handled 1.3 million passengers and 17,707 aircraft operations.[55]Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Flights from Samui to Phuket and other Thai destinations are available, and in 2012, the Thai government announced the possibility of a second Ko Samui airport due to complaints of high airport fees.[56]

Several ferries connect the island with the mainland, including two car/passenger ferries, and connect Don Sak to piers in the west of the island, in Lipa Noi and in Nathon. Public buses to all parts of the mainland operate from a new bus station north of Nathon. Privately operated songthaews circle the ring road like a bus service with fixed fees mostly only in the daytime, and private taxis which charged a fixed, flat fee depending on the destination.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Health and education

Education

There are a number of international schools on the island, including Windfield International School Koh Samui (WIS), the International School of Samui,[57] Lamai International School,[57] Oonrak Koh Samui Bilingual School,[57] Greenacre International School,[57] PanyaDee - The British International School of Samui (PBISS).[57]

Suratthani Rajabhat University (SRU) opened its Koh Samui Interdisciplinary School (initially known as the International School of Tourism) in 2010, offering two bachelor's degrees in Hotel Management and Cruise Business and Thai and International Culinary Arts.[58][59]

Healthcare

Samui has five private hospitals: Samui International Hospital;[60] Wattanapat Hospital Samui;[61] Thai International;[62] Bandon Hospital;[63] and Bangkok Hospital Samui.[64] The government hospital is in Nathon.[65]

A few health emergencies have taken place in the 20th and 21st centuries in Ko Samui, including multiple outbreaks of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF),[9] at least two cases of leptospirosis,[66] and at least two cases of chikungunya[67] The island's healthcare system was severely strained during the COVID-19 pandemic. In July 2021, it was reported that there were 54 beds available for COVID-19 patients in Koh Samui Hospital.[68] Field hospitals were set up in repurposed resorts to handle overflow.[69][68]

Gallery

See also

References

Notes

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  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Template:Cite thesis
  5. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Template:Cbignore
  8. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Template:Cite Q
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  31. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  34. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  36. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  37. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  38. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  39. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  40. ↑ Template:Cite Q
  41. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  42. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  43. ↑ a b c d Template:Cite thesis
  44. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  45. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  46. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  47. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  48. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  49. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  50. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  51. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  52. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  53. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  54. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  55. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  56. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  57. ↑ a b c d e Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  58. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  59. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  60. ↑ Samui International Hospital. Retrieved on 21 March 2015.
  61. ↑ Wattanapat Hospital Samui. Retrieved on 9 December 2023.
  62. ↑ Thai International Hospital. Retrieved on 21 March 2015.
  63. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  64. ↑ Bangkok Samui Hospital. Retrieved on 21 March 2015.
  65. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  66. ↑ Template:Cite Q
  67. ↑ Template:Cite Q
  68. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  69. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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Sources

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  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

External links

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