Places to go, Tourist attractions, Temples, Beaches, Sports & activity's, Island routes.

 

UK LEASE HOLDER CONTACT DETAILS : (MR) LEWIS HARVEY, 54 CLEVELAND, BRADVILLE, MILTON KEYNES, BUCKS, MK13 7BA, LANDLINE UK TELE NO: 01908 316461 (PLS CALL IN EVENING) UK MOBILE TELE NO: +44 (0) 7594 738450 EMAIL: MOBILE TELE NO: +44 (0) 7594 738450 EMAIL: MASTERYODA992004@YAHOO.CO.UK

Papillon residence, 8/80 Moo 5 - Bophut, Plai Laem Beach, Soi 5, Koh Samui, 84320 Surrathani, Thailand.

 

Ang Thong National Marine Park

 

Ang Thong Marine Park. Located 20 km northwest of Koh Samui, The Ang Thong Marine Park is popular for its fascinating beaches, caves and coral formations. Comprising over 40 Islands, Some oddly shaped, it is abundant in marine resources and stunning for its limestone cliffs and hidden lagoons. The largest island in the group is Wua Ta Lap. Site of the Ang Thong park office and the Tham Bua Bok Cave, Visited for its spectacular stalactites and Stalagmites.

 

 

 

 

 

Another popular island at Ang Thong is Mae Ko, is known for its pristine beach and emerald saltwater lake that could almost be mistaken for a fresh water lake surrounded by cliffs with dense vegetation in the middle of the sea of all places. It's incredible how it came to this shape today. Amazing rock structures and sites. A popular tour company does a day trip to Ang Thong for 1700 baht. And they collect you from your hotel in the morning. Once arrived at the Ang Thong Marine park either by slow boat 1h 30mins, (1700 baht) or by a more speedy and stylish method, by speed boat 20mins & 1900 baht. Only 200 baht extra so I recommend the speedboat, you can do a bit of kayaking and then snorkeling if you wish.

 

   

 

 

 

You feel like Indiana Jones trying to trek your way to the top of Mae Ko to the viewpoint. Steep steps and gaps through rocks await you. (Not for the faint hearted) in the heat it can be quite challenging to get to the top. Afterwards you feel like you've climbed Mount Everest but the view from the top of Mae Ko is awsome.

 

The Ang Thong national marine park does not allow a night stay and you need to join a tour group to visit the place.

 

 

Temple Hopping on Samui

 

If you have had enough of the beach, try visiting the temples. Besides being spiritually uplifting, temple hoping can be culturally enlightening. There are many temples to visit on Samui, the most famous of them of-course is the Big Buddha. Although not so old as other big Buddha imagines' in the country, it is a must see for its enormity and beauty.

 

The Big Buddha

Located on the northern coast of the island, this 17 metre tall statue is a popular shrine and a meditation center. The gaudy bazaar within the temple grounds offers souvenirs - everything from T-shirts and hats to protective amulets.

 

Buddha Footprints / Kaw Lae Pavilion

Another revered site on the island, the Buddha footprints is a bit tough to reach, there are no signs posted and so finding this attraction will be part of the adventure. Take route 4170 and turn to the road leading to the Butterfly Garden. Go up the concrete slope on the left. The Big Buddha footprints are on a hilltop shrine which you can reach after negotiating a total of 163 steps. You should find four footprints engraved one on top of the other. (The view up there is breathe taking, as is Mae Ko's High/view point, the pavilion also offers a panoramic view of Samui.

 

The Praderm temple

Built about two hundred and thirty years ago deserves a closer look. Believed to be the first Buddha temple on the Island it houses the ashes of an abbot and has an old wooden library that keeps buddist scriptures.

 

The Same Ret temple

 Was called Maret temple in the past, it houses the hundred years old silayuang Buddha image from Burma. A reclining Buddha made of coral, and 50 other Buddha images, it is located west of Baan hua thanon.

 

Sila Ngu temple

More popularly known as chedi of hin ngu, is revered for its golden Chedi. It is located at the beach East of Baan Hua Thanon.

 

Kunaram temple

A cross legged human body in a glass coffin said to of been on display here since 1973, adds an ora of mystery to the kunaram temple. Located South East of the Island near Na Mueng waterfall.

 

 

The Na Phra Lan Temple

is home to the ashes of Than Khrua Phutsorn, famous monk in the past.

 

Na Muang Waterfalls

A short drive from Nathon town will bring you to the first pair of waterfalls. The first cascade, almost 20m high, can be reached by car up an unpaved road. The second, the tallest at 80m high, can be reached through a half hour uphill trek.

 

 

 

Koh Pha-ngan

Just 20km north of Koh Samui and a short boat trip away, Koh pha-ngan is a mountainous island ringed by 18 secluded bays that offer ideal getaways.

Many of its beautiful beaches are accessible only by boat, though pick up trucks and motorbikes also ply the islands tough roads. Its most famous beach is hat rin, in the southeast corner of the island, which is the location of the world famous full moon parties.

 

 

Naga Pearl Farm

Just 4km south of Samui is a small island called koh matsum. There you can see first hand how pearls are cultured. Usually tours include a Thai lunch on the island and, of course, a visit to the Naga pearl shop where all varieties of pearls and pearls products are offered.

 

Hin-Ta-Hin-Yai

Meaning "Grandfather and Grandmother rocks", these unusual rock formations, named for their similarity to male and female sexual organs, can be found at the south end of Lamai beach, and are among Samui's most photographed attractions.

 

Koh Nang Yang

A group of three little virgin islands, Koh Nang Yang is close to the northern side of Koh Tao.The three islands are joined together by a three-way stretch of pure white beach. The waters around it offer excellent diving and snorkeling because of their wide variety of coral formations and marine fauna, accommodation and facilities are available on the island group. To reach it, there is a daily boat service from Koh Tao.

Things To do

 

 

Island Hoping / Touring

If you rent koh samui and decide to be adventurous and want to explore other remote (sometimes unihabited places / Islands) some small Island's make a fine day trip from Koh Samui, such as the islands of Taen and Matsum, about two kilometers from the southern end of the island. Koh Taen offers the opportunity to explore bat caves, as well as nature hiking, fishing, sunbathing, diving and snorkeling. Samui has of course an airport which makes it easy to grab a flight too, and from there they do similar tours which include kayaking and snorkeling most times, like the ones to Ang Thong national marine park from Samui but from Phuket to the Phi Phi Islands and Krabi. (scene of the film the beach)you just need to get to Phuket first for the Phi Phi and Krabi. There is a plane and ships leave from 3 piers from samui and tickets can be booked in any travel agent / tourist info shop in Samui.

 

Diving

Glide in the underwater realm surrounded by the most amazing creatures on earth, from schools of big fish to colorful corals, and many different kinds of marine life. All the equipment you can rent instead of buying and using only a few times. there are many shops that rent snorkeling.

 

Football-Golf

Try something new and go along to football golf, just 5 minutes north of Chaweng in Choeng Môn. This new funnier version of golf is the perfect way to take a break from the beach for a couple of hours. Its great fun for everyone as you can enjoy the fun together and the course is designed so that all ages and levels can play. Remember though, aim the football at the metal posts and not in between them.

Sea Kayaking and Kayaking

Ang Throng marine national park, north of samui, is a group of limestone islands fringed with forests - ideal cruising ground for yachts, as well as kayaks, and even divers.

 

Mini Golf

The first and only professional mini golf course in Thailand with 12 metre concrete track. A member of the mini golf federation, it is located at 79/53 Moo 5, choeng mon, Bo-phut, samui.

Bungy Leap

An adrenaline pumping, thrill seekers sport, bungee jumping is only for those who can conquer their fears, the bungee platform hovers high in Chaweng, near the Reggae pub.

 

Quad bike tour

There is a quad tour company near the Na Muang waterfall, past Lamai.

Gun Course

There is actually a gun club / course you can try in Koh Samui. I think only using small 9mm fire arms. I don't think automatic firearms are used. Course available.

 

Jet Ski Tour

There are two Jet Ski Company's offering tours to other Island's in small groups. Or you can barter for 30 mins for 1000 baht on a jet ski at the beach. But make sure of its condition with the owner before using as there have been some instances of locals ripping off tourists with bogus damage on Jet Ski's on Chaweng and Lamai beach. And is apparently a common scam in Thailand. Be aware. you cant rent them but tours are available from a few company's.

 

Jungle Safari

There are many jungle safari tours on the island, many of which offer to collect you and drop you off and most last half or all day and visit many tourist attractions in one day.

 

 

It wasn't long ago that the only chance of being pampered on a Samui holiday was by having a beach massage. Happily things have changed.

The island now boasts of having many excellent spas that can truly be referred to as world class. From aromatic steam baths through to herbal body masques, these health centre/retreats offer the utmost in rejuvenating body/beauty treatments - all in total luxury and comfort.

 

 

Types of massage

 

Thai Massage, Pra Krop (a kind of Thai massage in which herbs are wrapped tightly in cloth, steamed and the herbal bundles are touched or pressed to your body. Foot Massage, Swedish massage called the classic massage in Sweden, this massage is the basic oil massage in Europe and North America. Hot Stone Massage, this practice uses warm volcanic stones as well as the therapists hands. Aroma oil / Aromatherapy Massage, Cranial Sacral Therapy.

 

 

Spa Directory

 

Absolute Sanctuary, Bophut, Tel: (66) 0 7760 1190

Amata Spa, Bophut, Tel: (66) 0 7742 2223-4

Anantara Spa, Bophut Bay, Tel: (66) 07742 8300-9 ext 1801-2

Anodas Spa, Chaweng Beach, Tel: (66) 07741 3999

Bandara Spa, Bophut, Tel: (66) 07724 5795

Ban Sabai Spa, Big buddha beach, Tel: (66) 07742 7444

Eranda Herbal Spa, Chaweng North, Tel: (66) 07742 2666 / (66) 07741 3828

Higher Plane Asian Fusion Spa, Maret, Tel: (66) 07745 8100

Is Spa, Bophut, Tel: (66) 07741 4141-3

Kamalaya, Na-Muang, Tel: (66) 07742 9800

Kanda Spa, Bophut, Tel: (66) 07742 888 ext 3

Magnolia Spa, Bophut, Tel: (66) 07760 1133

Mandara Spa, Bophut, Tel: (66) 07724 5888 ext 5001

Mata Hari Samui Day Spa, Bophut, Tel: (66) 07741 3146-7

Pandanus Spa, Tambon Mae Nam, Tel: (66) 07742 9000

Rai Ra Spa, Bophut, Tel: (66) 07742 9700-9

Silvadee Wellness Spa, Maret, Tel: (66) 0872 798 833

Sivara Spa, Chaweng Beach, Tel: (66) 07742 2015-18

Six Senses Spa, Bophut, Tel: (66) 077245 678

Sunday's Sanctuary Spa, Bophut, Tel: (66) 0813 702 003

Swasana Spa, Bophut, Tel: (66) 07742 2011

Tamarind Springs, Maret, Tel: (66) 07742 4436 / (66) 07723 0571

The sunset beach Spa, Tambon, Tel: (66) 07742 8200

Villa Nalinnadda Spa, Hua Thanon Beach, Tel: (66) 07723 3131