BY INDER RAJ AHLUWALIA
( The writer is an internationally renowned , multiple award – winning travel journalist and author)
NEW DELHI | 9 MAY 2025
Small and charming, it has riches skillfully wrapped up for your benefit, leisure and pleasure.
Exuding a certain relaxed ambience that reminds you that you’re on holiday, it has a deep and immensely calming effect. The result is that the mood is set and it leaves one straining at the leash to discover the island’s charms. And there are plenty going around.
The setting is ideal! Straddling the waters of the Gulf of Thailand, surrounded by other little islands like Ko Tao and Pha-ngan, Koh Samui has plenty going for it. Thailand’s third largest island, the 247 square kilometers at your disposal are given to soft sandy beaches shaded by towering palms; lush foliage and forest patches; fresh seafood that would make a monk gorge; and a vibrant, though discreet nightlife.
Depending on your disposition and energy levels, you can either laze the day away on the beach, soaking up the sun and cooling off in the turquoise waters, or take the action-route and do off-road driving, windsurfing, diving, snorkeling, or paragliding.
A prominent landmark that forms a 50-km circuit around the island is the loop road, which provides a glimpse of superb beaches on the north, east and west coasts. It runs past sleepy fishing villages and through seas of coconut palms, passing waterfalls and tempting turn-offs into the highlands along the way. Other attractions on or near the road include a collection of health spas, a snake show, butterfly garden, and a monkey training centre.
My island-discovery tour started off at the best possible site. The Giant Buddha, which like all places associated with The Buddha, exudes peace, is also a very popular tourist spot. The giant gold-painted Buddha statue sits on an elevated platform accessed by climbing dozens of steps. Besides paying homage, you can enjoy some of the island’s best views.
My next stop was Hin Ta and Hin Yai, the ‘Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks’, unusual rock formations so named because of their similarity to sexual organs. Jutting out into the sea at the south end of Hat Lamai, the site is a tourist- draw. While the rocks themselves didn’t unduly catch my fancy, I found the sea face quite beautiful.
Nature is never too far from you on the island, and Namtok Na Mueang gets you as close as close can be. There are two levels to this waterfall which tumbles down out of the highlands, and the higher level allows good walking opportunity, and also features elephant treks.
Located on the west coast is Na Thon, the island’s port, main town and showpiece. This is the island’s best shopping area and also provides a chance to explore the urban setting. Grab a refreshing coconut drink while you’re at it.
The downtown quarter of the island is the Chaweng Beach area, where shops and boutiques rub shoulders with bars, cafes and restaurants.
Dining on the verandah cum balcony of the delightful Kirikayan Boutique Resort, I could get a feel of Chaweng’s nightlife.
Ideal for your shopping are the cluster of shops behind Hat Chaweng where you can buy beach ware, which tailors will measure and make for you while you relax on the beach. Souvenir hunters can choose from an assortment of shell products to colourful carved soaps, and chopsticks and coasters made from local coconut wood.
The ‘climax’, if you like, of my tour was a lunch stop-over at The Library, an exquisite hotel built around a library theme. Seated at my table, I could see the sea pounding the rocks at the end of the long stretch of beach that lay a mere twenty metres from where I sat. As for the lunch, well, it was as delicious as delicious can be.
Before I realized it, and much to my dismay, the time had come for me to bid farewell to this wonderful ‘island in the sun’. I got another chance to admire the little airport, but the mood was different now. The holiday was over. It was time to get serious again.
I couldn’t help noticing that my fellow passengers also had a long face. The fact is that no one wanted to leave.
That says it all, really.
Travel Facts:
Koh Samui is connected by air with Bangkok, and is an hour’s flight. It’s also possible to go by train and bus.
The accommodation sector is well catered to with a variety of hotels and guesthouses to suit all budgets, ranging from five-star hotels to simple bamboo beach bungalows.
The food department is a local strongpoint. From fancy restaurants to little food shacks, there’s no dearth of eateries, with the emphasis being on freshness.
Grab some form of transport to discover the island.
You can take taxis or hire cars or motorbikes. A three-day trip is ideal.
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