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GOOD TO KNOW<br />
With the long stretch<br />
of the island, there are<br />
many places that can<br />
serve everyone needs.<br />
Both jam-packed mass<br />
tourism destinations and<br />
authentic tranquillity<br />
spots. All in all, tourists<br />
should travel responsibly<br />
in order to preserve the<br />
true beauty nature that<br />
no manmade products<br />
can be replaced.<br />
of-the-pants excitement. You can be<br />
exactly as intrepid here as you want<br />
to be. You can follow the crowds, or<br />
strike out on an independent activity<br />
on land, through dense rainforests, or<br />
on the sea, between myriad unspoiled<br />
islands on a sea teeming with life. Here<br />
you will never be bored and you can<br />
choose to do as much or as little as you<br />
want to.<br />
As if there was not already enough<br />
to see and do here, the year is also<br />
punctuated on the island by a series of<br />
events and festivals. There is a sailing<br />
regatta in May or June each year and<br />
in September you can come here<br />
to enjoy a week long festival of jazz<br />
music. Nightlife is buzzing and there<br />
is always something going on, for all<br />
tastes, throughout the year. Of course<br />
the food is also top-notch and you will<br />
be able to find plenty of fine dining in<br />
beautiful spots around the island.<br />
Koh Samui really is one of those<br />
holiday destinations that does not like<br />
to be pinned down. It is capable of<br />
being all things, simultaneously, to all<br />
people. It is capable of being exactly<br />
as wonderful as you make it, and there<br />
really are a wide variety of amazing<br />
vacations to be had here. If you have<br />
an imagine of the blissful beauty of<br />
<strong>Thailand</strong>’s islands then Koh Samui is<br />
likely to be the embodiment of those<br />
images – only better than you ever<br />
dreamed that it could be.<br />
SAMUI & PHANGAN<br />
Koh PhaNgan<br />
Koh PhaNgan is mainly known for its full moon parties that draw thousands of visitors every month but the island has<br />
much more to offer than just endless parties on the beach. Located in the Gulf of <strong>Thailand</strong>, Koh PhaNgan reminds one<br />
more of a wonderful tropical paradise known from classic novels and adventure movies such as Alex Garland’s 1996<br />
bestseller ‘The Beach’ where Koh PhaNgan was prominently featured.<br />
Imagine a mountainous area that is fringed with idyllic coastlines and beautiful turquoise water, fishermen with small<br />
wooden boats and lonely roads. Forget about mass tourism or a loud party crowd – this is how Koh PhaNgan really is.<br />
The unspoiled nature invites for hiking along scenic trails and waterfalls while dive enthusiasts are welcomed by the<br />
coral rich reefs here. A fair range of accommodation offers something for everyone while there is no influx of mass<br />
tourism here.<br />
SHOPPING<br />
Central Festival Samui<br />
This is Samui’s main shopping mall,<br />
entertainment and dining location– a huge<br />
retail space with three stories and about<br />
90,000 sq m of shopping area. There is a<br />
wide range of shops here to explore in a<br />
modern setting.<br />
Bophut Plaza<br />
This is a collection of open-sided boutiques<br />
and stores along the main street of<br />
Bophut’s Fisherman’s Village. Find<br />
everything from bespoke tailored shirts and<br />
suits to jewellery and hand-carved items.<br />
Fisherman’s Village Walking Street<br />
This is a colourful and lively market that<br />
is held every Friday from 5pm-10pm in<br />
Bophut’s Fisherman’s Village. This is part of<br />
the ‘walking street’ phenomenon that has<br />
taken <strong>Thailand</strong> by storm over the last five<br />
years or so.<br />
Chaweng Beach Road Shopping<br />
You will find a whole range of beachwear,<br />
sports and leisurewear items on sale along<br />
this shopping road, which is a great place<br />
to pick up some unique bargains for your<br />
holiday.<br />
Saona Collection<br />
This is an attractive boutique that caters<br />
to the beachwear and fashion needs of<br />
lady shoppers, with items on sale that are<br />
cool and fashion forward in their designs.<br />
Others places to shop:<br />
Samui Hot Club<br />
Chaweng Walking Street<br />
Buddy Oriental Plaza<br />
Maenam Walking Street<br />
Lamai Night Plaza<br />
THINGS TO DO<br />
Sea Speedboat Safari<br />
Discover Wao Island. Tai Phow Island<br />
and Mae Kho Island within the Angthong<br />
National Marine Park on a sea safari in<br />
an exhilarating speedboat ride across the<br />
brightest blue seas beneath a delightful<br />
sun.<br />
Snorkelling in the Gulf of <strong>Thailand</strong><br />
What could be better than taking a relaxing<br />
snorkelling excursion somewhere in the<br />
waters off the shores of Koh Samui or in<br />
the waters of the National Marine Park.<br />
Discover beautiful reefs and unique sub-sea<br />
ecosystems.<br />
Eco Jungle Safari<br />
Trek on the back of a majestic elephant,<br />
take in a monkey show, travel through<br />
the lush undergrowth in a jeep or simply<br />
take a stroll through the dense vegetation<br />
beneath the trees. Experience the best of<br />
the interior of this tropical island.<br />
Charter a Catamaran<br />
Get a unique sailing experience when you<br />
charter this winning pleasure craft. This<br />
is a very fast, twin mast catamaran which<br />
has room for 3-8 crew on board. Set<br />
sail for an intense and amazing islandhopping<br />
adventure.<br />
Kayaking in Angthong National Marine Park<br />
One of the most tranquil ways to explore the<br />
Angthong National Marine Park is to get out<br />
there by paddling your own kayak across the<br />
waves. Hear the gentle lapping of the water<br />
and gaze in awe at the sea and the islands<br />
that nestle jewel-like between the waves.<br />
Others things to do:<br />
Scuba Diving at Coral Cove<br />
Samui City Tour<br />
Jungle Treks<br />
Play Golf<br />
Big Game Fishing<br />
<strong>CBS</strong> TRAVEL ASIA - THAILAND DESTINATION GUIDE<br />
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