Basic facts
The 247 square kilometers makes Ko Samui the third largest island in Thailand. The distance to Bangkok is about 800 kilometers, and the main land is situated 30 kilometers West of the island. The number of native registered Thai people living on Samui is about 50.000, and the number of tourist, who yearly visits the island, is about one million. In Samui's early tourist days, the island was a destination for backpackers. However, more lately most kind of "tourist categories" seems to find their way to the tropic island. A nice mix between nightlife/restaurant areas and peaceful beaches makes the island attractive for most people. A number of beautiful beaches are surrounding the islands green mountains and a 54 kilometer long ring road connects all the larger tourist resorts with the islands airport, and it's capital, Nathon.

Traveling around the island
In 1973 and finally in 1980, Koh Samui's main road was finished and it's in daily speech called "the Ring Road". This ring road runs along the islands coast and to drive one "lap" you will need approximately one hour and a car or motorcycle. Along the main road you will find plenty of smaller roads and dirt roads which some of them leads you all the way up to the mountain's peak. The most common vehicle on Samui's road are small motorbikes, jeeps and passenger cars. Renting a Jeep costs about 1,200 to 2,000 baht for a day and a motorbike costs about 150-300 baht per day. Don't forget that the condition of the roads sometimes are pretty bad, so please drive a little slowly and stay focused. A normally safer way to travel is with taxi or the open truck taxi; Songthaew (means "two benches" in Thai).

Dining
The nearness to the Gulf of Thailand is often reflected on most restaurant menus. Fresh fish and seafood is probably the island's most typical food. Together with the oceans delicious food the large number of palm trees provides the kitchen with fresh coconut milk. The Thai people normally love red hot chili peppers (we are not talking music now) which often makes the dishes fairly spicy. Tourists who are sensitive for these burning small red ones, may ask to get there food served "mai pet", witch means "not spicy". The price on Samui's restaurants ranges from rather exclusive in international five star restaurants to extremely cheap in local stalls. One normal dish may cost as little as 30-40 baht, but the five stars restaurants will of course serve you much heavier bills. To cool down on a hot day, fresh fruit shakes and ice cold domestic beer is popular alternative. The price for a shake is about 30-50 baht when a 33 cl beer cost about 40 to 120 baht (the imported beer is more expensive).

Golf and mini golf
Courts for both golf and miniature golf are found on this island. The large and beautiful Santiburi Golf Course is situated not so far from the Maenam and Bang Por beaches, on the North East of Samui. A new golf course is also being built in North Lamai, close to Ao Thong Takian and the IT Complex. Miniature courts is found in Chaweng and Bo Phut.

Gym
There are several gyms for weightlifting and fitness found on Samui. The largest and best equipped gyms is the Neptune Club, on Central Chaweng Beach Road and the World Gym located between Chaweng and Tesco Lotus on the Ring Road.

Shooting Range
The islands only shooting club can be found in the North part of the Chaweng area. The club offer test shooting off small caliber guns and assault rifles. 

Bowling
The island's two bowling courts is both to be found in Chaweng. Living Bowling is situated on the Beach Road (above McDonald's) and the second court is located in the same building as the Tesco Lotus shopping center. 

Scuba diving and snorkeling
A large number of diving schools arrange courses and diving trips around Ko Samui, Ko Tao and Ko Nang Yuan. Make sure that you find a certified instructor and school. E.g. that they have a valid PADI certification.

Thai Boxing / Muay Thai
Several Muay Thai camps on Samui arrange courses for both beginners and advanced. Two of the largest and most popular gym are the WMC (World Muaythai Council), located in South Lamai and Thai Pinyo Boxing School, located in North Lamai.

Go Kart
The Samui Go-Kart court is situated close to Bo Phut on the North part of the island.

Shopping
The island's tourist related shopping areas are concentrated to Chaweng, Nathon and Lamai. Suits, clothes, watches, cd discs, eye wear and hand made paintings are some of the most common products and goods that you will find in the smaller boutiques and on the street stalls. In the shopping centre Tesco Lotus you will find a lot of food, drinks and groceries, electronic products, household equipment. In it's neighbor; HomePro you will find; electronic products, and goods related to interior design, ventilation & sanitation and home furnishings. Both shopping centers are located in the same huge building, between Chaweng and Bo Phut and here you will also find camera shops, mobile telephone shops, clothes, a food centre and several restaurants.