Koh Samui is Thailand's third largest island (247 square km) it lies in the warm seas of the gulf 644 km south of Bangkok. It is famous for long beaches of white sand and crystal clear waters, fringed with palm trees. It is one of Thailand's premier resorts.

The island was first discovered in the late 1960's by shoestring travellers who found passage on coconut boats from Bangkok and came to build simple thatched huts on deserted beaches. For over 10 years Samui remained an unspoiled paradise visited only by backpackers.

Today Samui is a major tourist destination with over 500,000 annual visitors.

Despite all the changes Samui's beaches remain spectacular, and the interior is still jungle and coconut.

The main resorts on Samui are Chaweng and Lamai which offer everything from cheap bungalows to five star hotels.

As well as many dive sites Samui offers an exiting range of activities, including Thai Boxing, Paragliding, Watersking and Sea Kayaking.

If all this doesn't make you work up a sweat then you can take time to enjoy the truly spectalular nightlife.