Koh Samui, an ideal spa and massage treatment destination

The art of traditional Thai massage is mostly practiced by females, but it often is also a pivotal profession for the blind. “The skilled ladies can massage any persons regardless of gender or age, but men masseurs who aren’t blind might unwanted be seduced by the visual perception,” explains a reputed massage instructor in Chiang Mai. “Visually handicapped masseurs usually have a better concentration and their intentions are purer.”

Anyone who tells of their massages experiences to those who know nothing about this ancient art will probably get nudge-nudge quips about ‘special’ treatments. It is significant to distinguish between dressed massage and naked. Unfortunately, Thailand is more known for the latter, particularly in some districts of Pattaya, Bangkok and Phuket. But this truly is a misrepresentation.

Enjoying a soothing massage on Koh Samui is recommended!
Both kinds are social events more than individual occasions with customers chatting to each other during the partitioning or even with the masseuse who is pleased with some distraction to lessen her daily routine. Visits to the shiny palaces providing more carnal pleasures as part of the massage routine are also normally done in groups, often to end an evening of eating and drinking.

But back to the true tradition of Thai massage, the treatments are performed by professional masseuses and masseurs in all touristy destinations, such as Koh Samui, Bangkok, Pattaya, Krabi, Chiang Ma, the Golden Triangle and Phuket. These skilled persons offer inexpensive fees and a 120 minute-treatment will cover all of the human body’s 104 principal energy points using a kneading, stretching, yoga type positions and other techniques.

Then there is the revitalising foot massage (reflexology) and the extremely relaxing oil massage. Each visitor to Thailand should at least once try a healthy massage! Guide to massage on Samui

Surat Thani province, an overview

Suratthani is the biggest province in the southern part of Thailand, located about 425 miles from Bangkok. The province’s name literally means “City of the Good People”. Surat Thani borders Nakhon Si Thammarat province to the east, Ranong and PhangNga provinces to the west, the Gulf of Thailand to the east and north and Chumphon province to the north.

Forested mountainous areas and high plateaus are situated to the west of Surrathani, while along the eastern shore and centre there are low basins. The many exotic islands along the shoreline make Surat Thani an ideal hideaway for holidaymakers from around the globe.

The luxurious villa accommodations on Koh Samui are internationally reputed and regularly feature in magazines and television travel programs. Samui is Thailand’s third biggest island and the neighbouring isle of Koh Phan Ngan is mostly known for hosting the extremely popular Full Moon parties. Koh Tao is located north of Koh Pha Ngan and is a top diving destination.

Surat Thani province also boasts the vast Ang Thong Marine National Park, where a jaw-dropping archipelago awaits visiting tourists with charming palm-fringed beach areas, blue crystal-clear waters and stunning coral reefs. These spots of unbeatable natural beauty are just a short trip away from many of Samui’s first-class properties and therefore make perfect daytrips and excursions. The most convenient time to explore one of these paradisiacal isles to the fullest is between April and November.

The stunning Ang Thong Marine National Park

Surat Thani city is blessed with a rich and fascinating history. Archaeologists believe that the city was once a prehistoric tribe community where peoples such as original Malays and the Saemang lived. Today, Suratthani is a pivotal shipping and commercial hub for coconut and rubber trading. The city and many other locations across the province also serve as great holiday destinations.

Guide to Southern Thailand

Koh Samui essential travel tips

Samui Island once enjoyed the reputation as an affordable holiday destination and a laid-back backpacker’s haven. You can access Thailand’s second largest island via a domestic Thai Airways flight service with a travel time less than one hour.

There are several daily flights between Bangkok and the tropic island. By road you can travel to Suratthani and from there take the ferry to Koh Samui. Lamai and Chaweng are the island’s main touristy and well-facilitated beach areas.

Chaweng is the most popular and biggest beach while Lamai, which is located a little farther to the south, is quieter with less accommodation options but still a popular holidaymakers spot.

Across the island there are plenty other gorgeous spots to visit such as Bophut and Big Buddha beach. Koh Samui’s tourist infrastructure is comprehensive which makes the island so appealing.

Situated within a short distance of Koh Samui is the popular backpacker destination of Koh Phangnan while not far from Pha Ngan lies Koh Tao (turtle island). Koh Pha Ngan is a smaller isle just a short boat trip away north of Koh Samui.

This island is probably most famous for hosting the Full Moon Parties. The tiny Turtle Island or Koh Tao offers one of Thailand’s best dive sites.

Koh Samui pros:
- Fantastic beach areas
- Chilled out ambience
- Still affordable
- Fine dining & wining
- Good hotels and resorts
- Wide range of activities
- Beautiful nature

Koh Samui Cons:
- Getting to the island from Bangkok is rather costly
- Too many stingy backpackers arguing over who has to pay the bill

A perfect eco-resort in Phang Nga

Wonderfully positioned in Khura Buri district amidst beautiful mangroves with jaw-dropping sea views, Baan Krachang is an enchanting eco-resort. Each fully facilitated guestroom at the Baan Krachang resort comes with its own cushioned chill-out spot and hammock.

Koh Pha Ngan scenery

Sail of for some snorkelling and angling or simply laze away the day. Guests at Baan Krachang also have the option learning to prepare several Thai dishes or making handicrafts. The price is only 400 baht per day. This unique resort in Phang Nga is operated by a cooperative, which has its base in Pak Triam village.

Koh Pha Ngan tourist guide

Introduction to Koh Samui

Imagine a tropical isle nestling in the Gulf of Thailand’s tranquil, sparkling blue crystal clear waters fringed by majestic coral reefs with white and soft sandy beach areas framed by an enchanting backdrop of gently waving coconut trees. Koh Samui is nicknamed “Thailand’s coconut capital” and about two million coconuts are transported each month to Bangkok. This tourist hot spot is truly paradisiacal and its size is about the same as Penang in Malaysia.

About five decades ago this splendid island was discovered by the world travellers and many guests at the inexpensive lodging establishments located around Bangkok’s main railway hub spread the word about this exceptional island destination in the Gulf of Thailand. During that time it was quite hard to get to Samui and travellers had to negotiate with sailors in Surat Thani. Samui didn’t have a road network then and by boat the intrepid travellers hopped from beach to beach. Today, everything has drastically changed.

The unique international airport on Samui resembles a botanical garden. Flight services to the new Bangkok airport depart hourly, connecting Samui to additional domestic destinations including: Pattaya and Phuket, and international airports in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.

All the main localities on Samui are connected by a 33-mile long ring road. Banks and government agencies are mainly located in the island’s capital, Nathon. In addition, Nathon represents one of the ferry ports, which offers sailings to Thai mainland. Centrally positioned on the island is a 635-metre high mountain. The most popular beaches are Chaweng and Lamai. Chaweng is the larger of the two and is particularly beloved by the younger party people, while Lamai is smaller as well as quieter and offers a neater beach. Samui local transport guide

Farther on travellers can find Big Buddha Beach, named after the enormous statue of the Lord Buddha at the bay’s eastern tip. Bophut has transformed into a glitzy fishing village and is especially popular among French visitors. Jaw-dropping views of the Ang Thong Natural Marine Park and Koh Phangan may be enjoyed at Mae Nam beach to the north. This gorgeous environment is less crowded compared with touristy Chaweng and even the quieter Lamai. Mae Nam still maintains its authentic Thai ambience.

Samui, one of Thailand’s most popular holiday destinations

Hiring a motorcycle or car is essential for those wishing to explore the entire island. Travellers can drive along one of the roads following a route away from the shore into the mountainous area. The higher areas you reach the more tucked away, quaint picturesque villages and rubber plantations you’ll come across. Driving around here will make you feel like you are far away from the crowds of tourists.

Koh Samui enjoys a splendid reputation being a world-class spa treatments destination. The island welcomes many visitors who especially come here for enjoying the revitalising spa and massage treatments at one of the several acclaimed facilities. Whatever it is you’re looking for Samui Island will be able offering all of its visitors an unforgettable tropic vacation. Koh Samui Beach guide

Holidaying on Koh Tao

The charming island of Koh Tao, just north of Samui, provides a perfect holiday destination. Fortunately this wonderful island boasts one of the area’s finest villa resorts. The superb Charm Churee Villa is located within a short distance of Jansom Bay, one of the island’s most stunning private beach areas on Koh Tao’s south western edge.

Unfortunately there are still many people not taking the time doing some decent research before they book their holiday to Thailand. Picking accommodation out of a brochure might often result in disappointment. The described facilities in certain brochures are in reality often not that great as promised and this may completely ruin your much deserved holiday. You’ll benefit from doing good research and exploring Koh Tao is truly rewarding. Koh Tao travel guide

The most convenient means of reaching Koh Tao is by flying to the large and popular island of Koh Samui. You should then take a boat from Samui sailing to Koh Tao. Getting to the Charm Churee is rather easy as a water taxi will pick up visitors transporting them to the private small beach.

Booking one of the accommodation facility’s Sunset Villas is highly recommendable. These guest units are very spacious featuring a huge bathroom and dressing room. The balcony offers a magnificent sea view along with privacy. The rooms aren’t fully facilitated with all the devices such as DVD players and HD televisions but who comes to a tropical island destination for these features anyway? The guestrooms do not have telephones so it might be handy bringing your mobile phone along.

The factors making Charm Churee Villa the most ideal hotel on this island are the laid-back atmosphere, the fine beach with its friendly bar, and the restaurant’s mouth-watering cuisine. Serving the ordered dishes might sometimes take a while but the wait is definitely worth it! Guests may also enjoy lunch at the beach bar, serving outstanding seafood. The town can be reached within a 15-minute walk and represents several reasonably priced eateries as well.

The Charm Churee’s spa facility is really excellent. Actually it is perhaps the island’s sole spa. The treatments take place in tiny Thai huts and arranging a revitalising massage is very easy.

The only downsides at the Charm Churee are the tricky paths, boulders and steps, guests have to tackle in order to reach their villa. However, this shouldn’t be a problem for physically fit and young tourists but it may be quite difficult and frustrating for disabled persons. Positioned way farther uphill are the cheaper accommodation units.

The beach is gorgeous and the waters house plenty of fish. The hotel provides snorkelling equipment but you are recommended to bring your own along. Anchored just off the coast, two bamboo rafts offer relaxation. Swimming in the ocean gives you the feeling moving around in an aquarium.

Dive Point attracts many scuba divers while also popular is making the trip aboard the hotel’s long-tail boat to Koh Nang Yuang, boasting a fantastic beach along with great snorkelling options.

Some of the Charm Churee’s extremely friendly and helpful staff members are Burmese. The Charm Churee Villa is undoubtedly the best accommodation facility holidaymakers will find on Koh Tao.

Tourist highlights across southern Thailand

Koh Samui is undoubtedly the region’s top tourist destination. However, the many magnificent attractions on mainland are unfortunately often overlooked by visitors. The mainland scenery is dominated by vegetated mountains and gorgeous sheltered sandy beach areas, while several historical sights can be found here as well. Most remarkable are ancient Phetchaburi’s crumbling temples.

The stretch of shoreline south of Phetchaburi provides a popular weekend getaway for many Bangkokians and goes all the way to the more famous seaside resort towns of Hua Hin and Cha-am. Especially Cha-Am offers very affordably priced restaurants and accommodation and most of its visitors are Thai people.

One of the country’s best bird-watching environments is located within a short distance from Khao Sam Roy Yot National Park. About 93 miles farther down the shore, Chumphon offers limited tourist facilities but does provide the most ideal departure base, from which where boats non-stop sail to the charming island of Koh Tao (Turtle Island).

Koh Tao, on the beach

Online guide to Koh Tao

Positioned southeast of Chumphon is Koh Samui, compared with the other isles it boasts the most stunning landscapes featuring long stretches of sandy white beaches lined with waving palm trees. Obviously Samui Island’s exceptional beauty wasn’t ignored by tourist project developers, but this means at least that visitors can buy some extra modern comfort if they can afford it.

During the past two decades Koh Phangan has drawn away an increasing amount of backpackers from neighbouring Koh Samui. Accommodation on Koh Pha Ngan is much more budget-friendly, while especially the famous full-moon parties attract huge crowds of young international travellers. Hat Rin on Koh Phangan is a stunning and tranquil beach.

Southern Thailand’s cultural capital is Nakhon Si Thammarat, tucked away beneath the isles visiting this city might be a rewarding travel experience as it is the location of grand historic temples, unique handicrafts and mouth-watering cuisine.

Rail services leaving from Bangkok link each of mainland localities, while buses following a route along motorways 4 and 41 depart regularly. Two jumping-off points operate daily boat services to the isles. Koh Tao can be reached via non-stop sailings leaving from Chumphon, while 403 miles from Bangkok at Surat Thani, the best selection of boat trips is offered.

South Thailand tourist guide

Koh Samui, Thailand’s finest holiday destination

If a holiday destination offering something for the entire family is what you are looking for than Samui Island would be the ideal choice for your next vacation. Geographically positioned about 30 miles off Thailand’s eastern coast, Samui is the third biggest island in the kingdom. The island’s comprehensive tourist infrastructure will also satisfy the most discerning visitor.

Samui boasts many superb seaside resorts offering the finest lodging options within short walking distance from the blue sparkling ocean. Koh Samui is undoubtedly one of Thailand’s most complete vacation spots. Koh Samui visitors info

Nature buffs should not miss the opportunity of trekking into the island’s lush tropical jungle and the splendid mountainous areas. Make sure you’ll visit some of the stunning waterfalls, particularly the two Na Muang falls, which truly feature unbeatable natural beauty.

Visitors who love wildlife can visit attractions including: the outstanding aquarium, crocodile farm, butterfly garden and a monkey theatre.

Seen enough wildlife? Enjoy Koh Samui’s booming nightlife with its many discos, bars, pubs and cabaret venues, particularly in Chaweng and Lamai. The Bauhaus and Reggae Pub are the best spots to head to if you want to dance all night long. The Secret Garden and Beach Pub offer music live performances. This section of the beach has transformed into an international meeting point for all kinds of musicians, and every Saturday evening live gigs, drawing many music lovers, take place here.

The crystal clear and blue waters surrounding Koh Samui also contribute to the island’s popularity as a perfect holiday destination. Some of the best diving and snorkelling options available on the globe are offered here with many qualified schools dotted along the shoreline.

Chaweng Beach

If you dig Thai kickboxing, on Koh Samui you can see the Muay Thai fighters in action. Two weekly times there are matches in the Chaweng Stadium giving you the option to learn about what this type of boxing sport is about.

History buffs should not miss a visit to Ban Thale, the location of the island’s oldest house. Without using nails, this more than 100 years old house was constructed entirely out of teakwood featuring fantastic woodcarvings.

One of Thailand’s tourist hot-spots, Koh Samui has plenty on offer. Each type of traveller will definitely find something that suits them!

Missing British citizen

The Immigration Police have made a public appeal for info on the whereabouts of a British tourist last seen at the Full Moon Party on Koh Pha Ngan on February 24. Volunteers working with the Immigration Police want anyone who has seen Daniel Christian Hall to contact them.

According to a report filed with police, no-one has heard from Hall for nearly two months. The 35-year old has disappeared, leaving most of his belongings except for his passport in a bungalow at Laem Son, Haad Yao, on Koh Pha Ngan. It has also been established that no funds have been withdrawn from his bank account since February. And the last withdrawal wasn’t substantial – “just enough to last a couple of days”, the report said.

Missing Danny Hall

The British embassy had also learnt that he has not been admitted in any local hospital, the report said. Hall is about 180 centimetres tall and average build. He had a shaved head, and occasionally wears glasses. A vegetarian, he came to Thailand for a holiday for a couple of months, but his family are now concerned about his welfare.

Anyone with info on Hall’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Immigration Tourist Police at: alistair-why@gmail.com

Phuket Gazette

Thailand for outdoor adventurers (part 1)

For a long time now Thailand is one of my most beloved travel destinations. The first time I’ve visited the nation was in 1996. That time I still was a young man eager to explore the different continents and a budget airline ticket to Bangkok in my pocket. It was my plan to stay in the kingdom for just a few days before travelling down to Australia’s outback.

Well, that plan changed drastically as I decided to stay in Thailand much longer and finally left the country after eight wonderful months. I returned back in the Netherlands flat broke but so much more experienced full of exciting travel stories, which my mates had to listen to over and over.

I went back a couple of times mostly to bustling Bangkok and the majestic Samui Island. I was pleased to be back in the kingdom but also feeling a little gloomy due to the many changes. However, last year in December I still decided to choose Thailand as my outdoor adventures holiday destination.

Arriving at Bangkok’s new Suvarnabhumi airport was a different experience. I pre-booked my hotel room via the internet already in September so I’ve avoided dragging my heavy backpack throughout the Thai capital’s suffocating cocktail of unbearable heat, exhaust fumes, while heading for a comfortable bed. I had to meet another group of travellers as well which was also great, alone eating fried rice trying to find a fellow free-spirited globetrotter to strike an interesting conversation with can be extremely difficult.

The group contained 10 enthusiastic persons, a blend of three Aussies, two Canadians, two Europeans, one South African, one American and a New Zealander. We all gathered for lunch and right after having washed away my first Thai Singa beer I was convinced that this was going to be a cool trip.

To me the booming city of Bangkok means excellent shopping and sampling tasty food and the most ideal spot offering both is the huge Chatuchak or JJ weekend market. I arrived at this lively market with my stomach empty and a full wallet but a few hours later it was the other way around! Chatuchak market is enormous, featuring about 35 acres of stalls well-stocked with inexpensive products and selling everything from fake sports designer gear to antiques and furniture. The served street food here is deliciously hot.

JJ market in Bangkok sells a wide range of goods.

Next destination was Chiang Mai in the northern part of Thailand, which we travelled to by taking the overnight train. I really liked this rather long trip by rail, moving while sleeping was simply efficient and the coaches are neat, practical, safe and quite comfy.

Chiang Mai provided the perfect getaway from hectic Bangkok. It’s a laid-back, colourful, friendly and historic city, all of this reflected by the helpful locals. A sightseeing trip took us to the breathtakingly-beautiful Wat Pratat Doi Suthep mountain temple. Next on our travel program was a jungle trek, not that far away from the city. Before setting off, I enjoyed a much appreciated foot massage in one of Chiang Mai’s many massage shops.

Stay tuned for part 2 !