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Isabel
& Ronald - Thailand Trip 2007 - ŽKoh SamuiŽ (02)
| ...On the
North coast of the island, Maenam offers spectacular views of
Koh Phangan to the North, and the Ang Thong National Marine Park
to the East. The waters are calm and clean, being protected from
the North Easterly currents by Koh Phangan. Much less crowded
than Lamai and Chaweng, Maenam's restaurants and bars still
retain much of the local Thai flavor as well as more reasonably
priced, even inexpensive, food. Overall Maenam is quieter, more
relaxed, with local flavor of Thai culture still intact.
Bophut is the next
beach along from Maenam. Its lifestyle is relaxed and more
traditional than the larger beaches, referring to itself as Fisherman's
Village. It is very popular with French tourists, and has a
number of pricey, but good French-owned restaurants.
Bangrak is often known
by the name Big Buddha Beach, after the 19-metre statue
of that spiritual leader which overlooks the area (Big Buddha).
Bangrak is very close to the airport, and is one of the calmest
beaches, though often dirty. Open Gates, the island's
international school, is also located in Ban Rak.
Choeng Mon is one of
the smallest of Samui's tourist beaches, but lies in a secluded
bay on the northeastern tip of the island, making it perfect for
those who want peace and quiet, and warm sea all day. It does
not have a town, but there are a number of small restaurants and
a couple of shops, in addition to the luxurious (and expensive)
hotels that surround the bay, and it is only five minutes from
the bright lights of Chaweng. |
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 Ao Tong Takian is also a
small beach North of Lamai beach. It has been popular among tourists
as it has white inviting sand and is also known as Silver Beach. Here
you will find five resorts: La Mer Samui Resort, Samui Yacht Club,
Tong Ta Kian Villa, Silver beach and Crystal Bay. Be a little careful
if you are walking in the water, as Tong Takian has a lot of corals.
Nathon on the Western coast
is the island's largest port and thus lacks much of the beauty found
in the rest of the island. The city of Nathon does offer many local
Thai shops, with some of the best prices to be found on Samui as well
as a few good restaurants and an open-air evening-time food market
with very inexpensive but tasty local food.
Tong Krut on the South West
corner of the island is currently one of the quieter areas of Koh
Samui and is being proposed as the site for the islands future
mega-yacht harbor...
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