KO SAMUI: HAT MAENAM, HAT BOPHUT AND HAT BANG RAK

Hat Maenam, Hat Bophut and Hat Bang Rak. These are all located along the north coast, and are ideal places for those who want to get away from it all. Bang Rak is often called “Big Buddha Beach” because of the huge Buddha image at the eastern end of the beach (particularly impressive at sunset.)

KO SAMUI: HAT LAMAI

Also on the east coast, just south of Hat Chaweng, the playful waters of Hat Lamai always attracts surfers, as they run a little deeper than any other beaches in Ko Samui. Behind the beach are several spas where visitors can treat themselves to an herbal sauna, a relaxing Thai massage, or even a mud facial.

KO SAMUI: HAT CHAWENG

Situated on Samui’s east coast, this is the island’s longest and most beautiful beach, a 6-km. strip of powder-soft sand fronted by crystal-clear water. At Hat Chaweng, there is plenty of accommodation, ranging from five-star resorts to simple bamboo bungalows. In the day time, Hat Chaweng is the centre for water sports such as windsurfing and jet-skiing and also a great social scene at night, when the dance clubs pulsate to the latest rhythms.

KO SAMUI

Ko Samui is Thailand’s third largest island at 247 sq. km., and during the last decade it has become one of Southeast Asia’s premier tourist destinations.Samui sits snugly in the Gulf of Thailand, surrounded by other
island gems like Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao, and is located 84 km. east of Surat Thani, the provincial capital on the mainland. With soft sandy beaches shaded by towering palms, delicious fresh seafood and a vibrant nightlife, Samui has a magical formula that seems to cast its spell on everyone. Many visitors are content to laze their days away on the beach, soaking up the sun and cooling off in the turquoise waters, but for action enthusiasts there are plenty of choices like diving and snorkelling, windsurfing and paragliding, beach volleyball, off-road driving, and other similar activities. One of the island’s most appealing features is the loop road, which makes a 50 km. circuit around the island, giving a glimpse of superb beaches on the north, east and west coasts. It runs past sleepy fishing villages and through seas of coconut palms, passing Samui’s most impressive waterfall and tempting turn-offs into the highlands along the way. Other attractions on or near the road include a butterfly garden, a snake show, a monkey training centre, and health spas dedicated to pampering the body.

There is plenty on Samui to keep even the most jaded traveller happy for a week or two, but for anyone spending even a few days here, an opportunity not to be missed is a trip to the emerald islands of the Mu Ko Angthong National Marine Park, which offers another perspective of a tropical paradise.

FLOATING MARTKET

Visit the floating market, a traditional mode of buying and selling that used to be commonly found in any riverside town or city canal. In floating markets, vendors paddle sampans down waterways to sell their products, such as a large variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, local food and desserts. Recommended floating markets are Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Ratchaburi province, Bang Ku Wiang Floating Market in Nonthaburi province, Taling Chan Floating Market in Bangkok, and Tha Kha Floating Market in Samut Songkhram province.

TARAT NUM THA KHA

The Tha Kha Floating Market is where local people meet to exchange theirgoods in the traditional way, at the only remaining site on the Mae Klong River. They agree to meet six days a month, on the 2nd, 7th and 12th days of the warning and the waxing moon. The market comes alive from about 7 am. to early afternoon. By late morning, the river is filled to the brim with boats of all sorts. Some travel from the neighbourhood in the Mae Klong Basin, Ratchaburi and Don Manora. The scene is hectic and fascinating when renowned fruits of Amphawa such as pomelo and lychee are in season.

KLONG MAHA SAWAT: OBSERVING TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURAL LIFESTYLE ON THE WATERFRONT

Klong Maha Sawat was dug at the command of King Mongkut, Rama IV, during 1857-1860, to link: the Naknon Chai Si River with the Chao Phraya River, opening up a route for his pilgrimage to the Great Pagoda, Phra Pathom Chedi, and for planters of sugar cane to transport their produce to sugar factories.

Klong Maha Sawat has largely retained its serene beauty. He lush green plantations and orchards are mirrored in the clear water of the canal. Early in the morning, food can be offered to Buddhist monks in their boats. There may be time to enjoy a stroll on the bank, with a stop for a meal or some snacks at the market by the canal in front of Wat Suwannaram, before taking a boat ride through various agrotourist sites, such as Thassanee Orchid, various fruit orchards, known for delicious pomelo, which can be picked from the trees, or padding in vast rice fields to pick lotus flowers. Visitors can participate in the making of health food such as whole-grain rice crackers, iodized preserved eggs, sun-dried fruits and various snacks and sweetmeats, which serve perfectly as souvenirs for people back home.

TARAT NUM WAT LAM PHAYA

Located at the boat landing of Wat Lam Phaya, Lam Phaya Sub-district, Bang Len District, It comprises food rafts offering rice dishes, noodles, and other dishes as well as desserts, forming over 200 metre line along the canal, supper oriented by boats peddling coffee, food, fruits and vegetables along the rafts. On the bank, there are stalls selling commodities and food, with a traditional Thai massage service, and a display of old farm tools. Boats are available for pleasure ride, as tiny roofed-boats, and rice barges, taking visitors along the canal passing, passing lush rice-fields, lotus fields, fruit orchards, Thai-style houses, old rice mills, marketplaces, and temples where food crumbs can be given to fish such as Wat Bang Phra and Wat Bang Phasi. In winter, open-billed storks can be spotted foraying for food on the waterfront.

TARAT NUM AMPHAWA

This was formerly the most famous floating market in the Mae Klong River some 60 years ago. The simple charms of the area remain intact in the old shop houses on the waterfront, wooden structures with folding doors standing in a long row of almost 500 units, with walkways linking all of them, and bridges across the canal. One can observe the making of wooden umbrellas, sample and buy Chinese sweets and tidbits, including Chinese cakes and buns, and the freshly roasted and ground coffee beans.