The third biggest island in Thailand, Ko Samui is famous as the archetypal tropical island paradise. It was, along with Phuket, one of the first of Thai-land's islands to be discovered by tourists a mere 20 years ago.

Despite the addition of an airport, the isle remains relatively undeveloped for its status as a premier internatlonal tourist destination -the island's regulations prevent structures rising higher than the palms. As well as a destination itself, Ko Samui is an embarkation point for Ko Pha-ngan and visits to Ang Thong National Marine Park.

Ko Samui's main beaches are Chaweng - a long and stunning golden crescent framed by rocks and green hills - and its neighbour Lamai. There are scores of attractive resorts on these and all over the island. There are many good diving sites off Samui the most famous being Hin Bai, or Sail Rock. Jutting out of the water l8 kilometres off shore, it is covered below the surface in beautiful coral and frequented by large marine animals such as sharks and rays.

Because of its size and reputation, Samui boasts allthe facilities and activities you could wish for; scuba diving is available on the main beaches, as is windsurfing, wakeboarding sailing and jetskiing.