Zen Properties 18 years hands on experience of the local real estate market on Koh Samui Thailand

INTRODUCING YOU TO THIS PARADISE... Koh Samui

Renown in the past as a carefree, exotic destination accessible only by boat to the more intrepid traveler, Koh Samui evoked a sense of escapism back in time. Because of its isolation, only those who dared to venture discovered the laid back feeling of this idyllic setting.

Koh Samui is aptly referred to as a bohemian paradise of white sandy beaches and swaying palm trees. If you're looking for heaven on earth, your expectations will be met on this tropical gem.

The 247sqkm (95sqmi) island, 496km (310mi) south of Bangkok, is Surat Thani's major tourist attraction. Koh Samui, with numerous lovely beaches and bays, measures some 21km (13mi) at its widest point and 25km (16mi) at its longest. A 51km (32mi) ring road largely encircles the island

Those who have known and love Koh Samui since those early days may not agree about the current pace of development in some areas, but for the most part they do agree on one thing. The island retains its sleepy magic. Koh Samui is still a paradise. Tourist arrivals have been increasing steadily in recent years. An impressive island-wide effort was undertaken in late 1999 and continues today to improve the island's infrastructure to accommodate these developments. Those who visited prior to 1999 will be astonished at the number of newly paved and widened roads, drainage systems, and perhaps most welcome; the addition of sidewalks in the bustling villages of Chaweng and Lamai - home to many of Koh Samui's hotels, nightlife and shopping areas.

However, much of Koh Samui especially the south coast remains largely undeveloped. A day spent on scooters or in a jeep exploring this lush underbelly is a day of sheer serendipity. With its spectacular and astonishingly diverse flora, and its dozy little neighborhoods peopled by some of the world's most amiable islanders, this kind of exploration is sure to provide the delights you imagined when you planned your holiday.

THE CLIMATE ON KOH SAMUI:

Koh Samui has three seasons. April to June is the hot and dry season with peak daytime temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius and little rain, except for short, but heavy cloudbursts. This weather is just perfect to spend the day on one of Koh Samui's beautiful beaches or staying near the hotel swimming pool. Hiking or mountain biking into the interior will be extremely strenuous, and can be dangerous for persons with weak health or someone not carrying enough water.

Typical weather from June to September brings more tropical rain showers, a short and welcome breather from the heat of the day. Daytime temperatures are still in the high thirties. The beaches are wide and bright, the sea is generally calm and smooth. Note that Koh Samui is located off the east coast of Thailand, and therefore shielded from the south-eastern monsoon hammering Thailand's Andaman coast during this period.

Koh Samui's monsoon season starts in October with torrential rain falls, flooding, mud slides, strong wind and waves from the east. This nasty weather is caused by the south western monsoon coming up from the Philippines and Indonesia. Also November can be rather wet. Temperatures drop to twenty degrees at night - which is fairly cool for the locals. The heavy rain and flooding usually comes to an end in early December. The wind still blows from the east, driving high surf into the beaches of Chaweng and Lamai. Fortunately the hotel and resort areas in the bays of Maenam, Lipa Noi and Taling Ngam are somewhat sheltered from the strong waves the beaches here offer superior conditions for swimming and beach safety until windy conditions settle down by the end of January.

Zen Properties 18 years hands on experience of the local real estate market on Koh Samui Thailand