SAMUI ISSUE 17 JUL - SEPT
TRENDY POCKET MAG
PHANGAN Let the STONE CHOOSE YOU At Nature Art Gallery
UNIQUE DINING
EXPERIENCE
AT “OCHOS” AKARYN
Pool Party!
Every SATURDAY KC Beach Club and Pool Villas
SAMUI TRENDY POCKET MAG
PHANGAN ISSUE 17 JUL - SEPT
UNIQUE DINING
EXPERIENCE
AT “OCHOS” AKARYN
Pool Party!
Every SATURDAY KC Beach Club and Pool Villas
I U M A S ISSU
P
JUL E 17
- SEP
T
N A G HAN
Let the STONE CHOOSE YOU At Nature Art Gallery
UNIQUE DINING
EXPERIENCE
AT “OCHOS” AKARYN
Pool Party!
Every SATURDAY KC Beach Club and Pool Villas
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SAMUI PHANGAN TRENDY POCKET MAG | Oct - Dec 2013
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WWW.SAMUIPOCKETMAP.COM
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ERANDA HERBAL SPA ON KOH SAMUI
Our spa is set in more than 7,000 sqm2 of beautifully landscaped tropical gardens with cascading waterfalls and a stream winding its way down from its high perch over Northern Chaweng. Eranda Herbal Spa has the relaxing and soothing ambience you would expect from a high quality spa facility with the taste of luxury and exclusivity for an ultimate pampering experience.
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SAMUI PHANGAN TRENDY POCKET MAG | Oct - Dec 2013
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WELCOME TO
KOH SAMUI
Koh Samui was discovered by backpackers in the early 1970 and has been transformed into what is today, a new Caribbean of Asia. Gifted with rich variety of unspoiled beaches and inundated with unending rows of palms, it is acclaimed as an island paradise, capes and coves add beauty to the breathtaking sites where visitors can enjoy the generally quiet atmosphere. With the development of infrastructure, an increasing number of travelers were attracted to the island. Samui’s concrete ring road was finished in 1973 by the order of the government. Passing beautiful beaches around the island and connecting sub-district areas, the road facilitated tourism.
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SAMUI PHANGAN TRENDY POCKET MAG | Oct - Dec 2013
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EXPLORING WAT BIG BUDDHA The Big Buddha temple is easily one of the most recognizable landmarks on Samui with its 12 meter high Buddha that has been sitting, majestically, on a tall platform overlooking Koh Samui since 1972. This, one of the islands most visited temples, is on a small island, reached by a causeway, on the north east shore of the island. The Buddha can be seen from several kilometers away as well as by plane on arrival to the island. The Buddha alone makes the temple worth a visit, but as well as a great photo opportunity and superb views of the north of the island at the top of the platform the Buddha sits on, there are many other great reasons to spend a few hours at the temple. The grounds of the temple are home to a bustling market that offers a myriad of shopping opportunities. On the large end of the scale you can buy giant wooden elephants and nuts and bolts aliens in the market from several stores that have shipping facilities. Other stalls have a range of beautiful Buddha’s and Buddha masks that make excellent souvenirs as well as home decorations. There is an art gallery with hand painted unique and reproduction art works, local handy craft shops, handmade shoe and handbag shops, and a couple of dozen shops selling cool cotton summer clothes and a wide variety of T-shirts as well as childrens’ attire. The OTOP - One Tambon One Product shop has an excellent range of herbs, spa products, honey, natural latex, ginseng,
teas and fruit pastes. If you are not in the mood for shopping then head to the Dr Fish shop and spend half an hour having the dead skin removed from your feet by tiny, hungry, fish, or, perhaps, go and put 5baht into a fortune telling slot machine. There is one machine for every day of the week. It is a good idea to pick the one that represents the day you were born. The machine will work its magic and give you a number that corresponds one of the fortunes you can read underneath the machine. If you would prefer a more personal reading then head on over to the English speaking fortune teller who has a shop next to the large car parking area. If looking into the future is not your idea of fun then you can ask one of the monks to give you a blessing or buy a brick that will be used to build extensions to the temple and mark it with your name. The Big Buddha temple is a great place to get something to eat too. Thai and Italian restaurants overlook the bay and if ice cream is your thing you are not going to be disappointed. There is an ice cream shop at the entrance to the temple market that sells the most incredible Swizz ice cream. The sign says that it’s probably the best ice cream on Samui which could very well be true. It is probably the most expensive come to that but worth every penny! Remember to dress respectfully when visiting the temple, remove your shoes before climbing the staircase to the Big Buddha and watch out, the steps can be quite slippery.
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SAMUI PHANGAN TRENDY POCKET MAG | Oct - Dec 2013
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BEACHES *Coded Samui Map Location CHAWENG BEACH
F3
LAMAI BEACH
F5
BOPHUT BEACH
E2
MAENAM BEACH
D2
CHOENGMON BEACH
G1
Chaweng is the longest and most famous one with very smooth sand and clear water. With plenty of restaurants, discotheques, bars and shops it is the main tourist center and nightlife area. Most hotels and resorts are located here.
Lamai is the second largest tourist center. The beach is a little bit more rough and the water is deeper. It’s an excellent location for swimming and has a well-known nightlife. Lamai can be discovered by walking as the area is not as large as Chaweng. Hinta Hinyai is at the southern end of Lamai and famous for its strangely shaped rock formations.
Bophut consists of the Fisherman’s Village and the beaches west of it. The beach at the village is small and not so suitable for swimming as there are many tour and diving boats going from here to other islands. At the village you will find many restaurants and shops as well as cafes and bars.
Maenam is located in the north of Samui with smooth sand and good swimming preferences. Maenam beach is perfect for families with small children as the water is shallow and there is no noise from nightlife or traffic.
Choengmon are located in the North-East of Samui. These are the more quiet areas offering many private villas and houses as well as all levels of hotels and resorts. These places are perfect for relaxing but within 10 minutes you can reach the bustling area of Chaweng for entertainment and shopping.
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SAMUI PHANGAN TRENDY POCKET MAG | Oct - Dec 2013
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*Coded Samui Map Location
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F2
Wat Phra Yai And Big Buddha This temple is the home of Koh Samui’s most famous landmark the Big Buddha. Most Visitors come to marvel at the sheer size and beauty of this remarkable statue at some point during their holiday. Visible from several kilometers away and even from the air when arriving on or leaving the island, the 12 meter tall golden image stands proud. At the base of the structure, several shops and restaurants cater to the needs of devotees and tourists alike. Wat Phra Yai is in the Northeast of Samui on route 4171 near the airport. D6
Kunaram Temple - Mummified Monk The body of Samui’s most famous mummified monk, Loung Pordaeng, is on display here in a specially constructed building. When he died more than 20 years ago, he was sitting in a meditation position. He is still in that same position and his body shows few signs of any major decay. Wat Khunaram is on the 4169 ring-road between the Na Muang waterfalls and Hua Thanon. C7
The Leam Sor Chedi In the grounds of Wat Laem Sor, this ornately designed Chedi (Pagoda) sits at the rocky water’s edge. Covered in countless small yellow tiles, it appears golden when viewed from a short distance. It’s at the far South of the island off the 4170 road between Ban Tale and Ban Pang Ka. Follow the track with a sign that reads “Waikiki Bungalows”, and It’s at the end of that. F5
Wat Lamai Wat Lamai Temple is not only the main temple of Lamai but is also home to a small cultural museum featuring artifacts from Samui’s past. and a cultural hall where the locals meet for weddings, funerals and other social activities.
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Buddha’s Footprint There are actually four foot-prints here, superimposed one on another. Each one is artistically en-graved. They are housed in a modest shrine 150 steps up a steep hill, which also offers a great view across the plains to the mountains opposite, and to the sea over the tree tops. Buddha’s Footprint is not signposted but can be found by going up a concrete slope on the left, two kilometers West of the turnoff for the Butterfly Garden on the 4170 road. E6
Wat Sila Ngu Said to contain a relic of the Lord Buddha, the golden chedi facing the temple’s entrance is a popular place of worship. Many local travelling shows and even visiting TV stars sometimes use the temple grounds here for their performances. Wat Sila Ngu is on the 4169 ring-road, one kilometer South of Hin-Ta Hin-Yai on the beach side of the road. B5
Wat Kiri Wongkaram The mummified body of the Buddhist monk Loung Por Ruam can be viewed here in a glass case. He was placed in it upon his death 25 years ago and his body is still in remarkably good condition. The temple can be located by following the 4170 road South from Ban Saket and then turning right between tow giant elephant statues. It is a further kilometer along this road on the right hand side. G1
Wat Plai Laem Wat Plai Laem is located in the north of Samui on road 4171 from Big Buddha to Choeng Mon Beach. The temple is famous for the hundreds of big fish enjoying their live in the lake of the temple and waiting to be fed (Food for the fish is available at the temple for a small donation of 10 Baht per pack). Wat Plai Laem is one of the most colorful temple on Samui and features an 18 arms strong Buddha statue set in the middle of the lake.
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SAMUI PHANGAN TRENDY POCKET MAG | Oct - Dec 2013
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ANG THONG NATIONAL MARINE PARK
Ang Thong National Marine Park is made up of 42 islands featuring lime stone massifs, tropical rainforests and deserted beaches. This fascinating group of islands, within sight of Koh Samui to the north and west, is geographically different from the other islands in the region. The Ang Thong islands rise from the sea as dramatic walls of rock soaring hundreds of metres high. Besides the many small coves and beautiful beaches, erosion has shaped some interesting formations. Particular features are Koh Mae (a beautiful beach) and Thale Nai (an emerald saltwater lake) both found on Koh Mae.
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KOH PHANGAN HISTORY AND FACTS
Koh Pangan has always been a beautiful and spiritual place for the Thai people. It has been visited by no less than four Kings of Thailand; with the Great Rama V coming over 10 times, leaving his royal seal engraved on a rock at Thaan Sadet Waterfall; and the current King Bhumidol following in his footsteps. The island was uninhabited until about 600 years ago when passing monks realized its tranquility and spiritual importance and settled in Wat Phu Khao Noi just outside Thongsala. It is Thailand fifth biggest island and has an area of 167km2 ,thus over 90% of Pangan is unspoilt tropical forest; and due to its granite structure, there are several small mountains where its possible to trek and even camp. There is an abundance of wildlife from monkeys to birds of paradise and then there is the amazing underwater world that sorrounds Koh Pangan, with over 10kms of vibrant coral and 20 local dive sites. And if you have any energy after that, there is the nightlife that the island became internationally famous for, with the globally renowned Full Moon Party and weekly outdoor events in jungle and beachfront venues, not forgetting the daily session that goes off in Haad Rin
ECO-TOURISM
Koh Pangan has been officially designated as zone for eco-tourism, so if you are planning to visit make sure that you join in. There are plenty of activities such as doing a local trek upthe hughest mountain or beach shopping along the east coast-check out the trekking section at page 110. For those that need a bit more speed pick up a mountain bike for around 100 Baht per day.
MONEY
If you have plastic or travelers cheques, there are plenty of places to get cash ;the main towns of Thongsala and Haad Rin have the best selection of exchange booths and banks, who all offer similar rates. Most towns have ATMs and there are few 7-11s , supermarkets and resorts with them.
WHERE IS KOH PANGAN?
Koh Pangan is located in Jangwat(province) Suratthani in the Southern Gulf of Thailand and is part of the group of island that make up the Samui Archipelago; a group of over 40 islands fashioned in granite from age old igneous formations. The province capital is also called Suratthani and acts as the main overland transport hub for the islands. Koh Pangan is 70kms from the mainland and approximately 12kms away from Koh Samui which acts as the main air link to Koh Pangan.