Hotel in Samui Island
No.	Hotel Name	Location	Rates
Best Deal Samui's Hotel
1.	Samui Plam Beach Resort	Bophut Beach	2,100-2,500 THB
2.	Chaweng Cabana Resort	Chaweng Beach	1,600-2,600 THB
3.	Chaba Samui Resort	Chaweng Beach	2,900-3,900 THB
4.	Chaweng Cove Resotel	Chaweng Beach	1,750-2,050 THB

Location The island, Thailand's third largest, measuring 21 kilometres at its widest point and 25 kilometres in maximum length, is one of a group of more than 80 tropical islands, only a few of which are inhabited. A mountain ridge runs east to west and most of the hinterland comprises forested hills. The rich hues of wild vegetation are dappled throughout with the contrasting greens of coconut palms and emerald paddy fields. GETTING THERE Ko Samui (the full name, with ko meaning "island" in Thai) is located some 80 kilo metres off the coast of Surat Thani, about 560 kilometres from Bangkok. It can be reached by air from Bangkok, or by ferry boat from Surat Thani town. Climate During the high season, from December to February, temperatures on Koh Samui can reach up to 30?C (86?F). Brief tropical rainshowers occur mostly in December. This is the best season for European people as the weather is comparatively cooler than the rest of the year. From March to June it becomes very hot -- up to 40?C (114F), with little or no rain. You will appreciate your air-conditioned accommodation during this time! The months of July to September are hot with occasional rain. These are also popular months for visitors. October and November see more rain than other months, though it generally doesn't rain every day. In contrast to other regions of Thailand, Samui does not really have a well-defined rainy season but sometimes there are sunless periods for two or three days, especially during the monsoon month of November. The weather is quite difficult to predict during this time, but being Samui, you're virtually assured of getting some great sunshine! History Apparently Samui Island had trade connections with China (at least Chinese ceramics from that period were found in sunken ships near the coast of Samui). Probably one of the most dramatic episodes in the history of the island was the short Japanese occupation during World War II. Today Koh Samui belongs to Thailand. But due to the long isolation from the rest of the world (little was known about Koh Samui until the early 1970s). The Islanders (about 35.000 inhabitants) are proud of their island culture and still think of themselves as different from the rest of the country.