It was not many years ago that this idyllic tropical island did little more than grow millions of coconuts and welcome the occasional backpacker to its palm fringed shores. Today all that has changed and Samui with its wonderful sweeping white sand beaches is a very sought after location for the world’s non-budget minded tourist.
You get the feeling that tourism on Samui is less aggressive and more orderly than some of the other popular destinations. It’s not just the absence of the big buildings but there is less hassle and jostling on the streets. Taxis are easy to spot. Their all painted yellow and red like a Spanish flag and they are metered. I have never seen a pirate taxi or people jumping out of stores fronts trying to get us to ride in the rickety family sedan.
Ko Samui is the third largest island in Thailand, only Phuket and Ko Chang are bigger. It is located 700 kilometers south of Bangkok and the permanent population is estimated at 40,000.  But that too is changing. Samui is buzzing with expectations as more resorts come to its shores and the farangs are building homes at an alarming rate. It’s relatively orderly progress, with a few exceptions, the quality of the homes is high and there are no high rises damaging the landscape. 
What is bringing the farangs – the Thai’s word for westerners - here to build and settle or simply invest in a holiday home­? The island has now got those things that matter. There is now a Bangkok Samui Hospital, similar to those in other major centers, good educational facilities and a wide range of international shopping. The airport has been updated and there are now more flights than ever. Despite being relatively small the island has several areas with different appeal. Chaweng Beach on the northeast of the island is the main tourist center with a seven-kilometer long white sandy beach, the longest on Samui. Accommodation ranges from your basic bungalows to luxury laden resorts. The area, with a full array of discos, bars and shops, gets busy in the high season which here runs from January to April. There is also a peak season over the Christmas holidays.
Unlike many other holiday areas in Thailand, the resorts are all located on the beach. When you drive along Chaweng there is no chance of seeing beach or sea because of the buildings along its narrow, crowded streets.  
Second in size and popularity is Lamai, 10 kilometers south of Chaweng, a little quieter but still providing a good locale for swimming and nightlife. The best of the beach is at the southern end.  
If you want something a little less popular and less expensive Choengmon Beach on the northeast corner maybe your piece of paradise or west of there are Maenam Beach, Bo Phut Beach and Bang Po Beach.  On the west coast, the least popular for tourism are Hua Thanon and south of that Ban Thong Tanote.