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| Hello, and welcome to the Culture File: Thailand series at ThaiPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring essential information about Thailand, Thai Culture, and Thai People. I’m Michael, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 13: Koh Samui. |
| Koh Samui, or เกาะสมุย in Thai, is an island located in the Gulf of Thailand. It is one of the districts of Surat Thani Province, or in Thai สุราษฎร์ธานี. Koh Samui is the third largest island in Thailand after Phuket and Koh Chang and one of the most popular destinations for travelers. In recent years it has become increasingly developed as a tropical beach resort, yet it still maintains its original charm and has everything to offer, from coconut tree-fringed beaches and tropical jungles to a vibrant nightlife. |
| Koh Samui has many beautiful beaches, the most popular of which are the beaches called หาดเฉวง and หาดละไม. |
| Chaweng Beach is the most popular area, due to its white sandy beach and clear waters. It’s good for swimming and playing in the water as the water is fairly shallow. There are many hotels, resorts, restaurants, pubs, and bars at this beach. |
| Lamai Beach is a classically curving beach with palm trees adorning the shoreline. At the southern end of the beach are the famous Grandfather &Grandmother rock formations, called หินตา - หินยาย, which respectively look very much like male and female genitalia. |
| Besides these two popular beaches, Bophut Beach or in Thai หาดบ่อผุด, located on the north side of Koh Samui, is also popular. An old fisherman’s village, the atmosphere is quiet and relaxing, and it is famous for its good, fresh seafood. |
| Maenam Beach, or หาดแม่น้ํา in Thai, is right next to Bophut Beach and is also a nice, quiet place to spend time. It’s great for swimming and sunbathing, especially for families with children due to the shallow water and short beach. |
| Other than relaxing and sunbathing at the beach, you can also go diving and kayaking around Angthong Marine National Park and Koh Tao, in Thai เกาะเต่า, next to Koh Samui. The best time of the year to dive is between June and August. You can enjoy splendid views of underwater mountains, coral gardens, undersea rock formations, hard and soft coral, sharks, and even whales. |
| So listeners, how did you like this lesson? Did you learn anything interesting? |
| What would you want to do if you visited Koh Samui? |
| Leave a comment telling us at ThaiPod101.com! Until next time! |
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