The History of Koh Samui – Luxury Villas Koh Samui
Koh Samui is a beautiful island off mainland Thailand, the second most popular holiday destination Thailand has to offer. But how much of the Island’s history do you know? Before booking your Luxury Villas Koh Samui, let me give you a history lesson.
Although a date cannot be confirmed, it is believed the island was first inhabited around 15 centuries ago by fisherman from southern China and the Malay Peninsula. The island can be found on old Chinese maps dating way back to 1687. However, the island is referred to by a different name, Pulo Cornam.
On the topic of names, the word Samui is mysterious in itself and the exact meaning is unknown, however, one theory is that it could be an extension of the name of a native tree, Mui. Another theory is that it is actually a corrupted translation of the Chinese word ‘Saboery’ which means Safe Haven.
Until the 20th century, Koh Samui remained an isolated, self-sufficient community and they had little connection with the mainland of Thailand. The island was also without roads up until the early 1970s. The 15-kilometre journey from one side of the island to the other involved a whole-day hike through the mountainous central jungles.
For many centuries, the local economy of the island revolved around the harvesting and sale of the tropical plants and fruits. Coconuts were particularly popular as they were able to grow and flourish in the island’s warm and tropical climate. This, over time, became a major industry of Koh Samui. The island has become famous across mainland Thailand and beyond for its array of exotic, succulent and delicious fruits.
Beyond the dated maps of 1687, not much else is known about the far history of the island. It was likely that the knowledge of the land and its earliest settlers would have been passed down through the generations by word of mouth.
In recent times, Koh Samui is very much a destination of choice for holiday-goers. Filled with 5-star resorts, spas and luxury properties are very much the norm. This continues to grow with constantly added facilities, amenities and services to match the demands of the modern-day tourist. Despite this escalation in development, Koh Samui still retains a lot of the tropical charm that attracted the first settlers many years ago.
Koh Samui remains, to this day, well known for being an oasis of natural beauty with its white sandy beaches, dazzling coral, luscious lagoons, picturesque waterfalls, swaying coconut trees and crystal-clear water.
Want to explore the natural beauty of Koh Samui for yourself? Then contact us today for availability, bookings and any enquiries on info@villaerawansamui.com.
