Island History Quick Facts

Key facts most sources agree on: Samui was settled many centuries ago (commonly cited as about 1,500 years) by fishermen from the Malay Peninsula and southern China. The island appears on Chinese maps from 1687 under the name 'Pulo Cornam'. It stayed an isolated, self-sufficient community with little mainland contact until the late 20th century - there were no roads until the early 1970s, and crossing the island meant a full day's jungle trek. The first backpackers arrived in the early 1970s, famously travelling on coconut boats. Tourism grew slowly through the 1980s and boomed after Bangkok Airways opened Samui Airport in 1989, which made the island directly accessible from Bangkok. Today it is one of Thailand's most-visited islands, while coconuts and fishing remain part of local life.

Details

Key facts most sources agree on: Samui was settled many centuries ago (commonly cited as about 1,500 years) by fishermen from the Malay Peninsula and southern China. The island appears on Chinese maps from 1687 under the name 'Pulo Cornam'. It stayed an isolated, self-sufficient community with little mainland contact until the late 20th century - there were no roads until the early 1970s, and crossing the island meant a full day's jungle trek. The first backpackers arrived in the early 1970s, famously travelling on coconut boats. Tourism grew slowly through the 1980s and boomed after Bangkok Airways opened Samui Airport in 1989, which made the island directly accessible from Bangkok. Today it is one of Thailand's most-visited islands, while coconuts and fishing remain part of local life.

Highlights

• First settled by Malay and southern Chinese fishermen, often cited as ~1,500 years ago
• Appears on 1687 Chinese maps as 'Pulo Cornam'
• No roads until the early 1970s; first backpackers arrived by coconut boat
• Bangkok Airways opened Samui Airport in 1989, starting the tourism boom

Local tips

• The 1989 airport is the single event that explains modern Samui
• Older islanders still remember the roadless era - the change happened within one lifetime

Frequently asked questions

When did tourism start on Koh Samui?

Backpackers first arrived in the early 1970s by boat. Mass tourism followed the opening of Samui Airport in 1989.

Who opened Samui Airport?

Bangkok Airways built and opened Samui Airport in 1989, and still owns and operates it.

Did Samui really have no roads until the 1970s?

Yes - multiple independent sources state the first roads were built in the early 1970s; before that, travel was by boat or jungle trek.