Isolation until the 20th century

For most of its history, Koh Samui was a world apart. Until the late 20th century the island was a self-sufficient community with little contact with mainland Thailand - some sources describe it as effectively running by its own local rules, far from central authority in Bangkok. There were no roads at all until the early 1970s: moving between villages meant walking, and the roughly 15 km journey from one side of the island to the other could take a whole day of trekking through the mountainous central jungle. The sea was the real highway. The first regular boat service to the mainland began in the mid-1800s, and the 35 km crossing from Surat Thani took a full day of sailing. Night boats to Nathon were still the normal way to arrive when the first backpackers came in the early 1970s. This isolation explains both the island's distinct local character and how quickly everything changed once the road, ferries, and airport arrived.

Dates

Until early 1970s

Highlights

• No roads until the early 1970s
• Island crossing was a full-day jungle trek
• First mainland boat service began in the mid-1800s
• The 35 km sea crossing from Surat Thani took a full day

Local tips

• Hiking trails in the island's interior follow routes locals once used between villages

Frequently asked questions

When did Koh Samui get its first road?

Road building began in 1967 and the ring road was completed around 1973. Before that, all travel was on foot or by boat.

How did people reach Samui before tourism?

By boat from Surat Thani - a slow crossing that took most of a day, later served by night boats to Nathon.