Koh Samui (the name)
Reviewed by the Samui Local Hub team ·
Main page on this topic: Culture & etiquette
Pronunciation
gaw sa-mui
Thai script
เกาะสมุย
Meaning
'Samui Island'. The meaning of 'Samui' itself is unknown - see the name-origin record in Local Knowledge.
When to use it
Locals usually just say 'Samui' (สมุย). Use the full 'Koh Samui' when booking transport to avoid confusion.
Summary
Koh Samui = Samui Island. The origin of 'Samui' is genuinely uncertain (theories: a native 'mui' tree; Malay 'saboey' = safe haven).
Details
Koh Samui = Samui Island. The origin of 'Samui' is genuinely uncertain (theories: a native 'mui' tree; Malay 'saboey' = safe haven).
Local tips
- Locally just 'Samui'; 'koh' is dropped in speech
Frequently asked questions
What is Koh Samui in Thai?
เกาะสมุย (Koh Samui), pronounced 'gaw sa-mui'. Locals shorten it to สมุย (Samui).
Sources
Plus local research.
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