Where the name 'Samui' comes from

The origin of the island's name is genuinely uncertain, and honest sources say so. Four main theories are repeated. First, 'Samui' may come from the name of a native tree, 'ton mui' (full name 'ton samui'), common in southern Thailand. Second, it may come from the Malay word 'saboey', said to mean 'safe haven' - fitting for an island with calm, sheltered waters. Third, some link it to early Hainanese Chinese traders: in Hainanese, a phrase rendered as 'saboey' is said to mean 'first island', 'barrier', or 'beautiful beach', because Samui was their first port of call in Thailand. Fourth, a Sanskrit-Tamil origin 'samuy', meaning 'sea weather', has also been suggested. No theory has firm proof, and any article claiming one single answer is overstating the evidence. 'Ko' or 'Koh' simply means 'island' in Thai.

Dates

Unknown; theories only

Highlights

• Four theories: mui tree, Malay 'saboey' (safe haven), Hainanese 'first island', Sanskrit-Tamil 'sea weather'
• No theory is proven - all reliable sources say the origin is unknown
• 'Ko' means 'island' in Thai

Local tips

• Locals pronounce it roughly 'Ko-sa-moo-ee'
• If a guide states one origin as certain fact, treat it as storytelling, not history

Frequently asked questions

What does Samui mean?

It is not known for sure. Leading theories are a native tree name, the Malay word 'saboey' (safe haven), or a Hainanese Chinese phrase.

Does 'Samui' mean safe haven?

Possibly, via the Malay word 'saboey', but this is only one of several unproven theories.