Waterfalls & Nature
Coconut groves and plantation history
Coconuts shaped Koh Samui's economy and landscape long before tourism. In the early 20th century the island was called Thailand's 'Coconut Capital', producing over two million coconuts per month.
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The story
Before tourism, Koh Samui lived from coconuts. In the early 20th century the island was nicknamed the 'Coconut Capital of Thailand', and two separate sources state it produced over two million coconuts per month at its peak. Nuts were hauled by water buffalo cart to Nathon's wharf and shipped to Bangkok; the island had no paved roads until the 1970s, and the first backpacker tourists reportedly arrived on coconut boats.
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The coconut palm became the symbol of the island. A famous local tradition was training pig-tailed macaques to climb tall palms and twist off ripe coconuts - safer than humans climbing wind-swayed trees. The practice has declined; today some monkeys are used in tourist 'monkey shows', which visitors and welfare organisations criticise - this database flags such shows as commercial and does not recommend them.
Economically, coconut and rubber exports remain part of island life alongside tourism. Visitors still see the legacy everywhere: groves between beaches, coconut-based food, and craft items made from shells. A small private 'Coconut Museum' exists and is featured in some commercial tours (flagged commercial; not independently verified).
Public access to groves is informal - plantations are private farms, so look from roads and do not enter without permission.
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Check before you go · last checked 25 Sept 2026 · 4 sources
Sources and last check
- Last checked
- 25 Sept 2026
- What was checked
- Details checked 25 Sept 2026
- Next check due
- September 2027
Official sources
No official source published yet for this page.
Plus 4 other references and local research.