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Older News

News from the Islands

Here you will find news about Thailand, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. We are mainly adding news concerning tourism, events, the weather, developments, environmental issues, celebrations and fun in general. We are not a replacement for other news recourses as we don't focus that much on crime, accidents, politics etc.

The latest news are found here

2007
	Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Kohsamui.org wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Let 2008 be a year when we care a little extra about each other and our environment! If you are going to the islands in 2008, we hope that you will have a really pleasant stay here!
	The Thai King celebrates his 80th Birthday His Majesty King, Bhumibol Adulyadej is celebrating his 80th birthday on the 5th of December 2007. We and all the Thai people wish him a very happy birthday and a long healthy life! If you are in Thailand, especially in Bangkok at this time, you will probably not miss this celebration.
	The sun is shining on Koh Samui again After a wet rain season the sun is shining on our heads again, on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. We hope that all tourists coming to this islands will have a pleasant stay and a nice weather in the end of this year, 2007. No more umbrella-days, please ;-)
	A lot of rain this monsoon season In October and early November there has been a lot of raining on Samui! Unusually much! This has resulted in some flooding and please be very careful if you are driving on flooded streets. We really hope that the sun will shine on all tourists and inhabitants very soon again.
	Chaweng Food Fair 2007 It is time again! A giant market on Chaweng Beach, just beside the beach road and next to the Chaweng lake. You will find all kind of Thai food and drinks, clothing, shoes, furniture, toys and more here. From the end of August until the middle of September. Enjoy!
	Her Majesty the Queen's Birthday Her Majesty Queen Sirikit's 75th birthday is celebrated on the 12th of August, 2007. We and the whole Thai nation wish Her Majesty a very Happy Birthday and a long and healthy life! We also would like to wish all mothers a very pleasant Mother's Day!
	Wholesale shopping center opened The Dutch owned, self service, wholesale store did recently opened it's doors on the island of Samui. Makro is found close to Tesco Lotus, between Chaweng beach and Bo Phut. Further info is found here
	Have you missed Samui Channel? Samui Channel isn't a brand new TV station though. It has been broadcasting since 2003. Currently it reaches more than 25,000 households with a mix of local events, music videos and travel information etc. Further info is found here
	Happy Songkran! April 13-15th, 2007 Kohsamui.org wishes all of you: Suk San Wan Songkran! This is the time to wish your family and your friends good luck and throwing water to anyone! Please drive carefully in the Songkran traffic of these islands or anywhere else in Thailand and shoot or throw water with some responsibility. Accidents are unfortunately rather common.
	The view from the new Golf Course The Kohsamui.org team went up to the location where Samui Golf & Country Club is the building the island's second golf course. The view is first class, overlooking Lamai and Ao Thong Takian beaches as well as IT Complex. Further info is found here
	New operator, Bangkok-Samui Seatran Discovery Link is now operating Bangkok - Hua Hin - Chumphon with air conditioned VIP Bus and Chumphon- Koh Tao- Koh Phangan - Koh Samui with their Seatran Discovery Express Ferry. Further info is found here
	Great weather now on Koh Samui! To be honest, the weather last "winter" wasn't that excellent all the time on the islands of Surat. But the sun has been shining a lot on us for some months now. Both January and February 2007 has been great, except for a few necessary rain showers. Have a great stay on the islands!
2006
	Kohsamui.org wish you a Happy New Year The staff of Kohsamui.org wish all our visitors a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We also hope that you will have a great stay on Koh Samui in 2007. Please, do also remember to drive carefully in the Christmas and New Year's traffic! See you on the islands or/and online in 2007!
	Typhoon Durian The typhoon Durian, that killed many people in The Philippines and Vietnam did not affect the islands i Surat Thani with anything else than rain and rather moderate winds. Our thoughts are of course with the victims in The Philippines and Vietnam etc.
	Sunny weather this rain season Although it is in the middle of the monsoon period (also known as the rain season) the weather on Samui, Phangan and Tao is now (early December) sunny and pleasant, and it has been a lot of sunshine on the islands for about two weeks now. A very different weather in comparison with last year in other words.
	The Thailand Longstay Company Thai Longstay Management Corporation Limited is a private company, 30% owned by Tourism Authority of Thailand. TLM has been entrusted by the government to promote Thailand as a prime destination for foreigners looking for a long-term stay in Thailand. Further info is found here
	Birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is celebrating his 79th birthday on the 5th of December 2006. We, as well as the whole Thai nation wish him a very happy birthday and long healthy life! Earlier this year, His Majesty the King and Thailand celebrated his 60th anniversary as the king of Thailand.
	Loy Krathong - November 4th-5th 2006 The well known Loy Krathong Festival celebration started in Sukhothai but is today celebrated all over Thailand and on the islands of Surat as well. Small boats made from banana leafs etc. decorated with flowers, incense and candles are floating away in the sea, river or a lake with bad luck and to forgive any sins.
	Bang Rak pier finally opens The big pier in Bangrak on the Northeastern part of Koh Samui (Close to Big Buddha and Bo Phut) is now opened for future ferry traffic. Well known ferry operator Seatran will manage the pier, that was originally built in 2004. The waters was then too shallow for any commercial ferry lines. We wish Seatran the best of luck.
	Chaweng Food Fair - A giant market place A giant food fair is held in Chaweng until the middle of September. All kind of Thai food is served here (at cheap prices), as well as entertaining, performances shops, shows (all kind of clothes, household articles, toys etc.). The location is next to the Chaweng lake (Behind McDonald's).
	New golf course - Samui Golf & Country Club Golfer's island Samui Golf & Country Club is the name of the new golf course that is planned North of Lamai beach, not so far from IT Complex I and II. This will be the second golf course on the island when it is finished. Further info is found here
	HM The Queen's birthday and Mother's Day HM Queen Sirikit Her Majesty The Queen Sirikit is celebrating her birthday on the 12th of August 2006. This is also Mother's Day in Thailand. We and the whole Thai nation wish Her Majesty The Queen a very happy birthday and long healthy life! We also wish all mothers to have a pleasant Mother's Day!
	Beach Volley Ball on Chaweng Bangkok Airways is the main organizer of the Beach Volleyball Competition, held on Chaweng beach between the 22nd and the 25th of June. Kohsamui.org hope that both the players as well as the spectators will experience a funny and sunny tournament.
	King Bhumibol Adulyadej - 60 years as king! In June 9th, Thailand are celebrating His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60th anniversary as the king of Thailand. This means that he currently is the longest serving king in the world. We want to wish the King a very happy celebration and a long healthy life!
	Bowling on Koh Samui - Major Bowl Hit Major Bowl Hit has opened a new bowling alley, next to the Tesco Lotus shopping center between Chaweng and Bo Phut. They are also opening 7 Hit Track Karaoke lounges next to the bowling center. There are also bowling available in center Chaweng; Living Bowl, just above McDonald's.
	Koh Samui Regatta - May 21st-27th 2006 The fifth Koh Samui Regatta is held from May 21st-27th. Classes: Racing 1, Premier Cruising, Racing 2, Sports Boat and Multihull. The yacht race is held in the Koh Samui waters with the headquarters at Central Samui Beach Resort. Further info is found here
	The Green Cross Beach Cleaning Project An initiative of local residents (Beautiful World, The Looking Glass, Samui Archery and Network Samui) in association with Tesban, Samui Tourism Association and TAT. They are looking for sponsors and volunteers. First beach cleaning day will be on May 7th. Contact Femke: 01-8951019. From abroad: +66 (0) 18951019.

News

	Happy New Year - Suk San Wan Songkran! Kohsamui.org wishes all of you: Suk San Wan Songkran or a very happy Thai "New Year". This is the time to wish your family and friends good luck! Please be careful if you are out driving on the roads of these islands or elsewhere in Thailand! There are far too many accidents. Songkran pictures from 2006 is found here
	A Major Cineplex movie theater opening. Now all cinema lovers! We have been waiting a rather long time, but finally a movie theater is opening next to the Tesco Lotus, Home Pro and Power shopping centers (between Chaweng and Bo Phut). Also a 8 lane bowling center and a few restaurants are built in the area. It's show time folks!
	Songkran Celebration on Koh Samui. Songkran (the traditional Thai New Year) will be celebrated in middle April as usual. This is the time to wish your family and friends the best of luck, and there are also one, up to two days of "water war" on the streets. At this time it might be wise to dress in shorts and t-shirt as you probably will get wet!
	Samui Express - One more newspaper. It has already been around for a while, but we want the welcome the new (!) newspaper on the island: Samui Express. It has a nice, partly color layout and is out every second friday. Kohsamui.org welcomes this initiative by the Asean Journals Co., Ltd, and we hope it will be successful.
	Big Buddha gets a Dharma wheel The island's most famous Buddhist symbol and statue - Big Buddha, is getting extended with a large Dharma wheel and a also a Suphannahong boat. Both new symbols are being built behind the Buddha statue. Big Buddha, or Wat Phra Yai in Thai language, was first built in 1972.
	The IT Complex II is under construction A new IT Complex is being built, just next to the first one, between Lamai and Chaweng. It will include office spaces, food court, shopping area, helicopter port, car park etc. The total area will be about 8000 m² It will open in early 2007. Further info is found here
	Saving the coconut palm trees There are not only humans who like the coconut palm trees. The Coconut Hispine Beetle (Brontispa longissima) unfortunately like to eat the leaves of these, as well. Authorities, local organizations (like Rotary) and businesses has already started their work, trying to solve this issue.
	Coral reef restoring project launched Local authorities and the non-profit organization Tourism Association of Koh Samui (TAKS) has launched an very important project for reserving the coral reefs around the island of Samui. We really hope that this project will be a total success. TAKS website is find here
	Greenpeace and Rainbow Warrior Greenpeace and the Rainbow Warrior has been on an Asia tour and the ship and it's crew also visited Koh Tao. The purpose of this tour is to "communicate the urgency of the climate crisis as well as the availability of solutions to problem." Greenpeace website is find here
	The sun is shining on the island again! The weather, the last two weeks (in January) has been just wonderful, with mostly blue sky and pleasant temperatures. We feel a little sorry for those tourists who experienced an almost abnormal amount of rain in November and December. No more rain dancing for a while, please ;-)
	CoCo Seaplanes. Reaching the sky CoCo has launched a new project; Coco Seaplane Co., Ltd. A Cessna C208 Amphibian airplane intended for visa runs (About 40 minutes to Ranong), photographic missions and medical evacuation flights etc.
2005
	Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Kohsamui.org wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We also wish that all of you who are coming to these islands in 2006, will have a very pleasant stay. Also remember to be very careful in the Christmas and New Years traffic. "See" you online or in Thailand in 2006!
	The birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is celebrating his 78th birthday on the 5th of December 2005. In June 9th 2006, and he has been the King of Thailand for 60 years! We and the whole Thai nation wish him a very happy birthday and long healthy life!
	Exaggerated articles regarding the rain In a few European newspapers, excessive articles has reported that Samui almost is an isolated island after the raining on the 24-25th of November. This is false! On the 27 and 28th of November, Koh Samui had many hours of sunshine and almost no wind. The ferries and airport are operating as normal.
	24 hours of raining Heavy rain on November 24-25th, resulted in some flooding on these islands, the Surat Thani province and the near provinces. We hope this will mark the end of the monsoon (rain season) this year as it has been rather wet. Our thoughts are with those who were affected by the flooding.
	The Chaweng office of Bangkok Air The Chaweng office of Bangkok Airways (next to the Bangkok Hospital) is temporary closed, for renovation, until early 2006. The airport office at Samui Airport are opened as usual. Further info is found here
	Coastal cleanup - Angthong Marine Park In Angthong and around the world, September 2005. No trash can The International Coastal Cleanup are organizing beach and coastline cleanup around the world. There are almost no words for how important this movement is and how thankful we are for all the individual volunteers! Further info is found here
	Bangkok Airways Open On Santiburi Golf Club, 13 October - 16 October 2005 Bangkok Airways presents this Asian PGA competition held on the fabulous courses of the Santiburi Samui Country Club, a little South of Bang Por on North Koh Samui. Many famous golf pro's from Asia will participate in this competition. Bangkok Airways on the net here
	Samui Oktoberfest 2005 On Chaweng beach, 17 - 18 September 2005 Prost - Chock dee The second "October Festival" or Oktoberfest will be held at the Long Beach Lodge at Chaweng beach on the September 17-18. This event starts at 10 AM and it is a Charity Event by the Rotary Club of Koh Samui. German specialties like Sauerkraut, Bratwurst and Weisswurst will be served as well as Löwenbräu Bier. (German beer)
	A new newspaper on Koh Samui A new newspaper was born on Samui in middle of August. Samui Community Newspaper is the first newspaper in English here and the price is reasonable 20 baht. It can be bought at Family Mart and at orange news racks at various locations. Kohsamui.org welcomes this initiative by the Nidori Group, and we hope it will be successful.
	Sunshine on the islands After a little "too" gray sky in June and July, the sun has been shining a lot on us now latest week. But Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao defiantly needed the rain before as the water supplies got rather dry earlier this year. More about the weather here
	Koh Samui Music Festival - KSMF 2005 On Chaweng, 23 September - 2 October 2005 Jerry Lee Lewis, UB 40, Jools Holland and The Wailers! and a lot of other great artists will visit our island. There is a main stage outdoors and some of the artists are performing at the CoCo Blues. Do not miss this event if you are on Koh Samui!