This beautiful 247-square-kilometre island, one of the most famous attractions of Thailand, is some 84 kilometres east of Surat Thami's provincial capital. It can be reached by boat from Surat Thani town or by ferry either from Don Sak or Khanom. A 51-Kilometre ring road encircles the island, which has numerous lovely beaches and bays, and is almost literally an island of coconuts and forested hills. Samui's best beaches line the northern and eastern coasts. The most popular are Chaweng Beach and Lamai Beach where, generally, attractive accommodation can be found. [Visit Thailand Guidebook]