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Perhaps it is an extension of the name of one of the native trees, mui, or it is a corruption of the Chinese word Saboey, meaning "safe haven".
Until the late 20th century, Samui was an isolated self-sufficient community, having little connection with the mainland of Thailand. The island was even without roads until the early 1970s, and the 15km journey from one side of the island to the other involved a whole-day trek through the mountainous jungles.
Today, Samui has a population of about forty-five thousand, and thrives on a successful tourist industry. It even has its own international airport, with daily flights to Bangkok and other major airports in Southeast Asia.
While the island presents an unspoiled image to the public perception, economic growth has brought not only prosperity and changes to the island's environment and culturebut is also a source of conflict between local residents and migrants from other parts of Thailand and other countries.
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Historically the island's economy has been based around agriculture and fishing, with coconuts as the main cash crop. From the 1980s tourism has become an major economic factor and is now the dominant industry. The construction of a stable, high-speed internet connection in recent years has also made the island a interesting location for IT-based enterprises, which are beginning to provide a certain degree of economic diversity. The island's climate and accessibility make it particularly attractive for international investors. |
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