About Thailand
Thailand is a distinctive South East Asian country that escaped colonial rule and maintained the special characteristics of its culture. You’ll notice during your stay that Thailand is devoutly loyal to the monarch and to the Buddhist religion. There is also a significant Muslim population, both on Koh Samui and in the south of the country.
Thailand is a democratic country, and despite some teething problems in recent years, it has found its way back on track, and looks to the future with optimism.
Thailand is a highly popular tourist destination, with a mountainous region in the north surrounding the cultural city of Chiang Mai, a range of ruinous remnants of lost kingdoms leading you down to the modern capital, Bangkok, traditional rural lifestyle in the north east and stunning beach and island locations in the South.
In the 19th century, two kings, Mongkut and his son Chulalongkorn, introduced Western style education to the country, creating the pathways to an international outlook alongside rich tradition.
Koh Samui - An Island Paradise
Koh Samui has been settled for around 1500 years and appears on 500 year old Chinese maps from the Ming dynasty. Fishing was the major source of income first, before the island added the joint industry of coconut plantations. Koh Samui is now one of the world’s most desirable tourist destinations.
We highly recommend that you explore the fascinating history and culture of Koh Samui and Thailand during your stay at Zazen Boutique Resort & Spa.
Koh Samui is Thailand’s third largest island and the largest in a group of nearly 100 tropical islands in the
Gulf of Thailand. Known as the Samui Archipelago, only three islands besides Samui are inhabited: Koh Tan, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
Koh Samui is a brilliant and popular tropical island arising
from the tranquil waters of the Gulf of Siam.
Samui has developed from a traditional fishing
island, populated by settlers from the Southern China Hainan
region, into the cosmopolitan collection of high class restaurants and exclusive spas that it is today.
What makes the island so naturally special
is carefully retained alongside the appearance of luxury modern
amenities, verdant mountain forests, hidden waterfalls, the
indigenous monkeys, signature coconuts and of course, magnificent
beaches the joy of Thailand.
A holiday in Samui, Thailand, may range from
the adventurous to the peaceful, the active to the serene,
with so much to entertain and enthrall the whole family, and
a wealth of untouched beauty to delight visiting couples.
Zazen Boutique Resort & Spa in samui is ideally positioned
on a serene stretch of beachfront along the northern shore
of the island, in the quietly chic village of Bo Phut.
More relaxed than Samuis usual tourist locations,
Bo Phut exhibits a romantic charm, with distinctive and individualistic
shops, cafes and restaurants at hand in the enclosed and charming
walking street, Fishermans Village.
Zazen at Bo Phut is within easy reach of the airport, cinema,
historic port town, Nathon and upbeat Chaweng. Boats leaving
for excursions beyond Samui, exploring the wondrous Angthong
archipelago, are a step away.
With more and more couples choosing to spend their honeymoon on these fabulous shores, and a multitude of families returning
each year to share their holiday time in sand, sea and surprise, Koh Samui remains and will ever be the perfect island in the
sun.
Koh Samui – Bophut Beach & the Fisherman Village by Alexander Andries
Bophut beach is part of the charming old Bophut village on Koh Samui and the perfect location for couples and families looking for rest and holiday charm. Bophut has expanded in recent years to embrace international and trendy innovations, while retaining the historic spirit of the village: very Koh Samui and very unique.
The inhabitants are a mixture of Thai and Chinese families and a few expats. The Chinese families are originally from Hainan Island in China but have been living for most of their lives on Koh Samui. Many of these older people have lived solely in the village and have rarely been to Chaweng, Nathon or the other beaches around the island.
These early inhabitants were fisherman families. Men would to go out to sea while the women stayed in the village to educate the children and to take care of the household. Many of the restaurants, bars and shops are now run and owned by the children of these families. Being of different generation, these children contribute to the changes in style and architecture of the village.
While many houses in the village kept their original architecture, these were joined by an influx of French style buildings, cafes and bistros you’d normally expect to find in the south of France, and more recently British style traditional pubs, all reflecting the changing population of the area.
The village has a beautiful local morning market with numerous restaurants, street vendors, pubs and cafes. Fisherman’s Village is the centre-piece of the area: Koh Samui’s only walking street and a perfect place for an evening stroll.
The beach has changed in the last couple of years. The first resorts were mostly guest houses and were built 25 to 30 years ago. These guest houses welcomed backpackers for many years but had to adjust to the new clientele of Koh Samui who were searching for more luxury and facilities in the resorts. In the past three years, a couple of 4 and 5 star resorts have appeared offering more to their guests, and the village, than the previous backpacker accommodation.
Hotels on Bophut beach attract many honeymooners who are looking for the perfect cozy resort in which to spend their holiday, as well as families trying to escape from the crowds of Chaweng.
A few resorts offer water sport activities to their guests such as windsurfing, kayaking, water-skiing and scuba diving. There are also a few jet skis on the beach but the hoteliers and locals try to restrict their number as we are all trying to keep Bophut beach nice and calm.
So Bophut is an amazing place to spend a holiday, far from the crowd and featuring a lovely village with restaurants and pubs. Honeymooners will discover small Samui boutique resorts and will be able to walk along the sands to discover the village in the evenings, enjoying the romantic sunset along the way. Families will feel secure having their children play on a safe beach without strong waves and having plenty of activities and water sports for the grown-ups.
Bophut beach has something for everyone. |
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