This island was a great backpacker destination 15 years ago. That was when people didn’t have phone, satellite TV, or internet. Back then, most resorts on the island was connected with the mainland with NMT 470 mobile phones that weren’t mobile unless they were in the trunk of a car. At resorts’ restaurants, they’d show two video movies (video tapes, not DVDs) to keep guests entertained.
Since then, development has moved ahead – faster and faster – and the backpackers have all but gone. In
Ao Maprao, a couple of small family-run resorts were razed to make space for a condo building. Jet skis were allowed to race first along White Sand Beach, and then along the whole east coast. And today, all resorts have WiFi as today’s wealthy tourists have to stay in contact with the rest of the world.
Ao Maprao, a couple of small family-run resorts were razed to make space for a condo building. Jet skis were allowed to race first along White Sand Beach, and then along the whole east coast. And today, all resorts have WiFi as today’s wealthy tourists have to stay in contact with the rest of the world.
I don’t like the crowds, so I haven’t visited Koh Samed much the last few years, but the island still has some impressive bays along the southern part of its east coast.
