Ko Samui is Thailand's third-largest island and lies around 700 km to the South of Bangkok. The island is also known as "Coconut Island" due to the fact that there are more than 3 million coconut palms growing there. Accordingly, there are around 1,000 coconut farmers on the island. The coconuts are harvested for the most part by specially trained monkeys. An insider's tip until a few years ago, Ko Samui is becoming an increasingly popular holiday destination, but this has not yet taken anything away from its idyllic charm. For anyone looking for a place with perfect white beaches, crystal clear light-blue waters and picturesque landscapes, Ko Samui is the right place. The most visited sight on the island is 'Big Buddha', a statue of Buddha built in 1972 that stands 12 m high.