Thailand: Koh Samui – Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks

February 5, 2024
Thailand
0 Comments

Grandfather and Grandmother Rock are one of the biggest tourist attractions in Koh Samui, hundreds of people come to photograph and be photographed with them every day.

Grandfather and Grandmother Rock are among the most popular attractions on Koh Samui near Lamai Beach. Their names are Grandfather Rock and Grandmother Rock they are just simple granite rock formations. The reason why they are so famous is due to their resemblance to male and female genitalia. Their names in Thai are Hin Ta and Hin Yai and of course, there is a story which accompanies these to rocks.

They are easy enough to find Hin Ta and Hin Yai are both located off Route 4169 on Samui’s southeast coast, approximately two kilometres from Lamai Beach.

To reach these rocks, tourists have to pass down a short narrow strip which is filled with small shops. The souvenir stores sell handmade wares made out of old coconut and seashells.

The Folklore

The Hin Ta and Hin Yai legend is a story of catastrophe tinged with trust, as portrayed on a billboard close to the stones: “An old stories of Samui Island recounts the narrative of an old couple by the name of Ta Kreng (Grandfather Kreng) and Yai Riem (Grandmother Riem) who lived with their child in the southern area of Nakhon Si Thammarat. Since their child had become an adult, they felt that it was time he got hitched.

“One day they chose to sail to the neighbouring area of Prachuap Khiri Khan to request the hand of the little girl of a man named Ta Monglai. Amid their ocean travel, their vessel was seized by a tempest. The old man and his significant other were not able to swim aground. They passed on adrift, transforming into rocks as verification to the future lady of the hour’s folks of their actual expectations. The stones remain there right up until today.

A popular time to visit the rocks is at sunset when people flock here to get their photographs of the sun setting. Be prepared for plenty of Instagrammers.

Planning your visit to the Grandfather & Grandmother Rocks

Getting to Koh Samui

There are a couple of ways you can reach Koh Samui and for the most part, it depends on your budget. Not to mention, it also depends on your starting location and how long you are willing to travel.

Moreover, there are numerous options for buses, trains, ferries, and planes.

Koh Samui is an island. So, no matter what, you will need to take either a ferry or a plane to complete the last leg of the journey.

Bus and Train Rides

There are a couple of options for getting to Koh Samui (or to the nearest docking point) via bus and train ride. If you are coming from the mainland, you will need to make your way to Surat Thani to reach Koh Samui via ferry.

There are buses from Krabi, Chumphon, and Bangkok that will take you to Surat Thani.

Travel times:

Bus from Bangkok and ferry to Koh Samui: 14hr 30 min
Train from Bangkok and ferry to Koh Samui: 14hr 30 min
Bus from Krabi and ferry to Koh Samui: 5hr 15 min

Flying

One of the easiest ways to get to Koh Samui. This is the quickest and most convenient way to reach Koh Samui, and the flight time from Bangkok is around 1hr 15min. is via a plane flight.

There are direct flights from several locations in Thailand, including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Krabi. There are several international direct flights from locations like Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and China.

The best time to visit Koh Samui

Koh Samui, a tropical haven located in the Gulf of Thailand, is classified under the Köppen climate system as a tropical rainforest climate. This type of climate is characterized by high temperatures and abundant rainfall throughout the year. This island experiences a hardly noticeable annual temperature variation, with an average high temperature ranging from 29°C in January and November to 32.6°C in April. The average low temperature varies between 24.1°C in November and 26.1°C in April.

Relative humidity remains high throughout the year, averaging from 78% in July, August, and September, to a noticeable peak of 85% in October and November. Sea temperatures remain fairly constant from 27.8°C in January to a slightly warmer 30.1°C in May. These warm temperatures make Koh Samui a perfect beach destination at any time of the year. Daylight hours show a slight increase from 11.6 in January and December to a peak of 12.7 in June.

Regarding rainfall, there is a significant difference throughout the year. Drier months like February offer about 54mm of rainfall, whereas November shows a stark contrast with a heavy downpour of approximately 507mm. Correspondingly, the number of rainy days ranges from 4 to 5 days in February and March to a high of 20 days in October and November.

The best time to visit Ko Samui
Given the climate characteristics of Koh Samui, the best time to visit would be during the drier months of February and March. During this period, visitors can expect less rainfall, approximately 54mm and 81mm respectively, and fewer rainy days. The number of sunshine hours sits at a higher scale of 8-9 hours per day, and the UV index reaches its top level at 12. This makes for excellent weather conditions for sunbathing and exploring the natural beauty of the island.

The worst time to visit Koh Samui
Conversely, the worst time to visit Koh Samui would be in November due to the highest rainfall amount of 507mm and the considerable number of rainy days reaching up to 20. Despite the warm sea temperature of 29.2°C, the high relative humidity of 85% combined with substantial rain might make outdoor activities and exploration less enjoyable.

Other places to visit while on Koh Samui

1. GUAN YU SHRINE

The Guan Yu Shrine is one of the few Chinese temples of Koh Samui. It was only opened in 2016 and is therefore one of the more modern temples on the island. But also this very colourful and modern holy site is worth a visit.

2. BIG BUDDHA

The 12m high Big Buddha image was erected in 1972 and is now one of the landmarks of Koh Samui. Many Thai visitors come here to worship and in recent times, the Big Buddha has also become a favourite attraction amongst foreign tourists.

3. WAT PLAI LAEM

The Wat Plai Laem, sometimes also called the Lady Monk Temple, is located in the northern part of the island and is, without a question, one of the most beautiful temples in Koh Samui.

4. WAT RATCHATHAMMARAM

Wat Ratchathammaram, or better known as the Red Temple of Koh Samui, is another beautiful sacred site on the island. Right next to it is a golden pagoda, which shines incredibly impressively in the sun. In addition, a staircase decorated with snake heads leads directly down to the sea.

Where to stay in Koh Samui

Chaweng Beach

Chaweng is the most popular place to stay when you are in Koh Samui and therefore also the busiest. On the beach and along the main street you will find numerous restaurants, pubs, bars, and clubs. Although it’s very busy, the length of 6 kilometres means that Chaweng Beach is never overcrowded and on this endlessly wide and clean beach you can find enough quiet places to relax and sunbathe.

Lamai Beach

A very popular place to stay in Koh Samui is Lamai Beach. This white sand beach is one of the best beaches on Koh Samui and especially the southern part, with the large round rock formations, is breathtaking. In addition, you will find a great choice of accommodation along the 4-kilometre-long beach. There is not as much going on here as at Chaweng Beach, but there are great restaurants and plenty of quieter bars.

A vacation at Lamai Beach is ideal for those who like to have a quiet day but still want to enjoy a pleasant nightlife in the evening.

Fisherman’s Village & Bophut Beach

The resort of Bophut is located in the north of Koh Samui, more precisely between Maenam and the famous Big Buddha Temple. Bophut Beach is well-known for its beautiful Fisherman’s Village, where a great night market takes place once a week. In addition, you will find small boutiques and good shopping opportunities in the pretty village. This charming place is located directly on the beautiful Bophut Beach and inspires vacationers with great restaurants, bars and cafés! The flair in the resort is unique, the atmosphere is enchanting and especially Koh Samui connoisseurs and individualists like to come here to spend their vacations.

Tolani Koh Samui with its absolute beach front location nestled within a vibrant urban landscape, our resort offers an exceptional private beach front pool villas and the comfort of home. Discover a haven where every aspect of convenience, and elegance has been meticulously curated to create a place you’ll truly want to call home. The resort’s private beachfront setting provides the perfect backdrop for its unique design and offers the utmost privacy for those who choose.

1. LUXURY – TOLANI RESORT KOH SAMUI

2. MID-RANGE – PALM COCO MANTRA

At the nice part of Lamai Beach. Palm Coco Mantra, a Boutique beach front resort in Samui, Thailand. This great beach resort is located on a hill that gently slopes towards to ocean, yet privacy and calmness encapsulate this wonderful resort environment. Almost of the hotel’s rooms offer panoramic ocean views, infinity-edge pool overlooking the ocean where you can take a break at the cozy pool bar. You may have it all with us in making your perfect stay at Palm Coco Mantra Beach resort. Palm Coco is an oasis of calm and Boutique in one of the finest locations on Samui, Thailand. Spectacular Island, Gulf of Thailand, sunrise & sunset views are part of everyday life here at Palm Coco mantra, the boutique hotel in Samui.

3. BUDGET – THE ROCK SAMUI

Situated in Lamai, 80 metres from Rocky’s Beach, The Rock Samui – formerly known as The Rock Residence – SHA Extra Plus features accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking, a terrace and a private beach area. The property is around 15 km from Fisherman Village, 18 km from Big Buddha and 1.3 km from Lamai Viewpoint. The accommodation provides a shared kitchen and free WiFi throughout the property.