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Ko Samui (or Koh Samui, Thai: เกาะสมุย, Thai pronunciation: [kɔ̀ʔ samǔj]), or often simply Samui as it is referred to by locals, is an island off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus in Thailand. It is located close to the mainland town of Surat Thani in Surat Thani Province. It is Thailand's second largest island after Phuket, with an area of 228.7 km² and a population of over 50,000 (2008) attracting 1.5 million tourists per year. Ko Samui has abundant natural resources, white sandy beaches, coral reefs and coconut trees.Government:Thailand is a constitutional monarchy under the beloved king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, who has reigned since 1946. King Bhumibol is the world's longest-serving head of state. Thailand's current Prime Minister is Yingluck Shinawatra, who assumed office as the first ever female in that role on August 5, 2011.Thailand's official language is Thai, a tonal language from the Tai-Kadai family of East Asia. Thai has a unique alphabet derived from the Khmer script, which is itself descended from the Brahmic Indian writing system. Written Thai first appeared around 1292 A.D.Commonly used minority languages in Thailand include Lao, Yawi (Malay), Teochew, Mon, Khmer, Viet, Cham, Hmong, Akhan and Karen.Population:Thailand's estimated population as of 2007 was 63,038,247. The population density is 317 people per square mile.The vast majority are ethnic Thais, who make up about 80% of the population. There is also a large ethnic Chinese minority, comprising about 14% of the population. Unlike the Chinese in many neighboring Southeast Asian countries, the Sino-Thai are well-integrated into their communities. Other ethnic minorities include the Malay, Khmer, Mon, and Vietnamese. Northern Thailand also is home to small mountain tribes such as the Hmong, Karen, and Mein, with a total population of less than 800,000.

Speak about Almaty and Astana as the best cities in Kazakhstan

Almaty is the biggest city inKazakhstan. It is situated in the center of the Eurasian continent on the southeast of the Republic of Kazakhstan in longitude 77 East and 43 latitude North on the bottom of Zailiisky Alatau – the most northern mountain range of TyanShan. Gagri andVladivostokare situated on the same parallel.The Almaty climate is sharply continental with significant temperature fluctuations during the year and the day. At the 500-meter height you can see city streets directed to the north, steppes, hottest Prikaskelenskiye Muyunkumy. You can feel glaciers’ breath in the residential areas on the south while being at the 1,500-1,700 meter height over the sea level in Medeu and Kamenskiy Plato tracts.Flora and fauna of Zailisky Alatau are impressively diverse and luxuriant. Almaty suburbs are considered to be the part of the Ile-Alatauski national park that is hosting natural reservations and wildlife sanctuaries. Most rare kinds of birds and animals that live on the protected territories are recorded in the Red Book of Kazakhstan, including a snow leopard (irbis) that is now depicted on the Almaty emblem.Almaty is the scientific, cultural, historical, financial, education and industrial center of theRepublic ofKazakhstan. The 2020 General Plan of Almaty was developed in 1998 and aims at forming ecologically safe, secure and socially comfortable living conditions. The main objective is to promote Almaty’s image as a city-garden.

Cultural Heritage of Almaty The word "alma" in Kazakh stands for apple; and Almaty literally translates as “rich in apples”. The city was named in honor of the apple, which has grown here his is why the emblem of Almaty, and the whole Seven Rivers region, bears the image of this fruit.Almaty has an ancient and rich history. As transit point on the Silk Road, the city was an international trade hub in Central Asia. Silk traders from China and sellers of ivory and spices from India would meet here to leave a unique trace on the culture of the city.The traditions of modern Almaty consist of cultural practices of different eras and peoples, who seamlessly blended into a unique multi-ethnic identity. Almaty connects the traditions of the East and the West, the ways of nomads and settled peoples. Here, one can see a combination of ancient traditions, Soviet culture and contemporary global trends.Almaty’s cultural heritage is a complex mixture of archaeological and architectural legacy, monuments and other elements, which constitute an integral part of the city’s historical and cultural landscape.For many decades, Almaty was the capital of Kazakhstan and all of its history is closely connected with that of the country. The city has been home to many prominent figures of science, arts, culture and education, who made important contributions to the cultural development of Kazakhstan.The monuments of the spiritual heritage of Almaty are kept in museums, archives and private collections. All of these historical and cultural elements are part of the cultural heritage of Almaty and define the city’s identity. Today Almaty has a well developed cultural infrastructure, skilled human resources and is home to the leading theater, arts, museum and library organizations of Kazakhstan.An important part of the cultural life of the country are the ethnic-cultural centers. Events held by these centers attract strong public interest. Many of the ethnic-cultural centers have amateur performance teams who exercise the right to free cultural development of all peoples of Kazakhstan, home to over 130 nations and ethnic groups.Almaty regularly hosts international cultural events like the international music festival Voice of Asia, the International Eurasia Film Festival, the International Jazz Festival and other major events.

Astana, which became Kazakhstan’s capital on December 10, 1997, is the country’s second-largest city, with a population estimated at 697,000 as of January 1, 2011. Appropriately, the name Astana means “the capital” in Kazakh. The city has had several name changes. It was known as Akmolinsk until 1961, Tselinograd until 1992 and Akmola until 1998.LocationAstana is located in central Kazakhstan on the Ishim River, near where the Ishim meets the Nura River.The city sits on terraces above a flood plain. Its drainage network consists mainly of the Esyl River and its intermittent right-sided feeders the Sarybulak and Akbulak rivers. A host of fresh and saline lakes dot the landscape within 30 kilometers of Astana. The city’s total land area is 71,000 hectares.ClimateAstana has a continental climate with marked seasonal extremes. The average annual temperature is 3.1 degrees Centigrade. The temperature can exceed 40 degrees in summer and fall below −30 degrees in winter. Hot air masses formed in Central Asia are a major factor in the summer heat, and the cold from nearby Siberia is a major contributor to the winter chill.PopulationAstana’s population has tripled to 697,000 since it became the capital in 1997. In 2009 alone, it attracted 31,909 immigrants – the highest in Kazakhstan. Most came from other regions of the country, attracted by higher salary levels.The largest ethnic groups in Astana’s population are Kazakhs, Russians, Ukrainians, Tatars, Armenians, Azerbaijanis, Jews, Belarusians, Georgians, Moldavians, Tajiks and Uzbeks.HistoryAstana represents all that Kazakhstan is proud of. The capital was moved from Almaty to Astana -- then known as Akmola -- on December 10, 1997, at President Nazarbayev’s request. The decision was based on a number of factors, primarily economic and geopolitical.Because the capital is situated in Kazakhstan’s heartland, it serves as a link between Europe and Asia. It is also roughly equidistant from the country’s major regions.Astana has developed into an agricultural and industrial center and a major transportation hub.A key reason the city was chosen as the capital was its relatively sparse population at the time – 250,000. That meant there was room to grow, an important requirement for further development.Astana holds an eagerly anticipated Day of the Capital extravaganza every July 6 that features big-name entertainers, including American and European singers.Kazakhs are proud of the capital as a showcase of Kazakhstan’s development.A few years ago the fishermen plying the Ishim River could see only a handful of high-rise buildings from their boats -- and even those were only 10 stories high. Now the city is home to many 70-meter-tall and higher structures.During its years of transformation from a provincial city to a metropolis, Astana has become a commercial center. It has the big shopping centers, boutiques, restaurants cafes, and entertainment places you’d expect in an urban area on the move.Today Astana is a modern, vibrant city with an architecture that combines the best traditions of Europe and the East. The city’s architectural concept was based on President Nazarbayev’s idea of creating a Eurasian image in the steppe. Although Astana’s landscape has changed dramatically, its master plan has yet to be filled out – so a lot more construction projects are imminent.European technology has been widely employed in the city’s expansion. Along with local companies, many Italian, French, Swiss and Turkish firms have contributed to the build-out. This has led to most of the new landmarks in the city being erected in just the past six to seven years. Sights in Astana

Water-Green Avenue, a walking venue in the center of Astana.

Ak-Orda, the residence of Kazakhstan’s President.

Baiterek Tower, a symbol of Astana and Kazakhstan that is a major tourist attraction.

The Palace of Independence, a venue for diplomatic and other international events.

The Palace of Peace and Reconciliation – or Pyramid of Peace -- constructed to accommodate the Congress of World Religions held every three years.

The Khan Shatyr, a shopping mall and entertainment center shaped like a huge tent.

The Shabyt Creativity Palace, a center of culture and arts.

Kazakh Ely Monument, a symbol of Kazakhstan’s independence.