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. Ko Samui is Thailand's second-largest island after Phuket, with an area of 228.7 km2, a population of over 63,000 and an annual tourist population of 1.5 million.[citation needed] Abundant natural resources, white sandy beaches, coral reefs and coconut trees are present on the island, and it is part of Mu Ko Samui.