the history of human habitation on the island can be traced back for a thousand plus years. archaeological evidence found on the island includes stone axes dating from 1,200-2000 years ago. ancient drums normally produced in the northern part of vietnam found on samui indicate that this island has been visited by sailors for a thousand years. some believe that it might have been occupied by indians then malays and thais as well as chinese in the modern era. they relied on their self-sufficiency economy of producing coconuts from vast plantations, fruit farming and fisheries to feed the locals