Cheers Faustian.
First went there about 22 years ago, before the airport was built. Had to get a 10 hour overnight train from Bangkok, then a coach trip from the train station to a ferry port and then a 2 hour ferry ride to Koh samui.
Chaweng was almost deserted with just a few beach restaurants then. A real paradise island with very little commercialism and few tourists.
The transformation over the years has been astronimcal, as have the price increases!