Koh Samui Thailand

GETTING THERE

Plans
There is only one domestic airline that flies in Koh Samui: Bangkok Airways. They also run and own the only airport. There are 12 flights a day to and from Bangkok. They also fly to and from Phuket. Chiang Mai, U-Tapao and Pattaya. If your net destination is Singapore, then you can also fly direct from Samui. When you're traveling from Samui to Bangkok and you want to save some money, fly with Thai Airways from Suratthani. You will save around 950 baht but will add three hours to your journey. When leaving Samui Airport, be prepared to pay the 400 baht airport tax for domestic flights and 500 baht for international flights. Make sure you buy your tickets early to avoid disappointment, and always reconfirm your flight at least 24 hours in advance.

Trains
When traveling from Bangkok to Samui, it is usually best that you get a night sleeper train. These trains are more comfortable and ensure smoother bus and ferry connections. All trains run from Hualamphong Station. We advise that you buy a combination ticket that will include all your transport right through to Samui. Train tickets can vary greatly in price depending on the carriage class and whether the carriage is air-conditioned or fan. Expect to pay at least 6540 baht for a ticket. When you're traveling from Samui up to Bangkok, the ferry leaves from Nathon at 2pm and connects to a bus to take you to Suratthani train station. There are many trains leaving every evening going to Bangkok. We advise that you book the ticket early to secure a better connection. Try to book the train two to three days in advance to ensure a seat. When leaving Samui, go to Suratthani to catch a train to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Singapore or Malaysia.

Automobiles
Bangkok to Samui buses leave from the South Terminal in Bangkok. There are V.I.P first-and second-class buses. These are all air-conditioned. For an easier journey, buy a bus/boat combi-nation ticket. The price for a V.I.P bus is around 450 baht including the ferry transfer from Nathon to Suratthani. The journey takes around 12 hours. As a rule, buses are not to be relied upon, especially if you are making a connection to a flight. For buses from Suratthani to Bangkok, the ferry leaves Samui at 2pm. To get to Suratthani town from Samui, it will take approximately three hours. You will probably have to wait for about two hours in the town for the bus up to Bangkok. This bus will drop you off on the infamous Kao San road in Bangkok. When leaving Samui, there are buses traveling to Penang and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia as well as Singapore. Whether traveling from the airport or from Nathon pier, the cheapest mode of public transport is a songthaew (the red mini vans). If you do get a private taxi (usually yellow), agree on a price with the driver first.

Extending your stay
Foreigners are allowed to stay 30 days in the Kingdom without a visa. If you have a tourist visa, these are generally valid for 60 days with the opportunity to extend to 90 days. Visa extensions cost about 500 baht. Overstaying your visa costs 250 baht per day, with a maximum fine of 20,000 baht. To extend your visa, or for other immigration questions, go to Samui's immigration office. From Nathon, go south on the ring road 2 km to the traffic lights. Turn right and you will see the office on the right-hand side. Office hours are Monday to Friday 8.30am to noon and 1pm to 4.30pm. Songserm Ferries run a regular service between Suratthani and Nathon, but the schedule can change on an almost daily basis. Check times with your tour operator or Travel Solutions.

GETTING AROUND

The main mode of public transport on the island is by covered pickup truck converted into a taxi called song-taew. The fare starts from Bt20, depending on the distance. They operate from early Morning to about 9 pm. From 9 pm onwards, you only option is to take a metered taxi. But most drivers prefer to do away with the meter and charge you depending on where you are going and how many people are traveing agree on a price before hopping in to avoid any misunderstanding.

Motorcyles

All around the island you can find shops renting out motorcycles from Bt120 to Bt500 a day, excluding gasoline. They are cheaper during the low tourist season, which is from March to August. A rented motorbike is the cheapest way to scour the island but you have to be extra careful when driving. Samui has the highest number of road accidents in the Kingdom largely involving motorcycles. And always Use a helmet which comes with the motorcycle. The police are pretty strict about it. The fine for not wearing a helmet is Bt500, plus a two-hour wait at the police station.

Car and Jeep

Cars and jeeps can be rented at Bt800 to Bt2,000 a day(excluding gasoline), depending on the type of vehicle. Always ask if the rate includes insurance. Never rent a car without insurance as you could be held liable for any damage to the car after use. Taking a good look at the vehicle and ask the car rental shop to take note of any dent, scratches or missing parts to avoid being blamed for problems not of your own making. Remember to always drive on the left.

Bicycles

Cheaper than a motorbike a bicycle can also get you to places you want to visit, particularly small tracks behind Lamai and Nathon. It's a good way to exercise while on a vacation but the heat can aggravate exhaustion. There are bikes with electric motors (Called eco-bikes) to give you extra push if you want to travel uphill.

The low

Thai low requires car drivers and front seat passengers to wear seat belts. Motorcyclists are also required to use cash helmets, though you will notice most Samui residents openly flout this law. We advise that you use both. There are sometimes impromptu road-blocks and you can be hit with an on-the-spot fine for floufing the low. An International Driving Permit, or a license from your home country, is required for all car and big bike rentals. The local police will check from time to time so be warned

SERVICE

Business House
Most offices open from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, except on and around public holidays when business houses may vary widely. Stores and exchange counters all close at 19:00hrs in Nathon. General banking hours are Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 3.30 pm. Exchange booths are open for business in the beach areas till 22:00. Many stores are open 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

Electricity
Electricity in Thailand is 220 Volts AC at 50 cycles. Several different plugs and sockets are in use, so travelers will need to be aware of this when using shavers, tape recorders or other appliances that require mains power. There are occasional blackouts and power variations, especially during rainy season. Care should be taken to protect delicate equipment from power variations.

Photographic Facilities
Most popular brands and types of film are widely available in Thailand and Samui. Film processing is widely available and one-hour service is common. Slide film can be developed on the island in Nathon,Chaweng and Maenam, expect a 3-4 day turn around on slide film, except at Save Mart in Chaweng which offers next day processing service.

Postal Services
The post offices are usually open from 8 am to 4.30 pm. The Thai post service is usually reliable. Important items can be sent by Express Mail Service (EMS) through post Office. This is faster and safer but the cost is higher. Bangkok Airways accepts cargo at its terminals.

Telephone Services
International calls can be made from the Post Office, most major hotels, some travel agents and private international telephone offices dotted about the island. For international direct dialing (IDD), dial 001+country code+area code+phone number.

Internet Services
Samui offers several internet cafes in the small communities around the island and especially in the more developed tourist locations. The Sawadee-Internet-Service in Lamai offer services like high speed internet, AOL, compuserve, telnet, e-mail, web design, satellite network, domain and webhosting and the first live camera in Thailand For those with a laptop computer, access to internet service providers is possible through one of the many computer shops found throughout the island.

CLIMATE & WEATHER

The climate of Samui is tropical and therefore warm throughout the year. At the same time it is dominated by the monsoon winds that bring seasonal changes from dry to wet. There are two very hot periods of weather on Samui, the occasional tropical thunderstorm brings relief from the heat. It is also very hot between July to October with occasional showers but these hardly last more than an hour. The months from November to February are generally cool enough to spend more time enjoying outdoor activities. Although this is officially the rainy season, you will probably nonetheless see a good deal of sun and clear skies, as tropical rain showers tend to last not for long.