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Koh Samui, the third
largest island in Thailand, is fast becoming one of the
worlds most sought after holiday destinations. Blessed
with outstanding natural beauty, stunning beaches and a
relaxed laid-back lifestyle it has everything to make
your tropical escape a very special experience. Koh
Samui also promises a vibrant nightlife and a superior
international restaurant scene, making it ideal for a
long and relaxing Thailand holiday.
A part of the Angthong
archipelago, Koh Samui's major claim to fame is the
untouched Angthong National Marine Park, an area so
exotically beautiful that it inspired Alex Garland to
pen his famous book, The Beach. Explore the inner
reaches of this stunning marine destination and discover
why it is considered nothing less than an earthly
paradise.
Koh Samui is also a haven
for water sports. Scuba diving, sailing and kitesurfing
are just some of the popular activities that you can
indulge in the beaches fronting a spectacular coastline.
Chaweng Beach is easily the most popular area on Koh
Samui. This endless sandy beach promises a fun-filled
day of activities and at night it transforms into a
lively entertainment area with the choicest of clubs,
bars, and restaurants vying for your attention.
Enjoy the palm-fringed
serenity on the quieter towns of Bophut, Maenam and
Lamai. Offering fantastic views, these beach areas are
an idyllic escape from the stresses of everyday life.
Further afield, is the
neighbouring island of Koh Phangan, renowned for its
monthly full moon party on the crescent shaped Haad Rin
beach. Bringing together revelers from across the globe,
the event is like none other you would witness on this
planet. For the rest of the month, the island is quiet,
relaxed, and promises a perfect escape.
Songkran
The Thai New Year is
celebrated on the full moon in mid-April. The event is
marked with religious and family duties. Trucks drive
around the ring road with barrels of water and
passengers armed with super-soaker water pistols drench
everyone. Much music and merriment results and everyone
gets sopping wet and is covered in talc.
Koh Samui International
Regatta
Held in the first week of
June, the annual Koh Samui Regatta is an important event
on the island. The clubs, restaurants and bars host
regatta parties for sailors and spectators.
Loy Kratong
Loi Kratong, the beautiful
ceremonial festival of lights, is held in mid-November.
The scene of small floating offerings made from flowers,
leaves and candles set off to float on the rivers and
ocean is truly enchanting. The main venues are the
beaches of Bohput, Chaweng, and Lamai. The bobbing
ocean-bound candles, combined with the air-borne
lanterns dotting the sky create a mesmerizing scene.
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The longest and most
popular beach on Samui has accommodation options along
its entire length. The beach is home to a vibrant
nightlife and has a high concentration of restaurants
and shops.
Samui's second-largest
beach also has a fair share of accommodation options
ranging from top-end and mid-range to budget. The
restricted area on and around the beach means that a
majority of housing is actually found on the surrounding
hills.
Located on the North
coast, the beach offers a wide selection of budget
accommodation with a sprinkling of top end luxury
resorts. Maenam is also home to many of the new villa
developments on the island, in fact this was one of the
first areas on the island to feature such developments.
Home to the island's most
important landmark, the Big Buddha itself, the area has
some relaxed and relatively low priced resorts.
One of Samui's recently
developed villages, Bophut combines traditional Thai
charm with a distinct Mediterranean feel. The area is
more relaxed given the fact that there is less traffic
here. You'll find a number of converted shop-houses that
are perfect for fine dining.
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Dining is one of the
greatest pleasures of life and more so if you are on a
vacation to an exotic locale. In this respect, Koh Samui
does not disappoint. The island offers outstanding
dining options from casual dining to more sophisticated
fare.
While we recommend that
you try the simply delicious Thai food, you can also
traverse the long trusted road and stick to the food you
are familiar with, be it Indian, Mexican, English,
Japanese, Scandinavian, Italian or French. You can pick
up one of the local guides listing the restaurants or
just stroll around and dine in one that catches your
fancy.
Bophut is particularly
famous for its laid-back evening ambience and great
selection of high-end restaurants. Try out Starfish and
Coffee with its decent food and stunning décor. For
tasty steaks, The Shack is a must visit. The beach also
has a number of good Thai, Italian and Indian
restaurants, all within a short stroll. If you are
looking for a romantic evening out in Bophut, Shades and
Smile house is just the place to head to. For fine
dining in outdoor setting, you can try Zazen Boutique
Resort & Spa.
Chaweng boasts of the
highest number of top-end restaurants. Check out
Bellinis and Rice for Italian, Poppies for Fusion, Zicos
for Brazilian, and The Page for contemporary Thai for
good food, elegant style, and beautiful settings and
décor.
If you are a holiday on
Samui, you simply have to try the local food. You can
check out the ubiquitous som tam - a spicy papaya salad
served with grilled chicken and sticky rice - for around
a dollar, on roadside stalls around the island. The
stalls and cafes in Nathon, and in the market of Laem
Din (Chaweng) also serve sumptuous local dishes. For
more upmarket, or Royal Thai cuisine, head to the Baan
Chantra Royal Thai Restaurant at Baan Taling Ngam Resort
and Spa. Lai Thai at the Napasai Resort on the tranquil
Ban Tai beach and serves authentic and delicious Royal
Thai cuisine.
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Koh Samui's exquisite
palm-fringed beaches are perfect for relaxing and taking
in the scenery resting in a hammock. Those looking for
something more active, can find pleasure in the various
marine activities such as kayaking, swimming, snorkeling
and diving in the sparkling waters of the ocean. Each
beach has its own distinct ambience and different
options for things to see and do.
Chaweng Beach
Considered to be one of
Thailand's finest beaches, Chaweng beach has masses of
people sunbathing during the day and a crowd of
party-goers letting their hair down by the night. The
beach offers plenty of amenities and facilities with
shops, bars and restaurants close by. It is one of the
few spots on the island with surf. You can choose from a
good selection of water activities including daily boat
trips to the famous Marine Park, sailing, diving and sea
kayaks.
Bophut Beach
Once a simple fishing
village, Bophut still retains its traditional charm even
as it has turned into a fashionable center for shopping
and dining. The beach is good for families and those
seeking a romantic ambience. You must check out the
Fishermans Village, which is home to plenty of
restaurants, bars and cafes. The beach even offers
facilities for Go-karting.
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The fun is Samui does not
end with the sun set. If you are a night owl, you really
must experience the justifiably famed nightlife of the
island. The busier resorts of the island have a fair
sprinkling of bars, pubs, and cabaret shows.
Chaweng Beach
Chaweng is considered to
be Samuis nightlife capital. Here you will find plenty
of places to hang out after the sun sets. Tropical
Murphys Irish pub is nothing less than an institution,
with 11 draught beers on tap. The live music begins from
around 10 PM. Bar Solo with its cool interior and great
music is another major draw. For a really happening
party scene, the Soi Green Mango is the place to head
to. The area is home to a lot of clubs and Go-Go bars.
Christie's, the most famous Lady-Boy Cabaret on Samui,
is not to be missed. Dust Bar on the lake road is also
worth checking out. The stylish Q Bar generally plays
House. From the open air terrace, you can take in the
panoramic views over the lake.
Bophut Fisherman's
Village
For a more relaxed
surroundings and a laid-back nightlife, the ideal venue
is the seaside Bophut Fisherman Village. You will find a
few chill-out bars, perfect for couples to have an after
dinner drink. You can grab a cocktail on the beach or
relax in one of the bohemian bars that line the street.
Some bars worth checking out are Flair, Frog and Gecko
and Starfish and Coffee.
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Samui is a year-round
travel destination mainly because it enjoys good weather
for about ten months (the other two being the monsoon
months).
Temperatures reach 30 to
35 degrees till May and then 35 to 40 degrees till
September with odd showers from July to September. From
mid October to mid-end December the temperatures are
around the 25 to 30 degrees. Brief tropical rain showers
may occur in late December and early January.
Koh Samui is located about
80 kilometers off the coast of Surat Thani and about 560
kilometers from Bangkok.
The island has a very nice
international airport. You can reach the island by air
from Bangkok, Hong Kong, Phuket or Singapore with
Bangkok Airways, the only airline to serve Koh Samui.
For prices and availability on flights please click on
either logo to be re-directed to their home page.
A 50-kilometre ring road
encompasses the coastline, providing ready access to all
beaches.The best and safest form to travel around the
island is by self-driving an air-conditioned car or
jeep. There are also plenty of cheap taxis on hire. You
can also hire a motorbike to traverse the island but you
will need to be careful of the traffic hazards.
You can also travel in
Songthaews (Lorries or vans with wooden benches for
sitting) but remember to determine the fare before you
start off. Baan Phu Pha Resort can help provide you with
any transport you need via reputable hire companies on
the Island.
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What are Thailand's visa
requirements?
In the past year Thai
authorities have tightened up visa requirements
considerably. Rules continue to change, and you're best
to either contact a Thai consulate or embassy or else
consult with a specialist visa website like:
ThaiVisa
Generally speaking, two
main visas are available for travellers. The first is
actually a "visa free" stay of 30 days, the second is a
tourist visa valid for two months. Both can be extended,
for varying lengths, varying number of times and varying
costs. We suggest you consult your nearest Thai embassy
or consulate or Thaivisa.com for further information as
details will vary on what your nationality is.
You should be good to go
if the term of your stay in Thailand is less than 30
days. If for any reason you are planning to stay longer
than 30 days, please apply for tourist visa with
extended duration of stay .
Almost packed, anything
else?
•Check the current
validity of your passport. All travelers will need a
passport valid for at least 90 days following your
departure date from Thailand. However, we strongly
recommend traveling with 6 months validity on your
passport at all times.
•Make sure your passport
has blank Visa pages. Most destinations, including
Thailand, require that you have adequate un-used pages
in your passport, allowing for any necessary stamps upon
arrival and departure. We recommend that you have at
least two free pages in Visas section of your passport
before any international travel.
•Confirm if transit visa
is required for any connections. Check with your airline
in case you have connecting flights overseas as part of
your journey to Thailand. It may be the case that
countries you pass through en route to your destination
may require a separate transit visa. Please refer to
visa requirements of the specific country.
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Thais are known for their
tolerance and hospitality, and the average tourist will
have no difficulty in adjusting to local customs. As in
any unfamiliar society, a visitor should, nevertheless,
be aware of certain dos and don'ts to avoid offending
people unintentionally. Basically, getting along
involves good common sense and how one should behave at
home. Still, there are a few special tips for travelers
to Thailand.
The Monarchy
Thais revere the Royal
Family, and visitors should be careful to show respect
for His Majesty the King, the Queen and their children.
For example, in a movie theater, movie-goers are
required to stand up while the royal anthem is played.
When attending a public event, at which a member of the
Royal Family is present, watch the crowd and do what it
does.
Religion
Thai law has special
sections on religious offenses covering not only
Buddhism, the religion of most Thais, but also other
faiths in the Kingdom. Sacriligious comments, acts and
vandalism of religious objects or place of worship are
unlawful. It is also unlawful to cause any disturbances
at religious congregations or ceremonies.
Here are a few tips on
what to do and what not to do when visiting a religious
place:
All Buddha images, large
or small, ruined or not, are regarded as sacred. Do not
climb on or do anything that would show lack of respect.
Dress politely and
appropriately. Do not go to a temple shirtless or in
shorts. Pants are considered unsuitable attire for women
visiting a temple. If you have any questions, guides or
officials at each temple will provide instructions for
appropriate dress and behavior.
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It is acceptable to wear
shoes while walking around the compound of a Buddhist
temple, but not inside the chapel where the Buddha
statue is kept.
In a Muslim mosque, men
should wear hats and women should be well covered with
slacks or a long skirt, a long sleeved botttoned-up
blouse, and a scarf over the head. Everyone should
remove her/his shoes before entering the mosque and
should not be present during a religious gathering.
Buddhist monks are
forbidden to touch or be touched by a woman or to
directly accept anything from a woman. If a woman wishes
to offer something to a monk or novice, she must first
hand it to a man who will then present it to the monk.
In case a woman wants to present something herself, the
monk or novice will spread out a piece of saffron robe
or a handkerchief for the woman to place the object on
before it can be picked up or handled.
Social Customs - Dos
and Donts
The donts of everyday Thai
social behavior are less clearly defined than those
concerning the monarchy or religion, especially in
Bangkok where western customs are widely accepted.
However, what is acceptable in Bangkok may not be the
same in the countryside where traditions remain strong
and are strictly adhered. Here are few examples:
Thais do not normally
shake hands when they greet each other, but instead
press the palms of their hands in a prayer-like gesture
called wai. Generally, a younger person should wai an
older person, who will then return it.
It is considered rude to
use your foot for pointing, especially when pointing at
a person. Thais regard their head as the highest part of
the body. They do not approve of touching anyones head,
even in a friendly gesture. At social gatherings, young
Thais go to considerable length to keep their head lower
than those of their elders' in order to avoid giving the
impression of looking down on them. This is not always
possible, of course, but it is the effort that counts.
Public displays of
affection between men and women are frowned upon. You
may see some young Thai couple holding hands but never
kissing in public
Losing your temper,
especially in public, will most likely get you nowhere.
Thais see such displays as poor mannerism. You have a
greater chance of getting what you want if you keep a
cool head and remain polite.
Do not be surprised if you
are addressed by your first name, e.g. Mr. Bob or Ms.
Mary, instead of your last name. This is because Thais
refer to one another in this manner, usually with the
title Khun (Mr., Mrs., or Ms.) in front.
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The following tips are
also helpful for arriving tourists.
Visitors arriving at Don
Muang International Airport should use only authorized
transportation services from the airport to the city and
other areas. Please contact service counter in the
arrival greeting area behind customs.
Those who need help with
accommodations should consult the Thai Hotel Association
counter in the arrival greeting area.
Avoid unauthorized people
who offer their services as guides. Contact a reliable
travel agent for a guide or Tourism Authority of
Thailand (TAT) counter for all tourist information.
Visitors should consider
using taxi services available at most major hotels.
Observe common sense
precautions regarding personal safety and the safety of
your belongings. Walking alone in the dark or deserted
areas is not recommended. Be sure that all your
valuables are protected. Never let your belongings out
of sight if possible.
Travel information is
available at the TAT counter in the passenger arrival
lounge at terminal 1 (Tel. 523-8972-3), terminal 2
(535-2669), or at the head office on Ratchadamnoen Nok
Ave. (282-9775-6), and temporary office on Bumrung Muang
Rd. (266-0075-6)
For assistance with
safety, security, or unethical business practices,
contact the Tourist Assistance Center in Bangkok at
281-5051 or 282-8129 or the Tourist Police at 255-2964-8
or 255-1699
Penalties for drug
offenses are severe in Thailand. Do not get involved
with drugs.
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A wide variety of local
souvenirs are available at reasonable prices in
Thailand. For those who do not have much time and do not
want to bother bargaining, products are also available
at fixed prices in department stores. Bargains can be
done at small shops or with street vendors. Popular
items include silk and leather products, silverware,
ceramics, and items carved out of softwood. Thailands
jewelry is renowned for its craftsmanship and relatively
low prices. However, necessary precautions should be
taken before buying jewelry:
Disregard all strangers
offers of free assistance or services. Shopkeepers pay a
10-30 percent commission to people who bring them
customers and the price will be increased accordingly.
Compare and negotiate the
price of jewelry at different shops before buying.
Note that any claim made
by a shopkeeper that purchases can be refunded at Thai
embassies, consulates, or other government agencies
abroad is false
Make sure that all
documents such as receipts, quality certificates, and
credit card slips clearly indicate the name and address
of the shop and the full purchase price.
Be aware that it is the
general practice of jewelry shops in Thailand that all
goods, once purchased, cannot be returned. However, if
refund is offered, usually 25-30 percent of the purchase
price will be deducted. Some reputable companies will
take back jewelry for a full refund within 30 days after
purchase.
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