Koh Samui Information

Koh Samui facts

Koh means: Island in Thai language
Island size: About 247 km²
Location: Gulf of Thailand, on the South-East coast of Thailand
Province: Changwat Suratthani
Distance from Bangkok: About 700 km
Number of Tambon or sub districts: 7
Population: About 50,000 (officially)
Main town: Nathon
Important numbers
Police emergency: 191
Tourist Police: 0 7742 1281
Tourist Police - Emergency: 1155
Fire Department: 106
Bangkok Hospital: 0 7742 9500
Samui Hospital: 0 7742 1232
Immigration: 0 7742 1069

Short history
Koh Samui has been settled for about 1500 years. The first arrivals here were fishermen. The island is to be found on 500 years old maps from Chinese Ming dynasty. Fishing and later coconuts has been the major source of income on Koh Samui island. Today, tourism is the main income for the inhabitants of the island.

Samui island
Koh Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand (bordering the South China Sea in the Pacific Ocean). The island is a "Amphoe" or district in the Surat Thani Changwat or province. Samui is divided into seven "Tambon" or sub districts (administrative regions): Maenam, Bophut, Maret, Taling Ngam, Namuang, Lipa Noi and Angthong. Koh Samui has been a backpackers destination since late 70's. Today, tourist from the whole world go to this easygoing paradise. It´s located in the Gulf of Siam and surrounded by more than sixty other islands, some small and inhabited, some bigger as Koh Phangan, Koh Tao (divers island) Koh Nang Yuan and Angthong Islands, the National Marine Park.


Going here from Bangkok
There are a couple of good options to choose from:
Flight
There are many daily flights from the International and domestic Airport in Bangkok; Suvarnabhumi Airport (opened in September 2006). Bangkok Air flies direct to Samui Airport. A flight schedule with Bangkok Airways is found here. Thai Airways and Air Asia flies to Suratthani. From there, just catch the bus or taxi to the ferry in Donsak.

Bus
If you want a more economical way to travel, take the VIP bus from the well-known Khao San Road or from the Southern bus terminal at Boromrat Chonnani Road. The VIP buses are more comfortable than the so called A/C bus. You can buy a ticket in almost every travel agency in Bangkok. Ferry is often included in the price.

Train
Another great way to travel is the night train from Hualamphong, the Bangkok railway station, to Suratthani. The sleeping cars are comfortable. It is a little more expensive than the bus, but you will get a good sleep. Upper beds are less expensive than the lower ones. A private "first class" cabin for two persons, is also available.

Ferry
The fastest ferry leaves from the two main piers in Donsak on the main land with operators like Seatran, and Raja Ferry. The price is about 110 baht. You will see many of the small surrounding islands if you don't fall asleep. You might also take the Lomprayah ferry from Chumphon. On smaller ferries (like the Songserm ones) from other piers, you might be contacted by Thai-guys to convince you that "their" resort on Samui is great. It can be a blank or a prize in that "lottery". You can easily book a room or bungalow here 24 hours a day and all year round.

Money and ATM's
Nowadays there are many exchange offices (mini banks) and especially ATM machines on the island which accepts all major credit, electron and debit cards such as VISA, MasterCard, Amex etc. You will also find many banks on the major beaches and in Nathon.

To do on Samui


Thai Boxing stadiums
The Lamai Stadium is located in South Lamai, between Ring Road and Lamai Beach Road. Another ring is found in a bar area in the middle of the Beach Road. (so called lady boxing and free to watch) The Chaweng Stadium is the main arena on the island and located rather close to Reggae Pub. Action several times a week. Sometimes you can see "farangs" (westerners) vs Thai guys in the ring. We also recommend Ratchadamnoern and Lumpini stadiums in Bangkok if you want to see "the real thing" even if there might be good fights on Koh Samui too.

Samui Shooting Range
Pistols and machine guns! Location: Main Road. Close to Chaweng.

Go Kart
Three types of go karts to choose from. Found at Bo Phut Main Road. Lots of fun!

Bungy Jump
This adrenaline pumping activity is found at Chaweng, rather close to Reggae Pub and the Chaweng Lake.

Buffalo fighting
A couple of arenas is located around the island. This is a Thai and local tradition with a long history.

Butterfly garden
Here you will see amazing butterflies and other tropical insects. It is located in the South-East at Leam Set.

Magic Garden
It is located in the center of Samui. Many interesting sculptures made of cement, by the hands of a fruit farmer.

Further activities and sports are found here


Nathon
The harbor town on Samui is named Nathon. You will find banks, post offices, restaurants, stores and shops here, but it's is not a place where so many people choose to stay at. Nathon also has a rather long pier where boats arrives from mainland.


Things change
Some tourists started to come here in early 70s, when the only business here were coconuts and fishing. I went to Samui first time in 1989-90. Electrical power cuts were then so common, you didn't even notice them. Of course prices were lower (Khao phed gai; fried rice with chicken was 10 bath) But as Samui has become a very popular tourist destination, prices is of course higher today, even if they still can be considered as very reasonable. Many hope that Samui stay at least a little more relaxed then Phuket and Pattaya but time will show.


Samui Attractions
Koh Samui is not a place where you will find the "most famous" Buddhist wats (temples) or statues etc. I would suggest cities such as Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Chaing Mai, Sukhothai or Ayutthaya. And if you are looking for really big hotels and a busy nightlife, I would recommenced Patong beach in Phuket or maybe Pattaya. But Koh Samui is perfect if you want a place without really big hotels, resorts and discotheques or clubs, but where you still can find great beaches, places to eat, bars and even a couple of nightclubs. Most people who has visit Koh Samui chooses to go back and some returns again and again... You can easily book your Koh Samui tours and activities online here


Waterfalls
To be honest, you will not find a "Niagara looking" waterfall on Samui, but it can be a nice experience anyway.

Na Muang waterfall
Located about 10 km south of Nathon. It is about 80 meters high. You have to walk for a while to get here.

Hin Lad waterfall
Located 2 km south of Nathon Town. Take a walk in the forest and enjoy a soft drink or why not a refreshing Thai beer such as Singha, Beer Chang or Leo afterwards.


Big Buddha
Wat Phra Yai is a more than 12 meter tall Buddha statue, first built in 1972. It is located on a small island but today connected with main land with a bridge. Please show respect and wear proper clothes and shoes while visiting. This is not just a tourist attraction, but also an important Buddhist symbol for the local Thai people here. In 2005 and 2006, Big Buddha has been extended with a Dharma wheel and a traditional Suphannahong boat.


Hin Ta Hin Yai
The grandfather and grandmother rocks located on South Lamai beach.

Nightlife and bars
On Samui you'll find a few nightclubs and discotheques if you like that kind of entertainment. We can recommend; Green Mango (on Soi Green Mango next to Chaweng Bach Road), Reggae Pub (on Chaweng beach) and Bauhaus, Super Sub (on Lamai beach) There are also smaller pubs and bars all over the island. Enjoy! So called girlie bars are rather common and often a little more expensive. If you are a man, do not be to surprised if one of the girls wants to follow you to your room. Normally she is not too serious if she say that she is in love with you though. She is doing it as a work to support herself and often also her family.


Be aware
Messing with drugs is not only bad for your health. Thai prisons ain' t hotel rooms. You will end up in a hot room with no beds and no privacy. Remember that HIV/AIDS exists even on Samui. It is a serious matter in whole Thailand, even though campaigns by the government and authorities has slow down the number of infected people each year.


Around the island


Walk
Nice, but use a lot of sun screen and be careful in the traffic.

Bicycle
Just rent it. It's cheap. But be very careful if the traffic is intense.

Motorbike
Most common for transportation here. From 100 cc (smaller bikes such as; Honda Click, Honda Wave, Honda Dream, Yamaha Nouvo, Yamaha Mio etc), to Harley Davidson. Prices from 120 baht per day and up. Please, for your own safety, use a helmet and do never drive drunk!

Pickup taxi (Songtaew)
From early morning to 7 pm. Price: 20-50 Baht, but it's more expensive at night after 6 PM. After this time you will have to negotiate about the price.

Car
You can rent a jeep or a car. Prices starts from about 700 Baht a day.

Taxi
Convenient! But most of them do not use the taximeter. Ask for the price in advance. The prices usually start from about 100 baht and up.


Your safety


Many people dies every year in Samui traffic! The roads can be very dangerous at nighttime. It is stupid and like playing Russian roulette to drink and drive here. IMPORTANT! Please, do always bring your insurance with you! Some hospitals require it if you end up in an accident. Please, be careful in the Samui traffic - Always!

Also, try not to leave your precious belongings in your room when you go out. Burglaries are not common but can occur.

Especially between 5pm and 8pm there might be some mosquitoes outside. Please protect yourself with cloths or repellents as cases of dengue fever are reported occasionally.


Koh Samui photos

Photos from Samui and Thailand taken by us is found here
You'll find photos from Samui and Thailand sent to us here


Beaches

Most beaches has white sand and are fringed with coconut palms. Many resorts and hotels are located just a couple of meters from the beach. The most popular are:

Chaweng
A 7 km long beach in the North-East of Samui. The most well-known and developed, but also one of the best. You can rent anything from a simple bungalows to a five star hotel room here. There are plenty of high standard resorts here. The sand is invitingly white, but it can be a lot of people here, especially at high season.

Lamai
Not far as long as Chaweng but more quite and some people would say charming. The Southern part of the beach is somehow more inviting than the Northern, because there are not so much stones and corals there. Lamai is located in South-East of Samui, about 10 kilometers South of Chaweng. A little North of Lamai you will find Ao Tong Takian beach. It has became rather popular, and a few resorts are located there. Photos of Lamai beach is found here.

Maenam, Big Buddha and Bo Phut
In the North of Samui you will find these fine beaches. You will also find the small but very beautiful Chong Mon beach in the North-East and Bang Por beach in the North-West. They are not as crowded as Chaweng and Lamai. A large range of hotels and bungalows are found here and it is close to the Airport, Pier(s) and Big Buddha too.

On Samui you can stay in anything from a rather spartan bungalow to a luxury hotel. You can easily find and also book a hotel, bungalow or resort from here


Diving
Koh Samui, Koh Tan and Koh Tao has many excellent diving sites. There are many schools who provide professional education. Snorkeling and wave diving is also fun. You can buy equipment in many diving shops on Koh Samui and Koh Tao. The diving section is found here

Maps and guidebooks
There is much more to do on Samui. You can get a free map and guide in every travel agency there. We recommend Lonely Planet guide books. They provides the best travel guides we have seen.


Respecting Thai culture
Thai people are normally very friendly and has high tolerance. Just remember that if you come from another country; Thai people are very proud of the monarchy and the King and also of course their religion (About 95% are Buddhists). Also remember that Buddha images, temples etc are considered as holy. Please enter a temple with respect and wear appropriate clothes. (no shorts) Don't point your feet to someone while sitting and don't touch people's head. At Koh Samui and other "tourist places" the inhabitants are normally used to "western lifestyle", so there are no problems as long as you just show the same "respect" as people show you.


Keep Samui clean
Please throw finished bottles and other waste in a garbage can. Let coming generations be able to explore Koh Samui as well. If everyone respect the nature and wildlife on Samui it will remain a small "paradise" on earth for a long time!


Dogs and cats
Most of the stray dogs and cats are "friendly and harmless" in Thailand, but of course there are always a few exceptions. There are still some stray dogs and cats at Samui beaches and villages. Do you want to help to make their life's better? Please visit and/or support the Dog Rescue Center


Where to stay?
There are many hundreds of different accommodations alternatives available on the Samui island. Hotels, resorts, apartments and villas. Prices starts from a few hundred baht and up. Koh Samui today, has many resorts with international high class standards. Many of those "boutique resorts" has facilities as restaurants, spas, fitness rooms, jacuzzis and pools. You will find a lot of accommodation options with a wide price range in our Hotel section

Extending your visa
To extend a visa on Koh Samui, just go to the Koh Samui Immigration Office. It is located 2 km South of Nathon town on Thaweeratphakdee Road. If you need to go for a visa run, there are buses, minibuses to Malaysia and Myanmar (Burma) via Ranong. Nowadays there are also flights to Malaysia. Berjaya Air flies to Kuala Lumpur and Fire Fly flies to Penang. You can easily book tickets from the travel agencies on the island.