Koh Samui located off north-eastern coast of Thailand peninsular which is 84km east off Surat Thani Province and 475km south of Bangkok, Samui also the 2nd most beautiful island in Thailand and 3rd largest island in Thailand after Phuket and Koh Chang. Samui have many beautiful beaches and bays. The best time to visit Samui is from February to April every year due the sea is calm this time.
GETTING THERE
1. BY AIR - Bangkok Airways have frequent flight from Bangkok, Phuket and U-Tapao (at Sattahip, 30km south of Pattaya). Thai Airways also have direct flight from Bangkok. Samui also can reach via Penang (http://www.firefly.com/), several flights a week from Kuala Lumpur with Berjaya Air (http://www.berjaya-air.com/).
2. BY BOAT / FERRY - Have various companies operate the boat to connect Samui from mainland.
a) Rajah Ferry - depart from Don Sak pier which is located 70km south of Surat Thani town with 1 hour journey to this pier. Crossing time from this pier around 1.5 hour. Operation hour from 5 am to 7 pm.
b) Songserm (Express Boat) depart from Ta Thong pier with 2.5 hour journey.
c) Seatran Express - Fast connection from Surat Thani (at Ban Don pier), take 2 - 2.5 hour to Samui and u can avoid riding bus 1 hour from Surat Thani to Don Sak pier if u take boat from this pier. 3 times daily (from Surat Thani at 7 am, 12.30 pm & 4.30 pm whilst from Samui at 8 am, 10.30 am & 3 pm).
d) Night Boat - u can take at Ban Don Pier, crossing time around 5 - 5.5 hours. By this boat u can avoid sleeping at Surat Thani if u arrive there at the end of the day. Depart from Ban Don pier at 11 pm.
From Bangkok - the cheapest way is by bus (from Khao San road) http://www.khaosanroad.com/charlieconnection/index.htm) or train (Hualamphong station) to Surat Thani, and take ferry from Donsak / Ta Thong / Ban Don pier. You can buy a joint ticket in Bangkok on Khao San Road.
GETTING AROUND
1. Songthaew - local taxi from pick-up truck, very practical and cheap but don't have timetable. U just stand by the roads and stop the songthaew and ride. Operation hour start from 6 am - 6 pm, after 6 pm also can but the price maybe higher and need to negotiate.
2. Meter Taxi - more expensive than songthaew, must negotiate price before getting on.
3. In Samui u also can rent the vehicles like car, motorcycle and bycycle. The rent shop have everywhere in Samui especially in Chaweng area.
THINGS TO DO & SEE
1. BEACHES
a) Chaweng Beach - 7km beach, the longest and most developed beach on Samui, located on east coast. Here have many accommodations, restaurants, souvenir shops, bar, disco and dive shop along the beach.
b) Lamai Beach - 2nd most popular beach in Samui, it situated to the south of Chaweng beach. This 4km beach offer a lot of accommodations, market, dive shops, restaurants and entertainment area. This beach also close to the Twin Rocks on shore Hin Ta & Hin Yai.
c) Na Thon Bay - Here is the major settlement on west coast of Samui. Here also located main pier for ferry arrive from Surat Thani and also shopping centre of the island.
d) Taling Ngam Beach - located south of Na Thon, quiet beach and one of most beautiful beach on west coast of Samui.
e) Big Buddha Beach - This beach got its name from 12-metres high golden buddha, which is spectacular landmark of the island and located at the north-eastern coast of Samui.
f) Bo Phut Beach - Also known as Fisherman village and located next to the Buddha Beach.
g) Mae Nam Beach - next to Bo Phut Beach, this 5-km white beach is one of the most popular spots for holiday-makers. Apart from numerous bungalows and restaurants, there are also dive shops and other water sports facilities on the beach
2. Hin Ta Hin Yai ( Grandfather & Grandmother rocks) - this is the one of most visited place by tourist in Samui, this rock formation represent male & female genital organs, located to the south of Lamai Beach.
3. Wat Phra Yai - Temple of Big Buddha, 12-metre high golden buddha.
4. Fighting Buffaloes - it is one of most popular sport in southern Thailand. A lots of stadium around the island, for program show u can check with local organiser. Entry fees around 100 - 150 Baht for gents whilst ladies are free.
5. Aquarium & Tiger Zoo - located at Laem Set bay, here have many of species of fish and coral and at the aquarium exit u can see the tiger inside the cages.
6. Snake farm at Ta Ling Ngam.
7. Monkey theatre on the way from Chaweng to Bo Phut Beach.
8. Bungy jump at Reggae street.
9. Muay Thai - u also can take private lesson around 1500 Baht/hour.
10. Snorkeling trip to Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan.
EATING
In Samui u can get many of Thai local food and international dishes like Japanese, Amercan, Italian, Swedish, Korean, English, Chinese, Spanish, Germany, Indian etc..
Chaweng area - Chaweng has a variety of restaurants and located along the beach. From local Thai food to gourmet international your taste will be satisfied. The restaurant likes Prego (Italian), Ali Baba Restaurant (Indian), Olivio's (International menu), Zicos (Bbrazillian), Will Wait (bakery cum restaurant), Toto's (Italian classic just opposite Burger King), Gringo's Cantina (Samui finest Mexican dishes) etc.
Lamai area - Lamai has a great selection of dining options from roadside stalls to the first-class establishments attached to smart hotels. In the beach road area you will find a wide variety cafes catering to foreign visitors and ex-pats, including British, Italian, Indian and Scandinavian food. There are also some relatively new bistro-style eateries on the outskirts of Lamai with thoroughly contemporary cuisine, meaning you no longer have to head into Chaweng for top-class international dishes. The restaurant likes The Cliff Bar & Grill ( International menu), Sri Nuan (Thai Food specialty), Salathai ( Thai & European menu), Ninja Crepes ( cheap and a great selection of crepes - 24 hours) etc.
SHOPPING
Three major areas for shopping likes Na Thon market, Chaweng market and Lamai market. In Samui u will enjoy great shopping with many kind of retail goods from all over of Thailand. In Samui u also can buy Thai famous souvenir likes Silk, Gems & Jewellery, Pearl, Gold, Lacquerware, Silverware, Nilonware and Pewterware.
Chaweng - here u will find all kind of shops, boutique. here also have skilled tailors & dressmakers who can sew a perfect fitting suits and dress of your choice. Talad Laem Din is Chaweng traditional market with vegetables, fruits, fishs, seafood and also cheap cloths. In Chaweng also have TOP'S market (modern supermarket, located just north from McDonald, best place to buy food product from outside Thailand), TESCO LOTUS (large shopping centre in Samui, close to Bangkok Hospital on the way Chaweng to Bo Phut), HOMEPRO (next to Tesco, home for electronic tools & household equipments).
Lamai - also have a lots of shop & boutique but less than Chaweng area, mostly concentrate around Ban Lamai and Beach road. Talad Lamai is local traditional market but smaller than Talad Laem din in Chaweng which is located at Ring road and close to Bank of Ayudhya.
ATM machine are many on Samui. They accept most of Credit, Debit and Electron cards like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diner Club and JCB.
CHEAP ACCOMMODATION
1. Samui Island Resort in Chaweng (600 Baht for room with fan), email : info@samuiislandresort.com
2. Moby Dick Guesthouse in Chaweng (400 - 600 Baht for room with fan).
3. Penzy Guesthouse in Bo Phut beach.
4. Embassy Samui Guesthouse in Chaweng (600 Baht for standard fan & 700 Baht Standard AC)
HAVE FUN IN SAMUI,,FOR TOUR OR ACCOMMODATION JUST FIND AT SIDEBAR,,THANKS.
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