Where is Koh Samui? Open left menu Samui
Updated 02/04/2020 Views 10811 61 comments
Koh Samui is an island in the Gulf of Thailand, which is part of the province of Surat Thani, adjacent to the islands of Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and a scattering of islets of the Angthong National Marine Park. The main value of Samui is its wide variety of beaches and well-developed tourist infrastructure. The central part of the island is made up of hills up to 600 meters high, and the area around the mountains is suitable for development. The island is becoming more expensive every year, confidently heading towards the title of a boutique island, but at the same time it cannot overcome the problem of waste disposal.
Preparing for the trip
Description of the resort and why go to Koh Samui
Koh Samui and Koh Phangan are the only large islands in the southern Gulf of Thailand. All the rest are located far in the north and differ radically both in climate and in the composition of tourists coming on vacation (Koh Chang, Ko Kood). Or they are located on the opposite side of the mainland, and also differ in climate and geographical features(Koh Lanta, Phi Phi, Phuket). If you have transport, you can always find a swimming beach on Samui even at low tide, and the choice of beaches itself satisfies both savages, swimming fans, and mothers with babies.
There are about forty beaches on Koh Samui. The deepest ones are located in the north (Maenam, Bo Phut) and east (Chaweng, Lamai), and smaller but more beautiful ones are in the south (Bang Kao) and west (Taling Ngam, Lipa Noi). The southern part of Koh Samui is dominated by flat terrain with occasional hilltops, while the northern and central parts of the island are hilly with flat areas along the beaches. The infrastructure of Samui is concentrated in the northeast and east, while the southwest is still considered a stronghold of introverts and delights with huge areas of palm groves, in which there are sometimes houses.
The beaches on Samui are developed, with beach equipment rentals and water attractions, bars, discos and shops. There are quiet, family-friendly ones, with plenty of shade and moderate infrastructure. And there are some that are completely wild, deserted and incredibly beautiful. Samui is good precisely because, with all the diversity of preferences, every tourist finds here “that” place to which he will return again and again. Samui is very different island.
Koh Samui is great for a holiday. If you get bored, then from any pier in the north you can rush to Koh Phangan - a wilder version of Samui. Or go snorkeling in Koh Tao, a wilder version of Koh Phangan. Or take a trip to the park's Angthong Islands - a wilder version of Koh Tao. That is, what makes this resort attractive is that you can always increase or decrease the degree of comfort here. From cheap bungalows in the west of Koh Phangan to luxury hotels in the northwest of Samui. From asphalt highways to bone-crushing potholes, from a reggae bar in the rocks to a pretentious restaurant on the roof of a hotel - everything is here.
Koh Samui is one of the best resorts in Thailand
Which beach to choose
Choosing your beach on Koh Samui is a simple matter, but requires clarification on several issues: are you going to rent transport, is civilization nearby important, and lastly, how critical is the sea’s bathability. All questions are relevant only for vacationers, because for wintering the approach is different, with an emphasis on long-stay and practicality. I’ll say right away - if you are planning to rent a scooter or car, then all the beaches of the island are open to you, and this is a huge plus, because the beaches of Samui can behave differently at the same time of the day.
If you are planning to walk, the infrastructure and daily swimmability of the beaches are important to you, then first you need to worry about choosing the right month for your trip (see the section on climate), and only then choose from the five most popular beaches of Samui. Those where 90% of tourists go: , and - all the beaches are described in detail by me in separate articles.
In short, Maenam is: deep sea, shady shore and average infrastructure; considered a family beach. Bo Phut is Maenam, only with more developed infrastructure and is considered a hotel beach. Choeng Mon is located on the outskirts, there is a lot of shade, it is shallow and therefore considered a children's beach.
Chaweng is a party, youthful, very beautiful beach in the east, and Lamai is a smaller version of Chaweng with a deeper sea. You can live on all five beaches without going out for two weeks, without renting a vehicle, without experiencing a lack of services. They are closest to Samui airport and shopping centers. All beaches are deep, except for shallow Choeng Mon, which is noticeably subject to low tides.
If infrastructure is not important to you, and you went to Samui for solitude and a beach holiday, then there are swimming beaches in the wilder parts of the island. I should immediately note that all the beaches not included in the five above are not so deep and are subject to low tides. In the west of Samui there are Thong Yang and Lipa Noi, uncrowded beaches with a clean bottom, without rocks, with sunsets and rare villas on the shore. In the north are the beaches of Bang Po and Ban Tai. Bang Po is an introvert's paradise with a bunch of restaurants on the shore, and Ban Tai is a children's paradise and a beautiful sea with white coral sand on the beach. In the south - Bang Kao, however, is suitable for swimming not along its entire length, but where the bottom is more or less cleared of stones. A charmingly deserted area with sparse buildings and large patches of jungle.
The best beach on Koh Samui - Lamai How to choose a hotel or house
For family winter travelers (staying for 1 month or longer), I would recommend Maenam, Bo Phut or Lamai. These beaches have excellent infrastructure, a large flat area with a huge selection of accommodation, and these beaches are among the top five on Koh Samui. I don't recommend Chaweng because of its discomfort and anxiety. Lots of noise, dust, dense urban development.
For winterers without children, the outskirts of Chaweng, Lamai, Maenam and Choeng Mon are suitable - this is if infrastructure and the beach are important. Villages have poor infrastructure, but beautiful beaches. I have a detailed analysis of renting a house on Samui in my article, and a selection of houses for self-rental in.
There are several types of accommodation available to you on Koh Samui, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages: hotel, resort, apartments, a private house, townhouse or villa. If you are visiting Samui for no longer than two weeks, then the easiest way for you is to book a hotel (with houses it is more difficult), you just need to understand which beach. But with a period of 30 days or more, it makes sense to think and sort through the options.
You have only 2 options for renting a house/apartment in Thailand: through a realtor in advance or on your own on the spot. In the case of a realtor, housing will be waiting for you upon arrival, no hassle on vacation. But remember, there are a lot of scammers now, transfer money only to trusted realtors.
If you decide to search on your own, be prepared to comb the area for 2-5 days in a row in 30-degree heat. And besides, everything is busy.
How to get to Koh Samui
Koh Samui is approximately 700 km from Bangkok and 350 km from Phuket. And Bangkok and Phuket are the only two settlements in Thailand where direct flights fly from Russia. There is also one on Samui, but it belongs to Bangkok Airways, which are essentially a monopoly and few people are allowed there. Therefore, a flight to Koh Samui will always have a transfer and will always be more expensive than flights to Bangkok or Phuket. It’s better to traditionally search for such flights on, look directly to Samui with a single ticket.
You can get to Koh Samui in other more complex ways. For example, fly to Thailand with one ticket (to Phuket or Bangkok), and then by land (bus/train + ferry) or again by air (direct flight or with a transfer). A trip from Bangkok by land will cost about 1,000 baht, by plane with a transfer from 1,500 baht, and a direct flight directly to Samui will cost 3,500 baht. Here I have a detailed post about how to get there.
If we talk about comfortable ways, especially when traveling with children, I recommend buying a ticket from Russia directly to Samui, or taking a ticket to Bangkok or Phuket, and then another air ticket from Bangkok Airways, which will take you directly to Samui airport. All other methods are crap.
Climate and weather on Koh Samui
It seems to ignorant people that due to the small size of the Kingdom of Thailand, there is no particular need to study the weather patterns for each resort separately - and in vain. The weather on Koh Samui differs from the general Thai weather reports, so many tourists are surprised by the excessive rainfall in November and December - but many come here to wait out the winter or spend time at sea new year holidays.
In cold months, the air temperature drops to 23-26 degrees, and in hot months it reaches 30-32. Such changes bring a smile to people who have just arrived from -20 with knee-deep snowdrifts, but the island’s centenarians suffer from the cold. If you come for the winter in September - October, you will have time to more or less acclimatize and experience all the horror of the Thai winter, when it is cold to walk on the tiles in the house, you have to put on socks and sleep under a blanket.
The hottest months on Koh Samui are from late February to April. The rainiest months are from November to mid-January. Summer is considered the period of monsoon rains in Thailand, but on Koh Samui this results in clear, cloudless days and short daily rains in the late afternoon, or during the day. More clouds and rain begin at the end of September, October is no longer particularly encouraging with good weather, November is the peak of precipitation, December is the amount of precipitation begins to decrease.
In the winter months, almost all the beaches of the island “delight” with high waves, and don’t listen to local realtors who write about the November showers “it rains a little more often than usual” and “it’s nice to jump on the waves” - no, it’s unpleasant. A dirty, agitated sea with foam and some kind of rubbish that was washed off the island by the recent rain is unpleasant. Of course, there is always a chance for changes in the weather, which are happening more often due to global warming. November may turn out to be almost dry, and March may be disappointing with cloudy weather, but based on observations from past years, I would advise focusing on the climate that I described above.
Another little life hack from me: pay attention to Koh Samui in the summer months. This period is not very popular with our travel agencies, who urgently need to sell Turkey and other seasonal resorts that sell like hot cakes in the summer. But Samui in the summer months is one of the most beautiful places in Thailand: a large number of sunny days, rare rains, amazing colors of nature, a seasonal decline in tourists and, as a result, lower prices for everything.
Upon arrival at the resort
How to get to your hotel
Samui Airport is located in the northeastern part of the island. And although it would seem that Chaweng, Lamai and Bo Phut are right next to it, you will have to either take a taxi/transfer, or cram into a minibus, which is usually tailored to flights. And if the task is to get from the pier (when you are on a ferry), then the distance is already quite decent and you can drive for the same Chaweng for an hour.
There is another option, a transfer from a well-known transfer service. A convenient way, you will be met with a sign with your name, your luggage will be taken to the car and delivered to your hotel. There are a minimum of hassles on site, you don’t even need knowledge of English, the driver is aware of your route. I have already used them more than once, here.
Sights to see
If you are an inexperienced person, then the attractions on Koh Samui will be enough for you for your entire vacation and even wintering. But if you have already visited the north of Thailand or managed to travel around the world and see large-scale attractions, then you will need to get used to the fact that everything on the island is reduced in size. Waterfalls, lakes, caves, temples, mountains - all this is local, seasonal and not impressive. Probably half of the attractions on Samui are man-made objects, and they are not always of an interesting design.
The best places on Koh Samui are included in sightseeing tours any travel agency that is not very expensive. If you are new to the island, it is better to take a tour once and see everything at once. It includes a transfer and you don’t have to worry about moving around, since public transport is bad. , one of the safari parks with elephants, is an incomplete list of the main and most visited attractions on Koh Samui.
If you are comfortable with a motorbike and you don’t like jostling with twenty tourists in one minibus, then all these places are easy to visit on your own, and besides them, I would recommend other attractions that are simpler, but no less interesting: Cultural Center on Taling Ngam, and the White Temple, a mangrove forest, the second mummified mummy at Wat Kirivongkaram, the embankment in Nathon, and a lot of viewpoints - all this is marked on my map of Samui. If you are comfortable with Google maps and a navigator, then you will have plenty to do on the island.
And when you get tired of Samui itself, then you have its beautiful brother Phangan nearby, which is not so aggressively built up with houses and bars. Koh Phangan has about 30 beaches and almost two-thirds of the island is covered with jungle; wild place, you will definitely like it. And besides Phangan, there is the island of Tao, even more distant from Koh Samui, a mecca for local divers and snorkelers. And if you want a general “head off” and complete uninhabitation, then around Samui there are several small satellite islands and the Angthong National Marine Park - there is generally wilderness and pristine beauty.
Where to eat, which cafes
Recommending cafes and restaurants is a thankless and risky task. Today I will like their cooking and sincere service, but tomorrow the same staff will have a different mood or there will be no one from above to look after them, or the owner will change altogether - and now dissenting reviews of my recommendations begin. So, keep in mind the fact that the listed establishments were working and were ideal at the time of your visit, and if you were unlucky with them, it was the will of the Buddha.
The best eating places in Lamai are:
— . Tasty, plentiful, inexpensive.
— Burmese San cafe, Thai cuisine. The Burmese husband, Alexander, cooks, it’s very tasty, it’s better to come during the day - there are more places and the cooking is not in a hurry.
– Thai cuisine, sushi and seafood – Sala Thai Had Lamai
— pizza, seafood, Italian cuisine — Antica Locanda
— Thai cuisine — Imchai Thai Food
- Thai cuisine in an unpopular place, so there is always a table - New Hut restaurant, inexpensive.
— Thai cuisine The Bamboo’s Restaurant
— , Thai cuisine and seafood.
— Swedish cuisine Roestiland, excellent European cooking.
— Ageha Sushi bar, Thai cuisine and seafood.
On Chaweng:
- Thai cuisine, very popular among the locals of Ranong 2, with open hall and no air conditioning. Seafood, authentic cuisine, inexpensive.
— MK restaurant inside the Tesco Lotus hypermarket
- Black Canyon restaurant in the same Tesco - excellent coffee and some dishes of Isan cuisine.
In Bo Phut:
— Bistro Journal on Bo Phut, European cuisine and coffee
— a small cafe with Thai cuisine, The Hut Cafe, difficult to find and difficult to leave.
— — excellent shakes, cocktails and Thai food. Stunning view during the day, there is a swimming pool.
The best eating places in Maenam are:
— Thai cuisine cafe Spice — cozy, only five tables, but very tasty and not cheap.
— restaurant of the Maenam Resort hotel — you can walk from the side of the alley that leads to the sea. Large restaurant, long wait for ordering, restaurant prices, but the Thai cuisine is prepared very decently.
— Indian restaurant Babu’s Indian Hot — expensive, tasty, authentic.
— the Uncle Noi cafe is a terribly popular place; it’s crowded in the evenings. The cook is Thai, a smoker and a swearer, but the food is delicious.
— breakfasts at Angela’s Diner are very popular among farangs. European breakfasts and sandwiches, pastries and coffee. Expensive.
— Thai cuisine — Apple’s Kitchen. Tasty, fast, average price tag.
— the best BBQ Buffet on Samui, located next to the night market. The most delicious selection of ingredients, reasonable price, authentic, small place in the evening.
– amazing Thai cuisine – La Boudoir
On Ban Tai:
— Thai and European cuisine at Kodrayak Cafe. Indoor tables only, European style, lots of glass furniture, excellent burgers, pizza and Thai dishes. UPD from August 2018: already closed.
To Bang Po:
— Italian restaurant and the best pizza on the island, Celli’s. Indoor tables only, classic restaurant with glasses, cloth napkins and excellent wine. Holds Italian family for many years.
— Thai cuisine, amazing seafood in Krua Bang Por, people come from different parts of the island to try their cooking.
— Siripoca on Bang Po, Thai cuisine, sand floor, no walls, open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- new cafe Racha Samui restaurant - opened in September 2017, they serve good curry dishes, but we have to see how they will behave in the future.
In the Nathon area:
— a cafe on the Kalasea seashore, with an original design, excellent shakes and good salads. UPD from August 2018: Closed after a strong storm - everything was broken. In its place stands a similar establishment with a different name.
On Lipa Noi:
— THINK! Retro cafe - the design of the room is made of sea containers. Sunset place, though from around the corner - the cape with the military base is in the way. Great drinks.
Renting for a long period of 1-2 months or more is already more interesting (that is, cheaper) from small local companies or private owners, but it is very advisable to choose candidates among them based on reviews. There are rentals that rent own cars, and there are also those who work for a percentage of the change, and when a client contacts them, they simply contact those rental companies who have something suitable. It also happens that the car is subleased, even though this is not allowed. How this is then resolved in case of problems, I have no idea.
There is no public transport on Koh Samui. More or less, songthaews (pickup minibuses) operate in that steppe, but they do not go around the entire island. The routes are divided into two main sections: - and Chaweng -, they pass along the northern part of the ring road. There are basically no tuk-tuks (three-wheeled scooters) on the island. There are motorbike taxis and minibus shuttles, but otherwise, people travel by their own or rented vehicles. This is why I am always surprised if a person intends to see the surrounding area, but does not want to rent equipment.
P.S. Ask questions, I’ll add if anything is missing. And leave your feedback about your holiday on Koh Samui, how you liked it or not :)
Life hack #1 - how to buy good insurance
Choosing insurance now is incredibly difficult, so to help all travelers. To do this, I constantly monitor forums, study insurance contracts and use insurance myself.
The transport network of Koh Samui is determined by the terrain. Due to the fact that the island is not so large, there is no need for an extensive vehicle fleet. Therefore, there are only three ways to travel here:
- on route songthaews,
- on a rented car or motorbike,
- by taxi.
To those who have with them driver license category (A), of course, it is most convenient to rent a bike. This will allow you to not depend on public transport schedules and move freely throughout Samui. This can be done at any rental office, of which there are plenty in any part of the island. The price for daily rental is most often 200-700 baht. However, in addition to this, it is necessary to leave a certain amount as a deposit, which will be returned if vehicle will not have any recent damage, and also if all other rental conditions are met.
The second option for unhindered movement around the island is to rent a car. You can rent a car on the spot, but the most convenient way is to order it on specialized websites such as RenralCars. This way you can compare offers from different companies and choose the most suitable one. The price for renting a car per day is 1200-1500 baht, depending on the model of the car, its condition and the number of days. As a rule, this option is most profitable for companies of 4-5 people.
Taxis on the island can be rented either privately or ordered online. The second method allows you to know the exact amount of the trip, but with the first it is more difficult in this regard. Taxi cars on Samui are not equipped with meters, therefore, the cost of the service will depend solely on the wishes of the driver. You can get from the airport to the beach from 500 baht, around the island - about 200 baht.
The only public transport on the island, as mentioned above, is songthaew. They are a pickup truck with a roof, under which two benches are installed, where passengers are accommodated. In order to get on board, you need to vote by the road while waiting for the car, and to get off at the right place, you need to ring the bell, which is located on the roof in the cabin.
Unlike Pattaya's songthaew, Koh Samui's transport is not blue, but red.
There are not many route options here - only three:
- No. 1. Nathon - Chaweng via the northern part of the island.
- No. 2. Nathon - Lamai via the southern part of the island.
- No. 3. Nathon – Chaweng via Big Buddha.
The fare starts from 20 baht, but this is a very small distance. On average, you need to pay 40-60 baht for a trip to songthaew.
Catching transport is not so difficult - cars travel along the first two routes every 10 minutes, on the third - every 20 minutes.
It is important to know that all converted pickup trucks operate as public transport only until 18:00. After this, multi-colored lights light up above the windshield of the car, and the drivers begin to engage in private transportation. As for the price, it all depends on the ability to convince your interlocutor. But you should be prepared for the fact that one trip will not cost less than 150 baht.
Transport links between the islands and the mainland of the country
Do not forget that Samui is an island, which means that most likely, to get to another location, you will have to use water transport.
If you need to be on the mainland of the state, then one of the easiest options is to sail to the province of Surat Thani by ferry or speedboat. The cost of the crossing starts from 150 baht. You can also purchase a single ticket, which in addition to water transport Ground transportation will be included - bus or minibus. In this way, you can get to the Surat Thani bus station, from where you can already build a route by land.
The easiest way to get to Pattaya from Koh Samui is by plane. Bangkok Airways operates one flight daily at 11 am. Time in the air is 1 hour and 10 minutes. The cost of the flight is about 3,500 baht.
You can also get to the capital of the state as quickly as possible - in 1 hour and 15 minutes, by using the services of the air carrier Bangkok Airways. Every day 4 planes fly from Samui Airport. The ticket price is approximately the same as to Pattaya.
From the island airport you can fly to five points in Thailand: Bangkok, Pattaya, Krabi, Phuket and Chiang Mai.
The closest resort island to Koh Samui is Koh Phangan, the distance between them is only 8 km. As you might guess, you can only get to Koh Phangan by water. To do this, you can use the services of numerous ferries and boats.
Most of the transportation from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan is handled by the following ferry companies:
- Loprayah,
- Seatran Discovery,
- Big Buddha,
- Songserm.
A ferry ticket from any of the above companies will cost 300 baht, however, the departure point (there are 4 public piers on Koh Samui, and some water carriers have their own piers) and the arrival point (there are 2 piers on Koh Phangan), as well as the schedule, differ.
The tourist boom in Thailand at the end of the last century literally gave new life to this picturesque corner. Previously, the island was self-sufficient and completely isolated from the outside world, despite the fact that it is the largest within the Champon archipelago. In everything Thailand Samui ranks 3rd among the most big islands. The length of this resort is 25 km. However, despite such a modest size, the place offers a lot of interesting corners to explore. It is difficult to imagine a more successful resort that would combine the opportunity to truly relax and unwind to the sound of the waves, comfortable apartments in luxury hotel complexes, and a lot of entertainment.
A certain isolation of the island is the calling card of Samui. Thanks to some isolation, which persisted in the last decades of the twentieth century, this corner managed to preserve all the charm, beauty and flavor of the local pristine nature. Amazing waterfalls, colorful corals, snow-white beaches, cozy lagoons, colorful coconuts, picturesque, amazingly transparent waves - this is what attracts thousands of tourists here every year.
When is the best time to go on holiday to Koh Samui?
The season for tours on this fabulous island with luxurious beaches and blue skies lasts all year round. The timing of your trip depends on your holiday preferences. For lovers sea waves and warm sand on the beach, the ideal time starts in January. It is comfortable here until the beginning of March. The winter season is characterized by an incredibly mild climate and pleasant temperatures. This is approximately 27 degrees Celsius. The real heat will begin a little later.
Most of the tourists arrive to Koh Samui in the last May days. During this period, the period of extreme heat ends, which is replaced by short-term rains. This is the most colorful and picturesque period when the resort is literally transformed. The island is fragrant with various subtle aromas, exotic flowers are blooming.
July and August on Koh Samui are the beginning of the rainy season. As a rule, it lasts until the beginning of November. At this time, the resort is open to lovers of excursions, surfing, and shopping. Shopping centers welcome a few customers and offer good discounts on goods. You can take a break from the noise and crowd of shops on the beach, since it mostly rains at night.
In fact, the resort is beautiful at any time. Even in winter you can get a luxurious tan here. At this time on Koh Samui the sun is very gentle. It is almost impossible to get burns. The island is not only warm, but also very dry.
Autumn on the island is dominated by rains, accompanied by fairly low temperatures. At night at the resort it is about 22 degrees. During the day it rises to 25 degrees. This is the “golden” time for tourists.
Prices for tours to Koh Samui
Sand that resembles luxurious powder in color, warm rays, luxury hotels - all this can be enjoyed without damaging the family budget. The cost of tours from Moscow varies from 50 to 70 thousand rubles.
Holidays on Koh Samui (prices, beaches, entertainment). What to do on Koh Samui?
A tour to Samui from Moscow is a great opportunity to experience the extravaganza and enjoy the colors of life. Going on a tour to this island, every traveler is guaranteed to find exactly what he likes. These include numerous excursions to local attractions and a relaxed beach holiday and active entertainment. Let's take a closer look at holidays on Samui: prices for entertainment, options for active sports, excursions and tours.
Windsurfing
This is the calling card of Samui. From mid-autumn until the end of spring, the beaches of Lamai and Chaweng are dominated by the northwest monsoon. This is a real find for those who are interested in this sport. A small amount of coral and rocks makes this type of entertainment at the resort safe.
Kite surfing
There is a kite school on Samui. Numerous tourists can get acquainted with a new water sport here. These aerial “birds” hovering over the edge of the sea attract attention. Once you try to get on a kite, it is impossible to give up this breathtaking entertainment.
Beaches and their types
The island is rich in a variety of beaches. The best of them is Chaweng. It is located in the east of Koh Samui. It's amazingly beautiful here. There is a gradual slope leading to the water. This beach is considered the most picturesque and longest. On its territory there are many fashionable hotel complexes and modest bamboo bungalows. During the day on the beach you can windsurf or try out a jet ski; at night it turns into a luxurious dance floor.
Lamai is another popular beach. Its sand is not so snow-white. In some places the coast is rocky. Location of Lamai – East End islands. This is a real paradise for surf lovers. You can also relax here with Thai massage, numerous spas, and mud masks.
Sights of Koh Samui
Koh Samui itself is an open-air gem. Unique colors here are intertwined with unique sights created both by nature itself and by human hands. Religious sites, most of them dedicated to Buddha, deserve special attention.
Mu Ko Ang Thong
The national marine park called Mu Ko Ang Thong is located near Koh Samui. This is an entire archipelago that consists of more than 40 islands. A unique feature of the place is the limestone rocks. They are covered with colorful forests. All this beauty is surrounded by azure water. Here you can see colorful lagoons and kayak past the rocks.
Tiger Zoo
Wild cats are traditionally admired. A unique collection of leopards and Bengal tigers was collected on Koh Samui.
Useful information for those who purchase last-minute tours to Samui from Moscow
What you should pay attention to when purchasing tours if you are considering a holiday on Koh Samui: prices, distance from the beach, time of year and other factors. If you have already decided to fly to Samui, then it is better to purchase tours in Moscow, in one of our offices, or on the website with online payment.
Visa
Visas to Samui can be single-entry, that is, for 3 months, and double-entry, valid for six months of stay. The first type of document is obtained at the consulate both in the CIS countries and in Asia. They can also be extended, but only for 7 days. It is recommended to apply for double-entry visas at the Thai consulate in your home country. This must be done 3 months before departure. You must also have return tickets on hand. Double-entry visas can be obtained in Laos or Vietnam by flying there directly from Thailand. However, the consul does not always issue the required type of document.
But we ended up in Koh Samui by mistake. IN last years Even the Chinese have appeared on Samui, but there are not as many of them yet as in other parts of Thailand.
Why are these different people going to Koh Samui?
1. Competent PR
2. Developed infrastructure
3. Pleasant climate and good beaches, especially for families with children
4. The island is big, there really is everything here: calm and active beaches, several clubs, supermarkets with markets, schools and kindergartens, mountains, waterfalls, temples - you can find something to do.
Everyone will find something to do here
Koh Samui is a big village. There are no high-rise buildings here like in Pattaya. If you live in an area where Thais live, you risk waking up to the crowing of someone else’s rooster.
Chickens, cats, and huge geckos constantly came to my porch, buffalos grazed in the field next to the house, and in the evenings I could hear the howling of dogs. I love animals, so this aspect of life on Koh Samui was a plus for me, but some may not like it.
Even if you live in a closed area in a modern apartment, there will still be a village outside it. If you go to Koh Samui expecting to end up in Dubai, then the island will disappoint you. You need to come here for relaxation and two-story houses.
Hi, neighbor! Season on Koh Samui
December 15-March — High season. Lots of people, prices go up. It can rain heavily until mid-January and it is often cloudy. From February mostly sunny, from March to September big waterfalls Only thin trickles remain; there may be no rain for a month. The northern beaches (Maenam) and Lamai can have waves in winter. Most of the houses are occupied or rented at inflated prices.
April May — Heat. Dry and very hot. It's really very hot. In the west of the island it sometimes rains, in the east the permanent sun shines. A house of any quality can be found without problems.
Lamai in May - almost no waves June August — Low season, because winterers and tourists have gone home. The weather is sunny, the sea is without waves on all beaches, you can find absolutely any accommodation at a discount - everything is free.
September-mid December — Rain season. This means that it rains one or more times a day, sometimes flooding the streets. Cloudy, gray, sometimes the sun appears before lunch. The sea may be stormy. In October-November it is quite possible to find a house or hotel at an affordable price; in December there are few good cheap options left.
Maenam beach (north of Samui) in December. The sea is dirty, there are algae on the shore How much money to take to Koh Samui
Let's figure out how much it will cost holiday on Koh Samui and how much money to take with you. For example, you are flying to Koh Samui together for 10 days.
Flights
360$-400$ — Minimum cost of a round trip to Koh Samui from Moscow for 1 person ( 300$-340$ tickets Moscow-Bangkok-Msk + 60$ bus+ferry to Koh Samui from Bangkok).
This is assuming you haven't missed any sales, bought your flight tickets to Bangkok in advance and are ready to spend the night on the bus.
A more likely scenario is from 500-650$ and more in two directions per person
Housing
7$ - room in a hostel
13-20$ - modest bungalow
17-20$ - a modest but clean hotel or house
20-30$ - condo
30-50$+ - good hotel
Total plus or minus $250-400 for two for 10 days and higher
During peak season, prices can be significantly higher; it is better to check the current prices for housing of the desired class on roomguru and booking.
Examples of housing prices on Koh Samui
Insurance
From 1100 rubles or 17$ per person for 10 days. For two - 34$
Most insurance companies have increased their insurance rates for Thailand due to frequent claims. This is where the largest number of insurance cases occur.
I bought my insurance through a website where you can compare prices and conditions of popular insurance companies, I chose the Liberty company. I didn’t regret it at all, because the insurance paid for itself after the first visit to the doctor.
I usually don’t get sick, but in Thailand, due to air conditioning and a local virus, I suffered with a cold for two months (I couldn’t speak). The treatment was worth it 400$ , all expenses were paid by the insurance company. ☞
One of the hospital bills paid for by an insurance policy Prices in cafes on Koh Samui
2$ /50-70 baht— Makashnitsa food (pad thai, tom yam, rice with chicken)
3-7$ / 100-250 baht- main course (soup, meat) in a cafe
2-4$ / 70-120 baht- salad
2-3$ / 50-100 baht- fruit shake
15-30$ / 500-1000 baht– dinner at a first-class fish restaurant on the shore
On average, lunch for two in a cafe (two dishes and two drinks) - 12-15$ /400-500 baht
If you plan only available in the cafe, expect to spend about 15$ /500 baht per person. Plus water, fruits, snacks
Total 20-25$ for food per person per day or $400-500 for two for 10 days.
You can also fit in 200-300$ for two if you eat at local eateries or evening markets. Food costs are too individual to predict.
Fish in garlic for 500 baht Alcohol
This cost item is different for everyone. Average bottle of beer in a store 50-70 baht
Transport
If you rent a bike, then 200 * 10 = 2000 baht + gasoline about 1000 baht
Total 90$ in 10 days for two.
If you actively travel around the island by public transport, it will be more expensive, but if you only go to the neighboring beaches a couple of times, and not wander around the island, it will be cheaper.
Entertainment
7-12$ /250-400 baht- massage session
2$ / 50-100 baht— entrance to observation decks
Temples - free
20$ / 700 baht adults/ 400 baht children - elephant safari at Na Muang 2 waterfall
If you travel around the island on a rented bike, visiting natural attractions, it will be cheap.
You can climb on the back of an elephant for 700 baht How much does a holiday to Koh Samui cost?
Minimum tickets 300-340$ , more often from 500-650$ per person, for two from 600$ to 1300$
Housing plus or minus $250-400 for two
Food and alcohol - from 400 to 1000$ for two or more
Transport (bike+gasoline) — 90$
Entertainment - from 0 to infinity
TOTAL: Minimum - 1400$ , average - 2000-2600$ and more on two in 10 days
If suddenly you found a tour to Koh Samui for $1000-1500 for two, then most likely it is more profitable to buy a tour and fly on a package trip, where the air ticket, hotel and transfer are already included in the price.
How much does winter accommodation cost?
The winterer's expenses will be significantly lower if he lives on the island for a long time, rents a house, knows all the inexpensive places, shops at markets and supermarkets, and prepares food at home.
While living on Koh Samui I spent 700-800$ per month(visa, house and scooter rental, food, fruit). This is with fairly modest requests.
For less modest requests, costs will be significantly higher. For example, if you rent a comfortable modern apartment or a house with air conditioning during the season, eat fruits and seafood, have lunch and dinner in a cafe for tourists, rent a car, then the amount of expenses will be from 80-100$ per day for two.
Winter on Koh Samui is warm and fun! Beaches of Koh Samui
There are many beaches on Koh Samui, but not all of them are equally suitable for swimming, although you can’t tell from the photos on the Internet.
Chaweng
Chaweng is the center of nightlife and resort life, where the main bars, discos and restaurants are located. Young people settle here.
In winter, the beach is not as good as in summer; there are noticeable ebbs and flows, there are reverse currents and waves. When there are no waves, the water is clear and clean at the bottom White sand, the entrance to the sea is gentle, shallow near the shore.
It can be noisy if you live on the main street. If you want to buzz until the morning every night, then Koh Samui is not very good at it. Most establishments in Chaweng close at 3 am; dancing until the morning is held only on Saturdays and Wednesdays during the season.
Near Chaweng there is a small Shopping mall Festival, Tesco Lotus supermarket, Big C and Makro supermarkets are also relatively close.
Evening in Chaweng Chaweng Noi
Lamai
The second most popular beach south of Chaweng. Length of Lamai Beach - 5 km.
Lamai is a fairly large beach with developed infrastructure. Mostly married couples and Euro-pensioners relax here; there are also young people. There are enough Russians, as well as Italians, French and Germans.
Full of cafes and restaurants, including near the sea, there is a market (they sell fruits, vegetables and fish), Tesco Lotus and Makro supermarkets, McDonald's.
Near the sea you can rent a sun lounger. I usually went to swim at the rocks on the southern tip of Lamai - there are fewer people there during the peak season.
Lamai Beach on Koh Samui On the shore there is a larger one yellow sand.
In winter and spring Lamai can have strong waves - this is perhaps the only disadvantage of this beach if waves are a problem for you.
Due to the waves, the water becomes cloudy and opaque, and algae may float.
Waves in April in Lamai Ban Tai
North of the island, beach in the Mimosa Resort&Spa area. I just spent the winter in this area. There is no point in living here without a bike.
In terms of infrastructure, there are two massage parlors, several cafes on the beach and on the road to the beach, 7/11 and two shops where you can buy nuts, fruits, shakes. The market is 7 minutes by bike. You need to go to the supermarket about 20 minutes to the beaches of Chaweng or Lamai.
Ban Tai and Mimosa Beach on Koh Samui But on Ban Tai the sea is very clean, there are no waves, the ebb and flow of the tides are not very noticeable, the entrance to the sea is flat, shallow near the shore. You need to go about 10 meters to a depth. Mostly families with children come here too.
White sand, palm trees stand right by the sea (it’s better not to sit under them, because coconuts fall regularly). Ban Thai is paradise in every sense of the word. Suitable only for those who like a very relaxing holiday.
Ban Tai Beach in March Which beach to choose?
Choosing a beach on Koh Samui is a top priority, especially if you are going on vacation for a week or two and do not know how to drive a scooter.
For my vacation I would choose:
Lamai— there is a market, supermarkets, cafe-bars, clothing stores, attractions nearby, there are foreigners, minus — during the season there may be waves and muddy water
Chaweng— supermarkets, parties, discos, youth recreation, minus — noisy during the season
Chaweng Noi or some small beach between Chaweng and Lamai. For example, Tongtakian(White sand, pure water, beautiful views) or romantic Coral Cove
For the sake of kitesurfing
Ko na Thiam in the southeast and the beach of the Orchid Resort hotel.
For families with children
Ban tai— cool and quiet, just right for kids, but there’s nothing to do there without a bike. Just a few cafes, two massage parlors, a couple of 7/11s
Maenam— there is a market, a cafe, many houses for rent. The downside is that there are no supermarkets. It's inconvenient without a bike. Personally, I don’t really like Maenam (the sea there is cloudy and opaque), but many people choose this area.
Chaweng Noi— there is infrastructure, a beautiful sea, there are a lot of people in the season
Some choose the gentrified Bophut and the Big Buddha area for their holidays, but I wouldn’t go there (the beaches and sea are so-so during the season).
There are also beaches in the west and southwest: for example, Taling Ngam(Imperial Hotel), but the infrastructure there is also tight. If you go there, then stay in a hotel or be sure to take a bike.
Suitable for wintering Lamai or Maenam. I wintered in the area Ban Thai and Mimosa Spa&Resort. I love that area, but that doesn't mean it's the best.
How to get to Koh Samui
There are no direct flights from Russia to Koh Samui yet, so Koh Samui is not the most convenient or cheap place in terms of getting here. The matter is complicated by the fact that Thai low-cost airlines and the Asian low-cost airline AirAsia do not fly to Samui.
IN Samui airport only flies Bangkok Airways- a decent Thai airline with indecently high ticket prices for Asia. One way ticket Bangkok-Samui will cost 90-100$ .
Cheap flights to Bangkok can be found using search engines Aviasales.ru and Skyscanner.ru (☞).
You can catch sales of air tickets to Bangkok or Phuket on the websites of Emirates, Qatar, Etihad, Shrilancan airlines, China Southern, Aeroflot, or subscribe to the corresponding groups on social media. networks that publish news about sales.
Direct flight Moscow-Bangkok lasts 9 o'clock. A flight with a transfer can last 11 or 18 hours.
Tickets Moscow-Bangkok-Moscow on sales they sell for 300-350$ per flight There and back again. Non-sale tickets cost 400-500$ V two sides.
Bangkok-Samui how to get there
1. Bus+ferry or train+bus+ferry, $40
Bangkok-Samui bus + ferry ticket costs 30-40$ one way, travel time - from 12 to 16 hours.
From Bangkok or Phuket you can buy a bus+ferry package to Koh Samui using local modes of transport (train, ferry, bus).
Of course, if funds allow, it is better to buy a plane ticket to Samui and not suffer. If you get back and forth from Bangkok to Koh Samui by land, and not by plane, it turns out save more than $100 per person, so many choose this method.
The distance from Bangkok to Samui is as much as 762 km! 2. Plane to Surat Thani+bus+ferry, from $30
This option is faster than the first. You can fly from Bangkok to the city of Surat Thani ( $19, 1 hour), from there go to the ferry crossing and take the ferry to Koh Samui. You can search for tickets from Bangkok to Surat Thani on the same Skyscanner.ru.
The problem with this method is that the plane from Russia arrives at the airport Bangkok Suvarnabhumi , and all local flights operate from the airport Bangkok Don Mung.
From Surat Thani we take a bus to the ferry terminal, after which we sail to Koh Samui. Single ticket costs 10-17$ , on the way from 3 to 5 hours.
This ferry will take you to Koh Samui Visa to Thailand
For Russians. A visa is not needed if the period of stay in Thailand is no more than 30 days. A free stamp is given at the airport.
If you plan to fly to Thailand without a visa with a one-way ticket, be sure to book a return ticket or buy a ticket from Thailand with a flight to a third country no later than 30 days.
Booking a ticket without payment is most often not accepted, and sometimes at the airport you are asked to present a paid ticket. To play it safe, you can visit the website airasia buy cheap ticket to Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia - anywhere, just to show that you will fly away from Thailand.
Visa conditions for winter workers are getting worse every year. It is no longer possible to wound as before, 6 times a winter. Look for up-to-date information on this topic. If you plan to spend several months in Thailand, it is better to get a Thai visa in Russia in advance.
For Belarusians. A visa is required, it can be issued at the consulate in Moscow or through intermediaries in Minsk for 80-150$ . They provide a single entry visa 60 days, you can extend it without leaving Samui for another 30 days behind 1900 baht (60$ ).
If you don’t want to apply for a visa in Moscow, you can do it in any country neighboring Thailand. For example, I received Thai visas in Malaysia and Vietnam.
If you fly with a visa in your passport, then your return ticket home may be in 60 days or even 90 days (the main thing is not more than 90).
Rental housing on Koh Samui
Hotel or holiday bungalow
If you are going on vacation for a couple of weeks, especially in high season, it is better to read in advance about the beaches and areas of the island (the text below describes all the beaches of Samui), choose a hotel on the desired beach, book it online to come and relax , rather than wasting time looking for a bungalow or hotel.
Daily housing on site costs the same as on the Internet on roomguru or on booking.
Examples of prices for bungalows and hotels
I heard that it's cheaper locally!
It's cheaper locally if you rent for several months. At daily rental normal housing on site the price is the same as on the Internet.
The coastline of popular beaches is lined with housing for tourists (bungalows, hotels, villas, several condo complexes). Why should Thais rent out such housing cheaply when they can afford it at a high price?
You yourself are unlikely to want to live on unpopular beaches, because it is dirty and there is no sea (there can be strong low tides in the southeast and west of the island).
There are exceptions, when complexes of modest houses, built a kilometer or two from the sea, are rented daily for 8-15$ , and you can only remove them on the spot if you know exactly where these houses are located. Without knowing where they are located, it is almost impossible to find them (I found such places only with the help of friends who live on the island and know the housing stock).
Such a simple room with air conditioning and a bathroom can be rented on the spot for $10-12, if you know where to look Long term house on Koh Samui
During the winter, they usually rent a house or apartment for several months. If this is your case, then there are two options.
Path 1 - do it yourself
1. Preparation
Find articles on the Internet about houses in Thailand, real estate agency websites that have examples of houses with addresses or linked to a map, make notes on your map in maps.me or on a Google map.
2. Hotel for 2-3 days
Prices for renting a house on Koh Samui
5000-7000 baht- tie-style houses in the south of the island, in Nathon or Maenam far from the sea
My tie-style house on Koh Samui for 8000 baht 12-14,000 baht- modern one bedroom houses with air conditioning, kitchen, refrigerator, low season you can rent a house for that price near the sea, in high season, 2-4 km from the sea in the side streets
15-18000 baht- a modest bungalow on the beach or a decent house with two bedrooms and a living room away from the sea
20-30,000 baht and higher - good house in season close to the sea
25-30,000 baht— modern spacious studio or apartment with European-quality renovation, swimming pool, sea view next to the beach
30-40,000 baht- modern house with 3 bedrooms, its own territory and a swimming pool near the sea
60,000 baht– villa in Lamai or Chaweng near the sea
House on Samui for 50,000 baht per month in season Public utilities
Internet - 500-600 baht per month (depending on the house, maybe free)
Electricity and water are usually paid separately. If according to the state prices, then 4 baht per kW, but prices may vary 5-10 baht per kW. You need to check with the owner and make sure that the electricity prices are indicated in the contract.
I paid for electricity 600 baht per month in a house where only a refrigerator and a fan worked, and my friends living in a house with air conditioning and a swimming pool - 5000 baht per month.
Car and bike rental
It’s sad without a bike on Samui. It can also become sad with a bike if you constantly fall off it, but without a bike it’s generally sad.
Prices for renting a motorbike on Koh Samui
5-9$ /150-300 baht per day depending on the bike model (Honda Click, Scoopy) and the arrogance of the lessor
12-30$ / 400-1000 baht for a Kawasaki or Yamaha motorcycle
90-130$ / 3000-4500 baht per month depending on the bike model
Car rental prices on Koh Samui
23-30$ / 800-1000 baht per day for a small car
30-35$ / 1000-1200 baht per day per pickup
30-40$ / 1000-1400 baht per day for a sedan
45-60$ / 1600-2000 baht per day for a jeep
350-600$ / 12-20000 baht per month depending on the class of car
You can rent it daily through international rental companies by comparing prices on rentalcars. If you need a car for a month, it is better to look for local small rentals.
Thais drive pickup trucks Public transport
Public transport on Samui includes songthaew and taxi. There are no tuk-tuks, buses or motorcycle taxis on Koh Samui.
Cost of travel to Songthaew 1.5-2$ / 50-60 baht, but drivers also ask tourists 3$ / 100 , And 6$ / 200 baht(depending on the arrogance of the driver).
Take small change with you. They don't give change for 100 baht. They pretend to forget. Negotiate the fare in advance.
You can get from the airport by taxi. From 10$ / 350 baht to nearby beaches 25$ / 800 baht to distant beaches. The transfer can be ordered directly at Samui airport or in advance on the Internet at.
Songthaew looks something like this, only with a roof, and instead of cages there are benches for passengers The advantages of living and relaxing on Koh Samui in Thailand
1. Good transport links with Russia. There are no direct flights from Russia to Koh Samui yet, but you can fly directly to the island from Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi and other cities in Thailand and Southeast Asian countries. Cheap air tickets can be found using search engines and.
2. Developed infrastructure. The presence of several large supermarkets (Tesco Lotus, Big C, Makro), massage salons, restaurants and cafes for every budget. Many catering establishments have menus in Russian.
3. Delicious food
4. There are many markets where you can buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and inexpensive fish. If desired, seafood will be cut up in front of you and fried on a grill right at the market or supermarket.
Market in Thailand 5. There are raw food and vegetarian cafes and restaurants (if this is important to someone), and absolutely every cafe and every market has vegetarian dishes.
6. Service in Russian and English. The Russian-speaking community on Koh Samui is quite large, and naturally there are many companies and specialists offering services in Russian. For example, a motorbike will be driven straight to the ferry; you can order it in advance. On Samui, the organization of weddings, photo shoots and other events is on stream.
7. Many attractions, there will be a separate post about each attraction of Samui:
— stunning nature: tropical jungle, mountains, palm groves, long beaches
Jungle of Koh Samui — Na Muang waterfall and several smaller waterfalls:
Na Muang Waterfall (Waterfall 2) — Na Muang Safari Park, where you can ride elephants
I put 20 baht in the elephant’s trunk for the pleasure of standing next to him at Na Muang Safari Park and elephant riding — many observation decks and pools overlooking the sea
Pool with sea view 
Observation deck on Koh Samui — Nathon is the main city of the island, where you can see how the Thais live.
Thais drink a meter of beer at the bazaar in Nathon - all kinds of tours to other islands or other parts of the country, and the trip can be organized independently or you can buy an excursion from one of the travel agencies
8. The proximity of two other islands - Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Koh Phangan has gorgeous beaches, wildlife and... On Koh Tao - diving and snorkeling on a coral reef
Koh Phangan Island in Thailand 9. Medicine is well developed. There are pharmacies on every corner, there are several hospitals: Samui International Hospital, Bangkok Samui Hospital and Thai International Hospital in the Chaweng beach area, Bandon International Hospital in the Bophut area near the Big C supermarket, the municipal hospital in Nathon Samui Government Hospital (it is the cheapest, mostly local residents are treated there). In addition to hospitals, on the island of Koh Samui there are many private offices and clinics, where all the same doctors who work in hospitals at other times work.
10. Car and motorcycle showrooms, where you can buy or rent a car or motorcycle, both daily and for a long period.
11. Centers for the sale of Apple products and other gadgets, and prices are 20 percent lower than in Russia, and VAT can also be refunded later.
Apple showroom on Koh Samui 12. Kitesurfing. There are several schools on Samui where you can learn to kitesurf, and Hua Thanon Beach, where a branch of Thailand's largest kite school, KiteBoarding Asia, is located in the Samui Orchid Resort in the southeast of the island is an ideal place to learn. The beach is very wide, covered with soft sand without stones, it is convenient to launch from it, and the depth of the sea for 500 meters from the shore hardly reaches the waist. The cost of one lesson is 4,000 baht, 3 lessons - 11,000 baht. There is a Russian speaking instructor. There will also be a separate article with video about kiting on Samui.
Hua Thanon Beach, where kitesurfing is taught 
Kitesurfing on Koh Samui 13. I don’t know whether this is a plus or a minus, but there are simply an enormous number of Russians on Samui. For a month, I never spoke English to anyone (Thais barely understand English).
14. Affordable prices for housing and food. Of course, higher than in Bangkok or northern Thailand, but compared to Russia it’s quite good. You can find a house on Samui with any budget, especially if you look for it in advance and don’t wait for the high season (from November to February). Housing prices on Koh Samui start from 8,000 and above. You can rent a villa for 40,000 - 60,000 baht per month with a swimming pool and all amenities. A hotel on Samui can be booked in advance, but you will have to look for a house for long-term rent on the spot.
15. Almost everywhere there is Internet, and 3G speeds in some places reach 50 megabits, so Samui is suitable for long-term living and wintering if you need high-speed Internet access for work.
16. Beaches of Koh Samui- This is perhaps the main plus. Here everyone will find both a calm sea and a wave, both peace and grace, a party and movement. There are a great many beaches on Koh Samui, here I will list only the main areas and beaches:
Chaweng
East of the island. The center of nightlife and resort life, where the main bars, discos and restaurants are located, young people settle here. The beach is not as good as in other areas, there are noticeable ebbs and flows, there are reverse currents and waves. It can be noisy if you live on the main street. If you want to buzz until the morning every night, then Koh Samui is not very good at it. Most establishments in Chaweng close as early as 3 am; the main buzz until the morning occurs on Saturdays and Wednesdays.
Chaweng Beach on Koh Samui 
Party on Chaweng Beach 
Nightlife in Chaweng, Koh Samui Bang Rak
Northeast. Beaches starting from the Big Buddha statue.
Big Buddha statue Bophut
Northeast. There is a central street with cafes and restaurants, and a sufficient number of hotels. Personally, I don’t really like the beaches of Bophut because the water in the sea is cloudy.
Sea on Bophut Maenam
North. This is one of my favorite areas. The water on the beaches of Maenam is clean; the ebb and flow of the tides are not very noticeable here. This area is suitable for families with children. There are no clubs there as such, but there are bars, restaurants and cafes.
Waves and algae on Maenam in January. Bang Po
Northwest. Clean beaches with white sand, calm sea.
Having fun with friends on the beaches of Samui. In the photo with me is Igor Dzyuba, a friend and neighbor. Taling Ngam
Southwest. There are mainly hotels and villas of a higher price category here. The area around the Intercontinental Hotel has some of the best sunsets on Koh Samui.
Taling Ngam Beach on Koh Samui, Thailand 
Hua Thanon
Southeast. The beach is only suitable for swimming with children. There is a kitesurfing school, many hotels, a Muslim village and several overpriced cafes.
Muslim village 
Kiting on Koh Samui Cons of Koh Samui in Thailand
*Naturally, all these disadvantages are very conditional and, perhaps, for someone else, on the contrary, they will seem like advantages.
1. Prices are slightly higher than in other parts of Thailand, but lower than in Phuket and Pattaya
2. There are a lot of Russians, there is no feeling that you are abroad
3. Too civilized. There are relatively many cars and bikes, traffic jams in the evenings in the Chaweng and Lamai area. You can get stuck on the road for 20-30 minutes if you are driving a car.
4. A lot of people (depending on what you compare with, of course). Compared to Koh Phangan, there are a lot, and compared to the beaches of Odessa, there are no people at all on Samui.
5. There is no public transport. There are only taxis, the so-called songthaews, which are expensive and inconvenient to travel by. The solution is to rent a scooter.
6. Samui is an island, so you can only get out of it by plane or ferry (they run on a schedule from different piers several times a day), or rent a boat. That is, you cannot break away at any moment and go wherever your eyes take you; you have to take into account the ferry schedule.
7. Autumn is the rainy season, but depending on your luck.
8. Most vegetables and fruits are imported. On the island itself, only coconuts, durians, mangosteens, bananas and pineapples grow. The island is directly dependent on supplies from the continent, so fruit prices are higher than in other parts of the country.
9. As in all of Thailand, there are practically no dairy products on Samui, and prices for any cheese are unreasonably high. Moreover, cheese that is positioned as expensive (for example, Brie) costs a lot of money, but at the same time it is an ordinary salted processed cheese, painted.
Conclusion: Thus, the island of Koh Samui in Thailand is ideal for both short-term vacations and long-term stays, no matter how old you are, whether you are traveling alone, as a couple, as a family with children, or to hang out with a group. You can find both a quiet place and action, provide yourself with comfortable food and living conditions, and also not get bored by visiting various excursions and natural attractions.
Paradise islands to you! Sincerely,
Koh Samui is an island located in the Gulf of Thailand and is one of the provinces of Thailand. Located in the southeastern part of the country. It is considered the most popular after Phuket tourist center Therefore, thousands of tourists from all over the world come to Samui every year.
Koh Samui is a fairly large island with an area of almost 230 square meters. km. It is located 40 km from the southern part of mainland Thailand and is extremely rich in natural and cultural attractions.
Tourists are absolutely delighted with snow-white beaches, coral reefs, ancient Buddhist temples, good tourism infrastructure and quite affordable prices. The island of Koh Samui is especially popular among Russians.
Geography
There are about 60 small islands around Samui that are part of the national marine park. All of them are uninhabited, overgrown with jungle. They try to keep them intact, only showing the curiosity to tourists as carefully as possible.
The total area of Koh Samui is 228.7 km². The central part is mountainous and also overgrown with jungle, and lowlands are located on the coast. A road runs along the coast, connecting beaches, settlements and towns in a circle.
On the southwestern coast of Koh Samui is the capital of the island, Nathon. It is also the main port, through which tourists enter the island and local fish catch is exported. The island administration, shops, etc. are located here.
Climate
Koh Samui Thailand is one of the best places in the world for beach holiday. It has amazing sand, sea, scenery and a great climate. The island has a lot of sun and warmth, but even in the rain there are plenty of people who like to relax on Koh Samui.
Conventionally, the entire year on the island can be divided into the Dry Season and the Rainy Season. The dry or high season starts from mid-December and ends at the end of March. At this time, the air temperature is about +30C, and the sea water is about +28C.
Light rains begin in April and continue throughout the summer. But prices drop significantly, the number of tourists decreases, so for economical holiday This time is perfect. The air temperature rises by several degrees during the day.
From August to November, strong monsoons begin, rain pours in buckets, and the daytime air temperature fluctuates around +27C. You can no longer sunbathe on the beach, but there are tourists who like to philosophize in the hotel at this time. In December the rain stops.
Story
Historians believe that the first settlers appeared on the island of Koh Samui in the 6th century AD. These were fishermen from Malaysia and China. In the 17th century, during the Chinese Ming Dynasty, it was included on Chinese geographical maps.
The exact origin of the name “Samui” is unknown; there is a version that it came from the Chinese word “Saboey”, translated into Russian as “Shelter”. Indeed, for a long time the islanders lived autonomously from the whole world.
During WW2 Samui was occupied by the Japanese. At the end of the war, the island again lived autonomously for a long time, almost independently from Thailand. The first roads were built here only in the 70s.
And in the 80s of the 20th century, tourists from all over the world discovered the delights of Thailand in general, and Koh Samui in particular. Today, 45 thousand indigenous people live here; their main income comes from tourism, the collection of coconuts and rubber.
About 10 years ago, Samui received the status of an independent city, i.e. continues to be an autonomous entity. The presence of tourists on the island not only brings serious money, but also gives rise to conflicts due to damage to the once untouched nature.
Transport
1. International airport
This is the only airport on Samui, with the help of which the island maintains air communication with the outside world through air transportation of passengers and their cargo. It was built in the late 80s of the last century and is located next to Chaweng Beach.
Samui Airport was built by Bangkok Airways, which for a long time was the only air carrier on the island. Today the second air carrier, Airways International, appeared. Flights fly to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Singapore, etc.
2. Ferry service
The second way to get to or from the island to mainland Thailand is to take a ferry or high-speed catamaran. Catamarans cover a distance of 40 km in 40 minutes, and ferries - in an hour and a half.
3. Island transport
The length of the island ring road is just over 50 km. It is completely paved, has a concrete surface and two lanes - one in each direction. Popular local road transport is songthaew, taximeters and motorcycle taxis.
Beaches
The best beaches on Koh Samui are Lamai, Maenam, Chaweng. They successfully combine natural beauty and convenience, as well as the presence of beach infrastructure, hotels, restaurants, bars and shops for shopping. There are more than 30 beaches on the island.
An excellent beach for those who vacation without children and don’t like large cluster people. It is located in the north of Samui, has dense buildings (hotels, restaurants, bars) and high-quality beach infrastructure on its territory. There is a road nearby.
Cons of Bang Po: muddy bottom with many large stones and muddy water. Children will feel uncomfortable on the beach. There is coarse yellow sand and not too much entertainment; lovers of nightlife will find it a bit boring here.
Ban Tai
This place was chosen by parents with small children. There is a gentle shore and a clear entrance to the shallow sea. There are many palm groves providing natural shade. There is a restaurant and the Mimosa Hotel, where you can relax and spend the night.
A calm beach, where annoying sellers with goods or drunken youth with blaring music rarely come, there are practically no parties. This beautiful place for a calm family vacation is located in the north of Koh Samui.
Mae Nam
Another family beach where you can rent inexpensive accommodation and stay for a few days. After sunset, all the beach inhabitants move to local bars, but the stormy night life is practically absent here.
There are many palm trees on May Nam, saving vacationers from the hot sun. The sand here is yellow and soft, the sea is quite deep, but there are shallow places for kids. Young people don't stop here because... The mothers look at her with suspicion.
Chaweng Beach
One of the most beautiful and crowded beaches on Koh Samui. There is excellent infrastructure and a large number of hotels and resorts to suit every taste and budget. Tourists on the beach can find everything they need for life and a comfortable holiday.
In the center of Chaweng the sea is rapidly gaining depth. The sand is white and soft, a clean entrance to the water. Vacationers are offered a variety of water activities to choose from. Enjoy stunning sea views as well as good food restaurants and bars.
This is the second most popular beach on Koh Samui. It is very long, so it is divided into three parts. Its central part is perhaps the best. In addition to natural beauty, there is a Tesco hypermarket here.
One local resident served in this Buddhist temple almost his entire life and achieved holiness. When he died, his body did not rot and decompose, but immediately became mummified. The islanders are sure that this is a consequence of his holy life.
Since then, for many years, the mummy of this saint has been located near the Kunaram temple, and every believer or tourist can examine it and see the imperishable relics. Here you can get a wrist bracelet with special protection.
This temple was built quite recently using donations. Plai Laem is the most beautiful and largest Buddhist attraction on Samui. The architecture of the temple combines the styles of China, India and Thailand.
The three styles symbolize the three branches of Buddhism. There are no heresies or sectarians in Southeast Asia; everyone can adhere to the Buddhism that they like. In the center of the temple there is a statue of the Hindu deity Guanyin, the embodiment of mercy.
In the northwest, near the island of Koh Samui, you can see an archipelago in the sea, consisting of many microscopic islands. This is a national marine park, which is under state protection, requiring special environmental cleanliness to be maintained here.
Near the archipelago there is amazingly clean water that you can safely drink from your palms. The picturesqueness of the islands is so incredible that it is impossible to take your eyes off. Not only tourists come here, artists and directors cannot leave here.
In the center of Koh Samui, in the mountains covered with jungle, you can see a unique creation of human hands. In the middle of the 20th century, an old man lived here; after 70 years, he suddenly decided to create a large sculpture garden near his house.
These are sculptures of Buddha, other mythical deities, real and fantastic animals and birds, snakes and frogs, created by him from stone with his own hands. After the sculptor's death, he was buried with his wife in the same garden.
The island of Koh Samui is home to many insects: beautiful and disgusting to the human eye. To admire them or be horrified by them, you can go to the butterfly garden or the insect museum located on east coast islands.
Here you will learn a lot about tropical insects and will definitely become interested in them. And as a gift you will be invited to a local observation deck to enjoy the views of the beaches of this coast of Koh Samui. Tourists left a lot of positive reviews about this place.
Next to the butterfly garden is the local zoo. It is small in size, but it contains real Bengal tigers, primates and unique tropical birds. Your children will absolutely love visiting this zoo.
Tigers give performances to visitors every day, but children will find it much more interesting to play with little tiger cubs and feed them milk from a bottle with a nipple. A visit to the zoo always brings special delight to children.
This natural attraction is located in the middle of the island in the mountains, in the middle of the jungle. There one local river gives two most beautiful waterfall, and each of them creates several cascades. The safari park of the same name is located nearby.
After looking at the splendor of the stream of water falling from the rocks, you can go to the nearby elephant farm to ride elephants, watch the show of these natural giants, etc.
This is a significant center of religious and social life of the island for Thais. In fact, in front of us is a local cathedral. Buddhist rituals are regularly held here, festivals, holidays, bazaars, weddings and funerals are organized.
Lamai Temple is a place where foreigners must behave with emphatic respect towards the faithful. Local monks will tell tourists a lot of interesting things about the history of Samui. Next to the temple there is a pond with fish, children are allowed to feed them.
This is a huge zoo located in the center of the small island of Khao Pom, off the coast of Koh Samui. It is very similar to the biblical paradise, because... here, among beautiful trees and flowers, a person can walk next to wild animals.
These animals have long been fed with all sorts of delicacies, and they shamelessly beg people for more, but do not show aggression. Paradise Park is a wonderful natural attraction of Samui for a family holiday.
Entertainment
- SPA salons These are medical procedures, their goal is to improve the health of the patient’s body. For this, various medicinal and cosmetic preparations, massage, therapeutic diet, etc. are used. There are a large number of centers on Samui where spa treatments are performed.
- Elephant and horse riding. This is one of the main entertainments on Koh Samui, which both adults and children adore. Even more interesting is to communicate with a little elephant. There are also horse farms on the island, as well as horses that can give anyone a ride.
- Diving. The Gulf of Thailand is a great place to learn diving; many people there turn into real professionals. It's beautiful here undersea world, just delight and a sight for sore eyes.
- Thai massage. This is truly a fabulous massage that can completely relax your body. Many people come to Thailand just for this pleasure. Only here you can find a real and very inexpensive Thai massage.
- Excursions. To get to know this island better, excursions around Koh Samui will be a great help. You can create a route yourself, ask for help from a professional guide or local resident. Get an unforgettable experience.
- Thai boxing. Today in Russia there are many fans of various martial arts, but Thai boxing is very special if you watch it in its homeland in Thailand or become a Thai boxer yourself. A very exciting sport.
- Wakeboarding. One of the most popular types water sports in Thailand in general and Samui in particular. There are many sports camps on the island where you can get involved in wakeboarding.
- Water parks. This is a popular family entertainment that also takes place on Koh Samui. The local water park has a variety of roller coasters and other types of water activities, so you can spend the whole day here and not notice how time flies.
- Nightlife on the island. Young people from all over the world flock to the island's clubs and bars at night. All this is available in abundance on Koh Samui. Most of these establishments are located on local beaches, so some vacationers get stuck on them for several days.
- Golf. This sport is quite popular in Koh Samui. There are 18-hole golf courses, and there are smaller ones for mini-golf, football golf, etc. On vacation, such entertainment is a joy for both beginners and professionals.
Video tour of Koh Samui
