Samui Coconut

For Restaurants just pick up a dining guide (red booklet) anywhere, for bars depends what you like, the bar at W resort is cool, so is Six Senses, so is 9 Gems, other bars are Solo, QBar etc.

Tailors there are plenty, there is another thread running somewhere else ( I usually use "Timmy" but then again, I dont get things made every year).

Resorts in Chaweng are also plentyful, try Baan Samui which I believe is in same range as Chaba, a bit more expensive would be Poppies, Buri Rasa, Kanadaburi.

Take the one at Tesco Lotus, just walk in, they are pretty decent.....

"Old Holborn", I have never seen here on Samui, used to smoke that stuff 30 years ago......those were the days.....

Having witnessed so many deaths and crashes on the roads if samui , and friends being killed , I personally won't ride a bike on samui ... Remember it's not if you will have a crash but when .. Whether it is your own fault through drink driving or being hit by another road user

Life is priceless , so spening the extra few thb on a taxi ect can save your life or huge hospital bills

The surprising part of all of this is the roads could be made safer, propert public transport implemented , police catching drink drivers ect ect ... But I don't think it would happen and the same story as above will be repeated week in week after , and it's a shame as riding on the roads here on a bike can be a death sentence

On this topic, there are some serious (new) pot holes on major roads on Samui, a new one just after Kandaburi coming from Chaweng. It will surely throw you off your bike. Another one on Chaweng Beach road before new Central construction. Be safe!

Dies in car crash, when he was on way to store on moped ??????

Also at 2nd floor at Panthip Plaza a shop sell several kind of Kindle.

I had before an electronic ink Nook by Barnes & Noble. Sold and I use now an Ipad.

With the Nook I can read one/two hours non stop, now with the Ipad no more than 30/60 minutes, after that my eyes start to be tired.

Good point Angiud. The Kindles and other e readers have much better quality ink/screen combination. You can read as if it were a book. With the ipads etc - it is still like reading a computer screen. Not the same at all.

Correct, they use liquid ink (?) so it appears same as a newspaper and there is no reflection, its so light you can hold it with 2 fingers, and you get your own kindle email account too......

Not sure there are, I bought mine through Amazon, cheapest model available was I think around 70 US which is enough for me. Shipping takes less than 5 days.

There are always places that try to 'up their game' and there are those that 'sit on their laurels'.

You have all done the correct thing.

If it is not good enough - walk. They will not survive. You will.

There are some like Daetong in Bangrak that live off the visiting ships/Chinese-Korean tour groups etc (Been there twice. First time great - second time - crapp. I might give them one more chance.)

However, one day - the short term tourists will go somewhere else (for a better kick-back). The succesful businesses recognise that some of us live here all year round and treat us with some respect. The main weapon up our sleeve - more places close than those that stay open. Vote with your wallet. Ocean 11 Bangrak yesterday. Outstanding service - excellent food. I'll be back for sure.

(Sorry oldsailor - I do not do the chicken bins!)

I go out several times a week for dinner and lunch, last meal at Barracuda in Maenam, voted No. 1 in Samui on Trip Advisor, well, surely it is not, but, service was good, food also good (not too big of a menu, and the owner (German I think) always around and helps and talks to guests. Not the best location, but always pretty much booked. Ocean 11 in Bangrak dito, not cheap, but quality of food is very good, service is excellent, atmosphere great. Daetong was a bity iffy, food took quiet long and by the time it arrives it wasn't hot anymore. Will give a second shot soon. Prego always busy, service excellent, food also consistent and Chef always around to assist. Orgasmic not that busy, but also innovative cuisine, service can be a bit slow when busy, but overall would also go again. Nikki Beach on Sundays has improved its food selection, Beach Republic was always a notch ahead. Service also good at both places.

At the end of the day guests (tourists and locals) local for good service (especially when they bring guests) and value for money. There can be a hick up everywhere, and if things are sorted out then fine, with a 'don't care' attitude business owners won't last long.

Sign says:

Please be careful!

"Rip currents" (water currents sucking out)

When you become aware that you're swimming in a zone of "rip currents", start swimming in parallel to the shore until you exit the zone, and then swim back to the shore. Do not swim against the current (emphasis!)

Not knowing the phenomenon can become a tiresome special adventure.

May be the same in English language would help too !

Several more people have drowned this week on Chaweng Beach since I last reported a few days ago. There is no longer a Farang Voluntary Lifeguard Service that has existed for a number of years. They only had two members left and made two rescues on Monday but were threatened by the jetski mafia. Apparently, recovering a farang dead or alive has become quite a lucrative business for them. My advice is to stay away from Chaweng Beach when the big waves are rolling in and, unfortunately, expect many more drownings, which of course will be kept out of the newspapers for fear or losing tourist revenue.

Can we be quite clear about this; you are saying that

1 "Several people have died this week off chaweng beach. Do you be more precise?

2 Criminal thugs renting jet ski's are threatening farangs that having been voluntarily helping as life guards?!!

If true, forget about the local paper this should be front page of the nationals

1. Correct, several people have died, yesterday the last one I have heard of.

2. Opposite, several jet ski operators ( I know of one myself) have helped people in distress and brought them back to shore.

I tried the newish seafood restaurant in Bangrak the other day, called Daetong Seafood, close to the ghost road entrance. Very nice, good setting on the beach, friendly attentative ( but not overly) staff and was verry happy with all the seafood. Prices all very reasonable too.

Then for a different evening out went to Bubba's in Chaweng. Overall very disapointing, wont be going back there again.

Ate there as well, actually very big, approx. 150 seats which you don't notice from main road. Food okay, fresh, not overly tasty, and due to long way from kitchen to beach not really hot.

Tiger Prawns 700 Baht for 1/2 kg......I prefer the taste of Jun Hom in Bang Por, but its also slightly more expensive.

Jeez....a 22 yr old chap from Britain, living on a small island for some 8 months didn't get on the expected plane and is reported "missing" after 1 week ?

People in the western hemisphere have no idea how these youngsters live and enjoy their lives on a paradise island to the UTMOST, without having a phone and who lose all realistic contact with the busy stressy world, thousands of miles away back home.

Literally thousands and thousands of these youngsters (after graduation) go on a year long backpacking holiday, travelling to many countries and most of them start in Asian countries like Thailand, India, Nepal or any other country, on their way to (often) Australia and/or other parts of the world.

If ALL parents would ring the alarmbell after 1 week because they didn't hear for 1, 2 or 5 weeks from their sons and/or daughters, we might as well start an International website, looking for young people because they "forgot" to contact their parents.

I know of quite a few youngsters who did so and some were in contact with their parents on a constant basis by email or Face time or Skype whilst others didn't care too much.

It all depends on the bond the youngsters have with their parents but if a young guy lives on Koh Tao for 8 months I'm almost certain he's not in contact with his folks on a daily or even weekly basis simply because one is "too busy" with being lazy in the heat, enjoying his life with other young people, even with a busy diving job/course.

Of course something could have happened but it could also be he's enjoying himself with someone he fell in love with and couldn't let-go and said to himself....f_kc the ticket; I will go later.

Remember, many only learn in the Far East to put life into perspective, especially in Thailand

Ot maybe he changed his mind or maybe.....just maybe's

I wouldn't worry too much since there are no signs whatsoever that something bad happened to/with him or did I miss something ?

Well, he actually said he ran into some trouble in BANGKOK (NOT Koh Tao), but that could have been an excuse as well, in general I agree with your post though.

My CAT FTH connection has also been down for the last 3 days so you are not alone.

It has, apart from this, been very stable and giving both good speed and short ping times to Europe which was my main reason for going CAT fibre a year and a half ago.

Its a problem on the main land, not only Samui, should be fixed by now I guess.

one can only wonder at"what sort of trouble" he might get into in bangkok.I hope for his sake and the family's he is ok.Falling in love here can drive a man crazy so lets hope it is just that.

Just get an email from Thai Visa : "22 year old British tourist missing on Koh Tao"

Somehow misleading as he apparently went missing in BKK after 'running into trouble" there.

'Samui Holiday Magazine' published by Siam Map Co Ltd would be a good choice, as would a banner add on Thai Visa.

HTH

An important point: it's not how much a month it costs, it's how many copies are distributed.

Both Samui Holiday Magazine and Samui Wining & Dining have a distribution of 20,000 copies each to hotels, resorts, spas and restaurants, and are on stands on the road and also in the airport here and in BKK. And they have two full-time drivers with trucks who sole job is to drive around and check and refill these places.

Other mags cost less per month but have only a few thousand copies printed.

And, of course, thaivisa reaches a very wide audience too.

Rob

R

If it is a restaurant of a certain standard, then the "Samui Dining Guide" (red red booklet) could be helpfull.....

Thanachart Blue Book is free, but their valuations are very simplistic, and also very low-ball (they are an insurance co. after all)

http://www.thanachartbluebook.com/

Rebook valuations cost 100 THB, but are more specific and accurate, and are the accepted standard for most dealers:

http://www.redbookas...ome.php?lang=en

I tried the redbook assessment and got an answer before I even closed the website. Not sure how accurate it is, but result was that my 5 year old car with just under 50 K km has lost only 35-40% of its value.

I only had one dry new years eve in 5 years in here, so it's as usual

This was the wettest I remember, though the chances are always 50/50.....

power back in bangrak at 21H15 so this power cut lasted 2H30M exactly.

It's a frigging nightmare !!!!

Getting confused with your topic here.....and the actual context......but hey, happy new year anyway !

Hope it will change for the better.....tomorrow it may look different again......

yes agree

common sense seems to be lost by many tourists somewhere between the airport and their hotel

ive been here over 10 years and with all that common sense being lost, would have thought i would have seen some at some stage but alas............never

Unfortunately not the first one and not the last one either. RIP !

Was it a Thai airways or special insignia ?Someone practicing, happens very often.

Thai (the schedule flight) usually comes in a bit later, the special insignia could come any time.....

Cool, wouldn't mind to see the Queen Mary 2

Must be my fault. I took out 150,000 baht yesterday.

Which bank/branch were you at?

SCB Chaweng main branch

A crap. Was just about to drive there to make an international transfer of a rather large amount. But if they are out of money, I'd better go to a different branch....

I was there about 11 am, may be they have again....

Oh dear!!! No Money..... that means No Honey, either !!!!

... Isn't that how it works here!!!

Yeap, bars dont take credit cards