Tmoney

There is only one airline that flies BKK to Samui and that is Bangkok Airways, not only niche, but ''Boutique" 🤪. The one way flights with a Samui residents card cost 2,700 baht, a price you will not see offered on their website if you don't have a card. I challenge you to find a similar price on any 'consolidaters' website. (Tut tut TE, bet you don't forget next time) 😅

Walking Street market, Fisherman's, Bophut many on sale last time I looked but they are there for tourists to buy so may be overpriced if you are buying quantities.

I think there is a computer shop just past Makro going towards Lamai, can't remember its name. They fixed my Macbook Air just around pre-covid, happy with repair and cost.

Not so gearbox, fare with a resident card is generally around 2,700 baht to Bangkok one way. No matter how far in advance you book you are unlikely to get anything like that rate. You save the cost of the card on your first flight. (You also get priority on standby in case of emergency). I'm interested in what you needed to produce to qualify for your pink card though, (even though you say you didn't get one), please share, it will help others I am sure.

Agreed, gone way off topic. Correct richard, this IS one way to prove you are a Samui resident, that is how I got my card, but reading the OP it would appear he will not have a yellow book and pink card. Just for interest, my wife also got her card on production of our marriage certificate even though her ID card shows she is resident elsewhere. (We do live together on Samui) 😉. Can Samui, maybe it is worth buying a blank lease document (10 baht at a stationery shop) and asking your wife to fill it in and showing you have a long term (2 or 3 or more years) tenancy at the address you are living at and take it to the airport and see what they say. Worth a try. Agreed, this thread has gone way off topic.

Not sure if you will get much help after that unnecessary response to someone trying to help, however, may I suggest you go to the Bkk Airways ticket office at the airport. They are very friendly and told me what I needed and even took photos of all the necessary documents and uploaded them for me, after which my application was successful. Not saying you hold the necessary documents (which I did have) but at least you are talking to a human who will help you and not just filling in their forms online.

It's just not good enough! I transferred £1k a few minutes ago got 46.79 thb rate plus £7.26 charge. They said it would take 28 minutes to receive but it actually took only 21 minutes. How inaccurate and unreliable is that???

Thanks Te. Scope here for an ambitious entrepreneur maybe ?

Are there any care/residential (not nursing) homes for the elderly on Samui? My Google search so far has found only 2 sites, PP Homes and Diamond Care. FYI, the Diamond Care Home does not exist, it has not even been built despite having a website and phone number which takes one to Diamond Pool Villa on the airport road. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

No

Yes they've been doing it regularly for some weeks now with bikes on the red and yellow checked pavement area on the village corner, 500 baht to release. My car got clamped last week, NOT on the no parking bit and after the 7/11 but they alleged my car was on the pavement (it was not but one wheel slightly on the sloping bit), 1000 baht fine to release it, I asked for a receipt but was refused. Really? 😉 I was offered and accepted a lift back from the cop shop to my car by the police on a motorbike, I said I don't have a helmet but he said no problem, not needed at night, only daytime!!!

And as there will be a 3-5 day National holiday (Songkhran) soon, the Thais will be arriving here en masse in about a week's time, so once again many hotels will have full capacity. Fortunately, the actual 'enjoyment' of water throwing lasts for only one day here on Samui unlike the rest of the country where it can last for up to a week.

Agree 100% with TE, the island is buzzing and packed with tourists. One strange phenomenon though, the expat bars in and around places like Bangrak are strangely very quiet and have not seen their clientele return since Covid.

Been here in the NE since mid February and not a drop of rain and no storms or high waves so far.

We are a small group of Bridge enthusiasts playing Duplicate Bridge regularly every Thursday afternoon in Bangrak. Standards range from beginner to good but most importantly we are a friendly group intent on enjoying a friendly game. Please DM me if you are interested in playing and would like further details.