It means you need a single ticket from your long haul carrier which covers the whole itinerary including BKK-USM (Samui). The latter part is actually performed by Bangkok Airways, so your long haul carrier needs a code sharing agreement with Bangkok Airways. Somebody published a list of airlines which do have such an agreement a couple of weeks ago in this forum.  

23 hours ago, HappyFalang said:

I just spoke with Thai Airways that are on the list for participating carriers. They had no idea if they could book a ticket with Bangkok air and said they would call me back. Has anyone booked directly with any airlines recently?? 
 

Yes I did with KLM (changing an existing ticket, changed flight date and route from BKK-AMS-HAM to USM (Samui)-BKK-AMS-HAM), no problem. KLM has a code sharing agreement with BKK airlines, somebody published a list of all airlines which do have such an agreement a few weeks ago in this forum. You should be booked on a 4-digit Bangkok Air flight number for USM-BKK, the 4 digit flight number (mine is PG5172) indicates it's a Samui+ flight as compared to 3 digits for regular flights.    

In the original announcement for Surat Thani (see posting from Friday) it was said 'No alcohol sales in shops and restaurants'. I understand that on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao, this is only applicable for restaurants, not for shops. How about the rest of Surat Thani, can't you buy a beer in a 7/11 there anymore now ? 

Has anybody travelled from Samui to Koh Tao for diving lately ? If so, are there any restrictions like PCR tests either way ? How's the diving situation on Koh Tao, dive shops open and nice prices due to low demand ?

Checked with KLM (code sharing partner of Bangkok Airways) today, rebooking my current ticket BKK-AMS-HAM on 18.8. to USM-BKK-AMS-HAM (1st leg Bangkok Airways Samui+ flight) would be no problem and would cost only 58 €. Changing to USM-SIN-AMS-HAM would be also possible for 108 €. The advantages would be to have one ticket that covers the whole itenerary (no fingerpointing in case of missed connecting flights), a small disadvantage that I had to do the PCR test on Samui (cheapest 3.480 THB at Samui Hospital Nathon) instead of Bangkok (cheapest one I would consider 2.600 THB at Dr. Donnas).       

Does anybody know where to do a PCR test on Samui without risking to be admitted to a hospital in case of a positive result without my explicit consent ? I mean, where they just tell you the result and then it's up to you what you make of it ? The background is, that I need a PCR test for flying, but do not want to risk ending up in a 14 day quarantine paying a six-digit hospital fee which might not be covered by my health insurance.  

On 7/27/2021 at 10:16 PM, khunPer said:

The checked luggage might however end up in SIN.

According to the Bangkok Air website, the Bangkok Air flights to Singapore are direct USM-SIN, no layover in BKK, so no chance to jump on another flight there anyway. 

I have a return flight BKK-AMS-HAM on August 18th, so I might be interested in joining you if you arrive in BKK on or before the 18th. However, my interest is not too strong because I could easily stay longer and the international flight can be rescheduled at little or no costs. Anyway, regarding plan A, have you already checked that public transport Samui-Bangkok actually is suspended at the moment ? I mean, are you sure you cannot simply take the ferry from Samui to the mainland and then a bus or train to Bangkok ?    

18 hours ago, churchill said:

Surat Thani announces urgent COVID-19 control Measures for Ko Samui and Ko Pha-ngan

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide an update on the newest round of COVID-19 restrictions and screening requirements needed for domestic travel to Ko Samui and Ko Pha-ngan, Surat Thani, for both Thais and foreigners, effective from today 24 July, 2021, until further notice.

 

continued .. https://www.tatnews.org/2021/07/surat-thani-announces-urgent-covid-19-control-measures-for-ko-samui-and-ko-pha-ngan/

 

"Masks must be worn at all times in public areas and in any vehicle with 2 or more people." - Does that mean I can ride my motorbike without a mask ?

I doubt the price for Samui Hospital Nathon is correct. I paid them a visit 2 weeks ago and they gave me the following information:

- PCR test for foreigners is 3,480 THB. Result available next morning. Tests also on Sa und Su (+40 THB or so). Result can be picked up personally or sent by email.

- Antigen test not available.

I also can confirm the crazy 5,500 THB for Bangkok Hospital Chaweng.

Just a warning for everybody who plans to spent a beach holiday at Chaweng beach and a question to the forum:

Although the beach itself is quite nice, you put your life at risk when swimming or diving at this place due to the absolute rudeless jet ski rental staff, which cruises all day among the bathing people at top speed (50 km/h and more ?) even when there are waves and they cannot see anything ahead. I'm not sure if already somebody has been killed by these people, but I am sure that it is only a matter of time until this will happen (actually, I have seen it happen before in the Dominican Republic, where a little boy's skull was crushed by a jetski). Does anybody has any information if the Thai / Bo Put authorities are really willing to ignore this problem until somebody dies ?