Activities and Transport in Koh Samui

[Keith5588]

Hi all,

I am originally from the UK, age 66. I have been living in Khon Kaen in the NE of Thailand for the past 2 years with my Thai girlfriend (age 51). We enjoy playing Petanque almost every day and sometimes go swimming.  I also play tennis regularly and she does aerobic dancing every evening, so we are both reasonably active and  healthy.

We would like to visit Koh Samui probably in July or August and stay for 2 weeks, maybe longer, I would be very flexible on the time that we stay. We have never been to Koh Samui.

From my initial investigation I have found that the HHH (Hash House Harriers) and also a Petanque club are based in Lamai so at the moment I will have a look at accommodation there.

I am wondering if I would need to hire a motor cycle?

Can someone please tell me what the local transport is like? Are there regular Songthaews or Buses going around the island?

Any other suggestions / activities / accommodation /  what the swimming is like in the sea?  Public swimming pools?

Thanks in advance

Keith

[khunPer]

5 hours ago, Keith5588 said:

I am wondering if I would need to hire a motor cycle?

Can someone please tell me what the local transport is like? Are there regular Songthaews or Buses going around the island?

Any other suggestions / activities / accommodation /  what the swimming is like in the sea?  Public swimming pools?

There is a tennis club in Bang Rak.

 

Samui is considered the most dangerous place to drive in Thailand – so probably in the World also – however numerous people have survived. If you are used to drive motorbike, and drive carefully – look out for others that might not drive equally carefully – renting a motorbike is an option. Be aware, that the mandatory motorbike insurance covers next to nothing, so a PA-insurance, covering motorbike accidents, is a must; perhaps also third party liability insurance.

 

Songthaews drive from 6 am to 6 pm, fees from 20 or 40 baht up to slightly over 100 baht depending of distance. After 6 pm the fee shall be negotiated, and it's often same as a taxi.

 

There is a new bus-route opened a few month ago, driving between the airport and the west-side of the island. The bus run on the hour from 8 am till 10 pm. You can read more about it here...

 

The beach in Lamai is fine for swimming, and very close is also the beach called "Crystal Bay", which by some is considered as the best beach on the island. But there are many good beaches, especially the northern beaches due to tide.

 

If you into beach-life, you should consider a few days trip to Koh Phangan's northern part, the two beaches Thong Nai Pan Lek and Thong Nai Pan Yai. There is an originally old ferry sailing from Maenam Pier (Maenam Soi 4) directly to Thong Nai Pan, departing every day at noon, the ferry-ride can be part of the Bounty-style coconut-palm-beach-adventure...

 

Apart from Lamai, there are many recommendable places at Samui, each with it's own charm. Often it might be an idea to try to stay more than one place.

 

I'm not aware of public pools, but many – if not most – resorts have private pools. You can also rent a private pool villa – also available in Lamai – for a relative modest rate ("relative modest" is really relative, compared to what one can afford, but if two couples travels together, a private pool villa might be same as, or cheaper, than two normal affordable hotel rooms); there are many options all over the island.

 

There are numerous activities, but might be depending of your interest. Thai boxing; temples, both Buddhist and Chinese; nature and waterfalls; sea-lion and tiger show, or other animals; scuba diving; snorkling (a day trip to Koh Nagyuan or the Ang Thong Marine Park, or both, is recommendable); party and night-life (a beach party at Ark Bar in Chaweng might be an experience); cabarets; etc. etc. – or just a day tour "Around the Island" including waterfall, a visit to a mummified monk, and a few major temples...

????

[Keith5588]

Wow, that's a wonderful reply KhunPer, thank you.

Interesting to know about the tennis club but as I will be with my girlfriend who does not play (need to teach her) I will give tennis a miss for the holiday.

I bought a Honda Scoopy just after I came to Khon Kaen nearly 2 years ago so I am used to riding, however 98% of my riding is done during daylight. I am lucky that I play tennis close to where I live in KK, walking the short distance home in the evening when it is dark I always see at least one motorbike with no lights, generally it is the one going fast with no crash helmet. Aactually only about 50% of riders wear crash helmets in KK. I read quite a lot about insurance, both accident and health insurance. Rightly or wrongly I decided not to purchase any, but I do have about 2 million baht in my Bangkok bank to act as initial self insurance if necessary (hopefully not). It will also be necessary when I soon apply for my first extension of stay based on retirement.

Thank you for the information about the Songthaews, in KK they also run from about 6 am to 6 pm, there are many different routes here, the fare is just 9 baht to anywhere on the route.

Also thanks for the link to the Public bus route post that you started, it is very helpful, I will fully read it later. I do like to use public transport when I can, I did in Bangkok using transitbangkok web page. Also I used www.toandfromtheairport.com when we went to Vietnam last year. I think it much better, cheaper and safer than finding a taxi.

After your help KhunPer I think I will look at the public transport, hopefully it will be sufficient, then I will not need to hire a motorcycle.

I am not a beach loving person to stay a long time on the beach but I would love to have a swim in the sea.

It's good information about the ferry from Maenam, maybe even stay a couple of nights on Koh Phangan.

I would like to watch some Thai boxing if you have any more information concerning that?

Possibly a day tour around the island. I'll give the beach party a miss. A cabaret show might be good.

Thanks again KhunPer for some great, helpful information.

Keith

[khunPer]

31 minutes ago, Keith5588 said:

I would like to watch some Thai boxing if you have any more information concerning that?

Possibly a day tour around the island. I'll give the beach party a miss. A cabaret show might be good.

Thanks for your reply.

 

There is a thai boxing ring in the center of Lamai Beach "Lamai Boxing Stadium" with performance every Saturday night about 10:30 pm. Be there about 10.00 pm for having good seats. The entrance is free, but as its sponsored by the thai boxing schools in Lamai, and the bars around the square, so you are expected to buy drinks, typically priced around 150 baht each. They often start with a kids fight, and also have two lady-boxing fights.

 

They do fight about money in Lamai, but a more professional arena can be found in Chaweng, also "more professional" tickets prices. More information about seating and prices can be found here.

 

A taxi-ride between Chaweng and Lamai is typically 400 baht to 500 baht, you probably need to negotiate a price, even its a "Taxi Meter" cab.

 

Around the island tours will pick-up from most hotels and resorts, and often the receptionist, or a local travel agency, will sell the ticket for a tour. There are numerous tour providers.

 

To my knowledge there is not a cabaret show in Lamai (once was a small one), but there are two in Chaweng on the Beach Road. Starz Cabaret, and Moulin Rouge. Both are in the northern half of the Beach Road close to each other, and both use to have three performances a night. Free entrance but up-priced drinks, around 350 baht to 400 baht for a cocktail. Position with Google Street View here for Starz Cabaret, and here for Moulin Rouge. Be careful not to fall in love with any of the "ladies" in the shows, unless you know what you are doing...

 

Opposite the Moulin Rouge entrance soi is the entrance for Ark Bar, if you take an about 9:30 show a Wednesday or Friday, you can also catch the fire show and thrilling experience of Ark Bar's beach party...

 

The old-time ferry for Thong Nai Pan departs at noon from here (next to Sea View). They sell tickets in the hotel/restaurant next to the pier, use to be 350 baht all way up to Thong Nai Pan. Be there no later than 11:30. Alternative you can take the Lomprayah catamaran ferry, also from a pier in Maenam, which will take you over to Thong Sala. Lomprayah has a minibus transfer between the hotels at Samui. Many of the resorts up in Thong Nai Pan can arrange transfer from/to the Thong Sala pier.

????

[Keith5588]

Thank you again KhunPer for being very helpful.

I have saved the Google transitsamui site. I have also saved some places in Lamai that rent motorcycles. The songthauws and taxis are a bit more expensive than I expected so I am now thinking I might after all rent a motorcycle. I will decide after arriving.

The Thai boxing in Lamai sounds good. Thank you for the link and the link for the boxing in Chaweng. Thank you also for the links to the cabaret sites and I promise not to fall in love with the sexy ladies.

Thanks for the information concerning Ark Bar and the information and links about the ferries. I am amazed at how useful the internet is, especially Google maps when in an unfamiliar place.

I have just eaten a lovely breakfast here in KK that my girlfriend makes every morning. I now need to get ready as we will be playing Petanque soon, hopefully beat some of the Thai players, I think a few are now scared of us :-), this afternoon I will be playing pool with my English friend, then this evening tennis, it's a good life here in Thailand.

Thank you so much KhunPer for helping me, you have a lot of detailed knowledge.

Keith

[evadgib]

Samui Hash

You'll both thoroughly enjoy that & they'll pick you up if you ask. 

They meet on Saturdays @ 4pm. It's advisable to get there early.

HTH

Edited May 12, 2019 by evadgib

[Tropicalevo]

'Free entrance but up-priced drinks, around 350 baht to 400 baht for a cocktail. Position with Google Street View here for Starz Cabaret, and here for Moulin Rouge. Be careful not to fall in love with any of the "ladies" in the shows, unless you know what you are doing... '

 

This was not the case when I took some of my Thai staff last year. There was a 350 THB entry fee but it included one free drink. Do not get thirsty  - a second drink was the same price. However, at 350 THB - great entertainment value.

 

I am not sure of the name of the club that we went to - it was the original one on Koh Samui - near Soi Green Mango.

[KittenKong]

On 5/11/2019 at 7:53 PM, khunPer said:

A taxi-ride between Chaweng and Lamai is typically 400 baht to 500 baht, you probably need to negotiate a price,

Crikey. And I thought that Pattaya taxis were overpriced. Google maps says that it is under 10km from Chaweng to Lamai, and takes about 15 minutes.

[Keith5588]

Thank you evadgib, I definteily plan to join in a HHH run, thank you for the extra information.

Thank you Tropicalevo for the extra information concerning cabaret shows.

Thank you Kittenkong, I agree, in KK that taxi ride would be about 100 baht.

 

This morning I have been looking at the best way to travel from Khon Kaen to Koh Samui. I don't think airlines will allow Petanque balls in the cabin but I may check this. Train or bus will be long journeys, so I have decided to leave our Petanque balls in KK. I can see Air Asia flights for 662 baht per person for KK to BKK, also 662 baht per person BKK to Surat Thani. So that is very good, a total of 2,648 baht return for 2 people KK to Surat Thani.

 

I can also see reasonable hotel accommodation for one nights stay in Surat Thani, any recommendations?

Also any advice on the best company to use to travel from Surat Thani to Koh Samui?

 

Thanks again for all your help

Keith

[evadgib]

8 minutes ago, Keith5588 said:

Thank you evadgib, I definteily plan to join in a HHH run, thank you for the extra information.

Thank you Tropicalevo for the extra information concerning cabaret shows.

Thank you Kittenkong, I agree, in KK that taxi ride would be about 100 baht.

 

This morning I have been looking at the best way to travel from Khon Kaen to Koh Samui. I don't think airlines will allow Petanque balls in the cabin but I may check this. Train or bus will be long journeys, so I have decided to leave our Petanque balls in KK. I can see Air Asia flights for 662 baht per person for KK to BKK, also 662 baht per person BKK to Surat Thani. So that is very good, a total of 2,648 baht return for 2 people KK to Surat Thani.

 

I can also see reasonable hotel accommodation for one nights stay in Surat Thani, any recommendations?

Also any advice on the best company to use to travel from Surat Thani to Koh Samui?

 

Thanks again for all your help

Keith

As far as I'm aware Seatran and Lompryah offer a service that includes Coach and ferry from Surratthani airport to Samui. See websites for details (& check my spelling of the latter as it could be wrong!)

HTH

[khunPer]

4 hours ago, KittenKong said:

Crikey. And I thought that Pattaya taxis were overpriced. Google maps says that it is under 10km from Chaweng to Lamai, and takes about 15 minutes.

Amazing Samui, you might be able to pay 600 baht and more for such a long distance as 10-15 kilometers; however around the corner (literally) is only about 200 baht, and might be well spent if you have a lot of shoppings to carry...????

 

These prices (from Samui Airport, i.e. next to Chaweng) fits quite well what many taxis might ask for, if you cannot convince them to drive with the meter turned on.

 

These prices from Nathon was what the cabs tried to charge cruise tourist – cirka 5,000 baht for "around the island" is about 60 kilometers, the Ring Road itself is 53 kilometers long, so 600 baht for 10 kilometers seems like a bargain compared to circa 1,000 baht for the 5 kilometers to Four Seasons or Nikki Beach...????

[khunPer]

5 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

I am not sure of the name of the club that we went to - it was the original one on Koh Samui - near Soi Green Mango.

Moulin Rouge, originally named Christy's Cabaret, but he/she/it sold it about five years ago; one drink is mandatory, and they also have some for nearly 400 baht (if one is hi-so)...????

[khunPer]

4 hours ago, Keith5588 said:

Also any advice on the best company to use to travel from Surat Thani to Koh Samui?

As @evadgib says, Lomprayah is a good possibility; but Air Asia use to have a ticket BKK to Surat inclusive transfer to Samui, some of my friends use it.

 

I always use Bangkok Air, and their early morning bird or last evening flights are often affordable, compared to extra time spend, and extra fee paid, for using a budget airline to the mainland.

 

Another possibility is the (around) 6 pm "express" sleeper to Surat Thani – don't be afraid, its not more "express" than other trains, it just don't stop at every station, so the train journey takes about 10 to 12-hours – there is a ticket including transfer to Samui, where you will arrive about 10 am or 11 am next day. 2nd class air use to be around 700 baht. There is a dining wagon on the train.

 

VIP night bus from Bangkok to Samui is around 1,200 baht. Lomprayah has an express bus from Bangkok to Chomphun, and catamaran via Koh Tao to Samui, for 1,300 to 1,450 baht, the latter price includes minibus transfer from pier to hotel. Take a look at Lomprayah's home page, where all air-links from/to mainland are also advertised.

????

[PoorSucker]

5 hours ago, Keith5588 said:

 

I can also see reasonable hotel accommodation for one nights stay in Surat Thani, any recommendations?

Also any advice on the best company to use to travel from Surat Thani to Koh Samui?

 

Thanks again for all your help

Keith

Buy tickets for Samui with Airasia. 

You can book the combo tickets online. 

No need to stay in Surat. 

[Keith5588]

Thank you all again for the information you have given me.

I like to travel as relaxed as possible and not miss any sleep if possible.

I had already found good flights Khon Kaen to Surat Thani, I can leave KK about 2 pm and arrive Surat Thani about 8:30 pm. I did look at AirAsia going the full way to Koh Samui but it arrives at Lipa Noi pier at 7:30 pm. which is not good and also I would rather not continue travelling in one hit. So I have decided to spend one night in Surat Thani town at a hotel not far from the Night market and also not far from Phantip office.

I did look at Seatram and Lomprayah but decided to use Phantip for the bus and ferry, it is 250 baht from Surat Thani town to Nathon Pier. For me it is ideal as I can then catch the bus at 140 baht each to Lamai and it might be an interesting ride for us across Koh Samui.

Now just need to look for some accommodation in Lamai.

The taxi prices you have posted KhunPer have amazed me! Do some tourists leave their brain at home or are they very wealthy? I have enough money and now feel lucky to be retired here. If I was wealthy I still would not want to be obviously scammed because a 60km journey should not cost 5,000 baht, plus I am sure they would stop at selected places for the customer to buy something or have a meal.

Thanks again to you all

Keith

 

[Keith5588]

Amazing Samui, you might be able to pay 600 baht and more for such a long distance as 10-15 kilometers; however around the corner (literally) is only about 200 baht, and might be well spent if you have a lot of shoppings to carry...

 

KhunPer, I just had a shower and smiled while thinking about your witty post above. I guess there are still people about who do not use the GPS of their mobile phone?

[khunPer]

2 hours ago, Keith5588 said:

I guess there are still people about who do not use the GPS of their mobile phone?

I'm one of them...????

 

3 hours ago, Keith5588 said:

The taxi prices you have posted KhunPer have amazed me! Do some tourists leave their brain at home or are they very wealthy? I have enough money and now feel lucky to be retired here. If I was wealthy I still would not want to be obviously scammed because a 60km journey should not cost 5,000 baht, plus I am sure they would stop at selected places for the customer to buy something or have a meal.

The $/€ prices was for cruise ship tourists, and when some shared a photo of the sign, it ended with a lot of debate in the news.

 

Yes, the "around the island" was a rip off, and probably with stops at selected places. Cruise tourists deposit their brain when leaving the ship, they normally have a counter for that, just before boarding the shuttle boat to the pier. Other tourists might use the similar counter in Suvarnabhumi's arrival hall – I know some that use that service...

 

The taxi price-thing is that most, if not all, of the expats and long-time stayers I know, avoid to use taxi whenever possible, because of the non-meter use. We plain mobs use a motorbike – if we dare – and those of us that can afford it buy a car.

 

Tourists coming from abroad on vacation thinks different, as their mind is focused on their home country currency, and they compare everything with their home country prices. Now 600 baht is around $20 or €15. I don't know US-taxi prices, but I know some European prices, and €15 takes you only a short distance. In my Scandinavian home country that would be 5 kilometers in weekday daytime; and hardly 4 kilometers after 6 pm, and during week-ends. I remember a few years ago, when I visited Stockholm, almost "around the corner" by taxi where 200 Swedish kroner – I got stressed looking at the money-number on the meter – that would equal 800 baht.

 

So an overpriced about 10 kilometer, or more, 600 baht taxi ride from Chaweng to Lamai is half price only, or even less. Relative cheap, so that's how the so-called Taxi-mafia of Samui gets away with it, its win-win.

 

Staying here for long time, and getting used to money-numbers in Thai baht, I sometime have to recalculate a price into my home country's currency and compare – yes, its still cheap here...????

 

Same for some restaurants having prices in the upper scale – and of course they are supposedly having some level of gourmet kitchen, and chef, but you also pay for where you sit – compared to a tourist's home country they might be half price, and not more than same price. Many tourists want a little bit extra, i.e. better life-style, compared to home when on holiday, and many don't mind paying for it. Some of restaurants are indeed worth the money; whilst others not really are, especially when similar food is better from at street-kitchen type of establishment, but again, you also pay for sitting beachfront in a 5-star resort, and being served by trained staff in uniforms.

 

Don't worry, there are plenty of reasonable priced good restaurants at Samui and in Lamai – if you're into Isaan food you should visit "Mr. Dang and Nang" at the night market soi.

????

[spidermike007]

You will do fine renting and rising a bike on Samui. However, bring your own helmet. Rental agencies only offer 80 baht bean caps. And drive with great caution. I drove there for years. But I always drove slower than my norm and maintained eyes in the back of my head. Some of the worst drivers on earth live and work on Samui. The hospitals there are very profitable! And the authorities are fairly non existent. There is alot of beauty on Samui. Be sure to take some rides up into the hills. The further away from the rather ugly Ring Road you get, the prettier it is. 

[Happystance]

One can ferry to/from Koh Pha Nang to either side of Samui for cheap, and I would include the other 2 islands in a trip of any duration. 

I personally didn't like Samui (beaches) as much, but after reading this thoughtful thread I'd be a tad more inclined to give it another try.

It is worth mentioning the airport option and that one can extend 30 days at the immigration office on the island.

 

Edited May 15, 2019 by Happystance

[Keith5588]

I was ready to book flights 2 days ago with Airasia, the flight Khon Kaen to Bangkok was still 662 baht (actually 620 baht after I signed in to AirAsia), but the flight Bangkok to Surat Thani had increased from 662 to 1032 baht. Nok Air and I think Thai Airways still had flights for about 700 baht but I would like to use only AirAsia if posible. For AirAsia 1032 baht was the lowest fare for any day.

I guess it’s all a game and I am learning. I decided to start our holiday end of July but it could be anytime, so plenty of time.

I will monitor the flights, have put an icon on my Desktop of my computer, my guess is that if the bookings reduce enough at some point AA will reduce the prices again.

If they don’t over the next 3 weeks I will just book whatever I can but it will be interesting to see what AirAsia do.