Samui Open for Business?

[corkman]

Hi Everyone,

 

Is Samui coming back to life yet? Are hotels, bars, and restaurants on Chaweng open yet? Is there a chain discussion on TV.com or somewhere else with regular updates?

 

Thanks in advance.

[tribalfusion001]

Chad from CB Media is there now, he says 90% closed in Chaweng.

 

[Gulfsailor]

Chaweng Beach and the beach road are still very deserted, although a few places have opened up. Central mall is open with nearly all shops and restaurants inside as well, but it is eerily quiet. The areas just off the tourist areas are surprisingly busy though this past week. Thai restaurants and markets are busy and traffic has seen a big increase as well. It appears lots of people from Bangkok and other mainland areas appear to take advantage of the current very cheap accommodation on Samui and decide to visit. 

[Tropicalevo]

I agree with Gulfsailor.

Chaweng very quiet but that is just one town.

According to the current law - all bars in Thailand are closed but I saw a few open tonight in Bangrak.

Lots of villas to rent and many hotels open now.

Most restaurants that have staff are open. (Many sent the staff home until the borders are open.)

If beer bars/loud music and bar girls are your scene - forget Thailand for now. Everything else is open.

We have quite a lot of guests from Bangkok and Phuket at the moment, as well as some tourists still here from March.

If you are working from home, Samui is a lovely place to do so.

Beaches and seas are pristine again.

[gearbox]

3 hours ago, tribalfusion001 said:

Chad from CB Media is there now, he says 90% closed in Chaweng.

 

 

Ohh..looking at the video...missing Thailand and Samui so much.

 

Most of the restaurants in Chaweng are closed, and tons of hotels too. I hear there are now people coming from the mainland, but not in such numbers to make a significant change. Some of the hospitality staff left the island to come back when the things get better, others are waiting and hoping to get employed soon. Many running out of money. Some places have closed permanently and there is plenty of second hand equipment for sale. We were looking to find a temp job for an intern with a 3+ star hotel through business friends, many many places are still closed.

[tribalfusion001]

3 minutes ago, gearbox said:

 

Ohh..looking at the video...missing Thailand and Samui so much.

 

Most of the restaurants in Chaweng are closed, and tons of hotels too. I hear there are now people coming from the mainland, but not in such numbers to make a significant change. Some of the hospitality staff left the island to come back when the things get better, others are waiting and hoping to get employed soon. Many running out of money. Some places have closed permanently and there is plenty of second hand equipment for sale. We were looking to find a temp job for an intern with a 3+ star hotel through business friends, many many places are still closed.

Watch his update from today, Chaweng and Lamai deserted.

 

 

[Maha Sarakham]

Looked like a handful of expats just sitting around Lamai having a few beers... looks grim.  Even if the borders open this year, not sure we are going to proceed with our previous reservation on Samui.  Have a feeling a lot of places will be going under or not have staff in time for high season.

[Peterw42]

4 hours ago, tribalfusion001 said:

Watch his update from today, Chaweng and Lamai deserted.

 

 

This guy pushes a certain narrative for his videos, he likes to paint the picture that he is the only westerner that has ever been to places, he is discovering places in Thailand that nobody else has ever seen etc. Reality is he is probably filming in early morning. found a 7/11 thats being renovated etc. If there is a busy restaurant and an empty restaurant, he will film the empty restaurant and make out he is the first westerner ever to visit it.

He refers to covid etc as "the situation" as though its illegal to be talking about it, all adds the the drama he creates.

[khunPer]

I checked Chaweng Beach from Southern public entrance up to the most northern part a few days ago, this is my post from another thread Monday (15th June)...

Quote

In update to my post from yesterday about present situation on Chaweng Beach, I had a nice walk from the southern public entrance and all the way up north, but however not also further south towards First Bungalow, so I don't know about that area.

 

There is no public beach entrance at north (to my knowledge), so just a few hundred meters walk and you have a wide sandy almost private beach.

 

No "For Sale" signs, but one new "For Rent"-sign, if someone should be interested...????

 

At the southern public entrance was usual busy beach activity...

 

 

Five places along the beach seemed to have opened with restaurants, perhaps also accommodation behind the restaurants, presume a place like "O.P. Bungalow" would have. Based on my observations, one don't need to reserve a table in advance...

 

 

The Library's last clients must have left, as it was now fully closed down. However three other places looked like there were preparing for reopening, one busy painting the beachfront, one cleaning pool, and one making a new roof on the beachfront restaurant. Fully open way south, and with a number of guests visible, is the luxurious looking "The Tent" by Sala, with a bargain for long stayers – well relative – only 139,9899 baht a month for Oceanfront Balcony Pool Suite; however, the modest budget traveller can find a Garden Deluxe Balcony room for affordable 69,999 baht a month...????

 

Chaweng beach road is still extremely deserted. There are no night life open at all, but some local evening markets are back in service, there was a late market by Chaweng Lake yesterday.

 

However, other beaches are coming a bit to life and some resorts are reopening – a few on the beach where I live, mainly the affordable ones – whilst many restaurants are back in service; and furthermore, the beautiful beaches are not too crowded at the moment.

 

Areas worth checking are among others: Choeng Mon, Bang Rak, Lamai (including Silver Beach), Bang Por, and Maenam; the reopened resorts might offer attractive rates.

????

[Birdman]

Smaller Thai owned hotels are opening now. They are hoping to make business with domstic tourists. Tha bigger ones still closed. 

Chaweng beach road is completely empty. Wonder why they don't finish building that road. Now would be perfect. 

 

Places like Plai Laem market full like before Corona. 

 

Personally I liked the first April weeks. Could stay like that forever

[tribalfusion001]

7 hours ago, Peterw42 said:

This guy pushes a certain narrative for his videos, he likes to paint the picture that he is the only westerner that has ever been to places, he is discovering places in Thailand that nobody else has ever seen etc. Reality is he is probably filming in early morning. found a 7/11 thats being renovated etc. If there is a busy restaurant and an empty restaurant, he will film the empty restaurant and make out he is the first westerner ever to visit it.

He refers to covid etc as "the situation" as though its illegal to be talking about it, all adds the the drama he creates.

If you mention "coronavirus" or "covid-19" in your YouTube title or in the content then YouTube place a blue warning strip under the video title. This is the reason he says the "situation" and it will affect revenue too.

[Tropicalevo]

lots of activity in villa rentals where we are. Rates are down but bookings are increasing weekly.

I think that the hotels will struggle to compete.

[Peterw42]

2 hours ago, tribalfusion001 said:

If you mention "coronavirus" or "covid-19" in your YouTube title or in the content then YouTube place a blue warning strip under the video title. This is the reason he says the "situation" and it will affect revenue too.

Thats not true, do a quick search on youtube for Covid, corona etc, there are literally 1,000s of videos with covid in the title, talking about covid. No Blue warnings or loss of monetization. I have friends who vblog and have said the word covid 127 times and their videos are still monetized.

They have pulled videos with fake news about covid etc, but you can write and say the word.

 

 

 

[tribalfusion001]

1 hour ago, Peterw42 said:

Thats not true, do a quick search on youtube for Covid, corona etc, there are literally 1,000s of videos with covid in the title, talking about covid. No Blue warnings or loss of monetization. I have friends who vblog and have said the word covid 127 times and their videos are still monetized.

They have pulled videos with fake news about covid etc, but you can write and say the word.

 

 

 

All down to the algorithm. Here is an example, blue warning above the title.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gRrM-_eodM

 

[Tchooptip]

Lamai beach where I go working a few kilometers every morning is still practically deserted and everything is still closed except the Bamboo restaurant whose owner is a Thais and at the end to the east where the big rocks start a restaurant also opened but I forgot the name.

[crazykopite]

Simple answer NO

[SAcanman]

Which beach currently offers the most in terms of restaurants/food stalls/markets being open if they arrived this week?  Which area has the most to offer currently?  (Yes I know it's not much but some area has to have the most)

[Tropicalevo]

3 hours ago, SAcanman said:

Which beach currently offers the most in terms of restaurants/food stalls/markets being open if they arrived this week?  Which area has the most to offer currently?  (Yes I know it's not much but some area has to have the most)

Have a look at Maenam or Bangrak.

Bangrak beach is not one of the best beaches (piers and watersports), but quite a few restaurants open and a very busy market.

Used mostly by locals (Thai and farang) so not reliant on tourism.

I only know the northern end of the island. Hopefully others can advise on other areas.

The north and west coasts of Samui are quiet even in a normal high season. Most tourists only visit the east coast and that is dead until International visitors are allowed in again.

 

[PDPA2024]

Yes, touristy ripoff areas like Chaweng beach road are mostly deserted. But shops/cafes/restaurants everywhere else are open, life never stopped on Samui. It's a great place for family tourism right now! Easy to find villas and apartments, Thai attractions like markets are bustling.

 

Plenty of good restaurants in Mae Nam, the beach is clean, quiet with a few Russian and Asian tourists, mostly couples with or w/o kids.

 

But yeah, please don't come here. I like this version of Samui, let's keep it this way.

 

 

[hoxman]

Agree with Tropicalevo about Bangrak and Maenam, would also include Bang Por, quite a few restaurants up there serving.

[corkman]

Thanks for all the great replies folks.

 

Interest videos from Chad, and interesting commentary too that he is biased to finding things that are closed versus open. Bit of CNN / Fox news syndrome going on there? haha. To be fair, it's a good video nonetheless. 

 

For me, I've just got a bit of cabin fever in Bangkok. I like going to Chaweng because I can get there from my condo in Bangkok in 2-3 hours. Check in online, leave my condo an about 70 mins before departure, an hour on the flight down, no checked baggage and have a car waiting to pick me up and 10 mins to Chaweng. Given the situation, I could "suffer" and extra 20 mins to get to Lamai if that's a bit more lively.

 

"Loud music and bar girls" > not necessary. Just hoping to find a couple of easy going bars with a few fun people (staff, expats, long-stay tourists, whoever) to interact while I fill my belly with beer, after the sun goes down..... and regular Thai food will do us just fine ???? ....... and during the day, as long as I can get some enjoyable food and a few milkshakes in the early day on the beach, and a few beers in the afternoon, then I'll be happy.

 

Thanks again for all the info. Seems like early-to-mid July should be a good time to visit.

 

 

[Deli]

Planning to visit Lamai next month, hope it will become a little better. Otherwise trying Maenam.

Bangrak is pretty ugly, though

[Tropicalevo]

55 minutes ago, Deli said:

Bangrak is pretty ugly, though

It always has been ???? but it is well supported by locals.

It is away from the tourist magnet called Chaweng. Much cheaper as well.

For visitors, Maenam is a much better area usually, but I have no idea what is open over there.

Open in Bangrak these days (that I know of) are

2 Italian restaurants

2 French restaurants

Mexican (fusion?) restaurant

2 French bakeries

Steak house

Burger bar

Pizza place

Lots of Thai restaurants and a few good cafes.

(Oh and a couple of 'bars' ????)

Some poncy places are open too if you want to splash the cash.

[PDPA2024]

46 minutes ago, Deli said:

Bangrak is pretty ugly, though

Bophut beach nearby has some nice views. It's very small though ???? 

[spidermike007]

No. It is deserted, and Chewing Beach resembles Dresden, post 1945. There are a massive number of businesses which are either abandoned, boarded up, closed, or gone for good. They were doing road work on the beach road in Chaweng before all this happened, and it appears that project is abandoned, so it has contributed to the blight. It is not a fun place to be at the moment. Friends of mine who live there say it is quite depressing to see all of this, and knowing how dependent the Southern Islands are on foreigners (Samui, Phangan and Dark Tao never attracted many Thai tourists, as they have an aversion to pirate pricing, and the stunning lack of law and order), who knows how long it could be, before we see any sort of revival?

 

 

[spidermike007]

15 hours ago, SAcanman said:

Which beach currently offers the most in terms of restaurants/food stalls/markets being open if they arrived this week?  Which area has the most to offer currently?  (Yes I know it's not much but some area has to have the most)

Probably Lamai Beach. It is one of the better areas, and does not have the degree of blight that Chaweng has. But, the whole island is super quiet now. 

[Birdman]

Bangrak ugly? There is a sandbar in clear water, nice views and the beach is ok middle and western part. Only stunning sunsets of all beaches not in the West can be seen from the eastern part. Plai Laem market developed as the busiest market on the island....

[Birdman]

13 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

No. It is deserted, and Chewing Beach resembles Dresden, post 1945. There are a massive number of businesses which are either abandoned, boarded up, closed, or gone for good. They were doing road work on the beach road in Chaweng before all this happened, and it appears that project is abandoned, so it has contributed to the blight. It is not a fun place to be at the moment. Friends of mine who live there say it is quite depressing to see all of this, and knowing how dependent the Southern Islands are on foreigners (Samui, Phangan and Dark Tao never attracted many Thai tourists, as they have an aversion to pirate pricing, and the stunning lack of law and order), who knows how long it could be, before we see any sort of revival?

 

 

Thais have a completely other understanding about beach life than Farangs. An afternoon at Bang Saen under huge umbrellas and plenty of food with friends and family. Not daily on a towel or beach chair under palms from morning to evening for weeks. 

[khunPer]

3 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Probably Lamai Beach. It is one of the better areas, and does not have the degree of blight that Chaweng has. But, the whole island is super quiet now. 

You are not here, right?
Lamai is unfortunately quite deserted, whilst Bang Rak seems to have quite a bit to offer, and also many places are open in Maenam Area; some of the sports pubs serves food, so they are open, but not too crowded.

It's only the beach road in Chaweng, ree. @spidermike007's re-shared dystopian photos, that is deserted, second road along the lake is busy, and so is all the usual life at that side. Also the beach by the southern public entrance is quite busy. The beach road is centered on beachfront resorts and an increasing number of high-end turist stores, that remain closed, and also night life and beer bars are closed. Whilst on the lake-side there is lot of local life, and that's busy. Central Festival is open, except the children's playground and the cinema; they don't have any new films to show, so they gave up after a few days with old Thai movies, but the cinema in Tesco-Lotus has two rooms open, showing a couple of Thai movies from before the lockdown.

 

If you are not into nightlife and bars, Koh Samui is all right now – however, as other posters have pointed it out, we resident expats don't mind the quiet beaches, so any recommendations are only to help our friends in business...????

[spidermike007]

18 minutes ago, Birdman said:

Thais have a completely other understanding about beach life than Farangs. An afternoon at Bang Saen under huge umbrellas and plenty of food with friends and family. Not daily on a towel or beach chair under palms from morning to evening for weeks. 

That is true. But most Thais consider Samui and the southern islands to be a blight zone and a rip off too.