First Time To Koh Samui - Advice Plz :-)

[BigDamo]

Hey guys, I have just booked a holiday to Koh Samui staying at the Amari Palm Reef Resort, Chaweng beach for next April/May and as its my first time in Samui I'm looking for some advice/info plz.....

I'm a frequent Thailand visitor so know about the way of life, food etc as I usually go to Phuket/Pattaya/Bangkok so I really want to know how Koh Samui compares to them in terms of night life / restaurants / prices etc etc and any suggestions recommendations on what to do/where to go in the day & night??

Any info/pics greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Big D

[limbos]

There's plenty of information about things to do on this Samui blog.

[goonerthegooner]

Hey BigDamo,

In a nutshell,do not go,I lived in Bophut for 4 years,running my own buisness,now it's gone too the dogs,too many ''rip off '' merchants. The Koh Samui of old as I knew it,has long gone.Be ready for inflated prices,Timesharetouts,Taxi Scum,and daily traffic jams.

Enjoy

[samuibeachcomber]

Hey BigDamo,

In a nutshell,do not go,I lived in Bophut for 4 years,running my own buisness,now it's gone too the dogs,too many ''rip off '' merchants. The Koh Samui of old as I knew it,has long gone.Be ready for inflated prices,Timesharetouts,Taxi Scum,and daily traffic jams.

Enjoy

well i hope HH is better for you.The OP is only coming for a holiday though,and should have a good time

[samuibeachcomber]

Hey guys, I have just booked a holiday to Koh Samui staying at the Amari Palm Reef Resort, Chaweng beach for next April/May and as its my first time in Samui I'm looking for some advice/info plz.....

I'm a frequent Thailand visitor so know about the way of life, food etc as I usually go to Phuket/Pattaya/Bangkok so I really want to know how Koh Samui compares to them in terms of night life / restaurants / prices etc etc and any suggestions recommendations on what to do/where to go in the day & night??

Any info/pics greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Big D

chaweng is as good a place as anywhere for a holiday on Samui..........soi green mango is the hub of nightlife plus soi reggai,hire a bike or jeep to get around is a good idea,plenty to do,diving,sailing,fishing,trips into the hills etc.hope you enjoy your stay.

[maccaroni man]

Hey BigDamo,

In a nutshell,do not go,I lived in Bophut for 4 years,running my own buisness,now it's gone too the dogs,too many ''rip off '' merchants.

The Koh Samui of old as I knew it,has long gone.Be ready for inflated prices,Timesharetouts,Taxi Scum,and daily traffic jams.

Enjoy

Traffic Jams? compared to BKK, Phkt, and Patt I don't think so. IMHO the best thing Samui has going for it is it's small size which makes it easy to get many things done in a short period of time. The white sand beaches, moderate weather with warm sea breezes, and vast variety of quality food also is a plus.

[lazeeboy]

koh samui has changed for the better or worse as you want to look at it,its still a great place to vacation ,you will have fun and enjoy yourself im sure

[edgeman]

Try Fishermans Village, some nice bars there and it's not spoilt like Chewang, 'The Emerald' (Irish Bar) was a good spot, excelent live Irish misic too!

[thesunset75]

gotcha !

Hi :-)

I was there last January 2007, same hotel you book. I am sure you'll love it there like we did.

I will PM you our pics can skip private pics though

Cheers.

[Mark Wolfe]

Chaweng is too crowded, even in the low season. Beach beds cheek to jowl, hawkers galore and the ubiquitous too-loud music the Thais seem to think everyone wants to hear while "relaxing" on the beach.

Enjoy your stay.

[dsfbrit]

You will have a fantastic time. The beach goes for about a mile I think. We stayed at the Amari and walked right down to the other end of the beach. It took about an hour. I have no idea how anyone could suggest the beach is crowded - maybe near the centre but not just outside. Make sure you get a room on the Ocean side of the hotel. We had a room over the road. Very nice, but not the same. I did not bother changing the room as we were there only 3 days.

There are some really nice restaurants on the beach at night, very romantic.

I have noticed how Koh Samui has changed since I first went there 5 years ago. However, its still sun, sand and fun and you will have a great time.

Make sure you DO NOT exchange your money in the UK - the exchange rate is much better over here.

Have a great trip

Edited October 8, 2008 by dsfbrit

[Lite Beer]

Try Fishermans Village, some nice bars there and it's not spoilt like Chewang, 'The Emerald' (Irish Bar) was a good spot, excelent live Irish misic too!

I'll go along with that. Chaweng is ok to visit for a night out . Rows and rows of western bars and restaurants. You would never know you were in Thailand. Could be anywhere in the world.

[mattias33]

Hey guys, I have just booked a holiday to Koh Samui staying at the Amari Palm Reef Resort, Chaweng beach for next April/May and as its my first time in Samui I'm looking for some advice/info plz.....

I'm a frequent Thailand visitor so know about the way of life, food etc as I usually go to Phuket/Pattaya/Bangkok so I really want to know how Koh Samui compares to them in terms of night life / restaurants / prices etc etc and any suggestions recommendations on what to do/where to go in the day & night??

Any info/pics greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Big D

Since you are a frequent visitor to Thailand and know your way around you will easy see the difference between scammers/overchargers and serious entrpreneurs. You will have a great holiday in samui. Nightlife and restaurants for every taste is here, simillar to Phuket/Pattaya. The taxis will try to scare you off the island already on the airport by not using the meter, so try to get a pick up from your hotel. And simply let the honking taxis drive by you, ignore them and take the songtheaws instead. I´m sure your hotel can set you up with a island tour so you get a look around. There is also one day boat-trips around the island that are pretty nice. Samui is a great place for holiday, dont listen to the wining around this forum. Same as everywhere else in Thailand there will be attempts to scam you, but you will easily see those attempts with your experience of Thailand.

Have a nice trip!

[BigDamo]

Thanks for all the info and well wishes guys - Cant wait to go....... Patta's first though for December :-) Wahoo.....

[cobra]

The taxis will try to scare you off the island already on the airport by not using the meter, so try to get a pick up from your hotel. And simply let the honking taxis drive by you, ignore them and take the songtheaws instead.

Disagree,

The meters are turned off as a set price of 100b will get anywhere around the Chawang area including to/from the airport, the most important factor is they're air conditioned, a welcome respite when you get bogged down in the daily evening traffic jam in mid town as everyone makes their way to Soi Mango part of town.

Sweating and choking in the back of a tuk for 30 mins trying to go a half is hel_l.

Your on holiday, treat yourself and use the AC'd taxies, (that's assuming you can even get one because everyone else will be trying to also),

[PoorSucker]

The taxis will try to scare you off the island already on the airport by not using the meter, so try to get a pick up from your hotel. And simply let the honking taxis drive by you, ignore them and take the songtheaws instead.

Disagree,

The meters are turned off as a set price of 100b will get anywhere around the Chawang area including to/from the airport, the most important factor is they're air conditioned, a welcome respite when you get bogged down in the daily evening traffic jam in mid town as everyone makes their way to Soi Mango part of town.

Sweating and choking in the back of a tuk for 30 mins trying to go a half is hel_l.

Your on holiday, treat yourself and use the AC'd taxies, (that's assuming you can even get one because everyone else will be trying to also),

:D Have you ever been here???

Fixed price 100 baht..

[Mark Wolfe]

PoorSucker wrote:

Sweating and choking in the back of a tuk for 30 mins trying to go a half is hel_l.

Are there two Samuis? Where on my Samui does one find a tuk-tuk?

[mattias33]

cobra, you know you are in the SAMUI forum right?

We are talking about Koh Samui island.

If you thought something else you are excussed.

[koheesti]

PoorSucker wrote:

Sweating and choking in the back of a tuk for 30 mins trying to go a half is hel_l.

Are there two Samuis? Where on my Samui does one find a tuk-tuk?

That wasn't Poorsucker, it was cobra.

You could put a gun to the head of a taxi driver and he still wouldn't take you anywhere for only 100 baht.

Edited October 10, 2008 by koheesti

[dwoon]

How safe is Samui, in general?

Do tourists get robbed regularly there?

Anything to look out for?

Thanks

[PoorSucker]

How safe is Samui, in general?

Do tourists get robbed regularly there?

Anything to look out for?

Thanks

No problem, just stay from the ladyboys and the yellow taxis.

[dwoon]

Thanks

How safe is Samui, in general?

Do tourists get robbed regularly there?

Anything to look out for?

Thanks

No problem, just stay from the ladyboys and the yellow taxis.

[everydaysthesame]

the amari is an excellent choice.. the north end of chaweng beach is really quiet and relaxed but only 10 - 15 mins stroll into the bustling town centre...

I've been here a couple of years and just drove round the island for the first time in ages.. visited a few of the waterfalls and ate thai food on the beach in Tong Krut. I can tell you now that Samui is an absolutely beautiful island and anyone who says otherwise hasn't got a clue.

[pammy123]

Hi The best Restaurant In KOh Samui is Shalimar Indian FOod you will never be disapointed there,as well as they have a TAilor shop and u will never get ripped of.HighFashion Tailors is the best shop in samui,i visited Samui nearly 5 times and the clothes i made are still the best.

Hey guys, I have just booked a holiday to Koh Samui staying at the Amari Palm Reef Resort, Chaweng beach for next April/May and as its my first time in Samui I'm looking for some advice/info plz.....

I'm a frequent Thailand visitor so know about the way of life, food etc as I usually go to Phuket/Pattaya/Bangkok so I really want to know how Koh Samui compares to them in terms of night life / restaurants / prices etc etc and any suggestions recommendations on what to do/where to go in the day & night??

Any info/pics greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Big D

You got to be the owner, a family member or friend.

[pammy123]

The taxis will try to scare you off the island already on the airport by not using the meter, so try to get a pick up from your hotel. And simply let the honking taxis drive by you, ignore them and take the songtheaws instead.

Disagree,

The meters are turned off as a set price of 100b will get anywhere around the Chawang area including to/from the airport, the most important factor is they're air conditioned, a welcome respite when you get bogged down in the daily evening traffic jam in mid town as everyone makes their way to Soi Mango part of town.

Sweating and choking in the back of a tuk for 30 mins trying to go a half is hel_l.

Your on holiday, treat yourself and use the AC'd taxies, (that's assuming you can even get one because everyone else will be trying to also),

ABSOLUTE RUBBISH, WHAT TAXI NO. DO YOU DRIVE AND ILL KEEP MY EYES OPEN FOR IT AND REPOST WITH THE ACTUAL FARES REQUESTED.

[PoorSucker]

The taxis will try to scare you off the island already on the airport by not using the meter, so try to get a pick up from your hotel. And simply let the honking taxis drive by you, ignore them and take the songtheaws instead.

Disagree,

The meters are turned off as a set price of 100b will get anywhere around the Chawang area including to/from the airport, the most important factor is they're air conditioned, a welcome respite when you get bogged down in the daily evening traffic jam in mid town as everyone makes their way to Soi Mango part of town.

Sweating and choking in the back of a tuk for 30 mins trying to go a half is hel_l.

Your on holiday, treat yourself and use the AC'd taxies, (that's assuming you can even get one because everyone else will be trying to also),

ABSOLUTE RUBBISH, WHAT TAXI NO. DO YOU DRIVE AND ILL KEEP MY EYES OPEN FOR IT AND REPOST WITH THE ACTUAL FARES REQUESTED.

Cobra has never been on this Island, just ignore his post.

Never take a yellow cab on Samui, period.

Tuk tuk has never existed on Samui.

Motorbike from Airport to Chaweng takes 8 min, (tuk tuk 30 min(not exist) )

[OriginalPoster]

The taxis will try to scare you off the island already on the airport by not using the meter, so try to get a pick up from your hotel. And simply let the honking taxis drive by you, ignore them and take the songtheaws instead.

Disagree,

The meters are turned off as a set price of 100b will get anywhere around the Chawang area including to/from the airport, the most important factor is they're air conditioned, a welcome respite when you get bogged down in the daily evening traffic jam in mid town as everyone makes their way to Soi Mango part of town.

Sweating and choking in the back of a tuk for 30 mins trying to go a half is hel_l.

Your on holiday, treat yourself and use the AC'd taxies, (that's assuming you can even get one because everyone else will be trying to also),

Indeed, and at most bars in Samui a Singha will only set you back 30 baht and a beachfront bungalow in central Chaweng will cost a maximum of 300 baht.

Please go back and read the copyright date on the inner cover page of your Lonely Planet guide, if it says 1986 there's a chance that your prices are out of date. If it says 2008, maybe you misrembered the minibus seats to Chaweng that cost 100B (last I knew) as being the price of a taxi cab.

Edited November 14, 2008 by OriginalPoster

[robsamui]

WOOO!

When you arrive it will be at the *new* airstrip, and you will be so f**ked that all you will want to do is to get to Chaweng as fast as possible. As does everyone. Of course.

The *fixed* price 500 baht to "everywhere" Merc taxis will obligingly take you to Chawenfgfor 5X the usual rate - but you will be sooooo happy to pay it and crash!

On principle, please try to avoid the METER TAXIS as they make their living leeching off tourists. There are *hundreds* here now that blatently flaunt the Thai laws - in Bangkok each and every one of these taxis would have had their licence withdrawn long ago. FIDDLED meters; added charges; an extra 100 baht if you want them to actually USE the fiddled meters: for God's sake!

The 'song thiews" after dark are almost as bad. (The "cattle truck" taxis.) Tourist = big cash = silly fares = grab it while you can = the slow death of this lovely island, garotted by get-rich-fast Thai cowboys with no concept of tomorrow.

Ask your resort to provide a rental jeep and a driver (unless you're only going into town and back). It's the same price, and it might eventally make the TAXI <deleted> think again.

Eventally.

But, by that time, they will have abandoned the payments on their taxi , left it by the side of the road and gone back to BKK, Surat, Nakhorn etc etc.

R

[BusyBee123]

if you like to do the usual tourist bits during the day there are waterfalls to see and some great view points in the hills. The southern parts of the island still retain the island feel and are nice to visit, the water is rather shallow though so not so good for swimming. If you hire a bike you can see most of the islands sights in a day. If you like snorkeling Ang Thong is a nice day trip, there is a lot to see but i guess it depends on what you like. I like to take the bike and go on a wander which takes you to all sorts of places. Yes Chaweng is quite western but does not represent the island, some people love to travel thousands of miles to eat a mac donalds and drink beer but each to their own there is far more on offer.

[Mark Wolfe]

No one but completely unseasoned travelers take a taxi from the airport. Take the minibus; maximum fare anywhere is 150/person.

Samui is a lower class version of Phuket. Think of it as a sort of hayseed version. There are many places here that are not yet developed, and there are many places here that are.

Most of Lamai is girlie bars, and if anyone disagrees, just look at tonight when all of them were closed for the funeral. 60 to 70 percent of the village was darkened. Without prostitution, Lamai would be little more than a very small strip of restaurants, non-ladybar pubs, massage parlors and a smattering of souvenir shops.