Questions About Life In Samui

[Khun Jean]

Maybe that is why i started my post with

Never lived there and you plan to move? Big mistake.

First have a look! Maybe for a month or so.

My personal!!! opinion:

Never noticed the three !!! to make the point VERY clear that is was my personal opinion.

Would you advice people to move to Samui without checking it out first!

It is an island with some specific goods and bads and like any other place it needs you to adapt. Some manage, some fail.

Call me a failure to adapt to Samui and i will agree, it was because of the reasons mentioned.

[carmine]

Mr Olsen I will give you a reply.

Some of the readers on this forum are not aware that Mr Olsen has ulterior motives in making such a statement.Real estate interests on the main land being a major factor. Looking for some customers here are we?

I can't wait for the next post praising the area you are connected with. Well it came sooner then expected the praise part that is.

Now I really don't know when you last visited Samui or even read this forum . You would have noticed the amount of work carried out, in particular in regards to drainage. For the amount of rain in 2 days 440mm plus, this is not a normal occurrence. So you might want to give your argument a bit more substance. Any civilised country in the world, would have had problems coping & floods. We managed fairly well on Samui, if this would have occurred a year or 2 prior, we might have have more problems.

But again wasn't Thailand in general suffering flood problems? It must have been my imagination that the road between the ferry & Khanom was under several feet of water. So what a useless comment you have made there.

I will also like to point out to your good self, that flooding occurs no matter where you live, Thailand, Australia etc.....

Again this is an island, the original poster inquired about life here, it looks like it might be a job relocation, only guessing.

Life on the island is what you make it, you can go flat out or just take it easy. For a young family, again you will make your own circle of friends through other parents.

Any international hospitals in the tourist areas, Samui, Phuket, Pattaya are fairly good but expensive. Again if it's a major drama, they will refer you to a more specialised hospital in BKK. This is not only applicable to Samui , but most of the areas I mentioned.

Food products? The choice is great & so are the eateries.

Transport? The island consists of one major ring road, but also several secondary roads.Personal car would be the transport of choice.

Schools? We have just got our own International school.

As I said with children, you tend to meet other parents, you make friends & a good support group. Good luck.

You've just freaked me out Jeanelle....that was a rather good post!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really was'nt expecting that.

Don't know much about Olsen but i stopped reading his posts because they had become really tedious.

[Rooo]

Inflammatory , non sensical & off topic posts & responses removed.

[KTD]

Rule of thumb. if you have the opportunity to live on a tropical island you should do it.

Samui has it's pro's and con's like everywhere else in the world but life anywhere is what each individual makes of it. If you have a negative or positive personality then that's what you'll get.

Everything you need is here, we don't have a massive selection of shopping malls and retail outlet stores but what you need is here and if it's not it's not a big deal to get if from the mainland or shipped from BKK.

Really the main reason why people enjoy or want island life is to get away from that type of city life. Samui is great for being a tropical island with a lot (but not all) of everyday conveniences

you will be fine as long as you weren't born in Buckingham palace!! (just joking)

Medical facilities are abundant on the island and that won't be an issue either. The Bangkok hospital is the hospital with best and most expensive reputation but there are many other very suitable options, personally I have never

been there and opt for Samui or Thai international hospital because they are close. Prices are very reasonable for those two, there is also a good govt hospital in Nathon. From where I live there are 4 hospitals within 10km with more on the island so

you have many choices

Is it more expensive that Bangkok?.. some things yes, but don't forget that you are on a tropical island and tourist destination. really for residents I don't think it's such a big difference, it depends on the lifestyle you live and what your doing on the island. Of course you can find many items cheaper in Bangkok and that can make a difference if your running a business. for real estate rentals you have a massive selection at good prices compaired to BKK with amazing beach and sea view options, for food there is a makro and many small markets. For electricity is aprox 4 baht per unit I think (can't quite remember)

A car for getting around and is recommended, especially with kids.

Yes it is safe for kids. I don't know why anyone here would say otherwise. That doesn't mean you don't have to practice good parenting skills and care should be taken around the busy roads here and ocean as always like anywhere else.

Swimming schools, I think there are very small ones here, I had just seen one advertised but now cannot find it on the internet, for ocean and water sports, sailing leasons and what not there are lots of options. For Schools there are a options also and depends on your preference between private or government and what you want to spend. The private schools post their schedule of fees online and is easily searched.

There is a big expat community, dependent on where you are on the island with people from all walks of life. The people living here that i have met are extremely pleasant and laid back and always happy to assist, you will find it's very easy meeting people here.

For a 3 bed villa the price is more dependant on what you are looking for and what you want to pay. for housing rentals there are many options and the most commonly given advise is to come down and look around for what house and area best suites your needs.

Post in pinned section of samui and be specific with what you are looking for and price you want to pay.

it is good to be excited, hope your move goes smooth and you enjoy the island like many of us here do!

[Tropicalevo]

Why not mention the never-ending problems regarding the flooding, power cuts, internet cuts and cut-offs from the outside world every rainy season, when the ferries stop sailing and the airport gets closed due to flooding ???

This happens every year, and I know of many many people who moved away from Samui because of this....any comment??

Yes - I have a comment. You are sadly and badly mistaken in a number of areas.

I have lived on Samui for just over 10 years now. From memory, the airport has been closed TWICE due to flooding in all of that time.

First in 2005 when we had unusual rainfall, and this year when we had a cyclone. I believe that in the last 10 years HongKong has closed it's airport more than that! (ie every time that there is a cyclone warning?) HongKong airport was closed more than twice in the two years that I lived there - but it was not the reason for leaving.

Rainy season - last year there was rain on the bit of Samui where I live for only 5 days in the winter rainy season. Because of the low rainfall for the last two years, some of Samui had a shortage of water for part of this year!

Ferries not running - not usually caused by flooding, but rather caused by high seas. I do not have exact information regarding this one, but I rarely hear that the ferries are not running.

Cut off from the outside world? Never. Travel plans may be delayed for a day, even maybe two, but London Heathrow Airport has been closed longer than that this year and it's on a bigger island! I doubt that the UK feels that it has been 'cut off from the outside world'.

Sure - the infrastructure could be better and everyone likes to have a good moan. My TOT ADSL line has just died, so I have plugged in my CAT CDMA and carried on. It's not that big a deal.

I suspect that the reason why no mentioned the 'never-ending problems' is because they are not there.

Edited December 19, 2010 by Tropicalevo

[itishothere]

Samui airport closes for a day (or 2 - I forget) because of torrential rain, and huge areas of Thailand suffer extreme flooding.

London Heathrow (the worlds second busiest airport in 2009) is closed today because of a bit of snow and cold temperatures.

I will let the OP do the comparison.

[BigC]

That Olson guy trying to give Samui a bad reputation just to promote his interests in Khanom.

Removed Link. Not worth giving him free publicity.

Rooo.

i haven't bothered to read the link but i like Khanom. people can can opinons about samui. its not for everyone. why would he promote blast samui to promote khanom unlesss he is the mayor

[BigC]

Never lived there and you plan to move? Big mistake.

First have a look! Maybe for a month or so.

My personal!!! opinion:

What are the medical facilities like? Not so good.

Can you get everything you need there? No.

Is it more expensive than Bangkok? Depends. It is definitely more expensive then the mainland

Do you need a car to get around? With a family, absolutely.

Is it safe for young kids? No

Is there a good swim school? No

Which school would you recommend? None!

Is there a big expat community? No, only during high season it is infested with them. Rednoses i call them.

Lived there for a while (about 4 years ago), and went back recently for a short holiday.

Living there was because of the children increasingly difficult.

Holidays on Samui are great.

This is a nonsense post. Totally outdated.

Why do people like this come on here and post such misleading rubbish?

whats next complaining there is no sky train in samui. no sky scrapers, no disney world. for that mickey mouse comment

[BigC]

Why not mention the never-ending problems regarding the flooding, power cuts, internet cuts and cut-offs from the outside world every rainy season, when the ferries stop sailing and the airport gets closed due to flooding ???

This happens every year, and I know of many many people who moved away from Samui because of this....any comment??

Its a tropical island mate.

Please don't say "never ending flooding" because we both know thats a total exageration don't we. As is "cut off from the outside world." Drama queen or what!

Well...it IS a never-ending problem, isn't it? The flooding continues year after year, and nobody do anytning about it, right? How hard can it be to design some proper drainage so this won't happen every time it is raining???

And Samui WAS cut off from the rest of the world a few weeks ago in 2 or 3 days, no???

Khanom do have power cuts. i go there frequently and they have floods. Samui was hit hard by the floods but so was every where in thailand even Haad yai. a city. What u going to do next start a debate with the sky for raining to much. good luck.

[BigC]

Samui airport closes for a day (or 2 - I forget) because of torrential rain, and huge areas of Thailand suffer extreme flooding.

London Heathrow (the worlds second busiest airport in 2009) is closed today because of a bit of snow and cold temperatures.

I will let the OP do the comparison.

England is also an island

[screamingeagle]

Wasn't Olsen Superman's nerdy sidekick with ginger hair and think spectacles....?????

[BigC]

Wasn't Olsen Superman's nerdy sidekick with ginger hair and think spectacles....?????

no he was the man who took over wimbledon Fc from Joe Kinner and sent us out the league. twwat! i mean Egar Olsen

[beerian]

Samui will always have infrastructure issues, its a TROPICAL ISLAND, compared to Bangkok - A GROWTH CITY. The 12hr+ hour electrical outage for most of the island the other month was unacceptable (okay, YOU - expat - can live without ac/tv/aircon/fridge for 12hrs once a year - but our economy is not you - aside from bangrak and maenam - its tourism) - this is simple un-defendable despite what I read above, its 2010 and PEA cant cope and is planning rolling blackouts. But this is Samui you choose to live here for various reasons, dont let the infrastructure issues put you off, in comparison to many other places, occasional lack of electric, odd potholes in roads, and slow internet are the least of priorities.

[smokie36]

Samui will always have infrastructure issues, its a TROPICAL ISLAND, compared to Bangkok - A GROWTH CITY. The 12hr+ hour electrical outage for most of the island the other month was unacceptable (okay, YOU - expat - can live without ac/tv/aircon/fridge for 12hrs once a year - but our economy is not you - aside from bangrak and maenam - its tourism) - this is simple un-defendable despite what I read above, its 2010 and PEA cant cope and is planning rolling blackouts. But this is Samui you choose to live here for various reasons, dont let the infrastructure issues put you off, in comparison to many other places, occasional lack of electric, odd potholes in roads, and slow internet are the least of priorities.

Any decent tourist hotel has a back up generator.

:blink:

[sarahewi]

Thanks so much for all your responses! It seems I have opened a bit of a hornets nest with regards to what people think/feel about life on Samui. I would have loved to have had the chance to come and see it before moving but my hubby works in hotels and we don't have that luxury sadly, although I have to say, I have a feeling I am going to love it anyway. Coming from the Middle East, i am quite used to things not working, so for me as long as it has good medical and decent schooling and is safe for my kids that is all that matters, and it seems that there are some very nice people who live there and enjoy life there. I am very excited about moving and for anyone who has three bedroomed accommodation for rent near Chaweng beach/Bophut pls feel free to email me: XXXXXXXX

PM OP for Email

Edited December 20, 2010 by Rooo
Email removed as per forum rules.

[ESB7]

Thanks so much for all your responses! It seems I have opened a bit of a hornets nest with regards to what people think/feel about life on Samui. I would have loved to have had the chance to come and see it before moving but my hubby works in hotels and we don't have that luxury sadly, although I have to say, I have a feeling I am going to love it anyway. Coming from the Middle East, i am quite used to things not working, so for me as long as it has good medical and decent schooling and is safe for my kids that is all that matters, and it seems that there are some very nice people who live there and enjoy life there. I am very excited about moving and for anyone who has three bedroomed accommodation for rent near Chaweng beach/Bophut pls feel free to email me: XXXXXXXX

PM OP for Email

With all its woos and downsides, it is a great place to live as there is so much that is still fantastic about Samui and with your open opinion you will definatly enjoy your time here....

[BigC]

Samui will always have infrastructure issues, its a TROPICAL ISLAND, compared to Bangkok - A GROWTH CITY. The 12hr+ hour electrical outage for most of the island the other month was unacceptable (okay, YOU - expat - can live without ac/tv/aircon/fridge for 12hrs once a year - but our economy is not you - aside from bangrak and maenam - its tourism) - this is simple un-defendable despite what I read above, its 2010 and PEA cant cope and is planning rolling blackouts. But this is Samui you choose to live here for various reasons, dont let the infrastructure issues put you off, in comparison to many other places, occasional lack of electric, odd potholes in roads, and slow internet are the least of priorities.

i don't care how many black outs it is better than East 17

[BusyBee123]

I think most of the responses here have not been to the op. If you have lived in bangkok and liked it samui will be even better so the op will be happy. Samui for me is good for a holiday and has everyhing for anyone for a short while..... If i was bringing up a farang kid up on samui i'd have severe reservations though, in terms of giving them all the opportnities kids need to develop in life i'd say samui is limited but so is the whole of thailand.

[screamingeagle]

Samui will always have infrastructure issues, its a TROPICAL ISLAND, compared to Bangkok - A GROWTH CITY. The 12hr+ hour electrical outage for most of the island the other month was unacceptable (okay, YOU - expat - can live without ac/tv/aircon/fridge for 12hrs once a year - but our economy is not you - aside from bangrak and maenam - its tourism) - this is simple un-defendable despite what I read above, its 2010 and PEA cant cope and is planning rolling blackouts. But this is Samui you choose to live here for various reasons, dont let the infrastructure issues put you off, in comparison to many other places, occasional lack of electric, odd potholes in roads, and slow internet are the least of priorities.

i don't care how many black outs it is better than East 17

Yeah. They were a terrible band!

[BigC]

Samui will always have infrastructure issues, its a TROPICAL ISLAND, compared to Bangkok - A GROWTH CITY. The 12hr+ hour electrical outage for most of the island the other month was unacceptable (okay, YOU - expat - can live without ac/tv/aircon/fridge for 12hrs once a year - but our economy is not you - aside from bangrak and maenam - its tourism) - this is simple un-defendable despite what I read above, its 2010 and PEA cant cope and is planning rolling blackouts. But this is Samui you choose to live here for various reasons, dont let the infrastructure issues put you off, in comparison to many other places, occasional lack of electric, odd potholes in roads, and slow internet are the least of priorities.

i don't care how many black outs it is better than East 17

Yeah. They were a terrible band!

terrible band proud to be from a <deleted> part of london. mugs lol. wannie be hard boy band lol

[smokie36]

i don't care how many black outs it is better than East 17

Yeah. They were a terrible band!

terrible band proud to be from a <deleted> part of london. mugs lol. wannie be hard boy band lol

Weren't they all loved up like.... and

[BigC]

samui is East enders but in a tropical place and less depressing and no Dot Cotton. plenty of Nick cottons though.

There are loads of Phil and grant Mitails with bald head prancing around the island. apparently people have turned to prancing instead of walking. it seems to be a quicker way from A-B.

[PoorSucker]

samui is East enders but in a tropical place and less depressing and no Dot Cotton. plenty of Nick cottons though.

There are loads of Phil and grant Mitails with bald head prancing around the island. apparently people have turned to prancing instead of walking. it seems to be a quicker way from A-B.

What?

Maybe someone can translate?

[carmine]

samui is East enders but in a tropical place and less depressing and no Dot Cotton. plenty of Nick cottons though.

There are loads of Phil and grant Mitails with bald head prancing around the island. apparently people have turned to prancing instead of walking. it seems to be a quicker way from A-B.

What?

Maybe someone can translate?

That would take too long but BigC has made a very astute observation.

[NALAK]

well if you looking for good education and medical facilaties Samui is the wrong place, i left a few months ago after 9 years best thing i ever did. jsut got mail today from friend he is sick of the place and moving out.

all the people saying there is good education please give examples, and prices.

anyway just 2 questions has anybody left Samui and regretted it

has anybody like me left Smaui and thought it was the best thing they ever did, like me

take care you dont get a place then some ignorant so so and opens an all night open air night club right next to you.

[Tropicalevo]

well if you looking for good education and medical facilaties Samui is the wrong place, i left a few months ago after 9 years best thing i ever did. jsut got mail today from friend he is sick of the place and moving out.

all the people saying there is good education please give examples, and prices.

anyway just 2 questions has anybody left Samui and regretted it

has anybody like me left Smaui and thought it was the best thing they ever did, like me

take care you dont get a place then some ignorant so so and opens an all night open air night club right next to you.

Nalak - I am intrigued. You seem to have nothing nice to say about Samui, but you spend most of your time posing on the Samui thread.

Is there a love/hate relationship here?

Sorry - typo - I meant to type "posting on the Samui thread".

Edited December 23, 2010 by Tropicalevo

[carmine]

well if you looking for good education and medical facilaties Samui is the wrong place, i left a few months ago after 9 years best thing i ever did. jsut got mail today from friend he is sick of the place and moving out.

all the people saying there is good education please give examples, and prices.

anyway just 2 questions has anybody left Samui and regretted it

has anybody like me left Smaui and thought it was the best thing they ever did, like me

take care you dont get a place then some ignorant so so and opens an all night open air night club right next to you.

I happen to agree with you about education here being poor and the cost of it here is ridiculous.

You do though seem to take every oppotunity to knock the place and i would suggest that if you lived here for nine years i must have had some good points too. You have now left so why come on to the Samui thread just to knock the place? I would have thought you would have a keener interest in the Pattaya thread.

I still like the place but if you were to ask me what the biggest single problem facing Samui is i would have to say GREED.

I would have added policing but there does'nt appear to be any so could not be under consideration for the top spot.

[smokie36]

I still like the place but if you were to ask me what the biggest single problem facing Samui is i would have to say GREED.

I would have added policing but there does'nt appear to be any so could not be under consideration for the top spot.

Aye there's a vacancy for a real life Fagin this Xmas time.....no policing eh? Just wait for the usual spate of burglaries......

Is this a new bred of greedy expats or the same old greedy Rigsby types.....I swear that show must have been a hit back here in the 70's.

[NALAK]

well if you looking for good education and medical facilaties Samui is the wrong place, i left a few months ago after 9 years best thing i ever did. jsut got mail today from friend he is sick of the place and moving out.

all the people saying there is good education please give examples, and prices.

anyway just 2 questions has anybody left Samui and regretted it

has anybody like me left Smaui and thought it was the best thing they ever did, like me

take care you dont get a place then some ignorant so so and opens an all night open air night club right next to you.

Nalak - I am intrigued. You seem to have nothing nice to say about Samui, but you spend most of your time posing on the Samui thread.

Is there a love/hate relationship here?

Sorry - typo - I meant to type "posting on the Samui thread".

about 2-5 minutes per day, not most of my time by anymeans, but if somebody asks a question about some where i lived up until recently feel justified in answering the way i see it. OP asked opinions. so can give mine or are only posative things allowed. i think peak season rolling black out speaks volumes about the place, all the money that came there after the samui and none invested. but 2-5 minutes is certainly not most of my time.

[NALAK]

well if you looking for good education and medical facilaties Samui is the wrong place, i left a few months ago after 9 years best thing i ever did. jsut got mail today from friend he is sick of the place and moving out.

all the people saying there is good education please give examples, and prices.

anyway just 2 questions has anybody left Samui and regretted it

has anybody like me left Smaui and thought it was the best thing they ever did, like me

take care you dont get a place then some ignorant so so and opens an all night open air night club right next to you.

I happen to agree with you about education here being poor and the cost of it here is ridiculous.

You do though seem to take every oppotunity to knock the place and i would suggest that if you lived here for nine years i must have had some good points too. You have now left so why come on to the Samui thread just to knock the place? I would have thought you would have a keener interest in the Pattaya thread.

I still like the place but if you were to ask me what the biggest single problem facing Samui is i would have to say GREED.

I would have added policing but there does'nt appear to be any so could not be under consideration for the top spot.

not every oppurtunity, if you check i post on numerous forums, good points where upto about 4 years ago, but this is about somebody bringing children to the island and asking about education and medical facilities, so where are they. i live about 12 miles outside Pattaya so of no interest.

good points yes usually in Dream Girls when customers had gone and we had a lock in that was out of this world on numerous occasions.

also Choeng Mon beach 4-5 years ago and rocky bay same time maybe longer. i do have a lot of good memeories but all to long ago, like you say now no policing these are things maybe the op should be made aware of, especially coming from BKK where there is good medical, good schooling and a certain level of policing.

the last straw was the fact that a bar like the gecko bar was allowed to open and keep people awake all night and nobody did a thing to stop it as in the police, at that point i realised i had to move to a more civilised part of Thailand..