Word Of Mouth

[Beng]

It was only word of mouth, that brought the first foreigners to Samui in the late 60's early 70's. Samui was a place to recommend.

The situation has changed. Nowadays, Samui gets people through travel brochures and TV ads.

In contrast to other destinations in Thailand, like Phuket & Krabi ( good infrastructure, power supply, gov. airport), Pattaya (cheap accommodation, many choices) or

Chiang Mai (very civilized,good climate, clean and reasonable priced), Samui fails to match any of them and offers the least for the most money.

The local islanders could get away with their prices, mismanagement and ignorance for quite a while.

But in times of globalisation and the internet, plus the financial crisis and a fierce domestic competition, it doesn' look good for them much longer.

[sketcher]

I dont agree. Looing at the last six months of what is generally advertised as low season, there were loads of visitors here, most hotels were busier this year than the same time the year before and I certainly had more customers than in previous years. I'd say things are just fine. Guarenteed to be quiet for this month and next it always is.

[DrChopper]

How's the move going Beng?

[itishothere]

Not sure I agree either.

Samui is an island. It still has great beaches and 5 star hotels and is described as paradise by many. Krabi is not the same (yet), and Phuket has become too commercialised. Yes, prices are high here, but the sea and the sand is what sells the place. It isn't difficult to make it look good on the internet and the brochures; I doubt I could say the same about some of the competition.

And other places tend to have more of a bad reputation with regards the 'adult' entertainment. Samui appeals to the families.

Also, it does seem to me that the current visitors are not particularly price sensitive and are prepared to pay for the desert island experience?

We have had more visitors than I would have expected under the economic circumstances, maybe the riots and floods in Bangkok will bring us even more?

[Geekfreaklover]

Just got back from Ko Samui. My Family of five (Thai Mrs - luk-krung kids came down from BKK) and family from back home (UK) came to visit. Everything perfect. The weather, hotel, people. Only one thing that upset me was the taxis. The bloody taxis and what they charge... I live in Bangkok, used to cheap transport. .. There's also a dual price system there, but got around that by speaking the language, really great time and I don't think Krabi, Phuket or Ko Chang could compare in terms of people and infrastructute. Perhaps Pattaya could, but its a bit seedy, innit?

[Beng]

How's the move going Beng?

I've skipped it.

[Birdman]

we have less taxi driver troubles than in Phuket, more honestly travel agents than in Krabi, better beaches than in Pattaya and no pollution/smog like in Chiang Mai.

You can make a bad name of anything if you want to...

[robsamui]

I think you might be just a tad behind the times with this. International entrepreneurial feeling is that Phuket's topped out now and that Samui is on the up once again.

Witness the eighteen 5-star brand names here now - Banyan Tree, Conrad, W Retreat, Le Meridien, Orient Express, Six Senses, Four Seasons - and that's off the top of my head..

AND the occupancy is good with all of them.

Even the new akyra Chura in Chaweng, only four months after opening, due to aggressive international marketing was reporting 100% occupancy this month (October = low season) and is already fully-booked for Christmas/NY.

But as a guideline, have a look at the Four Seasons Estates. You can rent one of the 5-bedroom villas for 150,000 baht a night (it's 30-40,000 baht a night for an 'ordinary room') or buy one for 150 million. There are 14 of them, from 105 to 150 million and most have been sold now, the majority of these in the last year.

Conrad seems to be budget in comparison, with their top villas selling at only about 80 million.

This is top, top end stuff with people so rich they are largely unaffected by the global economy. Many of them come to Thailand in their private jets or even phone to BKK to hire a plane to go shopping in Hong Kong for the afternoon. Quite a few of them didn't even know where Samui was till they got here.

Chances are they you'll probably never see these people as by all accounts they come here and hide away for a few weeks, rarely going outside the resort.

And in spite of some of you who'll say - "yeah but the ordinary people don't get any of all this money" - not so. There are hundreds of workers - thousands probably - employed by these top resorts and the extra jobs and higher wages means that a significant amount of extra cash is filtering back into Samui's economy. More workers can now pay their rent and don't have to skip off overnight, more food and petrol's being bought (and more money also being sent back to families in the north) and even the guys who drive round the back streets selling food from their motorbikes are doing more business.

What's been hit on Samui are the mid-range 3 and 4-star resorts that take their guests from the Euro holiday brochures. The budget beach resorts are mostly thriving as those in the know fly direct and are informed enough to hand-pick their resorts. And the very top end is beginning to blossom like never before.

It'll take a while for all this new affluence to stabilise and there will surely be a lot of casualties in the mid-range sector while it does, but international management companies seem to be snapping up the one that fail. Look at the new Mercures and Moevenpicks or the appearance of Outrigger. None of the hotels or resorts are actually being demolished or turned into supermarkets and most of the workers get to keep their jobs.

I think you'll find that Samui is now on the up again . . . for better or worse . . .

R

Edited October 22, 2011 by robsamui

[Tropicalevo]

Beng - a very one sided description of all of those places.

Phuket, Pattaya and Chang Mai - you only mention a few insignificant positives. Samui - you only mention negatives. (By the way -some of your positives are wrong!!!) Not a well balanced argument.

What is your motive?

[smokie36]

Beng - a very one sided description of all of those places.

Phuket, Pattaya and Chang Mai - you only mention a few insignificant positives. Samui - you only mention negatives. (By the way -some of your positives are wrong!!!) Not a well balanced argument.

What is your motive?

Maybe its the ghost of NALAK.....

[BangrakBob]

Beng - a very one sided description of all of those places.

Phuket, Pattaya and Chang Mai - you only mention a few insignificant positives. Samui - you only mention negatives. (By the way -some of your positives are wrong!!!) Not a well balanced argument.

What is your motive?

Maybe its the ghost of NALAK.....

[Beng]

Beng - a very one sided description of all of those places.

Phuket, Pattaya and Chang Mai - you only mention a few insignificant positives. Samui - you only mention negatives. (By the way -some of your positives are wrong!!!) Not a well balanced argument.

What is your motive?

Tropicalevo, what I'm saying is, Samui has no gov. airport, infrastructure, stable power supply, tabwater supply, etc. All the basic features of a world class destination are missing.

That doesn't go along with the, very high costs, compared to other places in the kingdom.

[robsamui]

Beng - a very one sided description of all of those places.

Phuket, Pattaya and Chang Mai - you only mention a few insignificant positives. Samui - you only mention negatives. (By the way -some of your positives are wrong!!!) Not a well balanced argument.

What is your motive?

Tropicalevo, what I'm saying is, Samui has no gov. airport, infrastructure, stable power supply, tabwater supply, etc. All the basic features of a world class destination are missing.

That doesn't go along with the, very high costs, compared to other places in the kingdom.

This is something that us small people fret about. But it's not preventing the millionaires who don't even know about these things (and never get to see them) coming here . . . because the places they stay HAVE all these things already built-in. Shh . . . don't tell them about how bad Samui is . . . they already think Samui is a world-class destination because they are able to stay here world-class.

Not you, maybe . . . or I either, at 150,000 baht a night

Gotta see the bigger picture . . .

R

Edited October 22, 2011 by robsamui

[John 1]

I suppose if we all sit in our rooms or homes and don't go out the place is fine. But go out on to the roads and you will be swallowed up by all the dam_n pot holes infrastructure is a disgrace.

[costalot]

In contrast to other destinations in Thailand, like Phuket & Krabi ( good infrastructure, power supply, gov. airport), Pattaya (cheap accommodation, many choices

Beng, there is a lot of cheap accommodation in Samui, cheaper than in Pattaya I would say.

For one instance, the hotel at the corner of the ring road at Wat Lamai, 395 baht a night, and there is also cheaper rooms in land from the temple.

[carmine]

we have less taxi driver troubles than in Phuket, more honestly travel agents than in Krabi, better beaches than in Pattaya and no pollution/smog like in Chiang Mai.

You can make a bad name of anything if you want to...

i agree with the rest of your post but please don't say we have less taxi problems thatn anywhere in the country because ours are as bad or worse than anywhere and people should be made aware.

Samui still has enough plus points as geekfreek has already found out durinf his families visit.

[samuijimmy]

I always find these negative posts about Samui strange, I've had about 15 people this year visiting and staying at various resorts here, from UK and north America and OZ, and all who went to Phuket and other areas, said Samui was far the better place to visit, and they would come back here.

I never understand this 'prices are higher thing here'... when I was in Krabi last year prices of meals were generally higher.. when I travel around southern Thailand I generally don't see the big difference in prices when one checks out Tesco etc... or restaurants ... it generally comes down to quality of food and location... but there are lots of good restaurants off the "high rent" areas..here....

Yes one pays more when sitting in a restaurant on the beach, but easy to avoid that and pay half the price in a "lower rent" area off the beach ... that's a choice that can be made easily... some people really don't mind paying for the ambiance and view...especially when on holiday... (or not)...

As for taxi's which admittedly I don't use often, if a price is too high, go to the next taxi, usually you'll find someone with a better price... I have a couple of phone numbers of taxi's willing to dicker and give a good price if I need to pick people at the ferry or Airport....

When I first came to Thailand many of the places I went too, where "word of mouth" recommendations by fellow travelers ... but some places I discovered on my own.... Had things been that bad, I would not have made repeated visits here before deciding to move here...

[carmine]

I always find these negative posts about Samui strange, I've had about 15 people this year visiting and staying at various resorts here, from UK and north America and OZ, and all who went to Phuket and other areas, said Samui was far the better place to visit, and they would come back here.

I never understand this 'prices are higher thing here'... when I was in Krabi last year prices of meals were generally higher.. when I travel around southern Thailand I generally don't see the big difference in prices when one checks out Tesco etc... or restaurants ... it generally comes down to quality of food and location... but there are lots of good restaurants off the "high rent" areas..here....

Yes one pays more when sitting in a restaurant on the beach, but easy to avoid that and pay half the price in a "lower rent" area off the beach ... that's a choice that can be made easily... some people really don't mind paying for the ambiance and view...especially when on holiday... (or not)...

As for taxi's which admittedly I don't use often, if a price is too high, go to the next taxi, usually you'll find someone with a better price... I have a couple of phone numbers of taxi's willing to dicker and give a good price if I need to pick people at the ferry or Airport....

When I first came to Thailand many of the places I went too, where "word of mouth" recommendations by fellow travelers ... but some places I discovered on my own.... Had things been that bad, I would not have made repeated visits here before deciding to move here...

I tend to agree with you and if the local crooks driving taxis would give the island a break and Bangkok Airways were either pulled into line or would just go to hell then Samui would clean up.

[DrChopper]

Beng - a very one sided description of all of those places.

Phuket, Pattaya and Chang Mai - you only mention a few insignificant positives. Samui - you only mention negatives. (By the way -some of your positives are wrong!!!) Not a well balanced argument.

What is your motive?

Tropicalevo, what I'm saying is, Samui has no gov. airport, infrastructure, stable power supply, tabwater supply, etc. All the basic features of a world class destination are missing.

That doesn't go along with the, very high costs, compared to other places in the kingdom.

Why skip the move Beng? if you don't like it here it's completely within your control to move. Or do you to prefer to not control your own destiny and just complain on the internet instead?

As for the above - as mentioned elsewhere world class destinations attract people to whom paying 5000 baht for a flight doesn't even warrant a second thought. Many 'normal' tourists think the same - they are on holiday, they have saved all year, they pay the asking price. I have friends coming this month, next month and over xmas, and none have paid more than 4500 for a flight.

I am seeing crews working on the roads, drains and electrics all the time - do you see them too?

'tabwater'? Do you mean water table? A completely natural phenomenon? How exactly would you like to see this changed? Are we calling in God to do this?

[carmine]

Beng - a very one sided description of all of those places.

Phuket, Pattaya and Chang Mai - you only mention a few insignificant positives. Samui - you only mention negatives. (By the way -some of your positives are wrong!!!) Not a well balanced argument.

What is your motive?

Tropicalevo, what I'm saying is, Samui has no gov. airport, infrastructure, stable power supply, tabwater supply, etc. All the basic features of a world class destination are missing.

That doesn't go along with the, very high costs, compared to other places in the kingdom.

Why skip the move Beng? if you don't like it here it's completely within your control to move. Or do you to prefer to not control your own destiny and just complain on the internet instead?

As for the above - as mentioned elsewhere world class destinations attract people to whom paying 5000 baht for a flight doesn't even warrant a second thought. Many 'normal' tourists think the same - they are on holiday, they have saved all year, they pay the asking price. I have friends coming this month, next month and over xmas, and none have paid more than 4500 for a flight.

I am seeing crews working on the roads, drains and electrics all the time - do you see them too?

'tabwater'? Do you mean water table? A completely natural phenomenon? How exactly would you like to see this changed? Are we calling in God to do this?

If you could realistically find more than 1% of people asked, i d doubt you'd find more that would agree with your view on the cost of the flights.

Secondly most people cannot just leave at a drop of a hat. You can be in control of your destiny so as to speak but to just drop sticks and go is rarely an immediate option wherever you live.

[DrChopper]

Beng - a very one sided description of all of those places.

Phuket, Pattaya and Chang Mai - you only mention a few insignificant positives. Samui - you only mention negatives. (By the way -some of your positives are wrong!!!) Not a well balanced argument.

What is your motive?

Tropicalevo, what I'm saying is, Samui has no gov. airport, infrastructure, stable power supply, tabwater supply, etc. All the basic features of a world class destination are missing.

That doesn't go along with the, very high costs, compared to other places in the kingdom.

Why skip the move Beng? if you don't like it here it's completely within your control to move. Or do you to prefer to not control your own destiny and just complain on the internet instead?

As for the above - as mentioned elsewhere world class destinations attract people to whom paying 5000 baht for a flight doesn't even warrant a second thought. Many 'normal' tourists think the same - they are on holiday, they have saved all year, they pay the asking price. I have friends coming this month, next month and over xmas, and none have paid more than 4500 for a flight.

I am seeing crews working on the roads, drains and electrics all the time - do you see them too?

'tabwater'? Do you mean water table? A completely natural phenomenon? How exactly would you like to see this changed? Are we calling in God to do this?

If you could realistically find more than 1% of people asked, i d doubt you'd find more that would agree with your view on the cost of the flights.

Secondly most people cannot just leave at a drop of a hat. You can be in control of your destiny so as to speak but to just drop sticks and go is rarely an immediate option wherever you live.

I'm not trying to justify BA fares here, but don't forget people work hard and save hard all year for their holidays, so while £100 might not be ideal I would wager much less than 99% of people lose sleep over it. Anyone staying at the places Rob mentioned obviously dont care and there are LOTS of people who stay here spending 4000/5000 or more per night on accomodation so 4500 doesn't cripple them. You can't get a plumber in England for less than £200 per day - I'm sure most of them cope with working half a day to be safely and quickly transported 100's of miles on a multi £m aeroplane. Again - I am not championing BA prices, but it isn't the killer many people think.

I know you've posted before you will leave when you can, so I assume you have property and/or business to sell and a family to move. You're 100% right in what you say and I respect your situation.

Beng's just arrived though, he was looking for a cheap place to live not long ago, plus he already told us he has 'skipped' moving on - not delayed/put it off. Probably so he has more time to dedicate to his whinging.

[Rooo]

Beng hasn't arrived.

[Tropicalevo]

Beng hasn't arrived.

Ahhhh the plot thickens.

So Beng is not here and has decided all of this on what he has read on Thai visa?

Good - in a few years time he would be just another Nalak. (Apologies to the first poster who suggested this one.)

I suggest that we do not tell Beng the real reasons why so many of us live here.

[koheesti]

A person's own living arrangements can skew their perspective. If you're staying in a 6000 baht/month bungalow far enough away from the beach/pool or nightlife you might enjoy your time on Samui less than those living in a nice, modern house with private pool, gas generator, etc.

[robsamui]

I suppose if we all sit in our rooms or homes and don't go out the place is fine. But go out on to the roads and you will be swallowed up by all the dam_n pot holes infrastructure is a disgrace.

OH for XXXXX sake sit in your tiny room then go get swallowed. Die. Then tell us from the grave about all the holes on Samui.

Nobody will be listening to your Sh*t .Can't comprehend why you bothereed to even consider or think about even wanting to write this.

YAWN

[smokie36]

A person's own living arrangements can skew their perspective. If you're staying in a 6000 baht/month bungalow far enough away from the beach/pool or nightlife you might enjoy your time on Samui less than those living in a nice, modern house with private pool, gas generator, etc.

Beachfront is best.....

[robsamui]

BEMG started with -

"But in times of globalisation and the internet, plus the financial crisis and a fierce domestic competition, it doesn' look good for them much longer."

Sorry Beng.

Sounds like a crock of shit copied from Google some where.

Was there a comment of some kind here?

Or just some buzzwords?

What was it you wanted to say?

What was the question?

??????????????????????

R

[smokie36]

BEMG started with -

"But in times of globalisation and the internet, plus the financial crisis and a fierce domestic competition, it doesn' look good for them much longer."

Sorry Beng.

Sounds like a crock of shit copied from Google some where.

Was there a comment of some kind here?

Or just some buzzwords?

What was it you wanted to say?

What was the question?

??????????????????????

R

Best just to ignore him Rob....as Rooo pointed out he has probably never even been to Samui....

[robsamui]

I'm not trying to justify BA fares here, but don't forget people work hard and save hard all year for their holidays, so while £100 might not be ideal I would wager much less than 99% of people lose sleep over it. Anyone staying at the places Rob mentioned obviously dont care and there are LOTS of people who stay here spending 4000/5000 or more per night on accomodation so 4500 doesn't cripple them. You can't get a plumber in England for less than £200 per day - I'm sure most of them cope with working half a day to be safely and quickly transported 100's of miles on a multi £m aeroplane. Again - I am not championing BA prices, but it isn't the killer many people think.

I know you've posted before you will leave when you can, so I assume you have property and/or business to sell and a family to move. You're 100% right in what you say and I respect your situation.

Beng's just arrived though, he was looking for a cheap place to live not long ago, plus he already told us he has 'skipped' moving on - not delayed/put it off. Probably so he has more time to dedicate to his whinging.

SIMPLE.

There are two factions on Samui.

You and me is one of them.

The other are the people who are BILLIONAIRES.

And there are more of these people here every month.

Complain all you want about the infrastructure, the roads, the cost of noodles on the road - it only makes you look kind of stupid when there are people coming here than can afford to make a million dollar bet on the result of the Superbowl and not even remember what they did.

PERSPECTIVE dude.

R

[robsamui]

This is one of those topics that, just like with the French Revolution the dopey queen will see the small picture and tell all us peasants to go and eat cake.

FIRST - there is no question to answer.

SECOND all the comments that follow are from the gutter-grubbing peasants who will blather earnestly about noodle stalls, how many 7-11 there are, how often there are power cuts, the state of the roads, how awful the taxi fares are and how much they think Samui is finished as a holiday destination.

MEANWHILE . . . up in the hills ... there are so many people with so much money coming to Samui every month.

They know nothing about bad roads or flooding or power cuts.

They pay their 150,000 baht to stay here for a week then go again.

They have no knowledge of all you guys bickering about roads or the cost of BKK Airways flights cos they come here in their private jets. They stay in their 5-bedroom villas for a week and never even go outside to look what's there.

It's a little bit sad that there are people on this wonderful island who feel that they have a need to pull it to pieces over and over and over again.

This is Samui!

If you don't like it then

a) <deleted>*k off back where you came from and quit whinging all the time.

b!) Move where there are no 7-11s and only granny shops.

c) Stop posting negative stuff here

d)wake up and see the bigger picture.

Samui is what you want to make of it - Chaweng or Lipa Noi.

There are people here now staying on this island that love this place just cos it's beautiful. And they have the resources to buy and sell and cremate your entire family right back through ten generations without even being aware they have done it.

Confucius - he say - better a happy fool than a smart man that is badly informed.

R