Santi Thani

[beachbum]

We have rented a house in Santi Thani for 3 months (Jan - Mar) and would appreciate any advice regarding transportation and the possibility of renting a car if required. Any other advice for first time visitors would be welcome also.

thank you

[LaoPo]

It's far out of everything....

You really need a car; 4-weel drive if possible.!

DO NOT rent a motobike; most of the 'streets' in Santi Thani are really very very steep!

Here is a map of Santi Thani; you can click on the plots (you know where you are?)

http://www.santi-thani.com/plot-maps.php

The road from the Buddha statue on the map and the main ringroad is quite a walk....and apart from that it could be difficult at times to find a taxi/transport there.

Good luck.

LaoPo

Edited October 16, 2006 by LaoPo

[Samuian]

It's far out of everything....

You really need a car; 4-weel drive if possible.!

DO NOT rent a motobike; most of the 'streets' in Santi Thani are really very very steep!

................. it could be difficult at times to find a taxi/transport there.

Good luck.

LaoPo

Yep, GOOD LUCK! and don't forget to put a Sandbag or 2 onto the Hood while trying to get up there!

[southbot]

Hi OP. Sure the other posters are dead right, Santi Thani has very steep roads, verrrrrrry steeeeep. Unless you are an athlete, don't even think about walking.

Renting one of the local Suzuki jeeps may be OK, but that type of car is a tiny bit lightweight for Samui and especially for Santi Thani roads.

Better spend the bucks and get at least a Suzuki Vitara 4WD, a heavier and more powerful vehicle, I am sure that Santi Thani office can arrange this for you upon arrival.

The beaches just opposite Santi Thani are quite nice, facing Koh Phangan and with an offset view of the sunsets. Swimmable, some live reefs here and there for snorkelling. Quiet beaches, often almost deserted.

There is a little local shop on the corner of main road Santi Thani entrance where you can get basics - beer, noodles, smokes, beer, um, some fruit.... beer.

There are also quite a few restaurants nearby on the beach and on the main road. Some quite excellent Thai seafood joints nearby. Good value.

Nathon, the main town, is not very far away. Maenam, another larger town is about same distance in opposite direction.

Take care driving on Samui roads, extremely dangerous, lousy drivers both local and visitors. Toooooooooo many motorcycles all over road coming and going in both directions (wrong side of the road, killer at nighttime).

Staff at Santi Thani in the office are usually pretty helpful with info and tips about Samui.

Great cool hillside air up there at Santi Thani, I used to drive up there just to sit in one of the salas (Thai hut) that they have here 'n there around the place.

With a good 4WD you can have some excellent and interesting fun just getting lost in the inland mountain roads. Not too dangerous but keep the wits about you up there. Let somebody know you are going for a mountain drive ahead of time in case you get bogged or something. Take a mobile phone even better.

While here you really ought to get out to the Angthong Marine National Park, get boat tour from any travel agent in Nathon. It is awesome to say the least.

There are still local fishermen on that beach there, get on beach early sunrise to catch the fishing boats rigging up on the beach. Ask one of the boat dudes to take you out fishing, usually they are happy to do so for a tiny fee. And you get to keep the fish too.

Santi Thani is on the quiet side of Samui. If you want night life you need to cross over to the other side to Chaweng or Lamai where they have many clubs and bars. Watch out driving home at night, just take care and be aware on the roads here.

If you stay 3 months you will have plenty of time to discover Samui pretty fully.

Good luck, cheers and enjoy the koh

[churchill]

Don't worry too much about the steep roads . I went up there in a Toyota Yaris a few days ago . No problems at all .

[poorfarang]

One time I went up a super steep hill on a motorbike to check out a view.

Wow, what a nice view. then I looked back down the hill that I now had to drive down. Wow, so scary going down. The gravel on the hill didnt help either.

Needless to say, I dont go up hills anymore.

[taxexile]

in my opinion , santhi thani is one of the nicest developments on samui.

it is set on a steep hillside , with either spectacular sea views or equally impressive views over a deep valley.

the roads up and down are indeed steep , but if you drive with care , then you should have no problem , a 4wd suzuki , driven in low range 4wd will help you descend slowly.

the development is well looked after (or it was the last time i was there about a year ago) and most of the properties are good too.

there is also a santhi thani gardens development at the bottom of the hill , no views though.

15 minutes from mae naam and bo phut , 10 minutes to nathorn and about 30 mins to chaweng.

easy enough to rent a car on samui , i'm sure the santhi thani office will be able to arrange it for you , or you could look around and possibly find one a bit cheaper than they will.

[poorfarang]

How much is the rent?

[Samuian]

How much is the rent?

Thats only 70 to 120 GBP per Night! Or the other Choice is Rental rates from 200US$ to 250US$ per day.

And now, don't be picky...