Koh Samui from A to Z

Arrival Most hotels provide a safe box for their guests, please use them for your valuables, tickets and passport. In some hotels you will find in your room a "Directory of Service", there you get all information about your hotel.

Airport Tax Each passenger leaving Samui airport will be charged airport tax of 400.- Baht. The airport tax at Bangkok and Phuket for .international flights is 500.- Baht per person (Airport tax can change without prior notice).

Bus and Taxi Across this island you will find the red "PICK UP TAXIS" with the bench seats, drive around the island. The destinations are marked on the car. Before you enter the car agree the fare with the driver and pay at the destination! For a trip between Chaweng, Big Buddha, Choeng Mon to Nathon or back, the fare should be not more than 50.-Baht per person. At night (from 6.00 p.m. on) the price will be two or tree times as much. Agree the fare everytime before you board the taxi, even TAXIMETER TAXIS.

Car/Motorbike rental As there are many accidents with motorbikes in poor condition and without insurance, you should not rent a bike, it looks easy but it's dangerous! If you rent a vehicle, you should remember it is left hand side driving and beware of the "Thai driving style". You can rent a car, including full insurance (in case of accident only 5.000.- Baht excess).

Company - Escort A "Joiner Fee" will be charged by the hotels if you invite a Thai person to your hotel room. These are hotel regulations and not the responsibility of your tour guide or tour operator.

Drinking water Don't drink water from the tap. The hotels provide drinking water in your room, mostly free of charge. You can use water from the tap to brush your teeth without problems. Please help to save water.

Drugs Beware of drugs! Don't buy, deal or carry drugs. In Thailand it can carry the "death sentence" for offenders. Note: "Grass or Marijuana" is also forbidden and offenders will be jailed even with a small quantity.

Hospitals The public hospital of Samui is in Nathon, there are also two private hospitals on the island. To avoid problems when you receive the bill, always ask the charges before treatment.

Language The language is THAI. In the hotels and most tourist centers the standard of English spoken varies from poor to excellent. Especially during the first days some misunderstandings will occur because for Thais it's difficult to speak "R" so Restaurant will sound like "Lestolann" and a fried rice will be "Flai Lai". Take it easy and at home you can tell your friends some funny stories.

Laundry Your hotel provides cleaning service and laundry. Outside your hotel Trans Island recommends “Bubbles Launderama”. European owned, bespoke laundry service on Samui. They Boast filtered water, intelligent European machinery, environmentally friendly products, detergents for sensitive skin/babies. Non-bleach stain removal service. 24 hours and Express service. Free delivery.

Massage The massage, which is provided at the beach, is not a medical massage. Most masseurs don't have any training so the massage will be only a relaxing pleasure. At the beach a massage will cost about 200.- Baht for one hour. Trans Island recommends “Chedi Spa” and “Mama Massage” on Chaweng Beach Road.

Medical Service - Doctor The reception of your hotel can call a doctor, the fee you will have to pay direct, a refund is dependent on your insurance coverage. A bill will be issued every time. Ask for the price every time before treatment begins, to avoid problems when you receive the bill.

Money changing You can change your money at your hotel reception, travel offices and exchange offices. Hotels and travel offices usually offer a lower rate than exchange offices but have longer business hours. In each center you will find exchange offices from the banks, which are open normally from 09.00 a.m. to 08.00 p.m. Eurocheques are accepted only by Thai Farmers Bank. To change your traveler cheques and to withdraw money with your credit card you have to show your passport. The ATM's work similar to those in your home country.

Nightlife The nightlife in Samui is mainly on Chaweng and Lamai Beach. For tips and advice please ask your tour guide.

Pharmacy On the island there are many pharmacy or drug stores and some are open until late at night. You can buy all kinds of medicine without prescription and cheaper than in your home country. In most pharmacies English is spoken. Trans Island recommends “Samui Pharmacy”.

Power The voltage is 220 volt, some hotels still use old style sockets, adapters are available from their housekeeping departments.

Religion The religion of Thailand is Buddhism. Please show respect by taking off your shoes and dress well when you enter a temple.

Reservation Please understand that an airline seat reservation can be made only in the case of handicap, illness or pregnancy, and can be taken by your airline only. Your tour operator has no influence over the airline and cannot be responsible for any problems.

Restaurants You will find many different restaurants in Samui. You can choose between all kinds of food from all over the world, Thai, Japanese and international. Trans Island Travel recommends “Samui Seafood”, “Drop In” and “Tropical Murphy's”.

Shopping At Chaweng Beach, Lamai and Nathon you can buy all the things for which Thailand is well known. Copies of brand watches, jeans, T-shirt's and computer programs, as well as leather and silk articles. Bargaining is normal except in supermarkets and department stores with fixed prices. Trans Island Travel recommends Thai Craft Village.

Sunbathing Please be especially carefully in the first few days. The tropical sun is much stronger than that of your home country. Cloudy skies or umbrellas don't protect you from sunburn - please use sun cream.

TailorsThe recommended tailors are "The 0" and “Armani Suits”. These tailors offer you highest quality.

Telephone The international code is 001 followed by your country code, then the area code without the first zero and the number ...sample 001 45 2565 12345.

Theft Safety Thailand is generally safe. However you should be careful and take care of yourself and your valuables, use the safe box at your hotel, don't hand over your credit card to strange persons or deposit your passport. Carry with you only the amount of money you need.

Time Difference The time difference between Thailand and Europe is + 5 or 6 hours.

Tourguide - Problems Call 0 7723 0460 for tourguide assistance.

Tours and Excursions All tours are escorted by English-speaking tour guides. Reservations can be made with your tour guide during visiting hours at the hotel or call to our office 0 7723 0460.

Tourist Police The Tourist Police can help you in case of problems. They are here to help you. If you have a problem contact the Tourist Police at Nathon before the traffic light to the hospital and immigration office or call 0 7742 1281.

Visa You don't need a visa if you stay no longer then 30 days in the kingdom. If you stay longer it is possible to extend your visa at the immigration office in Nathon near the government hospital (at the traffic light).

Watersports There are many watersport activities on Samui. Jetski, water-ski, sailing boats, windsurfing, parasailing and scuba diving. The recommended scuba diving school is "Easy Divers". For other watersport activities we recommend Blue Stars for kayaking and for sailing "Samui Yacht Charter", or contact your guide for further information.