Koh Samui

Thailand is Cambodia's neighbor to the West, and this forum is dedicated to Thai news, stories, reviews, blogs, videos, Thai people and anything else related to the country. A lot of expats have both lived and worked in Cambodia and Thailand, and this area is a place to discuss all aspects of life in Thailand and what's going on there. Most topics are about Bangkok and Pattaya because of their larger populations of expatriates and tourists in those cities, but this is for all things Thai.
User avatar
Doc67
Expatriate
Posts: 8869
Joined: Thu Nov 16, 2017 9:16 am
Reputation: 8145
Location: PHNOM PENH
Great Britain

Koh Samui

Post by Doc67 »

Has KS recovered decent tourist numbers?

What is the public transport available if you don't ride bikes? Tuk-Tuk? or just bike taxis. I was thinking of a visit but when I was there last I had a car, but won't be doing that again so I was wondering how to get about without any use of bikes.

Any fun and games to be had there?

The flights are expensive and not particularly good flight times and multi airlines which may include the need to clear immigration in BKK and check in again (sod that). I assume with Bangkok Airlines you are checked all the way through and clear immigration in KS.
User avatar
Random Dude
Expatriate
Posts: 996
Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2021 5:54 am
Reputation: 1109

Re: Koh Samui

Post by Random Dude »

This is a webcam from the main street in Lamai.

https://www.geocam.ru/en/online/bondi-lamai/

Last time I was drinking beer in the bar pretty much under that camera it was pumping, in this vid it's far from pumping. If you google 'Samui webcam' there are quite a few around the place, I think there's one on the main road through Chaweng, they should give you an idea of tourist numbers at least.
User avatar
Random Dude
Expatriate
Posts: 996
Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2021 5:54 am
Reputation: 1109

Re: Koh Samui

Post by Random Dude »

Also, this just popped up on my youtube feed, posted about 14 hours ago so very current.



( thanks to whoever recommended this guy, I forget the name of the thread, I'm really liking his vids) I haven't watched it yet but it starts with him at the kickboxing gym in Lamai so no doubt he'll be walking around, getting a feed and beers, talking to people and doing touristy stuff.
rogerrabbit
Expatriate
Posts: 925
Joined: Sat May 14, 2016 1:17 am
Reputation: 341

Re: Koh Samui

Post by rogerrabbit »

Haven't been there after covid but before that public transport was really bad and expensive. Only options were songthaews that operated only in one part of the island, motorbike-taxis, taxis and minivans (if you pre-booked to go other side of the island for example). All of the options, except maybe motorbike-taxis, were really expensive.

Grab works there also but not that many cars available. Local taxi-mafia doesn't want to use it so they can keep the prices high.

But yeah, this is all pre-covid info. Might have changed now. Most likely not.
User avatar
truffledog
Expatriate
Posts: 1658
Joined: Sat Mar 07, 2020 4:54 am
Reputation: 1028
Italy

Re: Koh Samui

Post by truffledog »

Doc67 wrote: Tue Jan 24, 2023 1:30 pm Has KS recovered decent tourist numbers?

What is the public transport available if you don't ride bikes? Tuk-Tuk? or just bike taxis. I was thinking of a visit but when I was there last I had a car, but won't be doing that again so I was wondering how to get about without any use of bikes.

Any fun and games to be had there?

The flights are expensive and not particularly good flight times and multi airlines which may include the need to clear immigration in BKK and check in again (sod that). I assume with Bangkok Airlines you are checked all the way through and clear immigration in KS.
As soon as you get off the ferry or airport you will definitely meet the island taxi mafia (no meter used, expect to pay a few hundred for even short trips). During the day there is reasonable songthaew transport around the island (slow if long distances). At night you better stay close to where you party or the mafia will extort the max possible out of your pocket on your retunr trip to your bungalow/resort. A motorbike defintely makes sense if you want to EXPLORE the different nightvenues. There is no traffic at LATE night so pretty safe.
work is for people who cant find truffles
User avatar
Doc67
Expatriate
Posts: 8869
Joined: Thu Nov 16, 2017 9:16 am
Reputation: 8145
Location: PHNOM PENH
Great Britain

Re: Koh Samui

Post by Doc67 »

truffledog wrote: Tue Jan 24, 2023 2:58 pm
Doc67 wrote: Tue Jan 24, 2023 1:30 pm Has KS recovered decent tourist numbers?

What is the public transport available if you don't ride bikes? Tuk-Tuk? or just bike taxis. I was thinking of a visit but when I was there last I had a car, but won't be doing that again so I was wondering how to get about without any use of bikes.

Any fun and games to be had there?

The flights are expensive and not particularly good flight times and multi airlines which may include the need to clear immigration in BKK and check in again (sod that). I assume with Bangkok Airlines you are checked all the way through and clear immigration in KS.
As soon as you get off the ferry or airport you will definitely meet the island taxi mafia (no meter used, expect to pay a few hundred for even short trips). During the day there is reasonable songthaew transport around the island (slow if long distances). At night you better stay close to where you party or the mafia will extort the max possible out of your pocket on your retunr trip to your bungalow/resort. A motorbike defintely makes sense if you want to EXPLORE the different nightvenues. There is no traffic at LATE night so pretty safe.
I don't ride bikes, never have and never will, so I am stuck with taxis.
User avatar
truffledog
Expatriate
Posts: 1658
Joined: Sat Mar 07, 2020 4:54 am
Reputation: 1028
Italy

Re: Koh Samui

Post by truffledog »

Doc67 wrote: Tue Jan 24, 2023 3:04 pm As soon as you get off the ferry or airport you will definitely meet the island taxi mafia (no meter used, expect to pay a few hundred for even short trips). During the day there is reasonable songthaew transport around the island (slow if long distances). At night you better stay close to where you party or the mafia will extort the max possible out of your pocket on your retunr trip to your bungalow/resort. A motorbike defintely makes sense if you want to EXPLORE the different nightvenues. There is no traffic at LATE night so pretty safe.
I don't ride bikes, never have and never will, so I am stuck with taxis.
[/quote]

Not a bad way to stay healthy. Better safe than sorry.

The taxi mafia will be happy to serve you at anytime if you are willing to fork out the asking price. Most big venues on Lamai and Chaweng Beach will have transport waiting in front of the door, smaller places will have phone numbers of people willing to bring you anywhere.

Things get more tricky on the other smaller beaches (like Maenam and Bophut and many others). Night transport to the main beaches is very limited and it may be necessary to book in advance.
work is for people who cant find truffles
User avatar
phuketrichard
Expatriate
Posts: 16790
Joined: Wed May 14, 2014 5:17 pm
Reputation: 5733
Location: Atlantis
Aruba

Re: Koh Samui

Post by phuketrichard »

my last visit to samui was in 2016 an hated it< more expensive than phuket, fuck all to do, really shit taxi drivers when u park ur car on the streets>
I had been there in the early 80's and worked there in the late 80's with a travel magazine
WE were going to stay 5 days and after 2 nights drove back to Phuket via Khao sok park which is great and stayed 3 nights there on the lake

its good for families thou as most resorts are beach front

Been riding bikes, ( and used to race motocross/trails when bones healed easily) since i was 15

My bike before on Phuket

Image
In a nation run by swine, all pigs are upward-mobile and the rest of us are fucked until we can put our acts together: not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely. HST
User avatar
Doc67
Expatriate
Posts: 8869
Joined: Thu Nov 16, 2017 9:16 am
Reputation: 8145
Location: PHNOM PENH
Great Britain

Re: Koh Samui

Post by Doc67 »

phuketrichard wrote: Tue Jan 24, 2023 5:43 pm my last visit to samui was in 2016 an hated it< more expensive than phuket, fuck all to do, really shit taxi drivers when u park ur car on the streets>
I had been there in the early 80's and worked there in the late 80's with a travel magazine
WE were going to stay 5 days and after 2 nights drove back to Phuket via Khao sok park which is great and stayed 3 nights there on the lake

its good for families thou as most resorts are beach front

Been riding bikes, ( and used to race motocross/trails when bones healed easily) since i was 15

My bike before on Phuket

Image
Khao sok park looks a nicer place for a trip.
User avatar
GMJS-CEO
Expatriate
Posts: 1235
Joined: Wed May 21, 2014 10:34 pm
Reputation: 810
United States of America

Re: Koh Samui

Post by GMJS-CEO »

Visited twice in 2000’s, last was 2009. Got my scuba certification done in my first visit.

Fond memories of the place, was partying most of the time during those days making friends from all over the globe. I remember the airplanes making an abrupt landing in that shorter landing strip. A truck making the rounds picking up and dropping off, it would make a circle around town.

The shallowness of the beach I remember, you could go out pretty far and still be able to stand up.

Not that I’m being helpful, just reminiscing.
Post Reply Previous topicNext topic
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Amazon [Bot], KunKhmerSR and 182 guests