[Info] Thailand : Ko Samui

[Simon Soh]

Ko Samui about 84 km from Suratthani is well known for its peaceful and beautiful beaches. Ko Samui is part of an island group that used to be called Mu Ko Samui. It's Thailand's third largest island and is surrounded by 80 smaller islands. Ang Thong National Marine Park about 20 km. west of Samui is another group of islands (around 40 islands) in a beautiful setting with a rich marine life.

 

Competitive resort hotel rates are available on off peak season basis from 300baht, it should be between from May to November. But not all cheaper hotels are well air-conditioned. But they are easily located & can be found at any beach, be sure to check around for the best rate & secured parking compund for bike safety.

 

Chaweng is fhe most interesting & happening beach in Samui, some friends had attended 'Fullmoon' party somewhere in Chaweng but the actual details i yet to sort out. As per his feedback, they party all nite long till dawn every month during the 'Fullmoon' party event. Chaweng is also a shopping & food paradise by day or nite. They serve wide variety of local & western food at competitve price.

 

An interesting island resort getaway for few days, 5 days stay should be suffuicient.

 

Q. To get there & how far..?

A. Their are ways to get there; coach, hired van or flight.

The distance by road from Haytai town is approximately less than 450km, which require about 7hrs of bike ride. Board on ferry from 'Don Sak' jetty, there's another jetty but not sure about the name. Ferry fee cost less than 200baht for both rider+bike.

 

Q. Will the riding condition difficult to deal with..?

A. Nope. They trunks's condition leading to Surathani has better surface compared to Trang for Phuket. Lesser traffic but not so scenic.

 

Route to use: Phattalung>Surathani>Don Sak(Jetty)

 

http://www.samui.org/angthong/marine1.jpg

Angthong Marine Park

 

More detailed info:

http://www.samui.org/

http://www.kohsamui.net/

[K220]

actually I think 3 days already can die staying there... There got McDonalds and starbucks etc... Can rent bike to ride and even ride without helmet( even got sports bike to rent). Else can also rent jeep, not very expensive( rate by per day) if share with friends.

 

I forgot... because will get bore when nothing to do (beside eat and drink and a little bit of shopping) if for those who dont do water sports. waterfall was alittle dirty.

 

[wolfang]

helo simon...

 

im going to samui this may!!

 

yay!!

 

anyway, went there once la, but is by direct plane

 

to there... air ticket expensive wor....

 

$380 total!!

 

mm..

 

now i thinking , u say can direct plane to hayjai(how to spell?),

 

then take ferry hoh..

 

can u draw out a detail map, and costs which will incur altogether???

 

i wanna go on a budget air trip to there la... heheheh

 

pls pls hlp me!! :help:

[Simon Soh]

hi wolfang,

 

for domestic flight:

http://www.bu.ac.th/thailand/thailand.html

 

u'll be able to work out a better costing better than anyone else for u.

[Guest *Garnet*]

one of the places in my to-go list!!!

[wolfang]

hi everyone..

 

came back from Samui,.,,,

 

the roads are consider average compared to singapore, so sport bikes

 

can still go but beware.... easy to overheat as always jam at chaweng beach, the

main beach

 

the roads are still narrow as 3 yrs ago, but the roads are even enough not

 

for u to have a big bump.. haha

 

so guys, go go go..

 

the roads to donsak pier in mainland thailand is good, very straight and even,,

 

can say the roads are very good!!!!

 

but the last 20km to donsak pier is.... 2 lanes for both ways, and got 4 lanes

under construction... o man.....

 

have a nice trip!!

 

Go to Kaosan restaurant for a good bite... heheh.. gd food...

 

theres a nice place of liveband performance, not many people and no 'chickens',

 

very good place for relax, can eat also.. i 4get the name of the place.. hahah,..

 

nice trip everyone/...

 

beware, the drivers and bikes are !.....!!

 

hehe gd luck and enjoy

[Guest sohst]

my favourite beach is still lamai, 2nd largest beach after chaweng.

 

also lesser crowd, clean road n beach.

 

can find cheaper lodging along the beach from 350 to 3000 baht.

 

favourite resort is galaxy resort, peak 1200 baht n off peak about 800 baht, price can be negotiate if u stay longer than a week, it has large aircon room with one large n one small beds.

 

alway rent a honda club for transport n sightseeing the whole island.

 

have been there many times for many years, will do again sometime in the future.

 

just love the place, much better than phuket.

 

phuket is not longer fun n beautiful place to visit cos of too many 5 star hotels built along the patong beach which replaced those beautiful chalets n roadside pubs in the past.

 

another advise, don't go for the fullmoon party at koh phangan unless u want to be drunk n screw by those mad f**k foreigners.

 

u wasting money for the trip n the beach will be yr bed for the night.

 

n night tuk-tuk will cost 300 baht per one way trip per person to the jetty.

 

or 500 baht boat trip from the direct beach pickup, i think is one way too.

 

Beg my pardon n for my own economic plus safety concerns, i alway travel by bus from singapore to hatyai to samui. it's a long journey but it's worth for a week long vacation.

 

btw don't take the van, safer n more comfortable to take their public bus to samui, ticket include ferry ride. no worries about missing the ferry cos the ferry have to wait for the bus.

 

if taking van, they alway squeeze in more passengers n risk of crashes cos the van driver r all mad hell drivers, always miss ferry n have to take the next trip.

 

singapore to hatyai bus will alway arrive at hatyai bus terminal b4 8.00am, u can book the ticket to samui at the counter for about 250 baht n continue on with the journey or stay on night in hatyai n move on the next morning, your choice.

 

return trip from samui, wake up early at about 6.30am for tuk-tuk to nathon town cost about 30 baht per person.

 

once at town near nathon ferry, along the roadside u will find ticketing girl n buy bus ticket from her back to hatyai.

 

once at hatyai about 5~6.00pm, u have to stay a night at hatyai n book a bus or air ticket back home from any tour agenies.

[Guest bighead]

Koh Samui is definitely a nice place. I was there for the whole of last week.... enjoy myself the whole week ..... the journey there was like 24hrs ... from Golden Mile right up to Koh Samui ....a lot of waiting here and there ... to and fro cost abt S$80 total ... a gd recommendation for accomodation ... Chaweng Residence near Leamdin Mkt .... got hot water aircon and king size bed ... all for 600Baht a nite... Riding a bike there is also shiok ... no nid helmet ....honda wave right up to AT750 ..... but be careful ... sometimes the police will fine those who dun wear helmet ... ard 200Baht the fine .... I was caught in a road block ... beer there is real cheap in the supermarkets ....Heinkein for 35 Baht .. double that for a drink at the pubs or beaches ... guess the nicest thing i think will be Diving ... prob going there again in Sept or Dec ....

[tOngEh]

Originally posted by *Garnet*@Mar 22 2004, 11:24 PM

one of the places in my to-go list!!!

Oh yeah...when?

long time since last ride with u as a pillion!

[Guest monklee]

hi to all....

 

may i just add to Simon Soh's recommended route. Recently i went to Koh Samui as well but i took a slightly different route.

 

From the main highway, instead of going into Surat Thani, i made a left exit to the town of Nakhom Si Thammarat. From there, you can take the east coast road up which is more scenic than the main highway. Once you head into Nakhom Si THammarat, look out for signboards to Surat Thani. Along the way, you will see a sign that leads to Donsak. Follow that sign and it will get you to Donsak Pier. The route i took is slightly more confusing. I even rode right into an Army camp! But as the cliche goes " is not the destination but the ride that matters". With that in mind, guys, forget about taking cheapass AirAsia or whatever budget airlines that is on offer. RIDE UP.

 

Riding up takes on a totally different meaning. Travelling by plane only makes u another tourist going to another "Scenic spot" in Thailand. On the other hand, riding there thru the rain, sun, backaches, fatigue and confusion makes the final destination seemed like the PROMISED LAND. Ask any rider about this. Many had asked "why do u like putting yourself thru such pain when there is cheap airfares nowadays?" Guys, don't bother to reply them. Words cannot describte fully that sensational feeling on the road. Along the way, i had met many friendly people of whom some offered a helping hand while i was in distress. I have seen breathtaking scenery that you cannot see beyond the clouds up in the air.

 

Total travelling distance is less than travelling on the main highway to Surat Thani because the main highway to Surat THani takes a bigger loop to Donsak.

 

I paid about 120 Baht for the ferry ride to Samui (passenger and bike)

 

For budget bikers like me, may i recommend the mandalay beach resort on Chaweng beach. Only 300 Baht per night. King size bed, hot shower but no aircon. Oh well u wont be needing that anyway. The resort is by the beach as well.

 

I got to know a Thai friend while in Samui. He rides a GS and runs a internet cafe on Chaweng beach. Very helpful guy. As for food, i think u can forget it if u wanna savour original thai food along Chaweng. Chaweng is infested with Mcdonalds, Starbucks, fancy Italian restaurants (get an idea of what i am saying?). Anyway i found a pretty good place to eat. Check out the Kao San Road bakery. Good local food at reasonable price. Furthermore, they play 2 movies in the evening! haha...for lonely travellers like me, it sure helps to pass time while eating my thai cashew nuts chicken rice for dinner. The night scene hmmm......pretty wild.....saw a farang (white man) who flicked out his d**k in front of the thai woman (or prostitute). Totally no respect man. Anyway..my anaconda beats that tiny tool of his anytime!

 

As for getting around in Samui, there are many bike rental shops. Forget about the CBRs and sports bikes. Go for the Scramblers or waves. WIth the uneven grounds and hillslopes, riding a CBR will only make u look like a fool. With scrams and waves, you can explore the hills..believe me...it is breathtaking at times.

 

For travellers who want a more quiet place to stay, try the lamai beach. Again, i recommend budget stays! yada yada yada. Check out the Lamai Beer Garden. Wonderful resort with the above facilities. You can hear the waves at night while u sleep(tho can be rather irritating after a while). Only 250 Baht.

 

Alright guys....lets hear some comments if there is any....RIDE ON

[Guest koma]

yup agree with monklee that riding up is more fun than taking a plane there. theres a sense of fufillment n when u get to the place u will enjoy it even more. as for me i took the highway all the way up to Donsak if not wrong is highway 4. From Sadao u head up to Haytai then to Phattalung to Thung Song( some road signs read Thug Song) then to Surat Thani then lastly in Surat Thani u will find tis Donsak sign n juz follow it. Charges for bikes varies, for cls 2 bikes normally cost 150baht plus passenger cause of the size of the bike. cls2a & below should cost 120 baht only. Point to note, when following these road signs up to Donsak, do not ride into the towns juz bypass them n follow the signs to the next town except for Surat Thani where u have to ride in n look for Donsak road sign n maybe get ferry timings frm the hotels n check it out. i tink i still hav the ferry timings will try to find it n post here. yup Chaweng beach is the most commercialised of all the beaches n the most happening u can find all the Macs, starbucks etc.... there. theres a cafe near chaweng beach where u can c the beautiful sunrise. u can find Africa tiwns, dr's or rent a kup kia there n juz go to some of the beautiful offroad tracks. Ferry from Donsak to Koh Sanui takes bout 2hrs juz make ur bike is secured properly below at the car deck of the ferry bfore u head up to the passenger deck.

[Soulmace]

Have any of you guys been to the fullmoon party at ko samui? Heard from my supervisor that the atmosphere is damn cool... tell me its a must go thing

[DGray]

I went there last 2 years with my beloved GSXR750WX '99 model. Journey from Singapore took us a total of 12 hours to reach there cause riding not too fast. Overall good place and superb scenery view!!!!

[chee_teck]

Simon,

Can u recomend stops for petrol refueling n food? I mean the ones after Hadyai. Average 200km pump one time. Starting from Bukit Kayu Hitam last Petronas station?

 

Thanks

Kenneth

[Simon Soh]

Originally posted by chee_teck@Oct 19 2004, 01:09 PM

Simon,

Can u recomend stops for petrol refueling n food? I mean the ones after Hadyai. Average 200km pump one time. Starting from Bukit Kayu Hitam last Petronas station?

 

Thanks

Kenneth

 

chee_teck,

 

i cant really tell u the exact location for re-fueling. from my experience, every less than 200km there will be petrol kiosk, especially in province u ride pass.

 

my suggestion, top up first 100-150km & there after in Surat Thani, plenty of fuel station there before jetty to Samui.

 

avoid those neighbourhood fuel station, use only int'l petrol as much as possible or PTT.

[Guest koma]

yup along th way got shell....caltex u juz ride round 150km u will c 1 of them liao. if u missed the last ferry to koh samui frm donsak like me can recommend u 1 hotel in surat thani. i go dig out map next time i pass 2 u or post here, its like JB hotel 1 standard n bad. tat time paid tink round 500-600baht plus 50baht per person for a nice american breakfast will also try to post the ferry timings here cause i took quite a few of the phamplets

[chee_teck]

Originally posted by koma@Oct 19 2004, 02:52 PM

.... if u missed the last ferry to koh samui frm donsak like me can recommend u 1 hotel in surat thani. i go dig out map next time i pass 2 u or post here, its like JB hotel 1 standard n bad.

 

... will also try to post the ferry timings here cause i took quite a few of the phamplets

 

Thanks in advance ya Wana come along?

 

Kenneth

[Guest monklee]

yo chee teck....so when u goin to samui?

[feiray]

Originally posted by monklee@Oct 19 2004, 05:08 PM

yo chee teck....so when u goin to samui?

hey monk,

want go samui this coming holiday????

[shoei_com]

hi, guy check it out.

 

 

Koh Samui

 

 

:smile:

[Guest koma]

Yo Simon below r the ferry timings frm dondak to Koh samui i promised to find for u. i got some map guides of samui frm the last time i went there. insde got hotel phone nos, places of interest etc. will pass them next time i meet u hope will be some help to u. got small favour can u get me the new map guides n ferry timings available free in most of samui's hotel lobbies cause i will be goin i april

 

 

Ferry Timings(Only frm Donsak ferry terminal to Koh Samui all in Thai local time)

 

 

1)5:00am (1st ferry)

2)7:00am

3)10:00am

4)11:00am

5)13:00pm

6)14:00pm

7)15:00pm

8)17:00pm

9)18:00pm

10)19:00pm (last ferry)

 

 

 

Return Ferry Timings(Only fm Koh Samui to Donsak Ferry Terminal all in Thai local time)

 

1)5:00am (1st ferry)

2)6:00am

3)7:00am

4)9:00am

5)11:00am

6)12:00pm

7)13:00pm

8)15:00pm

9)16:00pm

10)17:00pm

11)19:00pm (last ferry)

 

Donsak Ferry Office number : 0 7747 1151-3

 

guys be careful on the road to donsak ferry terminal dont knoe if rd has been done up yet last yr feb while goin there most of the rd to donsak is dirt rd with potholes n 45 degree slopes at the sides of the roads. if u guys miss the last ferry

u can stay at surrathani in a hotel called BJ Hotel local 4stars with breakfast for 2 was 560bhat last time i stayed there. Address of hotel is 17/1 Donnok Rd, . Muang Suratthani 84000. tel is 66-77-217414

[Guest koma]

a pic of me there last yr

[Guest koma]

my bike n a canadian guy's bike who is workin in thailand crusing around thailand in his cbr150, where r u k77~~???

[Guest koma]

2 owner ofs a veri helpful bikeshop who helped me find a veri gd n cheap hotel in suratthani when i missed the ferry to Koh samui. he also wraps seats n do u helmets maybe can go find him

[Guest koma]

check out the bikeshop owner's hayabusa~~!!!

he also got a couple of BMWs n harleys in his shop~~