KOH SAMUI INFO

Koh Samui is an Island in the Gulf of Thailand. Also known as Ko Samui or just Samui. Koh means Island in Thai language. Samui is part of a group of Islands located 700 km south of Bangkok in the Surat Thani province.The Island is 21 Kilometers at its widest point and 25 at its longest.The area is about 247 square kilometer’s. It’s a popular tourist destination in Thailand. An Island covered in coconut trees this archipelago Island has some beautiful natural beaches. A real paradise Island.

This Island is now becoming dedicated towards the tourist. Catering for families and children Koh Samui has lots to offer. With excellent hotels and Spas to choose from you will not be disappointed with your stay on this Island of true paradise. Just 45 mins away by flight from Pattaya or Phuket and only an hour away from the capital of Thailand , Bangkok

Currency

Koh Samui is part of Thailand so the currency is Baht.Coins 1, 5 and 10 coins.Notes are 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 Baht.1000baht = around 19.50 Euros100Baht = around 1 Euro 80 cents

ATM's

There are many ATM's (Automatic Teller Machine) on Koh Samui. They accept most credit, debit and electron cards as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB and Diners Club etc.

There are also several banks in Koh Samui and Koh Phangan as well as micro brand banks or exchange offices.
Koh Samui ATM's seem to stop working after midnight! And dont start working until 7 or 8:00am next morning, you have been warned.

Languages

Language in Thailand is Thai - Chinese and Malay

Time Zone

Thailand (Koh Samui) is GMT +7 Hours

Entertainment Centres

Entertainment Centres: Bars, pubs and big clubs and discos are generally open almost all week. Most places close around 2:00am by law.

National Holidays

• January 1 - New years
• February full moon - marks the occasion when 1250 of the Buddha's disciples came to hear him preach.
• April 6 - Chakri Memorial Day
• April 12-14 - Songkran Festival
• May 1st - National Labour Day
• May 5th - Coronation Day
• May 10th - Royal Ploughing Ceremony
• May - Visakha Puja Day
• July - Asalha Puja Day
• July - Khao Phansa Day (Buddhist Lent)
• August 12th - H.M. the Queen's Birthday
• Ocotber 23rd - Chulalongkorn Day
• December 5th - H.M. the King's Birthday
• December 10th - Constitution Day'
• December 31st - New years eve

Electricity

Electricity is, in general, 220 V

Power cuts on the Island of Samui are quite popular. Due to the increase of accommodation the power station takes the strain. Tourch is a good idea.Two pin sockets are used here.

Petrol

Petrol Stations sell petrol as Normal (92 octane), Super 97, Unleaded (95 or 98 octane) and Diesel. Not self service on Samui..!
Health - Samui has several hospitals of varying quality. By far the best is Samui International Hospital in Chaweng (North Beach Road, Tel. 077 422 272), which can deal with most medical needs. Anyone requiring long term or highly specialised treatment should get to Bangkok as quickly as possible.

Immigration - Visa extensions are available at the Immigration Office in Nathon. Thanon Thaweeradphakdee, Tel. 077 421 069.

Post Offices - There are many sub-post offices all over the island, which are fine for buying stamps and sending postcards. For anything more urgent, go to the main post office in Nathon, which also has a telecom centre for international calls. Seaside Road. Open 8.30am - 430pm Mon - Fri and 9am - 12pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Internet - There are internet access points (cyber cafes) in every town and very easy to find. Most the time you will find internet access in travel and booking agent shops. Wireless access is becoming more available across the whole Island.

Mobile Phone Sim Cards - You can buy a sim card in Thailand to have your own Thai number, the phone calls you make to anywhere in the world are far cheaper !!

Police - There are police boxes or stations in most towns, but many of the officers in them won't be able to speak any English.  To overcome the language barrier, see the tourist police in Nathon. Thanon Thaweeradphakdee, Tel. 077 421 281.