Koh Samui is an island located in southern Thailand tailor made for tourists around the world. I had heard a lot about this place from our friends asking me how I had missed this place in Thailand. I love Thailand and I have travelled through out; this place had always been at the back of my mind. This time around I decided to venture out to this considering its complexity in reaching to this island.
I had never wished to combine northern and southern Thailand in one trip. This time I flew to Kuala Lumpur by Air Asia and then to Penang by road. Few days at Penang was refreshing and not to forget the drive to Bahtufirrangi.
Penang to Hat Yai (Southern Thailand) by road was around 4 hours. The roads in Malaysia are one of the best in the world,absolute bliss to drive in those speedways. The Malaysian immigration is cleared and then enters the Thailand immigration; should admit the first goof up I have seen in Thailand out of all my experiences. If you hold an Indian passport, it is not easy to get through without 10,20 Ringgits depending on the immigration officers’ mood.
Hat Yai is a small city with an abundant Muslim population considering its proximity to Malaysia. The visitors are mostly Malaysian travelers who are hunting for some night life and not to forget the Thai massages. It is indeed a very peaceful place if you just want to get lost for some time.
Few Muslim restaurants helped me get some vegetarian food around there and yes, this was my second trip to this place in Thailand. Few days of stay here. Later, travelled to Koh Samui from Hat Yai. The drive was for around 7 hours which was a bit tiring.
Donask is the pier to the God gifted island called by Thais as Samui. A one and half hour cruise should I call it? Unforgettable. There are plenty of shared taxi’s running for 60-80 bahths from the Samui dock to the beaches. Hat Chaweng and Hat Lamai are Ko Samui’s most beautiful and most popular beaches. Both have a huge selection of accommodations suitable for every budget. Please note that room rates increase during the peak season i.e., from December to July, when Samui sparkles. The nightlife of each beach is different: Hat Chaweng is good for couples, women and families; while single men are drawn to the beer bar culture of Hat Lamai.
If you are looking for a private moonlight beach party, then what are you waiting for ? Go to Samui and yes, I would highly recommend this place for newly married couples for their honeymoon. ;-)
There are several ways to reach Koi Samui depending on the type of traveler you are.
By Air
Bangkok Airways flies from Bangkok to Ko Samui 13 times a day. The flight takes about an hour and 10 minutes. It also offers daily flights between Phuket and Samui.
For more information, call
Bangkok office, 0 2229 3456, 0 2229 3434,
Samui office, 0 7742 2512¬9
Samui Airport office 0 7724 5601-¬8.
By Bus
Air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses leave Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal for Surat Thani several times daily. The trip takes about 11 hours. For further information, call 0 2435 1199, 0 2435 1200 (air-con), 0 2434 5557 - 8 (non- air-con).
By Car
From Bangkok, take Highway 4 (Buddha Monthon Road) through Phetchaburi and Chumphon provinces and then drive on to Highways 41 and 401 to Surat Thani Province. From Surat Thani, visitors can take their cars to Koh Samui by a vehicle ferry at Donsak Pier. The trip takes 1.30 hours.
By Rail
Several trains leave Bangkok's Hualamphong Station for Surat Thani daily. The trip takes about 12 hours. Train / bus / ferry combination tickets are also available. For more information, call Hualamphong Railway Station, 0 2223 7010, 0 2223 7020.
For some pictures on Ko Samui visit
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharus100/sets/72157625274317232/
Written by Sharad Srineevas.R
Editor : Pooja M Kudva
