Important to know about Koh Samui

Do I need a visa for Koh Samui?

Koh Samui has a visa-free regime for all countries, but with a time limit. If you go on a short trip, then you can stay at the resort for exactly a month without obtaining a visa. At the airport, when passing through customs, a stamp is placed indicating the date of arrival.

After 30 days, you must leave the resort so as not to run into a fine before returning home. Or you can extend your stay in the country without a visa for another 10 days. When you plan to stay on Koh Samui for a long time, for example, you are going to stay here for the winter, you need to apply for a visa in your country.

Is it safe to be in Koh Samui resort?

In order not to overshadow your trip, study the information about the resort in advance. Each country has its own unpleasant nuances that you should beware of, on Koh Samui these are:

Unpurified water

If you don't want to end up in the infectious disease ward of the hospital, don't drink tap water. Even for brushing your teeth, it is best to use bottled water, especially since here it is not expensive and is sold at every step. The exception is luxury hotels, where running water, as a rule, is purified, as indicated by special signs in the rooms. But the trouble is that many cheap restaurants use tap water to make ice, not wanting to spend money on purified bottled water.

Motorcycles and scooters

When renting a two-wheeled vehicle, don't forget to wear a helmet. This is an important attribute for the drivers and passengers of the bike in all countries. This is your safety and should not be neglected. In addition, there are no perfectly smooth roads on the island, they are not only twisted, but also with a large number of pits and potholes.

Taxi at night

Chaweng and Lamai are famous for their nightly parties. And often, it is here that taxi drivers, seeing a drunken passenger, strive to deceive him by indicating an inflated cost of the trip. If the driver announces a price of 50 Thai baht per km, feel free to start bargaining - for this money you can get to another beach, and here we are talking about a kilometer.

Roads and ATVs

Recently, many ATVs have appeared on the roads of the region, since they are not subject to mandatory registration. Such a vehicle is not particularly suitable for moving on the roads, in terms of pedestrian safety. And do not forget that the traffic on the island is left-handed, which is very unusual.

Crime in Koh Samui

On Koh Samui, crime is low, but still it is present. Most often, illegal acts are committed on the beaches at night. Be careful if you suddenly decide to swim under the stars and do not take valuables with you.

Theft in public transport

Continuing the theme of crime, do not forget about the possible theft. When choosing a bus or train as a way to get to the resort, do not leave expensive items in your luggage. There are often stories when a tourist, having left their suitcases in a luggage storage area, does not find money, laptops, cameras, and so on upon arrival.

Diseases and viruses in Samui

Diseases. Thailand does not require mandatory vaccinations for its guests. But for your own safety, a few weeks before the trip, it is worth putting a number of vaccinations against: typhoid, hepatitis and Japanese encephalitis. Also, don't forget about Covid-19. Otherwise, you risk bringing with you from your vacation not only souvenirs, but also dangerous diseases.

Conditioners

It is impossible to imagine life in the region without air conditioning, especially during the sweltering heat. But try to avoid places with direct exposure to cold air jets - this applies to restaurants and long-distance buses. If you are planning a long trip by bus, then take a warm jacket with you and preferably a scarf on your head. Although the air conditioner saves from the heat, at the same time it is an insidious thing and it is easy to get sick from it.

Ice drinks in Koh Samui

During the scorching sun, you really want to cool off by drinking a cocktail with ice or eating delicious ice cream. But do not overdo it, otherwise you can earn a sore throat. But in any case, take cold medicine with you on your trip.

Hot weather in Koh Samui

During your holiday at the resort, do not forget to use sun creams with increased protection. This is especially true for people with fair skin and unaccustomed to daily exposure to the sun. Intense sun rays can create burns in 10 minutes.

Insects in Koh Samui

In a favorable tropical climate, many insects live. Therefore, when going for a walk in a picturesque national park, use insect protection. It is best to purchase it from a local pharmacy, as not all sprays will be able to affect Thai mosquitoes. Well, take care of clothes that cover your arms and legs - it will not be superfluous.

List of things to avoid on Koh Samui

Upon arrival on vacation, many would like to immediately go into the lead, but some things still should not be done:

Go for a walk in the jungle alone - you risk getting lost;
Go to the beach at night - at this time the criminal world wakes up in the region;
Swim in the sea at night - in the dark you will not always notice the common here, sea snakes and jellyfish;
Sunbathing topless - locals, and tourists do not appreciate this bold act;
Ride a boat without a life jacket - you can’t neglect safety at sea, especially if you don’t know how to swim;
Walking in a bathing suit somewhere other than the beach - for this here you can not only get sidelong glances, but also a fine for violating the order;
Trying to buy drugs - in Thailand, it is not uncommon for people to offer something forbidden, but it is possible that this is a provocation. On the territory of the country, this is punishable by life imprisonment or even the death penalty.

Good to know for holidays on Koh Samui

Internet and mobile communication in the resort Koh Samui

Koh Samui is quite remote from civilization. But with the development of tourism, a wireless connection was made here. There are also no problems with the Internet in hotels and public places. Wi-Fi connection points are found in many restaurants and nightclubs. But still, there is a problem with the Internet, or rather, with its speed. For the local population of the region, the transmission speed is 10 Mbps in the order of things. And imagine that this is also divided into all the guests in the hotel. Therefore, it is unlikely that you will be able to share photos and videos from your vacation online without interruption. Yes, disconnects happen often. For this reason, visitors prefer to use mobile Internet in roaming mode.

Speaking about the 4G or 3G network, it should be noted that their coverage is all over the island, and this, of course, is a plus and you will never be left without a connection, even on a wild beach. Upon arrival, some tourists purchase local sim cards. This can be done both at the points of operators and ordered online. By the way, the site for Russian-speaking tourists has a page in the usual language. Such a purchase will be justified if you are going to stay in the country for several months. Then it will be cheaper than paying for roaming.

In addition to wi-fi points and a mobile network, Internet cafes with hourly pay have been opened on the island. An hour of internet access costs 30 baht, which is not that expensive for the region.

Hospitals and pharmacies in Koh Samui

The island has a department of a large modern Bangkok hospital. But if a tourist suddenly becomes slightly ill, then many small clinics are scattered throughout the region - especially on Chaweng Beach. Pharmacies are also common here.

Before a trip, travelers are always advised to find out a few addresses closest to their place of residence, an ambulance phone number and conditions for contacting a clinic. Therefore, take care of the insurance that will cover medical expenses - you never know what.