Joanna James
All Thai islands are famous for their stunning beaches coupled with a plethora of other holiday activities such as partying, water sports, and even cooking classes. However, the most famous of them all is Koh Samui. Here are some tips for women who're travelling to this scenic destination.
Considering the irregular rain patterns and the uphill roads of Koh Samui, it would be convenient to rent a car than using an open-air transport method. You can find car rental services that begin with 500 baht for each day. Parking is readily available at many of the tourist spots, and if you ever run out of gas, you can fill up on petrol either by pumping at a petrol station or purchasing the liquid in a glass bottle from a street-side vendor. If you don't drive or prefer to be driven around, make sure that you fix a price after hailing a taxi as they are unmetered and be more expensive than renting your own transport. Apart from the fact that you are under constant threat of being completely drenched by a sudden downpour, renting a motorbike is probably the easiest and the least expensive way of navigating around Koh Samui. Rental charges for bikes may range around 150-400 bahts per day, and you can request a map from your resort in Koh Samui or use GPS to navigate around the island. It'd be best if you refrain from handing over your passport to any rental companies who request it.
If you're looking forward to staying in the middle of the action, Chaweng is the perfect option for you as it is surrounded by pulsating bars, bustling boutiques, and tourists who are looking to have a splendid time. In Chaweng, it is easy for anyone to find fantastic activities and make friends on the go. If what you're looking for is a relaxed and laidback atmosphere, Choeng Mon lies approximately 9 kilometres away from all the action in Chaweng. Although Choeng Mon has a great beach, its collection of bars and restaurants is much smaller than Chaweng. Surat Thani is considered as a safe place for accommodation purposes with several fine properties such as Avani+ Samui Resort in place. In fact, the city's name roughly translated to "The City of Good People."
You can expect to find ATMs and FOREX booths peppered across Koh Samui, although most FOREX booths close by 10 pm. You can only get Thai Bhat from ATMs, and there's a maximum limit of 20,000 Bhat per withdrawal. Plus, there is a transaction fee of around 180 Bhat for each withdrawal. It has been observed that there are Western Union outlets in all major regions of Koh Samui.
If you ever find yourself in need of medical assistance, don't hesitate to acquire the services of the island as they are rated as excellent. You can acquire medical services at properties such as Samui International Hospital, which has top-notch facilities and multi-lingual staff. Although the government hospital at Nathon does not possess state-of-the-art facilities, it is a good place to be treated for minor illnesses and injuries.
Instead of shopping at high-end malls and expensive boutiques, one can head over to Koh Samui's largest night market at Fisherman's Warf, Bo Phut, which comes to life each Friday evening. You can get your hands on colourful sarong wraps, and scarfs at incredible prices. You can also get a Thai massage or a lovely manicure for as low as 200 Baht. Lamai Beach is yet another place in Koh Samui where you can get the best out of your money at its night market held each Sunday from 5-10 pm. Another great way to stick to your budget while shopping more is to dine out on the streets. The mouthwatering flavours of Thai dishes do not bring justice to their unbelievably low rates.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
