Do's and Don'ts When in Koh Samui

Do respect the monarch during your visit to Thailand. Long live the King (photo courtesy of flickr.com)

Well-known for its majestic Buddhist temples, pristine white-sand beaches, and a wide variety of delicacies, Koh Samui is definitely one of the top places to visit when traveling to Southeast Asia. Most of the Thai population are already used to seeing foreigners everywhere, especially at top tourist destinations. However, it still pays to be familiar, even just a little bit, with the country's culture along with some basic do's and dont's. It'll make you appreciate the place better. After all, you wouldn't want to embarrass yourself, and your country's name in a place as well-respected as Thailand right?

The Five Do's When in Koh Samui

Keep your composure. Be patient and stay calm, despite getting lost in Koh Samui and not knowing where to go. Thai's are very friendly and hospitable so there's no need to panic. After all, it's what they call the land of smile.

Wear proper attire. especially when visiting temples. This means covering the shoulders and knees for both ladies and gentlemen. Remember to bring appropriate clothes when packing. In addition, flip-flops are a no-no when temple-hopping but are generally allowed in other places such as at Koh Samui beaches.

Show respect to the monarchy. You may be used to a different type of ruling or government in your hometown but no matter what, show some reverence. After all, it's their country and you're just a visitor.

Remove your shoes. when entering homes and other establishments. Look for piles of shoes and slippers outside to double check if you will have to take off your shoes if you aren’t sure.

Read about their culture in advance. A little research over the net will do but you can also buy travel guides to make your Thailand trip truly unforgettable.

The Four Dont's When in Koh Samui

Raise your feet. To the Thai's, feet equates to dirt. So remember to always keep your feet on the floor. When sitting, hide them beside or beneath your legs. Note that pushing or kicking things with your feet is a sign of disrespect so don't ever do that.

Touch the head. It's the most important part of the body for the locals so don't ever touch anyone's head, children included.

Point with one finger. When you're trying to gesture to something, always use all four fingers and put the thumb against the palm. It's the correct way of showing people around.

Expose too much skin. And never swim nude, even on Koh Samui beaches. Check your travel guide to learn the ideal dress code.

Spectacular Cruising in Koh Samui

Cruising in Koh Samui is something you must do while you are on the island (photo courtesy aimforawesome.com)

Yachts visiting Samui will be able to experience the spectacular maritime scenery that the island has to offer. Samui is the second largest island in Thailand after Phuket. This tropical gem is located in the south-eastern part of the country. Although the island was unknown for many years, today, it is a popular tourist destination and offers incredible itineraries to super yachts visiting. Koh Samui travel helps many people experience a wonderful vacation in this paradise destination.

From the different super yachts visiting the waters of Samui, one of the biggest luxury sailing yacht is Vertigo that was constructed in the Southern Hemisphere. The Captain of the Vertigo, Captain Charlie said that the owner and guests would have a splendid time in Koh Samui because of its beauty and also because of the incredible services offered by the team.

Captain Charles Dwyer, also known as Champagne Charlie of the Super yachts Samui Asian Pacific and founder of the yacht services in Samui and Asia Pacific Super yachts is a skipper of Yanneke a 120’ sailing yacht. He is a long time, American sailor enthusiast and became captain of some of the word’s most prestigious yachts over the past twenty years, racing and cruising all around the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Asia.

The skipper has called the island of Samui home for a lot of years and talks about various journeys he went on. Koh Samui is the center of the Gulf as well as the easiest and best port to enter in the Siam Gulf. He also says that coming back to the island reminds him of the gorgeous natural beauty of Koh Samui and the island’s breath-taking cruising waters. Those who go on a cruising journey will find this island idyllic.

Captains, crews, and owners are drawn to Thailand because of the people, culture, their graciousness, and welcoming smiles. This kind of treatment is not something many will find in just any international destination visited by super yachts.

Charlie is currently the skipper of 36-meter Yanneke super yacht and has been for the last eighteen years. He is also an organizer of the leading yearly Asia Super yacht Rendezvous that is held every year in Phuket, Thailand during the month of December. As super yachting expands in Asia, experienced agents just like Captain Charlie will be able to offer top-notch service. Make sure to make travel plans with Koh Samui travel.www.shasahotels.com

Fun Koh Samui Activities

There are so many things you should do during your stay in Koh Samui! (photo courtesy traveldestinationinfo.com)

When visiting Koh Samui, there are many activities that a person should try out before they head back home. What many tourists love is that Koh Samui activities are not only a lot of fun but inexpensive as well. Discover the highly sought after activities in this island right here.

Some people may want to go on a whole day fishing tour in Koh Samui. Various tours are available and during these tours, travellers can catch a snapper, barracuda, or other types of fish. These tours include round-trip transfers from the hotel to the tour site, the tour, and lunch.

Five Islands Tour offered is another activity that tourists may want to consider. This tour involves a visit to small islands off Koh Samui’s coast. Sights consist of caves, secluded beaches, remote dwellings, and other spectacular marvels. Snorkelling, lunch and dinner is also a part of the tour fee.

Inside the forested mountain by Chaweng Beach Road lies the Spa Samui Village. Here visitors can enjoy yoga salsa and herbal steam saunas that are inside caves. Massages are offered and free shuttles are available as well.

A holistic wellness center, is located on Laem Set beach. Koh Samui activities from detox programs to infrared ray saunas to Chi Gong, Pilates, yoga, and even weight loss programs.

There is also a Health Oasis Resort located on the Bang Po ring road. This wellness resort is one of a kind and offers a house herbalist and naturopath. They have other specialized treatments as well like light transformation, polarity zapper, and ozone therapy.

Those looking to relax and unwind should consider taking up yoga classes. Absolute Yoga and Yoga Thailand are offered in Koh Samui. Absolute Yoga is located at the Fisherman’s Village entrance in Bophut and offers Pilates as well as hot yoga. Yoga rates per session and monthly rates are available.

Other Koh Samui activities a person should consider include monkey shows, elephant riding, tiger shows, banana boat riding, jet skiing and Muay Thai training.

Travellers who want to experience healing should check out Dharma Healing International. This facility is on a small beach called Lipa Yai that is located right by Lipa Noi. This healing center is very spiritual and Buddhist, especially amongst all of Koh Samui’s wellness centers. The main focus is fasting, discovering the inner child, and Vipassana meditation. Various courses are available depending on the visitors’ interest.

There are a lot of Koh Samui activities available in this island, which makes it a fun destination for all visitors. Don’t miss out on experiencing enjoyment and relaxation at this breath-taking island. 

Wonderful Laem Set beach is as serene as it gets

Quiet Laem Set beach is a great beach to visit while you are in Koh Samui  (Photo courtesy samuiontour.com)

Not many Koh Samui beaches can offer the same level of serenity that Laem Set can, while providing guests a wide range of activities to see and do. Other than running across the powdery white sand beach, or taking long dips in the crystal-clear ocean, this getaway hot spot gives visitors an excellent opportunity to practice yoga and other healing arts. For instance, vacationers can partake in the numerous wellness activities offered, such as chi gong, tai chi and even Pilates.

People who have never tried such activities while on vacation are in for a treat, since countless vacationers all claim that these practices help them fully rejuvenate their minds and bodies. In addition to these perks, guests can enjoy animal sightseeing during their stay, which is another attraction that makes this island paradise even better.

For those who enjoy snorkelling, there’s a coral reef located 100 meters away from the shoreline. Tourists will be pleased to know that a diversity of aquatic life can be found around this reef, as well as other pleasing underwater sights.

However, it’d be helpful to bring a pair of aqua shoes whenever heading out to all Koh Samui beaches. Fragments of dead corals have the tendency to wash up on shore, wherein some are pretty sharp, and can easily cut the feet.

Other attractions that’d keep guests busy on Laem Set include the Samui Aquarium and Tiger Show. Best suited for children, all it takes is 250 THB to experience a variety of aquatic shows, as well as get close-up peeps at the tigers.

As for the places to stay, this beach offers everything from mediocre to luxury accommodations for rent. One place in particular that stands out amongst the rest is the ShaSa Resort and Residences – this stylish boutique resort has a variety of suites furnished with premium furniture and fixtures.

Also, interior design of the entire establishment is considered to be an architectural masterpiece by the many guests who have stayed here.

Aside from the 24-hour butler service, another standout amenity is its restaurant known as “The Z” – here, vacationists can get taste of a wide range of local food, which is sure to please the pickiest of taste buds.

Laem Set is considered a gem amongst the various Koh Samui beaches engaging in commercial operation today. This beach is one of the most private and quiet beaches on the island. 

Museums in Koh Samui

The private museum of Koh Samui is a great place to go to learn about the history of this island

One of the things to do in Koh Samui is visiting the Private Museum in the island. The name is a very generic one and does not give away anything about what is exhibited in the museum. Visitors, essentially, only get the idea that the museum is private and not publicly owned or state owned. However, labelling the museum a private one is also quite confusing, seeing as this museum is open for public visitors.

The Private Museum is situated by the ring road, which is on the street used to turn to Chaweng. This is located on a side road, its address being 199/11 M.2 T Bophut. The contact numbers are 84320 and 088 249 3901. The museum’s email is privatemuseum@hotmail.com. Those who are considering this museum as part of their itinerary or things to do in Koh Samui should check for directions to the exact location of the museum. This can easily be done searching the address in Google maps.

In the Private Museum’s leaflet, notable claims are made. The museum is home to artefacts from the Iron Age, the Bronze Age, the New Stone Age, and the Middle Stone Age. There is more to it than that – the owner of the museum is a relative of King Rama IV and a past governor of a northern Thai province. The man, who isn’t named in the brochure, studied in Paris and also received a gold medal during the 'Salon des Artistes Francais 1986'. The owner of the museum is M.L. Arachawa Worawan.

The museum is located in a 300 year-old building and is constructed in the island’s traditional wooden style buildings. The exhibits in the museum consist of Ban Chiang Thai pottery and ceramics. The most significant archaeological discovery of Koh Samui, the stone drum discovered by Lamai Beach is sadly not exhibited in the museum. This particular piece is evidence that Koh Samui was occupied ever since Stone Age. Unfortunately, this artefact is not the Private Museum but rather in a different museum located on the mainland of Suratthani.

When searching for things to do in Koh Samui, be sure to include the Private Museum in Koh Samui. It is really a great place to visit. By visiting this museum, travellers will be able to learn something regarding the human settlement in the island of Koh Samui. Although the collection is not huge, which is obvious in the minimal images shown on the museum’s promotional leaflet, they have a collection that is still worth visiting. 

Best Time Of The Year To Visit Koh Samui

Make sure to go to Koh Samui while the weather is nice so that you can go snorkelling! (Photo courtesy agoda.com)

A huge reason why people plan trips from halfway across the world to this island is for its idyllic climate, which can be enjoyed throughout most of the year. In addition to the white sand beaches and crystal-clear ocean, the warm sun, cool breezes of wind from the sea, and moderately humid atmosphere makes the tropical getaway spot even better.

While the Koh Samui weather is unquestionably ideal for all foreigners, there are times during certain months wherein the climate can turn a bit ugly, since the sublime temperature conditions and all-around humidity are affected by the Northwest Monsoon and Southeast Monsoon systems.

The NW monsoon shifts towards the island all the way from India during June, July, and the first week or so of August. However, Koh Samui isn’t severely affected by this system, mainly because the Thai mainland shields the islet against most of the rain showers and strong winds.

From June to August, heavy showers usually take place between the afternoon and late evening, but typically doesn’t last any longer than thirty minutes, meaning it isn’t something that a tourist should really worry about.

On the other hand, the SE monsoon sweeps in from the Philippines and Indonesia during the months of October, November and December – the problem here is there isn’t anything that stands in the way to absorb most of the heavy rain showers and strong gusts of wind.

With that being said, the beautiful Koh Samui weather can quickly take a turn for the worse sometime in between October during this time, tropical storms are expected to bombard the island. Torrential rains and high winds can carry on non-stop for a week, which could easily ruin anyone’s vacation.

However, it’s important for the readers of this article to know that the climate doesn’t constantly remain that way throughout the entire duration of the month. It should be known that in between the powerful rain and relentless winds are dry, sunny days.

Nevertheless, if a storm does continue to pour hard, risks of flash floods hitting the coastal towns is a definitely a possibility. These floods can also cause power outages, which can last several days and beyond.

To avoid having a holiday ruined by bad Koh Samui weather, common-sense will tell any vacationist that planning a vacation during the times of year wherein it’s expected NOT to rain would be a wise course of action. With that said, the months which receive the driest and highest temperatures include February, March, April and May.

The problem is these months are considered the high season, so families that thinking about going to Samui should book a hotel at one of the top hotels like the ShaSa resort in advance.

The Princess Cup Marathon, Koh Samui

The Koh Samui marathon is a fantastic race that any running enthusiast  should take part in (photo courtesy thailandsamui.com)

There are many Koh Samui attractions, which make the island a tourist hot spot for thousands of vacationers. Things such as a variety of premium accommodations, white sand beaches, clear ocean water, refreshing sea breeze, wild night establishments, local hospitality and cuisine are more than enough to create memorable experiences in the minds of the island’s visitors.

Of course, there’s a whole lot more to this tropical paradise, which makes paying a visit worth the trip. One event in particular that has caught the attention of many foreigners is known as the Princess Cup Marathon. Now, the idea of actually running gruelling miles in any part of Thailand may sound a bit irrational, considering how high temperatures can reach in the country.  

However, regardless of the risks associated with heatstroke and dehydration, participants have nothing to worry about, since this annual event is held early in the morning during one of the cooler times of the year in Thailand. Last year, the event started way before sunrise at 5:30am. And since the running affair is technically a quarter marathon (roughly more than 10kms), the average runner should be capable of completing the race within an hour, thereby eliminating dangers tied to excessive exposure to the sun’s rays.

Out of the many Koh Samui attractions, this one allows participants to catch a glimpse of beautiful sceneries along the 10km stretch. The last Princess Cup Marathon adopted a route, which started at Chaweng, and headed north. Since runners were made to stride around the peninsula at Koh Samui’s north-east end, several of the best beaches could be seen along the way, including the following: Big Buddha, Plai Laem and Thongsai Bay.

Moreover, the Princess’ Cup Samui Island Marathon is simultaneously held on the other side of the island. Here, contestants are made to run a full marathon (around 42kms), which starts at Nathon.

The main purpose of these events, which is the same as that of the other Koh Samuiattractions, is to promote tourism for the island. Needless to say, folks who relish engaging in running competitions may definitely want to consider planning a trip to this islet during the next marathon event.

Furthermore, each participant is required to pay a certain amount of cash as an entrance fee, which really isn’t much, especially when considering the Dollar to Thai Baht conversion ratio. As an added bonus, the winner of this sporting event will receive a hefty cash prize, and even a fancy trophy to commemorate his or her victory.