Tips to Enjoy a Great Holiday in Thailand

Update on the Local Scene

Get the most out of your trip to ShaSa Resort by keeping up to date with what makes it hot as a travel destination. Tourist guide books and similar literature can sure help first-time visitors acquire basic information about the country and its tourist attractions.  However, be sure to include as a reference in your info-gathering Thai newspapers and magazines, some of which are accessible online. These sources of current events can further help you plan out a Thai trip.

Employ the Phrasebook’s Magic

Going around Thailand can be a more enriching experience with some mastery of useful phrases in the Thai language. These are helpful not only in asking for directions or instructing drivers to your destination. Knowing some key phrases can also be of use as you shop around for bargains around Koh Samui's popular markets. With recent advances in technology, hard-copy phrasebooks may now even be dispensed with. Easy-to use apps for mobile phones are now widely available to fast-track learning Thai as well as other languages.  

Keep your options open

Don’t keep a rigid itinerary in planning a vacation in Thailand, where activities can be dynamic particularly at its urban centers. Allow for some flexibility to go to points of interest which can crop up as you discover more of what this country has to offer. Remember, the best of vacations are often woven around a few surprises here and there.

Gear up for the tropics

One big plus point in visiting Thailand is that you can afford to travel light. Necessarily, the apparel and accessories you’ll need should be suitable for a warm climate and therefore not as bulky as when going to tourist destinations in temperate countries. Light cotton clothing is a smart choice, and should you need some fashionable clothes, there are lots of shops and boutiques in Thailand where prices are quite reasonable.

Don’t fret about reservations

Thailand is a joy to visit, especially for budget travelers. You don't have to worry too much about finding a hotel room prior to arrival. Finding a place to stay is not a big issue as many hotel rooms are readily available for walk-in guests. The exception of course is during peak season at heavily visited tourist attractions where lodging reservations would be advantageous. ShaSa Resort gets booked up very quickly, so be sure to make a reservation to ensure that you can get a room. 

Beaches for Everyone at Koh Samui

Samui has tons of beaches for everyone

Droves of tourists, both foreign and local, visit ShaSa Resort each year, mainly because it is a beach-lovers paradise. Its numerous bays and coves are host to expansive beaches, each offering quaint attractions of their own suited to the varying inclinations of island visitors.  

Expats and foreign guests are drawn more toward the Choeng Mon area which has several small but cozy and protected bays blessed with very clean beaches and clear waters. Some of the upscale resorts on Samui are also found here, along with a good number of excellent restaurants.

Among Thai families, the popular choice would be Bang Rak Beach. Its shallow and calm waters are relatively safe for children. At the same time, its sandy shoreline can yield some succulent clams as an add-on for lunch or dinner.

Expect bigger crowds at Chaweng Beach on the east coast of Samui. Besides having white sand and clear offshore waters, it also boasts of having the longest stretch of beach on the island. Swimming is by no means the only water-based activity which can be enjoyed at Chaweng Beach. Like most of the main beach attractions on Samui, it has facilities for kayaking, stand-up paddling, kite surfing, and even jet skiing. 

For backpackers, the destination is typically the western end of Bophut Beacn and Mae Nam Beach which is also a good option for family outings. These two beaches are flanked by Samui’s high-end villas and resorts, and hence, are less crowded than Chaweng.

Those who enjoy some quiet and contemplation have also a choice in Lamai Beach. The sand here may not be as white as in Chaweng, but it also features an extensive beach and calm waters. Some choice beach spots away from the crowds can likewise be found moving south from Chaweng.

One superb choice would be Thong Ta Kien, and the long stretch of Lamai beach is another.  Less frequented too are Bang Kao and Hua Thanon on the south coast, as at low tide, mudflats are the dominant features of this pair of beaches. Equally quieter locales can be had at the beaches of Taling Ngam, Ban Tai, and Thong Yang.

photo credit: paul bica via photopin cc

Getting a Cheap Airfare to Asia and Koh Samui

Flying with Air Asia is cheap and convenient

The emergence of many low-cost carriers flying air routes in Asia is among the many reasons why travel and tourism in the region has picked up momentum in recent years. Some of these airlines include the Tiger Airways, AirAsia, and Jetstar Asia which also owns and operates Valuair.

With the increased number of players in the airline business comes various marketing strategies to maintain the loyalty of passengers which can consequently result in much cheaper travel. For instance, Thai Airways which covers Koh Samui in Thailand, not only offers affordable domestic flights but also has a carrot on a stick for international travelers. Patronizing these airlines’ international routes on a regular basis can accumulate the air miles entitling the loyal passenger a free return ticket to Thailand.

Patience pays

The wider range of opportunities by which to get a cheap airfare, however, demands some patience in researching for the best possible deals. This exercise typically doesn’t stop at surfing the websites of airline companies. Some valuable inputs can also be had by exploring the Internet home page of tour and travel operators or calling them direct. A personal contact, for instance, can uncover some upcoming airline promos which are privy only to those in the travel trade at that moment of inquiry.

Another trick that seasoned air travelers do is buying their tickets either early or late. Buying early is wise during the peak travel season. Luck would be in play in bagging a great deal buying late. You’ll have to be on your toes for an airline which was unable to fill up a scheduled flight and thus would offer last-minute deals in order to avoid revenue loss.

It’s a mainstay tactic for airfare bargain hunters, therefore, to do much comparison shopping. The Internet is their ally in this case. Most of them would flock to consolidators or aggregators’ sites like CheapTickets.com, Airfarewatchdog, and TripAdvisor Flights.

With all these inputs gathered from various resources, it becomes possible for you not only to determine the least possible airplane fare for your trip to ShaSa Resort. You’ll also have a fair idea of the least expensive period by which to make the ticket purchase.

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Getting to Koh Samui from Bangkok

Flying Bangkok Airways is the best way to get to Koh Samui from Bangkok

There are two transport options for those travelling to ShaSa Resort in Koh Samui from Bangkok. One is by air and the other is a combination of land and sea transport modes.  Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways have regular daily flights to the island, and flying time will take only about an hour from Bangkok. There are many choices on flight schedules. Bangkok Airways have about 20 daily flights to Koh Samui.

Smart travelers would typically go for the day’s first and last flights as these are cheaper. The island’s pristine beaches and popular resort hotels are only a short ride from the airport, and hence, flying in would be most convenient for tourists with a tight itinerary to keep.

For those on a limited budget but with plenty of time to spare, combining land and sea transportation is a superb alternative to cover the 560 kilometers between Koh Samui and Bangkok. Notably, the rail, bus, and ferry networks in Thailand are pretty well developed and can be relied upon.

When going by train from Bangkok to Koh Samui, board at the city’s Hua Lamphong Station for railcars bound for Surat Thani, via Chumphon and Phun Phin. Eleven trains make the trip daily and their passengers will have choices on seats from first to third class in varying levels of accommodation.  

Heading out by bus from Bangkok best starts at the southern bus terminal at Sai Tai Mai where public buses run day and night trips to Surat Thani and Chumphon. Many bus passengers prefer night trips, but there are VIP buses which are air-conditioned which would make day trips comfortable as well.

Allot upwards of 12 hours whether travelling by bus or trail from Bangkok to Surat Thani, the jumpoff point by ferry to Koh Samui. Sailing the 80 kilometers from Surat Thani to Koh Samui can take anywhere between three to six hours, depending on the type of vessels.

At Surat Thani, boats operated by Raja Ferry leave every hour on berths at Don Sak bound for Lipa Noi and seven trips a day headed to Nathon, both in Koh Samui. Another ferry service, Seatran also operates three daily trips from Surat Thani’s Ban Don port to Nathon. A third operator, Songserm likewise sail the same route once a day.

4 Things Farangs Love about Koh Samui

Foreigners or farangs love coming to Koh Samui

Thai tolerance and understanding of foreign cultures, particularly those of the Western world, is foremost among the reasons why farangs have a long-standing love affair with Thailand and troop to local destinations like ShaSa Resort on Koh Samui. In fact, it is its astute dealing with white colonizers, such as the British and French, which enabled the country to stand out as the only Asian country not colonized by any foreign power throughout its history.

Resilient and friendly culture:  There are certain limits of course to the relative freedom, which Western expats and tourists can have in Thailand and these boundaries are mostly defined in prevailing local laws. Common sense also will tell that excessive rowdiness at Thai public places, as in any other destination, is an invitation to trouble. This leads to a second important reason why such destinations as Samui are popular among farangs. The Thai people, though from diverse ethnic origins, are a warm and friendly lot. Compared to Westerners, the Thais are more accommodating, laid-back, and easier to get along with. Even in Thailand’s corporate world, rare are the intense intramurals common in the highly competitive work environment of the West.

Laid-back and affordable lifestyle:  Consequently, foreigners visiting Thailand can find a much more enjoyable lifestyle, another reason why many of them opt for an extended stay whether it’s in Koh Samui or other Thai tourist destinations or hubs for expats. Additionally, the local cost of living is more affordable, enabling foreigners’ access to an upscale lifestyle difficult or impractical to maintain in their countries of origin.

Activities: A kaleidoscope in recreation, dining Myriads of life and leisure opportunities are yet another reason why visitors to keep coming back to Thailand. For water-related recreational activities alone, Koh Samui has diverse offerings such as diving, swimming, boating, fishing, and island-hopping.

Food: Food is a fourth venue by which Thailand earn a special place in the heart of farangs. Besides the delectable local cuisine, foreigners also feel at home in Koh Samui and other Thai destinations because of the varied international menu available locally, ranging from fast foods to upscale gourmet dishes. photo credit: Pilottage via photopin cc

Koh Samui Hospitals

Picture from Beyond the Sea at the ShaSa Resort

In recent years, medical tourism has grown to become an important segment in the travel and tour industry in the island of Koh Samui located in the Gulf of Thailand, about an hour’s flight from the Thai capital Bangkok.  Substantially lower hospitalization rates, coupled with the island’s resort ambience, makes Samui an attractive destination for patients seeking either minor or major treatment.

Indeed, a lot of savings can be realized by those who opt to have a major operation, cosmetic procedures or dental work during their stay at ShaSa Resort. For a heart bypass, for instance, the medical expenses which a patient will incur in the island can approximately be only about 10% of the cost of a similar procedure in the States. Similar lesser-priced services are available too in Bangkok and Phuket, but still the best deals can be had in Samui.

Available choices

The medical facilities in the island are at par with the high Western standards. The local hospital’s staff members, particularly its doctors, are fluent in English. Some are even conversant in French and German, having taken their schooling in reputable medical schools overseas.  Bangkok Hospital Samui is a popular choice for expats and foreigners seeking treatment in the island, precisely because of its English-speaking doctors, superb facilities, and value-for-money services.

There are at least two other suitable alternatives should doctor appointments are a bit heavy at Bangkok Hospital Samui. An alternative is the Thai International Hospital, one of the newly established facilities in the island. It has a convenient location too, as its campus straddles the boundaries of the Lamai and Bophut districts in Koh Samui.

Resort-like alternative

Up-to-date facilities await those who choose to avail of the hospital’s highly professional services. Besides an A&E trauma center available 24/7, this hospital also has a haemodialysis center. Cosmetic surgery is one of the specializations at this hospital which a resident plastic surgeon under its employ.

Samui International is another new private hospital in the island which has already elicited high ratings among patients from overseas. It specializes in both inpatient and outpatient treatments. Confinement in this hospital is like a resort stay as it has a swimming pool onsite. Pediatrics, orthopedics, gynecology, and dental treatment are among the hospital’s services.