The Status of Foreigners in Koh Samui

YOU would be excited if you were in Koh Samui too!

No individual can fully understand what life in a tourist destination is really like unless they’ve been born there, or at least have spent several years interacting with the locals. Koh Samui travel guides say the same can be said about Thailand, as well as its many islands, which have attracted countless foreigners over the decades.

Beyond the beautiful Koh Samui beaches, first-class hotels, exotic clubs, spas, and exciting snake shows is a wonderful lifestyle unique to those residing in the western world. In this island, the concept of status weighs heavily amongst every local and foreigner that sets foot on the island.

According to locals, those who bear the highest statuses are either members of the royal family or the Buddhist monkhood. Being a member of either group usually entails universal respect and even love from the majority of the populace.

On the other hand, the status of those who don’t have blue blood or belong to a Buddhist monastery is gauged according to a variety of factors, including the following: age, job and wealth.

Older folks – whether local or international – definitely gain a greater deal of respect as compared to younger individuals (especially if they so happen to work the same job and are more or less equal in terms of wealth.)

Koh Samui travel guides say that if two individuals were to cross paths, the younger of the two would technically have to walk by “shorter” than the older individual. Foreigners, however, aren’t expected to follow this particular show of respect.

Occupation is definitely a massive determinant of respect – although a teacher may not earn much, he or she is given the title “Anjan” (which means teacher). The holder of such a title is given massive admiration by Thais, even after retiring from the job.

Lastly, rich folks are regarded as prestigious members of society, and therefore boast high status as well.

Koh Samui travel guides say foreigners are generally stereotyped as wealthy people, especially if they come to Samui to retire. In this aspect, retirees instantly score big points in terms of wealth, and garner even more respect considering their age.

If they’ve retired from “admirable” or high-powered jobs, their statuses are boosted even further. With all that said, an example of a foreigner who’d be given high status by locals at the Koh Samui beaches would be a retired university teacher with a large bank account and a big stream of income from his or her pension plan.

Playing Golf at the Santiburi Samui Country Club

The Santiburi Samui Country is one of the top places to go golfing in Thailand

A lot of golf enthusiasts usually prefer having their holidays spent at some place where there’s a golf course nearby. Fortunately, such a development so happens to be one of the many Koh Samui attractions that make spending a holiday within the tropical paradise even more worthwhile.

All the travel guides say Santiburi Samui Country club is a championship course that’s built on the mountain of the island. Spanning 6,930 yards, this par-72, 18-hole course features unique challenges of its own. This magnificent development blends in astonishingly well with its natural environment – downhill slopes, steep hills, and winding fairways which pass through the coconut forest, cliffs, and mountain creeks – making it none like any other most golfers have seen in their lifetime.

This club has a set of rules and guidelines applicable to everyone who wants to play, which includes making reservations in advance. Those who come in groups are allowed five people – including non-golfers – in total only. Golfers are required to register at the proshop at least 15 minutes before game time. Moreover, each golfer is expected to use a golf cart and have a caddie.

Koh Samui travel guides say there’s a dress code that’s applicable to both male and female players. For the men, they should wear shirts with collars and sleeves at all times. For their bottoms, slacks, golf shorts, or walking shorts are acceptable.

Females should also wear collared shirts with sleeves as well. For their lower garments, slacks, mid-length shorts and mid-length skirts are appropriate. Both men and women are required to wear soft-spike or spike-less golfing shoes only. Any type of footwear that could cause damage to the playing field is strictly prohibited.

Aside from the clubhouse, there are other amenities available to Santiburi’s customers, of which includes a classy restaurant with a spectacular view of the ocean.

Anyone looking to enjoy all that Santiburi Samui Country Club has to offer is advised to reserve accommodations at a nearby place, such as ShaSa Resort & Residences, which is considered by many to be one of the biggest Koh Samui attractions. Other than the fact this resort comes with luxurious suites and premier amenities, Koh Samui travel guides say it also offers its guest a FREE shuttle service going to the golf course as well.

Koh Samui: Jewel of the Gulf of Thailand

Relax in the jewel of the Gulf of Thailand at the ShaSa resort

The lovely Island of Koh Samui in Eastern Thailand offers excellent diving opportunities and legendary hospitality for tourists to enjoy, according to Capt. Charlie Dwyer of 36m Yanneke of the Asia Pacific Superyachts Samui. 

Considered as the Thailand Gulf Jewel, Koh Samui is such a natural beauty and features several options that are perfect for anchoring along its coast.  Samui and its surrounding Islands offer a wide selection of travel destinations and activities that are sure to keep tourists busy.  Tourists will enjoy the island’s Monkey Shows, Snake Shows, Elephant Trekking, Temples, Mountain Safari Trip, and the Waterfalls Thai Cultural Dancing.  The island also offers several of Thailand’s finest spas and restaurants. 

Koh Samui is home to magnificent and famous beaches such as Chaweng Beach and Lamai Beach.  Chaweng is the most-developed and largest beach in the island and features a mix of luxurious villas and hotels, backpacker guesthouses, and exciting nightlife.  Lamai is located just south of Chaweng and appeals more to backpackers.  The island is also famous for its events and festivals such as the Buffalo Fighting Festival, Samui Regatta, Triathlon Event, to name some. 

Situated 20NM from the Island of Koh Samui is the interesting Angthong National Marine Park featuring a magnificent group of forty-two exciting and uniquely different islands.  Just 7NM from Koh Samui is Koh Phangan, a tropical island that is famous for its natural beauty as well as its “Full Moon Party”.  Located to the north of Samui is the Koh Tao Island, which is considered as the Gulf’s Diving Mecca.  The island also has the biggest diving school in the world.  Tourists who are interested in learning how to dive can simply visit Koh Tao. 

The Island of Koh Samui can be used as the base for visiting and discovering the various magnificent islands found in the gulf’s vast turquoise seas such as the Islands of Koh Samet and Koh Chang.  From the island, it is easy to sail on to Pattaya and even to Thailand’s cultural capital, Bangkok.  For tourists, the best months to explore Koh Samui are from May to September.  

Soul Rejuvenation at ShaSa Resort

A woman getting a rejuvenating massage at the 5 star ShaSa Resort

Booking a trip with a Koh Samui travel agent for a holiday at the mystical island is a decision that the traveler won’t regret. The warm weather, cool sea breeze, and white sand beaches are only a few of the many island’s features that make this tourist destination a favourite amongst seasoned vacationers who’ve had the privilege of seeing the best of what the world has to offer.

State-of-the-art facilities designed to help customers relax and release all that negative energy crammed up inside are one of the main Koh Samui attractions that international guests have learned to love.

ShaSa Resort & Residences is a quick 45-minute drive away from the island’s airport. This luxurious resort boasts one of the island’s best spas today, which features the ShaSa Health Club, Life Fitness exercise machines – including a treadmill, skywalker, elliptical climber, personal trainers and more – free weights, plus other equipment necessary to give customers a one-of-a-kind rejuvenating experience.

Inside this renowned facility are modernized massage tables, reclining chairs, equipment sterilizer, as well as other accessories intended to ensure every client is kept comfortable as possible within a hygienic environment.

Depending on the service or package requested by the customer, personal towel robes, bottoms, shirts and other disposal apparel will be given to customers. Shower rooms are readily available for customers who’d like to freshen up before and after being massaged.

Koh Samui travel guides (who’ve availed treatment at this spa before) say massages last anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours and beyond. Folks interested in getting their bodies rubbed down may avail special oil massages, Swedish and Thai massages, and plenty of others.

One of this spa’s most popular services – of which can be considered one of the many Koh Samui attractions on its own – is known as the Coffee Scrub treatment. This service incorporates the use of freshly grounded coffee beans and brown sugar, which is then rubbed onto the skin to remove dead skin cells to reveal glowing exfoliated skin.

Another bath treatment that travel guides recommend for tourists is the mineral salt body scrub. This method utilizes a combination of mineral salt scrub and essential oils to help customers relax, moisturize the skin, kill bacteria, and exfoliate dead skin cells.

The list of available services at ShaSa Resort’s spa is quite lengthy, and only includes premium services designed to render clients a truly relaxing experience during their stay within the tropical paradise.

Hin Lad Waterfall Temple

One of the most fabulous waterfalls is located in Koh Samui (photo courtesy Kohsamui.com_

Running out of things to do in Koh Samui is practically impossible – although the island is quite small in size, the tourist hotspot has an endless list of activities for tourists to keep busy during their holidays.

With that said, tourists stumped as to what they should be doing first upon arriving should consider paying a visit to HinLad Waterfall Temple. This place is frequently recommended by Koh Samui travel guides for a number of reasons, of which includes beautiful images of Buddha, a garden, religious scriptures, and a meditation area.

This forest monastery is situated within an evergreen tropical jungle, which in turn helps enhance the serenity of the development. Moreover, this establishment is usually busy during the weekend only – the time of week wherein locals come to make merit or picnic at the waterfall nearby – thereby giving tourists plenty of privacy during their visits.

Hin Lad also provides an excellent opportunity for guests to meditate in tranquillity. This place is visited by locals who need a break from their busy lifestyles, so tourists should be considerate to those trying to reflect in silence.

Other islanders come here to attend regular meditation workshops hosted by monks, nuns and trainers. These programs are specially designed to help participants address certain problems, such as issues they may be having at work or in a relationship with another individual.

While paying a visit to this panoramic temple can be done any time of the year, Hin Lad is best appreciated when it starts raining gently, as the green life appears to come to life and glisten as the rain falls onto each leaf or petal within the garden and jungle.

Bringing along swimwear along for the trip is also recommended, as rainy days make swimming in the large and small freshwater pools an even more pleasant and fun-filled experience.

Those who’ve included hiking or getting a good workout in their lists of things to do in Koh Samui are in luck, as it’ll take 30 minutes to hike up the waterfall.

That being said, Koh Samui travel guides also recommend wearing a good pair of hiking/walking shoes, and packing a bottle of water. Should anyone get hungry during their trip, they can always feel free make a quick stopover at the local restaurants located along the road going to the temple.