Samui Holiday Villa Rental, Koh Samui Island, Thailand

BR Sea Beach Club, Bangrak | Recommended Koh Samui Bars and Restaurants, Bangrak

2015-02-17T09:19:00.001+07:00

BR Sea Beach Club opened in January, 2015 on a beautiful stretch of Bangrak Beach, Koh Samui.

Formally the Dae Tong Resort, BR Sea Beach Club has been completely re-built with scenic bar, spacious wooden sun deck, 20m swimming pool, restaurant, and DJ booth with stairs leading down to the soft sands and terrific views offered by Bangrak.

Prices are comparatively cheap compared to other beachfront resorts and is a great place to relax with kids during the day or party at night.

Saturday and Sunday are pool-part days from 2pm till 2am with special guest DJs playing in the evenings.

During the week the resort is open 11am till 12 midnight.

BR Sea Beach Club is located opposite the 7-11 in Bangrak at the junction with Bon Gai Road (the ghost road). There is a dedicated parking area opposite.

Ban Tai Beach, Koh Samui (Bang Por) | Koh Samui Recommended Beaches

2014-02-25T13:13:00.001+07:00

Ban Tai Beach, on Koh Samui's northern coastline towards the western end of Bang Por beach, is well-known to Koh Samui locals as one of the most picturesque beaches on the island. Not too be confused with Baan Tai beach on the neighbouring island of Koh Phangan, this quiet beach offers incredible views towards Koh Phangan, beautiful clean sands, great swimming (also for small children) and reef-filled waters that create wonderful shades of blue, turquoise and green.

By Beach Resort (see photos) is a great place to relax and there is also a little beachfront reggae bar a few minutes walk away. You can also find several other small resorts further along the beach to the west

These photos were all taken at By Beach Resort which is located adjacent to the Lotus Terraces - a boutique luxury beachfront villas development. To get here, drive through Maenam and towards Bang Por. You will pass a school on your right and a temple on the left just before the turning. There is a small semi-permanent road with signs for both By Beach Resort and The Lotus Terraces (blue and white) displayed at the road entrance.

Catcandoo Bar & Restaurant | Recommended Bangrak Restaurants, Koh Samui

2013-07-20T06:16:00.000+07:00

Catcandoo Bar & Restaurant offers a menu of Thai, Western and Mexican-style dishes and is located at the Big Buddha end of Bangrak Bay, opposite the concrete Seatran pier just before Bangrak’s Seafood Market. You must try Catcandoo’s famous BBQ Ribs, which literally fall off the bone and are served with fries, BBQ beans and coleslaw. Other recommendations are the delicious Super Nachos served with beef or chicken, salads and the huge pizzas which offer great value for money.

Friendly staff, a relaxed atmosphere and great food will ensure you return to this recommended Koh Samui restaurants again and again.

The Boat Bar, Bangrak - Recommended Bars / Restaurants, Koh Samui

2013-07-06T11:13:00.000+07:00

The Boat Bar is located next to the Seatran Ferry Pier towards the eastern end of Bangak Bay. A lively bar and restaurant with a nice beer garden at the rear with beautiful views of Bangrak Beach and Koh Phan Ngan Island.

The beach area next to the beer garden is a little messy as it's used by local fisherman to store their nets and boats but the views are wonderful.

The Boat Bar is a great place to relax with a few drinks and it also offers a menu of Thai food and Western favourites. Alternatively, grab one of Akim's Kebabs or wander along to nearby Catcandoo for some of their famous BBQ ribs.

Bangrak Street Food, Koh Samui | Akim's Kebabs

2013-07-06T10:51:00.000+07:00

Akim's Turkish-style chicken kebabs and pork-burgers are very popular and well-known amongst long term ex-pats in Bangrak town, Koh Samui.

Chicken Kebabs are 100 THB and cheese-burgers (pork) are 80 THB. Both are absolutely delicious and well recommended. You will find Akim and his Thai assistant around 1-3pm opposite the Petcharat Marina and around 6-8pm outside the Boat Bar. Service is available every day except Sundays.

Bangrak Cafe, Bangrak, Koh Samui

2013-02-17T14:32:00.000+07:00

The Bangrak Cafe is just the place if you’re looking for good-value, tasty English Cafe style food including Full English breakfasts and a good choice of sandwiches, rolls, baguettes, main courses and Thai food You won’t find luxurious surrounding or views but you will find tasty food.

The Bangrak Cafe is located on Bangrak’s beach road, opposite Saboey Resort and next to the hyperbaric chamber and Cafe Uno (closed at time of posting).

Antica Locanda Italian Restaurant, Bangrak, Koh Samui

2013-02-17T14:23:00.000+07:00

Antica Locanda is a well established Italian restaurant in Bangrak, Koh Samui which is well-known to local ex-pats for offering fantastic Italian cuisine at good value prices. Recommended dishes are pizza, ravioli and the sensational Tiramisu. Well recommended.

Pizza take-aways are also available though there is no delivery service.

Antica Locanda is located on the Bangrak beach road just 100 meters from the 7-11 situated on junction with Bon Gai Road.

Antica Locanda is open Tuesday - Sunday mid-afternoon till late and closed on Mondays.

**UPDATE July, 2013*** The front of the restaurant was recently renovated giving the restaurant a more open feeling with more tables including some outside tables to the front of the property. Best of all a wood-burning stone pizza oven has replaced the gas-burning pizza oven making Samui’s best pizzas even better. See pic of new restaurant front below;

Akbar Indian Restaurant, Choeng Mon, Koh Samui

2013-02-17T14:12:00.000+07:00

Akbar Indian restaurant serves up tasty authentic Indian cuisine and is a well-known favourite with the ex-pat community on Koh Samui. Located on the Cheong Mon beach road, the restaurant is owed by Binod who has been in the restaurant business in Mumbai, India for many years and still owns two restarants there.

Those looking for a Western style Indian meal, may leave disappointed, but if you enjoy a more authentic style then you will be in for a treat. Prices are very affordable with most curried dishes costing around 200-300 THB. Located on the Cheong Mon beach road on left hand-side as you drive into Choeng Mon town from the Bophut area.

Peerapat Villa, Koh Samui Launches Monthly Newsletter Aimed at Agents and Travel Partners

2012-12-24T14:39:00.000+07:00

A 4-bedroom seaview holiday pool villa situated in convienient Bangrak on tropical Koh Samui Island, Thailand, popular Peerapat Villa has now launched a monthly newsletter to its Thailand based and international Travel Partners.

Peerapat Villa's Newsletter contains upcoming availability information, updates and more.

Please find contact details for Peerapat Villa by visiting the website www.peerapatvilla.com.

Please click to view the December 2012 issue of the Newsletter (issue #001)
Please click to read Peerapat Villa's Flipkey verified guest reviews

Sign up today for the Peerapat Villa's Monthly Availabilty Update and Newsletter by filling in the form below;

Peerapat Villa, Koh Samui Wins Flipkey Top Vacation Rental Award 2012

2012-11-28T12:29:00.001+07:00

Peerapat Villa, a 4-bedroom private seaview pool villa located in Bangrak, Koh Samui, has been awarded Flipkey's Top Vacation Rental Award for 2012 in Koh Samui.

Flipkey.com, affiliate website of Tripadvisor.com, recently announced the award, based on traveller's reviews, and the winning award badge is proudly displayed on the villa's homepage. This follows a 2011 award from Flipkey for Top Property Manager of 2011 which was awarded to Bob Johnston, owner of Peerapat Villa and owner of Samui Holiday Villa Rental, an online Koh Samui villa booking website.

Read guest reviews of Peerapat Villa on Flipkey.com

Koh Samui Flight Guide | Koh Samui Airport | Surat Thani Airport

2012-09-21T13:14:00.000+07:00

Both Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways are the only flight carriers who fly to and from Samui International Airport with around twenty daily Bangkok flights arriving and departing each day from 6am until 10pm. Both Bangkok Air and Thai Air also operate daily domestic flights to various destinations within Thailand.

Please note that Bangkok has two international airports, Don Mueang Airport and the newer Suvarnaphumi Airport. Since the start of 2012 all Thai airlines flying to Koh Samui or Surat Thani have operated from Suvarnaphumi Airport.

UPDATE... September, 2012... Air Asia and Nok air move back to Don Muang Airport and now operate all flights from this airport.

There are also daily direct international flights from Hong Kong, Kuala Lumphur and Singapore.

Another domestic option is to fly to Surat Thani Airport, on the Thai mainland with bus and boat transfer to Nathon, in Koh Samui. Flight carriers to Surat Thani airport are Nok Air, Air Asia and Thai Airways with flight prices often around 50% or more cheaper than flights direct to Koh Samui Airport.

Domestic Flights to Koh Samui Airport

Domestic flights to and from Koh Samui Airport are operated by both Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways. Destinations are Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Trat, Phuket, Sukhothai, Pattaya (U-Tapao) and Krabi.

Daily flights from Bangkok to Koh Samui operate between 6am and 10pm with flights every forty minutes or so. Be sure to take advantage of the Bangkok Airways lounge in Bangkok airport which offers complimentary snacks, refreshments and WiFi.

For further information on flight times to destinations other than Bangkok, please visit the Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways websites by clicking the provided links at the top of this page.

International Flights to Koh Samui Airport

Bangkok Airways operate direct international flights to Koh Samui from Singapore and Hong Kong with indirect flights via Bangkok to Bangladore, Dhaka, Luang Prabang, The Maldives, Mumbai, Phnom Pen, Siam Reap and Yangon.

The daily Bangkok Air flight to Singapore leaves Samui at 4.30pm with a flight time of two hours and the returning flight is at 8.10pm each day.

The daily flight to Hong Kong departs Samui International Airport at 11.35am with a flight duration of three hours twenty minutes with the returning flight leaving Hong Kong at 5.05pm.

For flight times to other international destinations, please visit the Bangkok Airways website by clicking provided link above.

Surat Thani Airport Domestic Flights

Air Asia, Nok Air and Thai Airways all operate daily services to Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok from Surat Thani Airport with both Air Asia and Nok Air offering combined plane, bus and boat tickets enabling transfer to Koh Samui from Surat Thani.

Air Asia have two daily one-hour flights departing Surat Thani at 8.45am and 4.05pm with the return flights leaving Bangkok at 7am and 2.20pm.

Nok Air have three daily flights from Surat Thani to Bangkok at 9.10am, 1.10pm, and 9.15pm with returning flights departing Bangkok at 7.30am, 11.30am and 7.35pm.

Thai Airways operate two flights to Bangkok leaving Surat Thani at 11.55 am and 7.55pm with the return flights departing Bangkok at 10.00am and 5.50pm.

Thai Airways also operate domestic flights fom Surat Thani Airport to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Khoen Kaen, Krabi, Phuket, Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani. Please click provided links above to visit their websites for more information.

Surat Thani Airport International Flights

The only international flight operated from Surat Thai Airport is Air Asia's short daily flight to Kuala Lumphur which departs Samui at 12.20pm each day with the returning flight departing Kuala Lumphur each day at 11.20am to arrive in Koh Samui at 11.50am

Article source: Samui Flights

Koh Samui Vets | Animal Clinics, Hospitals and Veterinarians | Koh Samui Guide

2012-09-07T11:43:00.001+07:00

Find Koh Samui vets, veterinarians, animal hospital and animal clinics listed below with addresses, location, opening hours and contact details.

S.P. Veterinary Clininc
Located in Chaweng town just after last turn (Haad Chaweng 1) for Chaweng Beach Rd when driving south
Tel 077 413 313
Open each day 9am-8pm. Wednesdays open 12noon - 8pm

Samui Animal Clinic
Situated in Chaweng town opposite Chaweng Post Office
Tel 077 230 600
Open Monday - Friday 9.30am - 8pm and Saturdays 9.30am - 6pm. Closed Sundays.
(Sterile room facilities allow surgury to be performed here)

M.A Vet Clinic
Located in Bophut opposite Big C
Tel 089 650 9387
Open each day 9am - 8pm. Closed Thursdays.

Young Num Pet Hospital
Situated in Bophut between Bophut traffic lights and Big C supermarket.
Tel 077 962 435 - Open every day, except SOME Sundays 9am - 7pm.

Bang Rak (Big Buddha) Pet Clinic
Situated just after fishing market and before the Big Buddha temple
Tel 085 882 2334
Open every day except Thursdays 9am - 6pm.
　

Lamai Pet Clinic
Located just before Grandmother/Grandfather Rock south of Lamai
Tel 086 881 7756
Open each day 9am - 8pm. Closed Thursdays.

Samui Dog Rescue
Main vet centre is situated in Taling Ngam, but Chaweng Centre is open Mondays / Wednesdays / Fridays 4.30pm - 6pm.
Tel 077 413 490

Som Tam (Thai Papaya Salad) | Thai Food Recipes

2012-08-30T10:33:00.002+07:00

Som Tam is a spicy salad based on unripened papaya with added Thai spices and ingredients originating from the NE of Thailand and the bordering country of Laos. This dish really is the basic, staple diet of millions of rural Thais and is enjoyed across Thailand by Thai people in all walks of life. In the northeast, pickled fresh water crabs are added to the dish and an extremely pungent fermented, raw fish sauce known as 'Baraa' which would be extremely offputting to most westerners. However typically Thai people in other parts of the country and foreigners prefer Som Tam Thai which is much more digestable.

SomTam Thai - Spicy Papaya Salad

Som Tam is typically eaten with sticky rice or rice noodles and is often eaten as a side dish to barbequed chicken.

Ingredients

1 cup raw unripened papaya (or carrots or cucumber or mixture) chopped and sliced into long thin slices
1/3 cup long green beans about 4cm long
3 cherry tomatoes cur in half
1/4 cup roast (unsalted) peanuts
1 1/2 tbsp. dried tiny fresh water shrimps
2 tbsp. fish sauce
3 tbsp. frsh lime juice (don't use lemon - it's just not the same)
2 tbsp. palm sugar or 1 1/2 tbsp. cane sugar
3-10 small red/green hot chillies (in Thailand hottest chillies are known as Prik Kii Noo or 'mouse poo chillies'!)
2 cloves garlic (not peeled)

Som Tam prepared in large mortar with pestle

Preparation

Pound the chillies and garlic in a large mortar until completely crushed.

Add the green beans, peanuts, shrimps and pound gently with pestlewhile stirring with a spoon.

Add fish sauce, lime juice, sugar and mix well.

Add the papaya and tomatoes, and mix gently.

Samui Holiday Villa Rental is your portal to Koh Samui villa rentals and Koh Samui Luxury Villas.

4-Bedroom Koh Samui Villa Now Offered for Long Term Rental

2012-07-12T13:04:00.000+07:00

Peerapat Villa, a popular Koh Samui holiday villa, conveniently located on the island's NE coast and offering 4 bedrooms, private pool and stunning sea/island views is now being offered for long-term villa rental.

The property sits within a huge 1600 square metre garden, 1 km from Bangrak beach and town and only 3km to the International School of Samui making it the perfect family home for those in the hospitality industry or family taking a year out of beautiful Koh Samui island.

Rental Rates

180,000 THB per month for year -long contract

Please contact us for further information or visit the following links for full villa information

http://www.peerapatvilla.com

http://www.samuiholidayvillarental.com/villas/4-bedroom/sea-view/bangrak/015-4-bedroom-sea-view-bangrak-pool-peerapat-villa.php

Koh Samui Villas Thai Chef Services

2012-07-02T12:22:00.000+07:00

Looking for Koh Samui Villas Chef services for next tropical getaway? Samui Holiday Villa Rental offers quality Thai Chef services for Koh Samui villa guests with a whole host of meal options and package deals for a half or full days dining.

Offering a menu of Thai favourites, with a few Western favourites thrown in to cater for fussier eaters, the Chef can give recommendations before taking the daily order, visiting the local fresh market to buy fresh, quality ingredients before cooking up freshly-made Thai cuisine with that added personal touch. All dishes and sauces are guaranteed to be prepared with only fresh ingredients and absolutely no frozen or pre-prepared foods added.

Most ordered favourites, without a doubt, are Chicken Satay (charcoaled grilled marinated chicken skewers served with peanut sauce) and Pad Thai (noodles stir-fried with egg and meat with beansprouts) with Spring Rolls (beansprouts with prawn or pork with vegetable wrapped and deap-fried) coming in at a close third place.

Visit www.samuiholidayvillarental.com for full information on our Koh Samui villa Chef services.

Choeng Mon Beach Guide, Koh Samui, Thailand

2012-05-30T13:23:00.000+07:00

Choeng Mon beach is a 2km stretch of powdery white sand located on the far northeastern penninsular of Koh Samui island, Thailand. Popular with visitors for its shallow, rock-free, child-friendly waters with good all-year-round swimming and fantastic views, Choeng Mon's sands curve around from the rocky outcrops at the bay's far north end to the tiny island of Koh Fan Noi at the bay's southern end where native trees provide shaded areas just perfect for small children.

Looking southeast towards Koh Fan Noi

Looking northwards towards the rocky headland of Choeng Mon Bay

Like Choeng Mon's surrounding popular beach areas of Chaweng and Bophut, the beach is lined with a choice of beachfront restaurants, bars, hotels and resorts each offering sunbeds which are free for visitor's use providing refreshments or food is ordered. The beach also offers watersports such as jet-ski rental, banana boats and waterskiing with two dive-centres (Searobin Dive Center and Easy Divers) where dives or diver training can be organised. Another fun activity is to explore the tiny island of Koh Fan Noi which is joined to the main beach by a shallow sand-bar that is exposed at low tides and waist-height at times of high tide.

Shallow, still, clear waters of Choeng Mon Beach

Restaurants, bars, resorts and hotels line the idyllic, soft sands

Much more peaceful than nearby, crowded Chaweng Beach

Cheong Mon is a family friendly beach with sunbeds and shady umbrellas

For those who prefer a bit more relaxation, the beach is also lined with small bamboo massage pavilions which offer a large choice of different massage and beauty treatments.

Choeng Mon beach offers several budget and mid-range resorts such as (from north to south) Thana Resort, O'Soleil, PS Villa, Whitehouse, Cheong Mon Resort, Crystal Resort, Chat Kaeow, Samui Honey Resort and Kirati Resort which mingle with the luxurious Muang Samui, located in the center of the beach, and the Imperial Boat House Hotel which is situated to the south of the beach, overlooking Koh Fan Noi.

To the northwest of Choeng Mon beach, the coastline forms a number of smaller, picturesque bays which offer more luxurious accommodation options such as SALA Samui and the Tongsai Bay Hotel. To the southeast, lies the international tourist center of Chaweng.

The beach road, located 300 metres behind the beach, offers a large choice of restaurants, bars and tourist conveniences including banks, pharmacies, shops and stores.

Visit www.samuiholidayvillarental.com for more information about Choeng Mon Beach and other informative articles about Koh Samui island, Thailand.

Pee Daeng's Restaurant, Bophut, Koh Samui

2012-04-25T06:20:00.001+07:00

Pee Daeng's restaurant is a Khao Man Gai restaurant, like many others you can find all over Koh Samui and Thailand. Khao Man Gai is chicken served over rice which has been cooked in chicken stock served with a spicy, tamarind-based curry sauce. Other popular dishes available in curry houses of this type include Khao Man Ruam (similiar to Khao Man Gai but served with chicken, pork, crispy pork skin and Chinese sausage), and Kaa Moo (stewed leg of pork served over rice with a thick, fragrent sauce). All dishes are served with soup and customers help can themselves to fresh chillies, garlic and spring onions. Dishes cost 50-60 THB.

If you want an authentic Thai drink, try the super-sweet Thai-style ice-tea which you can order with milk (cha yen sai nom) or without (Cha dam yen).

The food served is very tasty and even the pickiest of eaters (including the childen) should enjoy a plate of Khao Man Gai. The restaurant staff can help you with which sauces to put on though only a little is needed as it is quite spicy and salty.

Pee Daeng's Restaurant is located just opposite the large "Fisherman's Village" sign in Bophut and is generally open from around 11am to around 5pm each day. Though they do seem to be closed a lot and there doesn't seem to be any set days of closing, so you'll just have to leave it up to luck as to whether the restaurant is open or not. If not, chances are it will be open the next day.

Samui Holiday VIlla Rental is your portal to Koh Samui villas and holiday rentals on Thaialnd's premiere tropical island.

Songkran Festival, Koh Samui, Thailand -

2012-04-20T09:58:00.000+07:00

Songkran is probably one of the most fun days you can possible imagine on any calendar, in any country, in any culture and probably in any galaxy. Imagine a country of nearly 100 million people having a huge, friendly and drunken non-stop water-fight for anywhere between 24 hours and 7 days. Sound like fun? Well, it's probably about the most fun you're ever going to experience...

Each year Songkran falls on the 13th, 14th and 15th of April, which are Thai public holidays and a time when most Thai people return home to visit their families. Historically, Songkran was Thailand’s (and neighboring countries of Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos) New Year and is the most important holiday on the Thai calendar.

Historically, the festival of Songkran originates from the Brahmin people of India who celebrated a "Sangkranti" festival which signified the vernal equinox when the sun re-enters Aries and finishes its orbit of the Earth on 13th April each year. The Brahmins called this time their New Year as it was the start of the Spring which signified new life and new beginnings. This celebration of the vernal equinox is deep-rooted in many cultures around the world and is also celebrated as the Indian Holi Festival, the Christian Easter festival and Chinese Ching Ming festival.

Traditionally, Songkran is a time to pay respects to elders, families, neighbours and friends and a time when Thai people clean out their homes signifying the washing away of bad luck and a new beginning. A typical day of Songkran in the past would mean visiting the temple early in the morning to give offerings of food to monks. After the monks finished eating, the temple gathering would then feast on the food. Perfumed water was poured on images of Buddha and gently over the shoulder of friends and family (especially the eldest) to signify the washing away of evil and bad luck. This use of water is very common in important Thai ceremonies such as weddings, funerals and blessings as water is seen as pure and cleaning force in Thai culture.

Nowadays, Songkran has evolved to the throwing of water, talcolm powder and even food colouring over strangers with lines of partying revellers using plastic waterguns, buckets, hoses and anything else they can get their hands onto to soak everyone and everything that moves. Lines of slow moving pickup trucks carring their lethal cargo of water barrels, plastic guns and enthusistic children and adults alike pounce on suspecting passer-bys.

On Koh Samui, the water-throwing starts around lunch-time with water fights on every street of the island. Generally, most vistors make their way to Chaweng towards the early evening where the party continues until dawn. On Koh Samui, unlike other places in Thailand which can have water fights for up to 3, 7 or even 10 days, the fun only lasts for 1 day.

Unfortunately Songkran does have its downside as the 3-day holiday is a time of the highest number of road accident deaths in the country with around 1,000 Thai people and visitors killed and many more injured during the holiday period, each year. Less seriously, Songkran is also a time of the highest number of broken cameras and mobile telephones as you can probably imagine, so don't take out anything expensive that doesn't like getting wet!

www.samuiholidayvillarental.com offers informative articles about Koh Samui including beach and town guides, interactive maps and the ultimate portfolio of luxurious Koh Samui holiday rental properties.

Want a Chaweng Villa to Rent in Koh Samui? Think Again...

2012-03-20T15:39:00.000+07:00

Samui Holiday Villa Rental are Koh Samui's villa rental professionals.

Da Ped Restaurant, Bangrak, Koh Samui

2012-02-13T11:39:00.001+07:00

Da Ped’s is a small, family run restaurant which is very busy with both Thais and Westerners, especially during the lunch-time rush. This recommended restaurant offers a small menu of rice dishes and noodle soup dishes (Gra-teow). On the menu of rice dishes are Thai favorites such as Pad Thai (stir-friend noodles), Fried Rice (Kaow Pat), Stir-fried Spicy Basil (Pad Gra Prow) and stir-fried Chilies (Pad Pik Yuok) which are served on a bed of rice with the option of a fried egg on top. Rice dishes are cooked up with your choice of chicken, prawn, pork or squid for the fantastic price of only 40-50 THB or with a fried egg, 10 THB extra.

If you want to sample good, simple Thai food in Bangrak then Da Ped’s is the place to go,

Da Ped’s restaurant is located in Bangrak town next to Café Uno and opposite Saboey Villa Resort and is open Monday – Saturday from 8am to around 4pm. Park your car/motorbike in front of the restaurant or in the small car-park behind.

***UPDATE JAN 2014*** In late 2013, the restaurant moved next door into the now closed down Café Uno. The owners are building a new restaurant on the site of the old restaurant (now demolished) and will be moving back to the original site with brand new building towards the end of 2014.

Samui Holiday Villa Rental are Koh Samui villas rental professionals on Koh Samui Island, Thailand.

Bangkok Airways launches Kuala Lumphur - Koh Samui Daily Flights

2012-01-17T09:56:00.000+07:00

Bangkok Airways are to launch daily, direct flights between Koh Samui Island and Kuala Lumphur from 31st March, 2012.

The daily Koh Samui to Kuala Lumphur flight will be operated with an Airbus A-319 airplane offering 138 economy-class seats. The flight, PG951, will leave Koh Samui at 5.55pm and arrive in Kuala Lumphur at 8.25pm. The returning flight departs Kualar Lumphur at 8.20am, arriving in Samui at 9.00am.

All passengers will be served in-flight meals with up to 20kg of baggage allowance and use of the Bangkok Airways lounge in Samui International Airport.

Find out more with our Koh Samui Flights Guide by Samui Holiday Villa Rental which gives the low down on all domestic and international flights from Koh Samui with information on flying with budget airlines to Surat Thani Airport with bus and boat transfer to Koh Samui.

Big C Supermarket and Supercenter, Koh Samui

2012-01-10T13:32:00.001+07:00

The Big C Supercenter offers several restaurants, cafes, fast food outlets, clothes shops, a large food court, children’s play area and the Big C supermarket store itself. The supermarket is located on the 2^nd floor of the supercenter adjacent to the Food Park and children’s play area.

Big C Supercenter, Koh Samui

Big C supermarket sells everything from fresh food to electronic appliances to clothing and whatever you need, you are sure to find here. Next to the check-out counters in the supermarket you will find the SE-ED book store which stocks a selection of both adult and children’s books in both English and Thai. If you are looking for a Thai SIM card for your mobile, there is a large selection of mobile phone shops here, too.

The Food Park serves various types of both Thai and international dishes at reasonable prices. The children’s play area is equipped with several arcade machines, coin-operated rides for small children and a play room which can keep small children occupied for a small fee while you grab a bite to eat. This area of the supercenter also has free Wi-Fi access enabling you to catch up with friends and family via skype, facebook or email without the need of visiting an internet cafe.

Big C Food Park, Koh Samui

The ground floor of the Supercenter has good shopping with a mixture of clothes shops, accessory shops, restaurants, fast-food outlets, a hair salon and many small, market-type stalls which sell just about everything you could imagine. There is also a Starbucks coffee shop outside, located next to the road in the front car park area.

The Big C Supercenter is located in Bophut, on the island’s main ring road, just next to Bandon Hospital, at the bottom of the hill which takes you to Tesco-Lotus Supermarket. There are many parking spaces in front of the Supercenter with covered parking for cars behind. Motorbike riders collect a card from the attendant when entering the motorbike parking area and this card should be presented to the attendant again when leaving.

Koh Samui villas for rent on idyllic Koh Samui Island, Thailand by Samui Holiday Villa Rental.

Getting Around Koh Samui Guide – Transport, Taxis, Songtaew and Rentals

2012-01-10T12:33:00.000+07:00

With Koh Samui’s main ring road measuring a total of only 50km, getting around Koh Samui isn’t much of a problem as you are never more than 40 minutes’ drive from any other point on the island with several transport options for visiting tourists including taxis, public transport in the form of songtaew trucks, minibuses and the rental of cars or motorbikes.

Without a doubt car rental or motorbike rental is recommended as the best option, giving you complete freedom and independence to explore the island on your own terms. Of course, renting a car or motorbike means that you will need to navigate the chaotic roads of Samui which, understandably, is something that many visiting tourists are not willing to do. The roads are dangerous on Koh Samui but by driving slowly and always defensively, driving around should be problem free. Make sure that your car rental is insured and be aware that motorcycle rentals are not insured on Koh Samui. Scooter rentals are generally around the 200-350 THB per day mark, depending on age and model, with available car rentals ranging from around 800-2,300 THB per day. But, if renting a vehicle is not for you, there are several other options to get around.

The infamous taxis of Koh Samui are known for their refusal to use their fare meters with customers and for overcharging. The drivers cite high costs of living as the reason for their refusal to use meters and generally it costs about 200 THB to get into a cab with fares anything from 500-1,000THB for any journey on the island. Just be sure to confirm the cost of the taxi ride with the driver before setting off. There are also motorcycle taxis around in all the busy areas of the island and they will take 1 (or 2!) passengers for 50-150 THB depending on the length of journey.

Motorbike taxi drivers wear colourful vests and are good for short journeys

Songtaew trucks are the closest thing to s public transport bus system on Koh Samui. These converted pickup trucks have been fitted with 2 benches on the back and a roof added, allowing them to sit about 10 passengers. These songtaew trucks drive around the island picking up and dropping off passengers with fares of about 20-50 THB per person, depending on the distance covered. On hailing down a songteaw, speak with the driver to find out where he is going and agree a price. When you want off the truck, just ring the bell on the back and the driver drops you off and asks for your fare.

Songtaew truck

Another option is to rent a minibus with driver for short journeys, by the day or half-day. Several companies offer minibus rental and taxi services with the cost usually working out cheaper than car rental.

However you decide to get around Koh Samui, enjoy the scenery, stay safe and have a great time.

Samui Holiday Villa Rental is your portal to Koh Samui villa rental on Thailand’s definitive island destination.

Plae Leam Temple, Koh Samui

2012-01-01T13:25:00.000+07:00

Plai Laem Temple is without a doubt Koh Samui island's most beautiful temple with several brightly coloured Thai-style temple buildings and several impressive Chinese-style Buddha statues built amongst a large pond within beautiful landscaped gardens.

A spectacular Chinese style Buddha image in Plai Laem Temple, Koh Samui

Visitors are free to stroll around the temple grounds, taking photographs and admiring the tropical landcape and you can also take a look inside the temples where you can view wall paintings depicting the life and enlightment of the Buddha.

The temple's impressive statues, which depict characters from Thai mythology and Chinese-style Buddha images, are a great backdrop for postcard- perfect souvenir shots.

The pagoda buildings in Plai Laem Temple show truly intricate detail

Several years ago, the temples large pond was packed full with large catfish and visitors could buy food to feed the fish, however over-feeding caused many of the fish to die and so visitors are no longer encouraged to do so.

Plai Laem temple is a beautiful Koh Samui tourist attraction, a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the island and well recommended for a 30 minute to 1 hour visit. After exploring the grounds, grab an ice-cream at the ice-cream vendors in the car park area to cool down while admiring the scenery and intricate detail of the temple buildings.

Plai Laem Temple is located about 1km past Samui's Big Buddha statue as you are driving from Bangrak town. The large buildings and statues can be seen clearly from the main road and there are spaces for parking both cars and motorcyles within the temple grounds.

Visitors should dress politely though casually (shorts and T-shirt or vest is fine) and take care to remove shoes when entering temple buildings. Admittance to the temple is free though visitors are encouraged to make a small donation to support the termple.

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Koh Samui Street Food: Chinese Noodles

2011-12-31T10:37:00.004+07:00

Chai-see Ba-mee Gee-ow is a franchise of Chinese-style noodle stalls which are to be found outside 7-11 and Family Mart convenience stores, on street corners and in just about every populated area in the whole of Thailand. The noodle stalls are instantly recognisable with their distinctive yellow light boxes with bright red Thai script.

Chai-see Ba-mee Gee-ow, Chinese noodle and soup stall, Bangrak, Koh Samui

The most popular dish is 'ba-mee gee-ow', which translates as 'yellow noodle dumplings', which can be served in hot soup ('sai naam') or served with a hot bowl of soup on the side ('heng'). The dish contains yellow, Chinese noodles, rice-noodle dumplings stuffed with pork with sliced ham and green vegetables. The dish is very tasty, as is the soup, with no strong flavours to put off fussy eaters and cheap at only 40 Thai Baht per bowl.

You can order to take your food away or eat-in on provided plastic table and you are provided with dried chilli, sugar, vinegar, crushed peanuts and fish sauce which can be added to the dish to suit your own tastes.

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