FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

We have made an compilation here with some of the questions our visitors use to ask.

Q= Question A= Answer

1. Why should I go to these islands?
2. Is this site "official" or made by an organization?
3. Is this website a commercial one?
4. When is the next Full Moon Party?
5. I am a DJ and want to perform at the Full Moon Party etc. What to do?
6. Do you recommend hotels or resorts by e-mail?
7. Can I book a room or a bungalow from here?
8. Can I book a house, villa or apartment from here?
9. How can I know it is safe to make a hotel booking from Kohsamui.org?
10. Why are many hotels full at high season?
11. How do I get there from Bangkok?
12. How do I get there from Phuket, Pattaya or Krabi?
13. How do I go to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao from Koh Samui?
14. Which airlines flies between Bangkok and Koh Samui?
15. From where can I go by bus or train and ferry?
16. I need to do a visa run, where should I go?
17. At which beach should I stay?
18. What to do? Which activities do you suggest?
19. How is the weather on these islands?
20. Are these islands (and Thailand) safe to visit?
21. What price levels can we expect on Samui and the other islands?
22. What can I do for the island's nature and wildlife?
23. How can I make a contribution to this site?
24. I can not read this small text.
25. You have still not answered my question, can I send it to you?


Q: Why should I go to these islands?

A: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan or Koh Tao has a something for everyone. Brilliant long beaches in the sunshine or/and party in the nighttime. Cheap Thai food at a street restaurant or/and exclusive top class gourmet dining. Simple bungalow huts made of bamboo or/and five star resorts and villas. It does not matter if your budget is small or big, almost everyone can enjoy it here! The tropical climate is pleasant year round, even at most of the rain season.

Q: Is this site "official" or made by an organization?

A: We are a registered Thai Company Limited based on the island of Koh Samui. We started with this website in early 1999 and are a small team (Thai and non Thai citizens) who just love Thailand and these islands. Each one of us has spent at several years on the islands and in the Kingdom. Kohsamui.org is a web portal mainly about Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao islands. It has become one of the most popular and most visited websites about this area. Thank you very much for visiting us!

Q: Is this website a commercial one?

A: Partly. We have a shop and a finite number of ads. It is to make our website survive. The main purpose is to provide information for tourists and the residents of these islands. We will work hard to make it better and more informative with time. You can support our work by recommending Kohsamui.org to your friends and colleagues. Thank you in advance!

Q: When is the next Full Moon Party?

A: Check out our party section. IMPORTANT! We are not, by any means, the organizers of the event. Some of the dates in this section might be slightly incorrect. Please check in advance, with a travel agency on these islands, or in Thailand.

Q: I am a DJ and want to perform at the Full Moon Party etc. What to do?

A: As we don't organize this or any other music events (yet), our suggestion would be to contact individual clubs or restaurants on Haad Rin or on the location you are interested in.

Q: Do you recommend hotels or resorts by e-mail?

A: Unfortunately not. We usually, by our policy, do not recommend any businesses at all. Instead, we refer to our hotel section, links and our sponsors. To our knowledge, all of them provides services of high class.

Q: Can I book a room or a bungalow from here?

A: Yes. We are happy to offer a hotel booking system that are very:
1. Extensive - Many hundreds of hotels.
2. Safe - SSL encrypted payments. To protect the customer.
3. Fast - Most often you will get an answer within a few hours.
4. Affordable - Very reasonable prices.

Just make a cup of coffee, tea or chocolate and go to the hotel booking section here. All bookings are of course secured and encrypted for your safety. Most common credit cards are accepted. The booking system is very efficient and fast.

Q: Can I book a house, villa or apartment from here?

A: Yes. We have a selection of alternatives here. From budget apartment alternatives, to luxury five star villas with private garden, beach, pool(s) and housekeeping staff.

Q: How can I know it is safe to make a hotel booking from Kohsamui.org?

A: We are cooperating with one of the leading hotel booking system in Asia. The payment system is SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encrypted, to protect the privacy of your credit card number etc. Each booking is processed individually and with full discretion. Your safety is always our priority!

Q: Why are many hotels full at high season?

A: These islands are popular tourist destinations (both for Thai and foreign tourists), so especially at high season the most popular hotels and resorts sometimes are fully booked. If a hotel is full, there are many alternative hotels of similar standard to choose from. As many of the hotels and resorts are very popular, especially at high season, do not be to late with your booking. It is wise to book a few months, or more, in advance.

Q: How do I get there from Bangkok?

A: By train, plane, bus or car. You'll find the answer on our Samui section.

Q: How do I get there from Phuket, Pattaya or Krabi?

A: By plane, (Bangkok Airways flies directly to Phuket Airport and U Tapao Airport) bus or car. The tickets can be bought from almost any travel agency on location. Cars can be rent from Budget or Avis etc.

Q: How do I go to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao from Koh Samui?

A: On the sea; by ferry, speedboat, catamaran or tour boat. You can buy the ticket in almost any travel agency on the islands. There are several departures every day.

Q: Which airlines flies between Bangkok and Koh Samui?

A: At present time, only Bangkok Airways, with several flights every day. Thai Airways, One-Two-Go and Air Asia all operates daily flights to the nearest airport on the mainland. It is located in Suratthani.

Q: From where can I go by bus or train and ferry?

A: Travel agencies in most major cities in Thailand (and Malaysia etc.) arranges trips with comfortable, so called "VIP" buses. Thailand also has a good railway network. Just buy your ticket at a travel agency or directly at the railway station. The fares are often very reasonable. The "fastest" ferries from the main land to Samui leaves from two different piers in Donsak, almost one hour with bus or car from the town of Suratthani. There are also several other ferry, catamaran and pier alternatives. Just check with the travel agency where you are buying your ticket. Further information is found at our Samui section.

Q: I need to do a visa run, where should I go?

A: There are organized visa run tours to Malaysia and via Ranong to Myanmar. (former Burma) You can also buy a train or bus ticket at any travel agency and make the visa run by yourself. If you need a new visa we recommend a trip to Malaysia. Georgetown in Penang has a Thai consulate and Kuala Lumpur has a Thai embassy.

Q: At which beach should I stay?

A: It is almost impossible to answer that question, as it is according to people's "taste". Please try our island sections. Most beaches on these islands are fine ones:

The beaches on the East coast; Chaweng and Lamai, tends to be more visited then the other ones but has also more of shopping, restaurants, transportation, bars and nightlife.

The ones in the North; Choeng Mon, Bang Rak, Bo Phut, Mae Nam and Bang Por are still very nice, but less crowded than the Eastern ones. Nice view over Koh Phangan.

And you will also find calm beaches in the South and the West of the island; Hua Thanon, Bang Kao, Thong Krut and Taling Ngam. Nice beaches and/but definitely less people, shopping, restaurants and businesses than in Lamai and Chaweng.

Q: What to do? Which activities do you suggest?

A: In the day time the most popular activity is sunbathing, water sports and swimming in the Gulf of Thailand that surrounds these island. Also diving, snorkeling and other sport activities are popular before dawn. You can also visit Big Buddha, the waterfalls, a massage at a spa, daily trip to Koh Nang Yuan or Angthong Marine Park or why not lay down in a hang mat reading a good book and sipping on a coconut shake or a fresh fruit juice. In the night time there are hundreds of great restaurants serving everything from Thai food to almost every international cousins available. There are also a lot of bars, pubs and nightclubs if you enjoy nightlife activities. Please browse this website for a lot more detailed information about activities.

Q: How is the weather on these islands?

A: The temperature is pleasant year around. The "normal temperature" is about 30 degrees Celsius or 86 degrees Fahrenheit in the daytime and slightly "cooler" at night. In December until August there is normally not much rain at all. From September until November the monsoon normally makes it rain more here, but probably you will experience many sunny days in this period as well.

Q: Are these islands (and Thailand) safe to visit?

A: Normally yes, as long as you are a little cautious, especially in the traffic. If you decide to go by a motorbike, use a helmet and do never drive with alcohol in your blood. Avoid driving too fast and remember that you drive on the left hand/side in Thailand. Do also avoid swimming if the waves are just too high. Jellyfishes can be an unpleasant experience, but they are normally not that common. The tourist-related criminality is fortunately relative low, but as in all other countries, you should be a little aware. Keep your valuables in a safety deposit box (in a hotel you trust etc) if possible. Do not walk around with a lot of cash (if you do not need to spend them the same day), and if you are a woman, do not walk alone on the beach and other desolated areas in the nighttime. A few more tips are found on our Samui section.

Q: What price levels can we expect on Samui and the other islands?

A: It is totally depending on the standard you expect. Accommodation costs from about 150 baht up to several thousand baht per night. Food costs from 30-50 baht in a simple Thai roadside restaurant to a few thousand baht in a first class gourmet restaurant. A beer is normally between 40-150 baht, according to the beer brand and type of restaurant, bar or pub.

Q: What can I do for the island's nature and wildlife?

A: This is, of course, not just a individual issue. But also you as an individual visitors can contribute by not litter, not collect corals, shells and support businesses and organizations etc. that seems to be concerned about the wildlife and the nature.

Q: How can I make a contribution to this site?

A: You can do a lot! Without our visitors, Kohsamui.org is nothing. You can send stories, photos, suggestions, complaints and commendations to us here. But please be patient. We can not add new galleries and stories so often so it might take a few months to get your contribution published on the webpage.

Q: I can not read this small text.

A: Please try our Plain text section here. The fonts there are size 10, not 8. And in black with white background. Printer friendly too!

Q: You have still not answered my question, can I send it to you?

A: Sure! We normally reply within 48 hours, except when we are on holiday etc. Please be a little patient. Just go here