GENERAL USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT KOH SAMUI
Detailed information on visas, email and internet services, telephone, postal service, electricity, money (banks, ATM's credit cards)...
The electric system is 220 Volt AC, 50Hz.
American and European-style rounded and flat pin plugs can be used
in sockets. Travellers with shavers, tape recorders and other appliances
will require a plug-adapter kit and these can be bought in many supermarkets
here on Samui. Power failures are not uncommon, especially
during the rainy season; so it's a good idea to keep a torch handy.
Local Time
Thailand time is 7 hours ahead of Greenwich
Mean Time (GMT) and 6 hours ahead of British Summer Time (BST). It
is 12 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST) and 15 hours ahead
of Pacific Standard Time (PST).
Language
Thai is the national language. English is
widely understood in Samui however, it is useful to learn a few simple Thai
phrases and Thai's will be delighted that you made the effort.
Business Hours
Banking hours are Monday to Friday 8.30am-3.30pm,
exchange kiosks are open until 7pm in Nathon and 10pm in Chaweng and
Lamai. Shops and stores usually open seven days a week from 10am-6pm
in Nathon and 10am-11pm in Chaweng and Lamai. Office hours are usually
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.
Currency
1 Baht (Bt) = 100 satang. Notes are in denominations
of Bt1000 (grey), 500 (purple), 100 (red), 50 (blue) and 20 (green),
10 (brown). Coins are in denominations of Bt10, 5 and 1, and 50 and
25 satangs.
Exchanging Money
Currency exchange |
You can convert major currencies to Baht at
all banks and exchange booths. The rates are fairly similar island-wide
at both types of locations. Always count the change you receive.
Travellers' Cheques & Credit Cards
Travellers Cheques |
Travellers' cheques are the safest way to
carry your money. Better rates are offered for cheques than for cash,
there is normally a charge of 13 baht commission and duty per cheque.
Travellers' cheques can be changed at most locations. Your passport
will be required for identification.
Many exchange booths
accept credit cards. These cards will be displayed in their windows.
Note that businesses accepting credit cards for goods and services,
often take VISA and Mastercard only. Expect a surcharge of up to
5 percent on every transaction.
In the case of lost or stolen credit cards telephone:
American Express - (02) 273 0020
Mastercard / Visa - (02) 299 1990
Currency Exchange Rates
Latest foreign currency rates courtesy of the
Siam
Commercial Bank.
ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines)
ATM |
ATM's or cash machines as they are otherwise
known, can be found in Nathon, Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut and Maenam.
There is normally a handling fee of 1.5 percent for every withdrawal.
Note that some ATM machines do not accept credit cards. Look for the
VISA and MASTERCARD signs. Try not to depend totally on these machines,
as they sometimes run out of cash or go out of order.
Banks & Wiring Money
Western Union sign |
For transactions requiring a teller, there
are banks in Nathon and Chaweng (only).
Banking hours are Monday - Friday 8:30am - 3:30pm.
It is possible to have money wired directly from
a bank in your home country to a bank in Koh Samui. It normally
takes two - five working days to arrive, and costs around US $40
per transaction.
Western Union - has an agent located at the Bangkok
Metropolitan Bank in Nathon. This is the fastest but most expensive
way to send money. Money wired through them should be ready for
collection within twenty minutes of being sent. Note that sending
larger amounts of cash this way is better value as they charge on
a sliding scale.
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Visas
Visas |
For stays of up to 30 days, most foreign passport
holders automatically get a free non-extendable transit visa, providing
they show proof of a confirmed date return ticket by air, sea or any other means of transport via the Thai/Malaysian border.
If you are planning to stay longer than 30 days, you can apply for
a tourist visa for up to 60 days at a Thai embassy or consulate outside
of Thailand. This visa can be extended in Samui up to a further 30 days
at the discretion of officals; extentions cost 1900 baht and are issued
at the immigration office in Nathon.
If you overstay your visa you will be fined 200 baht per extra
day when you depart Thailand.
Note: A passport valid for 6 months beyond intended length of stay
is required by all.
Bottled water |
Water
Drink only bottled water, most hotels will
supply at least one or two bottles daily inside your room. Bottled
water is on sale in various sizes in all supermarkets. Nearly all
restaurants use clean factory-made ice cubes.
Camera Film
Camera film |
The price of film is similar to that in western
countries, and can be purchased in most supermarkets around Samui.
Developing is far less expensive, very good quality and ready within
a few hours. Film developing shops are located in most Samui towns
and resorts.
Laundry
Laundry sign |
Nearly all hotels and resorts on Samui offer
a laundry services, as well as many small laundry businesses around
the island, it is low in cost and ready usually within 24 hours. Charge
is either by item or by kilo and ironing is included in the price.
Postal Service
Thai postbox |
The main post office is in Nathon, there are
sub-branches in Chaweng, Lamai and Maenam - all are located on the
main road. Opening hours are from 9am to 4pm, Monday - Saturday.
The Thai postal service is very reliable and Airmail takes around
7 days to reach Europe. A postcard stamp costs 14 baht and goes by
airmail, stamps can be purchased in most hotels or supermakets. Parcels
can be sent by surface mail (cheapest) but take about 3 months, or
by air-mail parcel service which is almost 3 times as expensive and
takes around a week. A Poste Restante service is operated in Nathon.
Telephone
International Phone |
IDD (International Direct Dialing) is available
from most hotels and travel agents around the island. The outgoing
international code is 001 followed by the relevent country code. The
cheapest way is to phone from a post office or to buy an international
phonecard. These cards can be used at public cardphones - usually
located outside a supermarket where you can buy the cards.
Recently the telephone system on Samui has been upgraded and all local
numbers are now prefixed by 077.
Email and Internet
Internet and email |
For those seeking email and internet services
there will be no problem getting connected here on Samui. Most hotels
now offer this service, as well as many internet cafes and travel
shops around the island - in fact you will be spoilt for choice, especially
in the main resorts of Chaweng and Lamai. Most places charge 1 baht
per minute and a small charge for printing out emails. The cheapest
and best value on the island is at the main post office in Nathon,
where there are many terminals that can be used in air-conditioned
comfort.
Newspapers and Magazines
The Nation & Bangkok Post newspapers |
There are two daily English language newspapers
- the Bangkok Post and the Nation. These are normally a day late,
except in a few top end hotels who have them flown in specially for
their guests.
Foreign national newspapers, magazines and other publications (Time
& Newsweek) can be purchased in some of the bigger supermarkets.
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