February 5, 2006
Thailand vacation, staying in Koh Samui
Soon, I'm going to be posting a vacation plan for Samui and Bangkok, but first a word about getting there and hotel recommendations.
You'll first need to fly into Bangkok. Naturally, you'd want to check with your local travel agent and do a few searches online (I like mobissimo.com). Some people are afraid of Thai Airways, but I've flown thema few times and the service is pretty good. On a short flight from Hong Kong to Taipei, they must have given my friend and I 10 beers between us (they seemed proud when we told them how delicious Thai beer is).
Anyway, get to Bangkok. Then you'll probably fly to Koh Samui (I understand it's possible to take a train and then a ferry but I'm not sure how it's done) on Bangkok Airways for about 150.00/person round trip.
Day 1 in Koh Samui: Check into your hotel. A friend of mine strongly recommends a kind of bungalow which was "real good, clean and cheap." It is in Lamai Beach, which is the second most popular beach in Samui. It's less expensive and less crowded than Chaweng. The name of the place is Lamai-Wanta. You can probably ask the taxy driver but just in case he does not know it, you can ask to go to Marina. It's right next to that. My friend "stayed in a small room, which had a great shower with hot water, an airconditioner, a television, a bed, and a fridge inside and some chairs and a table outside, for 800 Baht for a night. Oh, and it is for two. I feel like I'm working for Lamai-Wanta, hehe. It was that good. Believe me, there is nothing better if you want a cheap, clean and good one." (The price has probably increased).
It has a beach right in front of it and pubs and restaurants behind it. You can email them at lamaiwanta@hotmail.com or call at +66 77 424550. And the address is 124/264 Moo 3, Tumbon Maret, Koh Samui, Surat Thani, Thailand 84310.
Le Royal Meridien Baan Taling Ngam is another hotel that comes recommended. The hhone number is 77-423019 and the address is 295 Moo 3, Taling Ngam Beach, Koh Samui, 84140, Thailand.
This hotel is said to have remarkable service. It's isolated from the throngs of tourists because it's located on the other side of the island. "The food was great, the private beach relaxing, and swimming in that pool gives you feeling like no other." However, they do say it is difficult to get off the hotel grounds.
So soon I'll post the Bangkok and Koh Smui travel plan. Stay tuned!
Posted by James Trotta at February 5, 2006 12:30 AM
Dude, at least learn how to spell Bangkok correctly.
Posted by: jeff at February 5, 2006 3:36 AMdude,
If you stay at any guesthouse in Bangkok on kosain road. You can figure out a better travel plan to Koh Samui. Take the train and the ferry if you have time I had a blast.The people you meet make it all worth while, flying domistic is for whimps not travelers.
Have fun
Posted by: todd at February 5, 2006 12:52 PMi agree with todd,the train is great,the last time i used it we had a full on party in the buffet carriage,disco ball,thai pop music blaring,a great night.second class fan sleeper train is the way to go..air con is way too cold..
lamai wanta is great value for money,i know many people that have stayed there with no camplaints..for train from bangers you leave from hualampong station,the new underground goes straight there,it joins with the skytrain at sala daeng and asoke. or it's a 40 baht taxi from the national stadium skytrain station..