General Travellers Information
Getting to Koh Samui
By Air
Bangkok is serviced by all major airlines. You get direct flights from Frankfurt, London, Paris, Zürich and Rome. From Vienna EVA Airways and Austrian Airlines fly directly to Bangkok.
Bangkok Airways services the route from Bangkok to Koh Samui with several daily flights that take 1:20. For bookings, call 66 (0) 2229 3456 (Bangkok) or 66 (0) 7742 2512 8 (Koh Samui).
Flight Shedules to Bangkok and Koh Samui
Actual flight times you can check on the following website:
http://edit.travel.yahoo.com/config/ytravel?resform=YahooFlightsR
Your travel agent has all information on the best rates!
By Train
Trains leave from Hua Lamphong Station in Bangkok to Suratthani every day, from where it is necessary to take a bus to Don Sak and theta ferry across to the islands. For more information, contact 66 (0) 2223 7010.
By Bus
Buses from Bangkok leave frequently for Koh Samui, but the fare does not include the ticket for the ferry. Journey time is around 14 hours. Call 66 (0) 2435 1199 for information about air-conditioned buses, and 66 (0) 2435 5557 8 for information about regular buses.
By Boat (to Koh Samui)
Both passenger and car ferries run from Don Sak Pier, taking about 1:30. to complete the crossing. An express boat leaves Suratthani every morning and takes 2 hrs. 30 mins. There are also overnight boats-one leaving from Suratthani at 21:00 and arriving at 4:00, and the other leaving Ban Don Pier at 23:00 and arriving at Koh Samui at 5:00.
By Boat (to Koh Pha-ngan)
Direct boats from Don Sak Pier to Koh Pha-ngan leave several times a day and take 2:30, while regular ferries from Na Thon on Koh Samui take just an hour. (to Ko Tao) Daily boats between Koh Pha-ngan and Ko Tao take about 2 hours, while those from Koh Samui (which also stop at Koh Pha-ngan) take 3 hours. An alternative port of departure for Ko Tao is from Chumphon on the mainland, from where the journey also takes about 3 hours.
Time Zone
Thailand is seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which is six hours ahead of Central European Winter Time or five hours ahead of Central European Summer Time.
Immigration Regulations
A current passport valid for travel to Thailand with validity not less than 6 months. Please check with your consulate or travel agent for visa requirements.
Compulsory or recommended vaccinations
There are no compulsory vaccinations.
As guest of the Siam Residence Deluxe you will get two complimentary bottles of drinking water each day and in our restaurant we take care on cleanliness and use only the freshest produce.
Generally it is recommended to have vaccination against Tetanus, Diphtherie, and Hepatitis A when travelling to Thailand.
Actual information on recommended vaccinations you will get from at the institute for tropical medicine, from your doctor or pharmacist.
Malaria
Malaria risk is present throughout the year but mainly in rural and forested areas near the borders with Myanmar (Burma), Laos and Cambodia. The risk is very small in major cities such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and the tourist resorts of Pattaya, Phuket, the River Quai bridge area and the Ko Samui islands.
Hospitals and medical care
There are five hospitals to be found on Koh Samui which offer excellent medical services. Travellers must have adequate health insurance to cover private hospital fees. The Samui Governmental Hospital is five minute’s drive from The Siam Residence Deluxe.
Water
In general, people don’t drink tap water, with bottled water being the norm.
Public Holidays
| 1. January | New Year’s Day (Wan Khun Pee Mai) |
| 6. April | Chakri Memorial Day |
| 13.-15. April | Thai New Year (Songkran). The most obvious celebration of Songkran is the throwing of water. People roam the streets with bowls of water, water guns or even a garden hose, and drench each other and passersby. |
| 1. May | Labour Day (Bank Holiday only) |
| 5. May | Coronation Day. Commemorates the coronation of the reigning king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, in 1950. |
| 1. July | Mid-year Day (Bank Holiday only) |
| 12. August | Mother’s Day. Commemorates the birthday of the current queen. |
| 23. October | Chulalongkorn (Wan Piyamaharat). Commemorates King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), anniversary of his death. |
| 5. December | National Day and Fathers Day. Commemorates the birthday of the current king Bhumibol Adulvadei. |
| 10. December | Constitution Day. Commemorates the change to Consitutional Monarchy in 1932. |
| 31. December | New Year’s Eve |
The currency unit is the Thai Baht, denoted by the symbol THB. Foreign currency can be exchanged at local banks and Bureaux de Changes. Most major credit cards are widely accepted.
Tax
Value-added-tax (VAT) of 7% is charged on most items. Foreign visitors to Thailand can have their VAT refunded at the point of departure, if the value of the items exceeds THB 5.000.00 and they are able to produce receipts. For detailed information on VAT refund please see the official information given by the revenue department, please click www.rd.go.th/vrt/engindex.html
Electrical System
220V 50HzHz
Driving
Non-residents are permitted to drive with a driving licence issued and valid in their own country, provided it bears the photograph and signature of the holder and is in English. If your driver’s licence does not meet these requirements, an international driver’s licence is required. In Thailand, motorists drive on the left hand side of the road. The wearing of seatbelts is compulsory. The maximum speed limit in cities and towns is 60km/h (35mph) and varies between 90 and 120 km/h (52-60mph) on expressways and country roads. All insurance is invalid if drivers exceed the legal alcohol limit.
Shopping
Most small shops in Thailand are open from 8 a.m. till 8 p.m. while department stores, major shopping malls and tourist shops open from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. or later in busy areas. Business days are normally Monday to Saturday but most shops in tourist areas also open on Sundays and public holidays. During the Chinese and Thai New Years many shops close for several days.
Population
Thailand: 65,000,000
Koh Samui: 45,000
