One of Thailand’s favorite island destinations, Koh Samui is renowned for its beautiful stretches of white sandy beaches flanked by towering coconut trees.

A beautiful island in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui has large green coconut plantations. It was once a haven of backpackers welcoming a flock of young adventurers who like to explore the exoticism of a tropical island. Even though today it becomes a prime destination, it still maintains an aura of a laidback life style. The island is roughly circular in shape and about 15km in diameter. The central part of the island consists of forested hills. Various lowland areas are connected by a single road that covers the circumference of the island.

Beaches like Hat Chaweng and Hat Lamai are the best and, inevitably, the most visited. The 7km long Chaweng beach is a center of entertainment and beach activities. The sand is soft and fine. It offers good swimming and snorkeling facilities. Beachside cafes and sophisticated cocktail bars are plentiful. A large variety of accommodation is on the offer for every budget and style.

Lamai is less busy than Chaweng. The long perfect white sand crescent of the beach is also considered to be the finest on the island. There are many options in terms of accommodation but the majority are simple bungalows and 3 star resorts.
Indeed, the island has about a dozen of nice beaches where you can sun bath and swim with relatively calm atmosphere. At Maenam Beach, the tranquility is still a main draw. It maintains the old charm of Samui. It is home to both backpackers and well-heeled guests. Some of Samui’ most expensive resorts can be found here.

Na-thon Beach, on the southwest coast of the island, is the major port for fishing and inter-island transportation where you can catch a boat to Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and the mainland in Surat Thani. It is the seat of the regional government and a commercial center of Samui islanders. Souvenir shops, bakeries, second hand bookstores, travel agents and Internet Cafes can be found here. The old Chinese shop houses along the middle street exudes an air of exotic history.

Big Buddha Beach benefits from its proximity to the airport and popular Chaweng Beach. It is named after a big-seated Buddha statue that enshrines a local temple. The beach is lined with budget to mid-price bungalows. Many of them have restaurants overlooking the beach. Big Buddha Beach is also a place where you can catch a ferry or speedboat to Had Rin on the island of Koh Pha Ngan – home of the famous Full Moon Party.

Next to Big Buddha Beach is Choeng Mon Beach. It is made up of a series of bays on the northern edge of the island. The relatively peaceful beach is dominated by some three to five star resorts.

The most remote beach on the island, Taling Ngam appeals to those who want to get away from the crowds. Le Royal Meridian Baan Taling Ngam, one of Samui’s foremost luxury resorts, is located here.

Hua Thanon and Bang Kao are perhaps the least developed beaches. Only a few resorts scatter along these serene beaches.

Koh Samui has one airport that services daily flights from Bangkok and some countries in Southeast Asia. Alternatively, you can catch a bus from Bangkok to the pier in Surat Thani; then take a ferry to the island. Reflecting Samui’s growth as a tourist destination, the Cunard ship MS Queen Victoria is scheduled to dock at Samui during its 2008 world cruise.

Chaweng Beach: the longest and most beautiful beach
Of all of Koh Samui’s beaches, Chaweng Beach gets top votes among tourists for its length and beauty, with many places to swim, sunbathe and enjoy various water sports, or stop by the shopping markets, bars and restaurants.

Situated on the island’s east coast, Chaweng Beach divides into several beachfront areas such as Chaweng Neu Beach (North Chaweng), Chaweng Klang Beach (Middle Chaweng), Chaweng Noi Beach (Little Chaweng), and Chaweng Tai Beach (South Chaweng). The first two are good for swimming, diving, and nighttime action; the others are quieter and more peaceful. Visitors need to take note that skin-diving in this area is best between May and October.

As the sun slowly ducks under the horizon of the Gulf of Thailand, daytime fun gives way to nighttime pursuits along this two-kilometer beach helped by light and sound from nearby pubs, bars, restaurants, and souvenir shops that stay open till late.
Lamai Beach: sand, sea, and the two phallic rocks
Most tourists visit Lamai Beach when it’s at its best, and most suitable for swimming, between December and May, July and August. The four-kilometer-beach has three distinct areas: Lamai Neu Beach (North Lamai), a fishing village, good for local scenery; Lamai Klang Beach (Middle Lamai), good for swimming and the liveliest spot of all, and Lamai Tai Beach (South Lamai) the rocky location of Hin Ta and Hin Yai (grandfather and grandmother), two phallic-like symbols carved by the forces of nature that have to be seen to be believed.

Taling Ngam Beach: best beach in the west
The private beach of Taling Ngam Beach, with its fine, white sand and safe swimming, is considered by many to be the premier beach on Samui’s western coast. Situated 10 km south of Na Thon, this is the location of Le Royal Meridien Baan Taling Ngam a five-star resort that enjoys world acclaim. The beach overlooks the nearby island of Koh Ha and is a great place to watch sunsets.

A tranquil and peaceful location, with added color from local folk’s cottages dotted along the beach, it is quite easy to access other parts of Samui from Taling Ngam Beach via the coast road.

Thong Yang Beach: beach by the ferry
Northward from Taling Ngam Beach is Thong Yang Beach, a long beach known for its peaceful and quiet atmosphere, where a few tourists drop by for a swim or just to relax.

The quiet stretch of beach from Taling Ngam Beach to Thong Yang Beach is the site of coconut farms and patches of course, brown sand. The beach is bordered by a headland with a small hill with good views over the small island of Koh Ha. To the rear are a number of reasonably priced resorts. Around the headland lies Li Pa Noi Beach.

The waters here are quite deep and serve as a port, making the ferry at Thong Yang Beach another important center of transportation on Koh Samui with two-hour ferry crossings to Don Leuk, the port of Surat Thani. The ferry is large enough for vehicles.
Mae Nam Beach: north coast beach and port
Mae Nam Beach is a long stretch of coastline on Koh Samui’s northern coast adjacent to Laem Na Phra Lan with a 4-km-long beach that shelves steeply making it suitable as a port. Laem Phra Lan port offers speedboat services mainly to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao to the north.

Mae Nam, with its quiet, spacious beach shaded by pines and coconut trees, and clean, clear waters, is one of the oldest communities on Koh Samui. Tourists visiting here will find some bungalows, resorts and seafood restaurants lining the beach area.

Bo Phut Beach: backpackers’ paradise
The peaceful bay of Bo Phut Beach lies between Mae Nam Beach and Phra Yai Beach on Koh Samui’s northern coast; good for swimming in parts, but also offering port facilities and a stretch of seafood restaurants.

Visitors can get a glimpse of the lifestyle of the local fishing community, while Ao Bo Phut is a jumping-off point for trips to Koh Tao or Ang Thong Marine National Park. During peak travel periods, speedboats leave daily from Bo Phut Beach to Koh Tao.

One of the best areas on Koh Samui for seafood, restaurants in Bo Phut beach area offer tasty dishes at palatable prices; there are also a number of economically priced bungalows that makes this spot a backpackers’ paradise.

Thong Sai Bay: a private beach with a world renowned resort
Not too many beaches have gained popularity through their proximity to first-class accommodation, but at Thong Sai Bay on Koh Samui’s northeastern corner, this is evident at the world-renowned resort of Ban Thong Sai.

Although quite small, Thong Sai beach is one of Koh Samui’s most attractive. Curved, with clean, white sand sandwiched between a deep blue sea and lush vegetation, the Ban Thong Sai beach resort management combines accommodation and service with environmental concern.

Cheung Mon Beach: a bay of peacefulness and tranquility
Also in the northeast of Koh Samui, south from Thon Sai Bay and closer to Samui airport, Cheung Mon Beach is a white sandy bay with an exceptionally beautiful beach in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.

Far from the local community, Cheung Mon Beach is a curved bay of fine white sand beside a deep blue sea that beckons swimmers. The small island of Koh Fan Noi is a short distance from the beach and can be accessed on foot at low tide. This location is not far from the busier beaches and tourist attractions at Had Chaweng further down the east coast.

Suvarnabhumi Airport covers an area of 8,000 acres. This international airport is indeed located in Samut Prakarn Province, 25 km from downtown Bangkok. The Passenger Terminal complex is accessible via five routes.

• Access route from the North via the motorway. The elevated frontage of the terminal is divided into inner and outer parts of both the arrival and the departure halls.
• Access route from the Northwest via the Rom Klao elevated highway and Wat King Kaew Road, which passes the customs free zone before arriving at the terminal.
• Access route from the South via the Bang Na-Trat highway and the service road, which passes the long term parking area and the public transportation centre before arriving at the terminal.
• Access route from the Northeast via the Lad Kra Bung (Onnuj Road), then through the east-west main service road within the airport, the long term parking area and the public transportation centre before arriving at the terminal.
• Access route from the West via Wat King Kaew Road.

There are elevated frontages on the 1st, 2nd and 4th floor of the terminal complex; these divide into 2 parts: inner and outer. Public transport vehicles are forbidden to park in this area.

For those who arrive at the airport, there are several kinds of transportation available, including limousine, car rental, taxi and airport bus. The public transportation center covers an area of 42,000 square meters; it is located adjacent to the catering facilities of Bangkok Catering Company Limited and LSG Sky Chefs. The area of the public transportation center is used for parking by taxis, limousines and rented cars. A bus terminal is situated within the center for the public mass transport system and petrol stations and convenience stores.

• Car Park
• BMTA Public Bus and Luxury Van
• Airport Bus Express
• Intercity Bus
• Airport Shuttle Bus (24 Hour Service)
• Public Transportation center
• AOT Limousine (24 Hour Service)
• Public Taxi (24 Hour Service)
• Car Rental (24 Hour Service)

More information on Suvarnabhumi Airport

Travellers are required to hold a passport valid for not less than 6 months after entry into Thailand. For travellers aged 50 years or above wishing to take retreat in Thailand at least for a period of one year, their passports should be valid not less than 18 months. Before traveling, check that your embassy can replace your passport if it is misplaced. Make copies of the identification of yourself and of your family in case of emergency. If you lose your passport, contact the police and your embassy/consulate immediately.

Passport holders of 39 countries (see list below), including the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most European and Southeast Asian countries are automatically permitted to stay in Thailand for 30 days on a tourist visa status (no visa application needed). This 30-day tourist visa can be extended for before exceeding the permitted period at the Office of Immigration Bureau at Soi Suan Plu.
Ordinary and national passport holders of three countries—Peru, Brazil and Korea– that have concluded agreement on the visa exemption with Thailand are permitted to stay up to 90 days.

Passport holders from other 14 countries (see list below) get 15-day temporary tourist visa or visa on arrival. The visa on arrival will be provided at 23 designated international checkpoints (see list below). Applicants are required to attach their 2.5-inches photograph with their application form. The application fee is BHT300. Visitors who enter the kingdom with visa on arrival generally cannot file an application for extension of stay except in special cases such as illness which prevents them from traveling, etc. They can submit an application at the Office of Immigration Bureau at Soi Suan Plu, South Sathorn Road.

Alternatively, you can apply for visa at a Thai embassy/consulate in your country for a 30-day transit visa or a 60-day tourist visa with the fee of THB200 and THB300, respectively. Both visa types are extendable within the permitted period of stay. However, it is obligatory that passport holders of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Sudan, Algeria, Libya, Yemen, Egypt and Palestinian States are required to file an application at the Thai Embassy/Consulate-General where they have their permanent residence.
Visa extensions are available at the Office of Immigration Bureau, Immigration Division 1, Soi Suan Plu, South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120. Tel. (662) 287-3127 or 287-3101-10 ext. 2264-5. Whatever your nationality and travel plans, confirm entry conditions.

Official agencies in charge of issuing visas are:
1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2. The Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates abroad
3. The Office of Immigration Bureau
NB.
- From August 26, 2003, the Office of Immigration Bureau will require the application fees for the transit and tourist visas to be THB800 and THB1,000, respectively.

- Overstaying your visas for more than 24 hours will be fined for THB200 a day upon leaving Thailand from airports. However, if exiting the country through immigration checkpoints, overstaying visitors will be fined THB200 a day even if the overstaying time does not exceed 24 hours.
More information about applying for a Thai Visa http://www.mfa.go.th/web/12.php#temp or http://www.thaiembdc.org/consular/visa/visa.htm.

List of 39 countries eligible for a 30-day tourist visa
1. Australia : Commonwealth of Australia
2. Austria : Republic of Austria
3. Belgium : Kingdom of Belgium
4. Brazil : Federative Republic of Brazil
5. Bahrain : State of Bahrain
6. Brunei Darussalam : Negara Brunei Darussalam
7. Canada
8. Denmark : Kingdom of Denmark
9. Finland : Republic of Finland
10. France : French Republic
11. Germany : Federal Republic of Germany
12. Greece : Hellenic Republic
13. Hong Kong : Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
14. Indonesia : Republic of Indonesia
15. Ireland : Republic of Ireland
16. Israel : State of Israel
17. Italy : Republic of Italy
18. Japan
19. Korea : Republic of Korea
20. Kuwait : State of Kuwait
21. Luxembourg : Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
22. Malaysia
23. Netherlands : Kingdom of the Netherlands
24. New Zealand
25. Norway : Kingdom of Norway
26. Peru : Republic of Peru
27. Philippines : Republic of the Philippines
28. Portugal : Republic of Portugal
29. Qatar : State of Qatar
30. Singapore : Republic of Singapore
31. Spain : Kingdom of Spain
32. South Africa : Republic of South Africa
33. Sweden : Kingdom of Sweden
34. Switzerland : Swiss Confederation
35. Turkey : Republic of Turkey
36. United Arab Emirates
37. United Kingdom : United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
38. United States of America
39. Vietnam : Socialist Republic of Vietnam

List of 14 countries eligible for a 15-Day visa on arrival

1. Bhutan : Kingdom of Bhutan
2. China : People’s Republic of China (including Taiwan)
3. Cyprus : Republic of Cyprus
4. Czech : Czech Republic
5. Hungary : Republic of Hungary
6. India : Republic of India
7. Kazakhstan : Republic of Kazakhstan
8. Maldives : Republic of Maldives
9. Mauritius : Republic of Mauritius
10. Oman : Sultanate of Oman
11. Poland : Republic of Poland
12. Russian Federation
13. Saudi Arabia : Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
14. Ukraine

List of Thailand’s Immigration Checkpoints that provides facilities for issuance of visa on arrival

1. Don Muang International Airport , Bangkok
2. Chiangmai International Airport , Chiangmai
3. Phuket International Airport , Phuket
4. Hatyai International Airport , Songkla
5. U Tapao Airport , Rayong
6. Mae Sai Immigration Checkpoint , Chiengrai
7. Chieng Saen Immigration Checkpoint , Chiengrai
8. Chieng Khong Immigration Checkpoint , Chiengrai
9. Betong Immigration Checkpoint , Yala
10. Sadoa Immigration Checkpoint , Songkla
11. Samui Airport , Surat Thani
12. Sukhothai International Airport, Tak Immigration Checkpoint
13. Bangkok Harbour Immigration Checkpoint, Bangkok
14. Sri Racha Immigration Checkpoint , Chonburi
15. Mabtaput Immigration Checkpoint , Rayong
16. Nong Khai Immigration Checkpoint, Nong Khai
17. Samui Immigration Checkpoint , Surat Thani
18. Phuket Immigration Checkpoint , Phuket
19. Satun Immigration Checkpoint , Satun
20. Krabi Immigration Checkpoint , Krabi
21. Songkhla Harbour Immigraion Checkpoint , Songkhla
22. Chiangrai Airport Immigration Checkpoint, Chiangrai
23. Surat Thani Airport Immigration Checkpoint , Surat Thani

List of countries which have concluded agreement on the exemption of visa requirement with Thailand

- Country which has concluded agreement on the exemption of visa requirement for holders of diplomatic, official and ordinary passports with Thailand and permitted to stay for 90 days:
Republic of Peru

- List of Countries which have concluded agreement on the exemption of visa requirement for holders of national passport with Thailand and permitted to stay for 30 and 90 days:

90 Days
1.Brazil
2. Republic of Korea

30 Days
1. Hong Kong SAR
2. Socialist Republic of Vietnam
3. Macao Special Administrative Region

Navigating Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport is straightforward, but first-time fliers may appreciate these few tips:
Upon leaving the aircraft, follow the signs for Immigration (you can use the moving walkways). Line up at a desk marked foreign passports. Once the officer has stamped your passport, go down to Baggage Claim and find the carousel displaying your flight number. Collect your luggage and continue through Customs; take the green gate if you do not have anything to declare and the red gate if you do. You will have completed a customs form on the plane; hand this to the official as you pass through to the Arrivals Hall.

The Arrivals Hall is where you will find Currency Exchange, Tourist Information and Hotel Reservation. You can take taxis into the city from the Pre-paid Taxi booth outside the Arrivals Hall. You pay a fixed fee to your destination and take the next cab. A hundred meters away, the Airport Bus service goes to major destinations in the city for 70 baht. Ignore taxi drivers and hotel touts who try to steer you away – they usually rip people off.

Bus stops for the airport bus

A3 Route
Bus Stop			Nearby Hotel
1.		Sukhumvit Soi 3/1, Nana	Amari Bouleward, Bel-aire
2.		Sukhumvit Soi 7/1	Park Hotel
3.		Sukhumvit Soi 11	Ambassador Hotel
4.		Sukhumvit Soi 15	Manhattan Hotel, Somerset Hotel
5.		Sukhumvit Soi 19	Westin Sukhumvit Hotel
6.		Sukhumvit Soi 23	Taipan Hotel, Windsor Hotel
7.		Sukhumvit Soi 27	Euro Inn
8.		Sukhumvit Soi 33	Novotel Sukhumvit Hotel
9.		Sukhumvit Soi 35	Emporium Department Store
10.		Sukhumvit Soi 49	Rex Hotel
11.		Sukhumvit Soi 55	BTS skytrain station Thonglor
12.		Eastern Bus Terminal	Ekamai Eastern Buss Terminal
A4 Route
Bus Stop			Nearby Hotel
1.		Dindang
2.		Victory Monument
3.		Soi Rangnam
4.		99 Hotel
5.		BTS Skytrain Station Phayathai
6.		Live Stock Department
7.		BTS Skytrain Station Rachatewee	Asia Hotel
8.		Siam Square	Novotel Siam Hotel
9.		Maboonkrong (MBK)	Pathumwan Princess Hotel
10.		Chulalongkorn University
11.		Mandarin Hotel
12.		Bangkok Centre Hotel
13.		Hua Lumphong Railway Station

When buying your ticket, ensure the status is ‘OK.’ If you book far ahead, phone to confirm your reservation at least 72 hours before you fly. Many airlines operate no-smoking flights; check beforehand. Get to the airport and check in two hours before

the flight, as latecomers sometimes lose their seats to standby passengers. Arriving early means you can choose your seat. With window seats, you do not have people climbing over you to visit the bathroom throughout the flight. Beware of non-reclining seats in front of partitions and emergency exits. Seats behind emergency exits have more legroom. On the plane, take a pen for Thai immigration and customs forms and some reading material. Avoid alcohol – drink water. Stretch and take regular walks around the plane. During descent, clear the pressure in your ears by swallowing and yawning. At the airport, report any baggage claim problems promptly.