Koh Samui & Koh Phangan

[lopes2017]

Hi there,

just wondering whether anyone has any tips on Koh Samui & Koh Phangan. I am heading there for 2-3 weeks with my wife over late December and early January.

We have booked accommodation (in Chaweng Beach). Interested if anyone has any tips on:

1. sightseeing (things to do)
2. places to eat (or avoid)
3. Tourist traps (things to avoid)

Grateful if anyone could help

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Havea read of the Lonely Planet Travel Forum.

It has a lot of posts on Thailand and specifically a lot of good info on scams, travel tips, locations etc.

 

[Chimpy]

Also trip advisor forums
-
Koh Samui Forum, Travel Discussion for Koh Samui - TripAdvisor
&
Ko Phangan Forum, Travel Discussion for Ko Phangan - TripAdvisor

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Only advise I can think of for the islands is try to avoid renting things (cars/scooters/jet skis). While these things are cheap to rent the owners can sometimes accuse you of damaging your rental when you didn't upon returning them.

Also with day trips/speedboat trips/sightseeing remember these can all be bargained down. A day trip that costs you 3000 baht booked from your hotel can be had for 1200 baht down at the pier/beach where the main operators are.

Always be polite but firm with the locals and you will have a great time!

 

[Alanslegal]

Only advise I can think of for the islands is try to avoid renting things (cars/scooters/jet skis). While these things are cheap to rent the owners can sometimes accuse you of damaging your rental when you didn't upon returning them.

Back in 2007 when my mates and I were in Koh Phangan we had to fork out 10,000BHT for a small scratch & dent on one of the six scooters were hired. (Those scooters were around $7aud per day to hire!!!) As we were leaving the party island that day, we ended up paying because one of my mates had placed his passport as a surety/bond, so it was either fork out the 10,000BHT or You Wont get Your Passport back!

But to be fair, even though in the end it cost 10,000BHT, the scooter hire in Koh Phangnan was awesome and we ended up riding all around the very small island. Seeing some absolutely natural sights and run-down towns. We also rode up this huge mountain along a very muddy track (which I assume was designed for horses but wide enough for trucks) but the lookout towards the mountain and oceans were breathless.

Although I've also visited Koh Samui, all I recall was that Chatweng Beach had grey waters when I was there and did not look like the super clear blue waters I see in the magazines We stayed at Chaba Samui Resort? and was nice and comfy and right on the said beach.