Questions/Info on Koh Samui

[timmitch]

Well im off to Koh Samui with the other half for 10days leaving on the 7th of June and have a few questions.

1. Whats the best phone/internet to get to use on my iphone so i am not gettting a surprise bill when i get home?
2. Any good suit makers? Since i have about 5 weddings in the second half of the year so would like to get 2 suits made.
3. We are looking to get married there around the same time next year so are looking for a place has anyone done this or know of anyone? Just wondering if there is anything to look out for
4. Anything i should know about flying into Bangkok?

Thanks Tim

 

[smit0847]

Re: Info For Koh Samui

Won't your accommodation have free wifi? If this is connected I believe iphone to iphone text messages will be free (the ones that send as blue rather than green). Wifi is a very basic requirement of high-tourist areas like Koh Samui nowadays and I would be hesitant to stay somewhere without it as it would make me wonder what else they do not provide.

Unlike a lot of people on this forum, I LOVE BKK airport. I think the curved steel and glass design is beautiful. I actually like it more than Changi which to me feels like a never-ending casino (I think its the carpet). There have been news articles about how painfully slow immigration at BKK is. If you are flying into BKK intl ensure you have several hours to make your connecting flight. I've never had any issues flying domestically in Thailand.

If you are flying Thai down to Samui you may be on a 747 which is a novel experience for a 1 hour flight!

Dont hire a jetski in Samui if you dont want to get ripped off.

 

[timmitch]

Re: Info For Koh Samui

i believe the accommodation will have wifi. I am not sure how long we have between flights i will have to check bookings. We are booked to fly thai from melb so should be an interesting few flights. As for the the jet ski i wont be hiring one as i have two of them home here. Anything you suggest to do? I will have my basic camera gear with me so would like to ind some nice spots for some photos.

 

[Archphoto]

Re: Info For Koh Samui

If you decide to grab a sim card - go AIS as it has coverage all over the island unlike DTAC and True, which can be patchy.

You may or may not have free WiFi and it can be slow, non-existant and drop out at a moments notice (or all 3 if you're lucky! ). I actually use AIS' mobile network for WiFi whenever I can't get the hotel's (or it's slooooow) - switch on the WiFi Hotspot option and all my devices connect quite happily.

(Just got back from a photoshoot at Conrad Koh Samui - the wifi was ok in most areas of the resort; thankfully I could still use my phone's mobile wifi on those occasions that the hotel's let me down.)

 

[ajca]

Re: Info For Koh Samui

If you decide to grab a sim card - go AIS as it has coverage all over the island unlike DTAC and True, which can be patchy.

You may or may not have free WiFi and it can be slow, non-existant and drop out at a moments notice (or all 3 if you're lucky! ). I actually use AIS' mobile network for WiFi whenever I can't get the hotel's (or it's slooooow) - switch on the WiFi Hotspot option and all my devices connect quite happily.

(Just got back from a photoshoot at Conrad Koh Samui - the wifi was ok in most areas of the resort; thankfully I could still use my phone's mobile wifi on those occasions that the hotel's let me down.)

Good tip re: going with AIS sim card instead of DTAC or True. I had real trouble finding places that would sell a SIM card on its own in Thailand really difficult (even at MBK) and ended up with a True one which was pretty useless especially on Koh Samui.

How was the Conrad? Nice place for a photo shoot! I had trouble with the in-villa wifi there earlier this year but discovered that we were overloading it with 6+ devices (two phones, two laptops, two iPads)! Once we took the phones and one of the iPads off the network it worked fine. It's a pretty spectacular place though so I could ALMOST live without wifi at all there.

 

[Archphoto]

Re: Info For Koh Samui

I too had problems with the wifi - but only after the electricity changeover; had to reboot which was a pain.

I'm surprised you had a hard time getting a SIM, as they have kiosks at BKK Airport after you head out of the arrivals gate (AIS & True), or you can pick up at one of the numerous phone stores. (coughet Airport hands out AIS cards, Chiang Mai hands out True.)

Yes, it is a nice place; pity it was for work - you never really get the chance to relax on these shoots and truly enjoy the places you're shooting. In one day, shoot for 3-10 days, out the next and off to the next place to start the cycle all over again.

Anyone contemplating a trip to KS and looking for a hideaway that has all the comforts of home - check it out. Could be exactly what you're looking for.