KOH SAMUI
An island paradise
Koh Samui is undoubtedly one of Thailand's gems! This idyllic island is located in the Gulf of Thailand, about 600km south of Bangkok . Samui has been a backpackers' destination since the late 70's and has been able to retain its relaxed, safe and exotic environment, whilst enjoying a significant increase in tourism in recent years. The natural beauty and charm of the island will captivate you, and like many others, you won't want to leave the tropical beaches fringed with coconut palms.
The local people, like Thai people in general, are friendly, generous and gracious hosts, and welcome visitors and residents alike to experience the Thai culture and environment. Click here for more information on Thailand.
Things to Do and Places to See
Island TEFL's 4-week course runs from Monday to Friday, with evenings and weekends generally free. This gives you plenty of time to take advantage of what is on offer for you to do and see on Samui and surrounding islands. Samui has something for everyone, and all can be enjoyed on a limited budget!
Important Note: Koh Samui and surrounding islands were NOT affected by the tragedy of the Dec 2004 tsunami.
Diving, Snorkelling, Kayaking & Hiking
Samui has many “sister islands”. Two of the most well known are Koh Tao (one of the best diving/snorkelling islands in Asia ) and Koh Phangan (famous for its' Full Moon Parties). Both these islands are a short boat trip from Samui and are great places to take a short break and have some more fun! Both islands offer a range of accommodation, but are geared more to backpackers.
About one hour from Samui by speedboat is the Ang Thong National Marine Park . This world renowned archipelago of small islands is considered a natural wonder of the world. The snorkelling and diving there is excellent, and the best way to explore the many inlets and reefs around the park is by Sea Kayaking. The park boasts a spectacular inland lake and caves, which makes it perfect for hiking.
Island TEFL works closely with one of Samui's safest and most respected dive companies, 100 Degrees East, to ensure our trainees are in good hands if they choose to get adventurous. The team there provide a range of activities and are able to offer Island TEFL trainees a 10% discount on all bookings.
Swimming, Water Sports & Relaxation
There is no more beautiful place to earn your new qualification than on Samui, where sun and fun are unavoidable! Samui is renowned for its' white sandy beaches, lush tropical landscape and cool, blue waters.
Samui beaches (and there are plenty of them!) are safe and clean, and the perfect location for relaxing and unwinding. Many bungalow complexes offer a very affordable Thai massage on the beach, just to make sure you're fully relaxed! Of course, Samui also has numerous, more “up market” Spa complexes dotted around the island. While prices here are more expensive than a beach massage, again, they are a fraction of the price you would expect to pay at home. The standard of these spas is world class, and various options/packages are available for those who want to pamper themselves!
However, if lying on a tropical beach is not fun-filled enough for you, there are numerous water sports just waiting to be enjoyed! Apart from swimming and snorkelling, you can ride the waves on a jet ski, or take a leisurely paddle in a kayak. Hone those water skiing skills, go sailing or learn to kite-board. How about a spot of fishing? Local companies will organise a “day on the bay”, and even BBQ your catch for you!
Action Activities
If you're the type of person who needs an adrenalin rush now and then or you just want to get the blood pumping, Samui has many action/adventure activities on offer.
Bungy jumping and canopy riding will give you an exhilarating view of the island, whilst paintball, go-karting, frisbee golf and mountain biking will release some of that tension!
Samui has its own Thai Boxing Stadium, with fight nights twice a week. Or if you want to take a step further than just spectating, you can take a Thai Boxing course – a great way to keep fit and learn a new skill.
More Laid Back Activities
Not all of us are into adrenalin, and Samui certainly has lots to offer to those who like a more “laid back” experience.
All of Samui's sights/attractions are within easy driving/riding distance from wherever you stay. You can actually ride around the whole island in an hour, if you want!
Take a refreshing dip at one of the island's waterfalls; trek through the jungle on an elephant; visit one of the many Wats (temples) or other popular attractions.
Shopping
Remember what we said about travelling light? One of the reasons for that is that you'll need room in your bags for the incredible shopping bargains you can find on Samui!
Everything you may want or need is available. From the famous copy watches, designer label t-shirts and pirated CD's, to that unique memento chosen from the excellent local products for sale.
As the number of visitors coming to Samui increases, so does the number of shops and stalls selling everything that your money can buy! From a huge supermarket (for those essentials!), to smart shops in every town, to an ambient local market – you're sure to find what you're looking for.
Nightlife
One of the things that attract people to Koh Samui is the amazing nightlife. Chaweng and Lamai are the two main entertainment areas, with everything from vibrant nightclubs, sports bars (to check up on the football scores!), live music venues with top class bands, karaoke bars, cosy “pubs”, to ten pin bowling and shooting some pool. Whatever your taste in a fun night out is, you'll find it here.
Of course, before you head out for a night on the town, you'll want to eat! Again, whatever your taste, Samui has it! And it's so easy to “eat cheap” as well. The majority of the smaller Thai-run cafes and restaurants (and even the tiny food stalls) have excellent food at unbelievably cheap prices, so the budget doesn't have to take too much of a beating!
Western food is readily available, with Italian, Mexican, Indian, English, Irish, and even Australian restaurants and cafes everywhere. The hardest part is making a choice!
One of the nicest things about Samui is the balance between being entertained and having peace and quiet. Although, as you can see, Samui boasts a vibrant and varied array of entertainment options, the locations of these are contained to the two main areas, leaving the rest of the island much quieter and more relaxed. For that reason, the location of Island TEFL is ideal – away from the hustle bustle, in a tranquil setting, but close enough (only 15 minutes) for you to be able to easily access the nightlife when you get the urge!
Getting to Samui
There are different options for travelling to Samui to start your new teaching career. The most convenient and time-effective is by air, but cheaper options are available. You will most likely be starting off from Bangkok, so the following information may help.
Air: Bangkok Airways have numerous daily flights from Bangkok direct to Samui. Check out their site for details – www.bangkokair.com
Thai Airways fly from Bangkok to Suratthani (on the mainland) twice daily. From there, it's a short ferry ride to Nathon, Samui's port town. www.thaiairways.com
Bus: If you want a more economical way to travel, take the VIP bus from Bangkok to Suratthani, then hop on the ferry. You can buy a ticket from just about any travel agent in Bangkok . The ferry is often included in the price. Be aware that the bus trip takes about 12 hours, but from all accounts, is quite comfortable, with non-stop movies playing throughout the journey, just in case you can't sleep!
Train: Another great way to travel is the night train from Bangkok to Suratthani. Sleeping cars are comfortable. A little more expensive than the bus, but you'll get a good night's sleep!
We strongly recommend that you plan to arrive on Samui at least 2 days before the islandTEFL course begins. This will give you plenty of time to settle in, get over your jet-lag and check out this amazing island.
No matter which way you decide to travel to Samui for our course, we will provide either airport or ferry pickups free, and take you straight to your accommodation.
Help us in preparing for your arrival by providing us with your travel arrangements via email at as soon as your travel plans are confirmed and at least one week prior to your scheduled arrival time.
Climate and What to Wear
The average climate conditions on Samui are tropical throughout the year – hot and humid during the day with cool, temperate breezes at night. Monsoon season lasts from July through November. During this time, tropical rains fall mainly in the afternoon, with the remainder of the day offering clear skies and stunning sunsets. Daily highs average 30-34°C in the hottest months, with a night time low of around 21°C.
Light clothing is the order of the day. Don't worry about bringing too much clothing with you, as everything can be purchased locally, at a fraction of the price you would pay at home. Our best advice is to travel light – remember, you'll be the one carrying your luggage!
Visa Information
All visitors to Thailand are required to carry a passport valid for at least 6 months after arrival date.
For Package A: 4-week TEFL course only:
Our best advice to you is to apply for a visa before leaving home. A tourist visa allows you to stay for 60 days, and may be extended at the discretion of the Immigration Office. You need to enter Thailand within 90 days of the visa being issued, otherwise it will be invalid. Before travelling to Thailand , visit the Thai Embassy in your country or ask your travel agent for advice.
For Packages B & C: 4-week TEFL course plus volunteer placement or job placement:
Same advice as for Package A. Once you begin your new teaching or volunteer placement, the school should supply you will all the paperwork required for your new work visa and work permit. Again, the team at islandTEFL will be there to assist you in any way we can.
Health
Vaccinations are not necessary for Thailand.
The last thing anyone wants is to be in a position to actually need a hospital or doctor, but, of course, there is the possibility, like anywhere, that you will. Your mind can be put at rest if you're concerned that facilities here may not be up to western standards. In many ways, they surpass them. Medical facilities on Samui are excellent, with five top standard hospitals as well as various clinics and opticians.
Although the cost of treatment here is again much lower than western countries, we strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance before travelling, to ensure that your hard-earned money can be spent on better things!
Important Note: Koh Samui has never had an outbreak of the Asiatic Bird (or Chicken) Flu, or SARS. Malaria is not a concern in this area, and as some anti-malaria treatments can have nasty side-effects, our advice is that they are not necessary. However, consult your doctor about this before leaving home if you have any concerns.
Getting Around Samui
Koh Samui is a relatively large island in the region, but is still small enough to be easily accessible.
The easiest ways to make your way around the island are by songthaew (a small truck-like taxi) or motorbike taxi. Always negotiate and agree to a price before accepting the ride. These forms of transport are much cheaper than the metered taxis on the island.
Motorbikes, scooters and jeeps are available for hire locally. The average price for motorbike rental is around 200bt per day. This price includes a helmet, which for your personal safety, we strongly recommend you wear. Jeep rental is usually around 800bt per day. Our advice is to get an International Drivers Licence before leaving home. Other licences will be generally accepted by the local traffic police, but possessing an IDL is always a definite advantage.
The most economical way of getting around is, of course, a bicycle! There are plenty around for hire, and just think how fit you'll get and the sights you can take in at a more leisurely pace!
