KOH SAMUI

An island paradise

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 see and experience Samui and its 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 wide range of accommodations, 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 many inlets and reefs around the park can be explored by renting a sea kayak. 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 at these spas are more expensive than a beach massage, 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!

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, 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 into adrenalin or simply enjoy getting your blood pumping, Samui has many action/adventure opportunities.

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 money can buy. From a huge supermarket (for those essentials!), to smart shops in every town, to local markets you're sure to find what you're looking for.

Nightlife
One of the things that attracts 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, cozy “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. Whatever your taste, Samui has it and it's easy to “eat cheap” if you're on a budget. The majority of the smaller Thai-run cafes and restaurants (and even the tiny food stalls) have excellent food at unbelievably low 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 might be making a choice!

One of the nicest things about Samui is the balance between being entertained and having peace and quiet. Samui boasts a vibrant and varied array of entertainment options, but the locations of these venues 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 and 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 has numerous daily flights from Bangkok direct to Samui. Check out their site for details – www.bangkokair.com
Thai Airways flies 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 and the sleeping cars offer a comfortable option. 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 Island TEFL 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 accommodations.

Help us in preparing for your arrival by providing us with your travel arrangements via email at info@islandtefl.com 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 (90F) in the hottest months, with a night time low of around 21°C (70F).

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 Island TEFL will be here 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. You can rest assured that Thai hospitals are built and run 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. Should you require care, this will 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 rentals are usually around 800bt per day. Our advice is to get an International Drivers License before leaving home. Other licenses 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.

Where do our students stay on Koh Samui?

Our students are welcome to arrange their own accommodations on Koh Samui, which can be found for as little as 4,000 Thai Baht per month (Approximately $130 U.S.). To make your TEFL experience even more hassle-free and convenient we have sourced the following featured accommodation, which is where the vast majority of our students choose to stay.

SAVE HOUSE RESORT
Maenam, Koh Samui
For a mere 12,500 Thai Baht per month* (Approximately $415 U.S.) you can enjoy your own private bungalow, with one double bed (or two single beds if prefer) at this charming resort. This represents a 50% discount, to their standard rates, which we have negotiated on your behalf, and is within 4 minutes walking distance from the Island TEFL Training Centre. If you are travelling with a friend or partner who is not on the TEFL course, that person is welcome to share your room with you.

A typical one bedroom bungalow, with a double bed, is pictured below. The bungalows are spacious, modern and include an en-suite bathroom with hot water, bathtub and shower, air-conditioner, cable-TV, fridge and private balcony.

Larger bungalows are available if preferred (with a separate living area and kitchenette), however an additional monthly rate will be applicable. Early bookings for these larger bungalows are essential, as there are a limited number available.

Save House Swimming Pool	Interior View of Save House Bungalow

The facilities at Save House include a swimming pool, free fishing in the pond, restaurant (which opens from 8:00am to 10:00pm - serving both Thai and Western food), GYM, motorbike/car rental, Thai massage and high speed Internet. The staff at Save House are very welcoming and the atmosphere is relaxed and homely. The majority of Island TEFL trainees choose to stay at Save House, which makes for a fun social experience. To see more pictures of the resort please visit http://www.sawadee.com/hotel/samui/savehouse

As soon as your arrival details are confirmed, the staff at Island TEFL will book your accommodation at the Save House Resort on your behalf. You will need to pay the Save House Resort directly in Thai Baht (They do not accept credit cards) upon checking in, so as to qualify this special rate. *Please note an additional charge apllies at the resort for water and electricity. The typical cost for this runs about 750 Baht per month.

TEFL Course Dates for Koh Samui

2012
02nd JAN - 27th JAN
30th JAN - 24th FEB
27th FEB - 23rd MAR
26th MAR - 13th APR Special TESOL/TEFL Program*
16th APR - 04th MAY Special TESOL/TEFL Program*
07th MAY - 01st JUN
04th JUN - 29th JUN
02nd JUL - 27th JUL
30th JUL - 24th AUG
27th AUG - 21st SEP
24th SEP - 12th OCT Special TESOL/TEFL Program*
15th OCT - 02nd NOV Special TESOL/TEFL Program*
05th NOV - 30th NOV
03rd DEC - 28th DEC

* Volunteer placements only available in resorts, hotels and other businesses due to schools being in, or going into, holiday session.