Koh Samui Guide: Wet Oct to Dec, Raja Ferry THB 200

Samui sits on the Gulf side, where heavy rain lasts until December. Bangkok Airways advertises flights from THB 2,500. The Raja ferry from Donsak costs THB 200. Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park charges foreign adults a base fee of THB 200, and some of its sites carry a special charge.

By Vincent Nguyen and team

Samui’s wet months follow the northeast monsoon. It covers Thailand from about mid-October to mid-February, and the south gets heavy rain. The Gulf side is the rainy side until December.

When Samui is wet

Samui is an island in the Gulf of Thailand. The Gulf is the east side of southern Thailand, and the Andaman Sea is the west side.

Under the northeast monsoon the south is rainy, especially the east side, because the monsoon brings moisture from the Gulf. Heavy rain continues in the south until December, often turns very heavy and floods, and the east side gets more rain than the west.

The southwest monsoon covers Thailand from mid-May to mid-October and brings heavy cloud and rain, especially along the coasts. Compare it with Best Thai Islands by Month before you fix dates.

Dates move. The start and end of the two monsoons can vary from the normal dates in any year. Opening of some sites can change with the weather.

Swimming and boats in rough weather

Thailand has lifeguards on duty at designated beaches and operates a flag system. Follow all warning signs, especially red flags. People have drowned in strong riptides, especially in monsoon season.

Jellyfish can swim close to the shore, particularly in the rainy season from May to October, and stings can be fatal. Boats can sink or collide, usually through overloading, poor maintenance or rough seas in monsoon season.

Getting to Samui

Samui airport is private, built by Bangkok Airways, the sole domestic operator. Bangkok Airways flies near-hourly to and from Bangkok. It advertises Samui flights from THB 2,500.

The cheaper route is a ferry across from Donsak Pier on the mainland. Fares run from THB 200 to THB 850.

Raja’s first Donsak to Samui trip leaves at 05:00 and arrives at 06:30. The last scheduled trip leaves at 19:00 and arrives at 20:30.

A motorbike up to 250cc with its rider costs THB 260 on the Raja Ferry from Donsak. A car, jeep, van or pickup costs THB 640.

Lomprayah serves Nathon, Bangrak and Pralarn piers on Samui. For other operators, times and fares, read the Samui, Phangan and Tao ferries guide.

Day trips to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao

A Lomprayah catamaran leaves Pralarn Pier at 08:00 for Koh Phangan, arrives at 08:30 and costs THB 350. The 08:00 catamaran to Koh Tao arrives at 09:30 and costs THB 700.

An 11:00 ferry to Koh Tao arrives at 13:30 and costs THB 550. The ferry back from Koh Phangan at 18:30 reaches Pralarn Pier at 19:30 and costs THB 250.

Raja also sails from Donsak to Koh Phangan (Thong Sala pier) in about 2 hours 30 minutes for THB 270.

Which area to stay in

Pick the beach first.

Sights and national park fees

Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park in the Gulf is a group 2 park. Group 2 charges foreign adults THB 200 and foreign children THB 100. A DNP notice of 19 September 2022 adds a special charge at some Ang Thong sites; the amount is printed on the e-ticket. The park lists closures from 1 November to 15 December.

Than Sadet-Ko Phangan National Park is a group 1 park. Group 1 charges foreign adults THB 100 and foreign children THB 50.

The rates took effect on 7 June 2022. The listed prices do not include vehicle fees. A child is aged 3 to 14 or no taller than 140 cm. Children under 3, disabled people and monks are exempt.

Getting around and road safety

By day, Samui songthaews run fixed routes at fixed prices per person until 18:00, from 20 to 80 baht by distance. After 18:00 they serve as normal taxis, and the price must be negotiated first.

Metered taxis are run by private companies, and drivers are very reluctant to use their meters. Grab is available.

Scooters

Motorcycles and scooters for hire in tourist areas are often unregistered and cannot be used legally on a public road. By law you must wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. The fine is up to THB 2,000.

A visitor who drives a motorcycle in Thailand is required by law to hold an international driving licence. A temporary one-year licence can be applied for at a Provincial Land Transport Office. Riding without a valid licence could invalidate your travel insurance.

Do not hand your passport over as a guarantee, for example to motorcycle or jet-ski rental businesses. Rent from a reputable company and document the vehicle’s prior damage.

Hospitals and emergencies

Bangkok Hospital Samui is at 57 Moo 3 Thaweerat Phakdee Rd, Amphoe Koh Sa-mui, Surat Thani 84320. The main number is +66 (0) 7742 9500, and 1719 works for local calls only.

The hospital provides an emergency patient transfer service 24 hours a day through its trauma centre.

For a medical emergency, 1669 is the number to call. It serves critical emergency patients outside a medical facility. The Royal Thai Police number is 191.

For a crime that involves a tourist, call the tourist police hotline on 1155. There is a tourist police station for Koh Samui. Read the tourist police guide and the emergency numbers list.

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Not confirmed: Samui airport taxi and songthaew fares: no posted tariff is confirmed, so agree the price before you get in. Public hospital contact details are not confirmed. Park rates come from the 2022 schedule, so ask at the ticket booth.

Prices, timetables and opening hours change; check with the operator before you travel. See how guides are checked.

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