How to become an islander and go live on Samui
Travels / / December 19, 2019
In the previous Katya, who for several years now lives in Bangkok, Share your experiences and opinionsWhen and to whom the mainland of Thailand island better. But in order to keep the balance, this time we decided to go to the Islander Arthur, who chose his abode Samui.
Arthur told us what the life on the island, shared basic organizational moments and own story of how at one time just bought a one-way ticket, packed his things and moved to Samui finding yourself. And successfully did it, settled on the island and their own business.
If you believe the meter installed on my smartphone, on the island I live for nearly 199 days. It is six and a half months. The first month I have nothing serious was not engaged. Made for himself prolonged weekend. I traveled around the island and down, studied the neighborhood, making friends with the locals. And under our New Year had a party in a rented me a mini-hotel on the hillside with the launch of these fireworks. So I realized that the hotel business - that's what I wanted to do. Later I found running the building, brought it into order with the owner and the Thai-opened guesthouse.
Now a new project is busy "My retreat. My rules". I noticed that some people come to the island specifically to get my life in order and brains. There is already a retreat centers, but my retreat is characterized in that it is devoid of religious connotation and self-torture.
And in the days off or leave arrange open-air with his telescope on the beach. Day in clear weather you can see the spots on the sun, and at night all in awe of Saturn, Mars and Jupiter.
why island
In my response to this question you will not hear: "Because here the weather is great, people are responsive, and the food is tasty." I had no choice, since there is not much experience in traveling abroad. Turkey and Egypt do not count. About Samui I learned four days before the ticket purchase. For me it was important that this was the island, and that he is not tainted urban development.
Back in Moscow, I had an idea # yaostrov the concept of self-acceptance of whole self-sufficient person in the figurative and, as you can see, literally. She became my formula of happiness. Delivers all the trash to the dump, gathered the most necessary and with 60 kilos of luggage arrived on the island.
Language barrier
Of course, knowledge of English facilitates communication with local, but we must understand that the local English quite specific. It is also called "tayinglishem". If you are going to talk in plain English, you just do not understand. But knowledge of English or lack thereof is not a barrier to communication. For example, I speak bad Russian, and generally do not speak English, but I always have a notebook and pencil to communicate with drawings and arrows. Of course, I know a few phrases in English, but instead “thank you” better to say "kapkunkrab". The smiles are wider.
Recently, I was convinced that still need to learn some conversational English, so signed up for an English course for traveling idontspeakenglish.ru. However, there is a special style, when you say the numbers in Thai, and to remember them, I write them on the fingers of transcription.
How much does life on Samui
Of course, everything depends on the person's needs and the thickness of his wallet. Life on Samui, as well as on any other island, a little more expensive than on the mainland. So, in order.
Housing
Housing, of course, rent. And if interesting option to the purchase in the property, there is one caveat: if you are not Thai or American, to buy real estate only through front companies. However, when it comes to temporary residence, then definitely rent. How much is the rental housing? The room in the guesthouse - from 3000 baht per month, villa - up to 280,000 baht per month. I rented a double (our two-bedroom) house for 17,000 baht per month. This price usually includes tap water, and the Internet. Electricity is charged separately, an average of 7 baht per kilowatt. Drinking water is purchased separately, you can order delivery, or by typing in vodomatah to 1 baht per liter.
Where to look for accommodation
If you know the island well enough and know how to communicate with the Thais (and also on wheels), the housing can find for yourself. Of course, in the early days you somewhere will have to settle so that only one option - to find a hotel or a lodge in my guestbook for a few days. This search option is more preferable, because in this case, the house rent without an intermediary.
All existing travel companies on Samui offer their services to realtors, and, as a rule, their services can cost you a pretty penny. If the realtor said that he will not take you to the Commission, do not believe. His commission is already in the rental cost. And it all depends on the realtor appetite. On the island there are companies and groups in social networks, but it is an option for those who are willing to pay for their services. Understand one thing: the island houses belong to owners-Thais, not business focused on serving tourists.
If you need budget accommodation, for example, an ordinary house, it can be found on the western side of the island. Although it should be understood that the average price of housing in different regions is not too different from each other.
Food
The first time I want to try everything. Well, except that once crawled. Over time, the diet is narrowed to the usual dishes. Rice with chicken and broth - 40 baht fishbarbekyu - to 280 baht, the load given to the salad bowl. Later, you realize that you have plenty of time to prepare myself, and besides it sparingly. By the way, about the economy. No matter how much money you have in your pocket, then all save on Baht. I mean that skimp on the details. Figure bored and begin to yearn for fried potatoes, pancakes and dumplings.
Transport
Especially not hitting on public transport. It does not matter whether it's a taxi or sangteo (some mistakenly call them tuktukami), they hit on the pocket. And if you did not manage to get a tan, then be prepared to pay more. Taxi drivers - special nation; however, the same everywhere. Therefore, to get around the island the best solution - bike or car. Bike disappears - umaetes. The bike will cost 150 baht per day or 2500 baht per month, car - from 900 baht per day or 12,000 baht per month. Of course, the island's most popular way to travel - this bike. By the way, bikes bike strife, there are 12 000 per month. Petrol on the island a little more expensive than on the mainland: the 91st costs 41 baht.
the Internet
Surely heard the phrase that Samui no Internet. This is not true. He is, but not so fast. 10 Mbps to the reception - this is not bad. Wi-Fi-routers are everywhere, even in the provincial guest-houses. With the mobile Internet is the same. Tariffs on it quite affordable. Personally, I have 3 GB package for 399 baht.
mobile connection
About the calls on his cell: in Thailand minute is 1 baht. For calls in Russia there is a special set of numbers before the number, which significantly reduces costs. For example, if you have a number of local operator DTAC, then the set of all Russia's number you must first dial 004. You should get 004 7 (925) 12345, where 7 - code of Russia is, then the city code or mobile operator. With the number of AIS operator need to dial first 009, and from TRUE - 006. I use a communication service from DTAC, and my calls to Russia cost 4 baht per minute.
In which region to go
Since you ask me, my answer is anywhere, but not on Chaweng. Too much noise from the night clubs and cars. This area is famous for its nightlife. The opposite western edge of the island is not quite convenient location if you are not a recluse. I look for a house on the border between Lamai and Huatanon. A quiet bedroom community on the edge of the jungle. Not too close and not too far from the center.
Generally speaking, on the island there are no bad areas. If you need a "suitable for swimming" beach, it is the northern and eastern side of the island: Maenam, Chaweng and Lamai, because the eastern shore of mostly minor.
Visa
This is a sore point recently. A lot of rumors and gossip, and all because of the fact that the border is no clear rules, what to do with "borderranschikami". Every Russian citizen has the right to visa-free stay in Tae within 30 days. Previously, if you did not want to bother with a visa in Thailand, you could have just one month to go to the so-called Border wounds. This formal crossing the borders of Thailand, to put another stamp for 30 days. People here live for years because that is lived, but now the authorities have decided to tighten the rules.
To be able to stay in Thailand more than a month, preferably in advance to obtain a tourist visa, or be asked to leave the country within 30 days. I decided to get a one-year training. Procedure for obtaining study visa simple. Choose a language school, podaosh for admission (passport is enough), to be paid the cost of training and waiting for documents from the school, with whom it is necessary to contact the nearest Embassy of Thailand countries. In my case, it was a trip to Malaysia on the island of Penang.
What time of year to go
Some people believe that it's time for a trip to Koh Samui - last months before the New Year. This period is called "haysizon", that is the high season. If you like crowds and high prices for everything is "haysizon" - for you. Personally, I liked the time when there were virtually no rainfall between February and May. Every day, sunny weather. I believe that vacationers are making a big mistake, arriving in Thailand at the end of the year, during the period of the most torrential rains.
Driver's license
I admit that the bike I drive without a license. And for the first time on the bike I sat in here. By the way, the tales are not called Harley, a conventional scooter. Heard that the car rental rights are required. With regard to traffic: First, drive on the left here, and secondly, slow and steady wins - on going. Hurry on the island of nowhere, everything is close by, so to drive more than the allowed 40 km / h is not necessary.
Medical insurance
Even if you are not going to ride a bike, any inexperienced driver can easily collide with you. A treatment is not cheap on Samui. To get into trouble, you do not even need to catch the poisonous jellyfish in the sea, just enough to slip home on a wet tile floor. I speak from experience. My stretching toe (slipped on the tiles) with my insurance at a cost of 16,000 baht.
The insurance does not protect staying on Samui, but it can solve many problems. Last year, I myself fell off the bike, I had a very cheap insurance, which, unfortunately, did not cover the costs of a fall from a bike. You will not believe it, I was more profitable to return to Moscow for treatment, you can use the services of the hospital on Samui.
Circle of friends
I was lucky to get acquainted with an incredibly good Thai family that has welcomed me very much. I happened to see the Bible in the Thai language in their cafe. And that was enough to get to know them, because he is Christian. Both the Ai - such here they have funny names - became my new family.
But compatriots in a foreign land - a sore subject. On the island for several years, there are two so-called grouping. Their division is not on a territorial basis, and on the pages of the two travel companies "VKontakte". Yes, it's ridiculous. If you have joined a group, then you face a ban in another. When lit up at the event of one company, the latter is no longer accept. I try to remain neutral.
Advantages and disadvantages
For me, a definite plus Koh Samui - it's the atmosphere of a large regional center with small settlements on the perimeter. I came here from Moscow and Samui lovingly call my village.
Minuses? Let me see. Cons of the island - it is the tourists who forget that they are in another country, which welcomes everyone and allows you to enjoy the wonderful climate, nature. Therefore, coming to the island, do not forget dignity.
The island has no clean and dirty areas - it is, unfortunately, the same is clogged. Although every night few crews cleaned the road beaches, but purely because not where clean, but where do not litter.
We hope that the example of Arthur and tips will be useful to everyone who thinks about how to get away for some time on the island and not be afraid to take bold decisions in life.