Pingrones

Bangkok's overpass stairs aren't always that practical... this beauty is around Ploen Chit (if I remember correctly).

I have been back and forth to Thailand since 1997... Just a quick little first impression report of Koh Samui: So whilst working in Cyprus, I received a call with a job offer in Thailand, and since I had been looking for an opportunity in Thailand for the last few years, I sort of accepted the offer on the spot. This was right before Christmas, so had a few weeks where the entry requirements changed all the time so it was hard to get things sorted. Just over Christmas with all the paperwork done, I finally got on a plane... with two ThailandPass - one accepted and one declined, so I just used the approved one... had the usual musical chairs at Swampy and was finally back. Had my quarantine in Bangkok, a rather soft hotel which allowed me to be outside and pretty much do whatever I wanted, even while awaiting the PCR-test results. Got my work visa sorted, took me only a couple of hours at The One Stop Service Center (OSSC) located at Chamchuri Building. Thai bank account at SCB was done in half an hour. Moved about in Bangkok between Airbnb and different hotels for well over ten weeks, before finally deciding it was time to move to an island - which island was the question. I looked at different options, Phuket had too many rules, Koh Lanta was too far away so decided to go for Koh Samui. In the meantime I had to visit Samitivej Hospital in Bangkok for an emergency operation, good thing the medical cover from my employer was in place! The surgery was a whooping 164k thb! Had some issues with the insurance company sending the necessary "guarantee", though... lessons learned: always contact insurance company first! The hospital wanted me to pay 50k up front even with full coverage. Got it sorted in the end. After my surgery, had a couple of weeks of recovery. Found an Airbnb, booked a ticket and flew over to Koh Samui. The airport on Koh Samui is special, open to the elements, very nice island vibe on arrival. Only downside is the Bangkok Airways monopoly with flights to and from... but they do fly almost every hour, which is nice. Turned out my Airbnb host is Russian (not being political, this is purely business), the apartment was just what I needed, it had the required amenities; fast fiber optic (since I WFH), washing machine and a fridge for my beers... Due to the current situation, I asked if I could rent long term, and managed to settle on a very fair price - from 28k to 13k. First impressions of Koh Samui: 1) Worst public transport I have ever seen in Thailand - just crap! The taxis are pretty much mafia organized, so forget about taximeter, it is all fixed prices, very expensive fixed prices. Koh Samui have songthaews which seems to be running, but never when you need one. Mototaxis are not very well organized. You need your own transport. 2) Nice beaches all around, shallow and nice ones South, deeper and equally nice ones up North. 3) Seems a bit quiet, even the popular areas in Lamai and Chaweng are barely open, with few tourists. Fisherman's Village is almost like it should be, with plenty of restaurants and bars open. Maenam is pretty much dead... 4) You can get some really good deals at the moment. 5) Despite what people have said about the traffic, it is not bad and the roads are good. So I am settled down in Bangrak, and so far I am enjoying Koh Samui - not too big, not too small. Got everything you need. Just waiting for this shitty weather to clear, so I can explore some more. It is a good starting point for Koh Phangan parties and Koh Tao diving. It is also just a skip and a jump to Phuket and Phang Nga. PS! Koh Phangan with Full Moon party combined with Songkran should be an interesting combination.

Just reading all the backlash from TripAdvisor on the good old "Sea View Resort" in Koh Chang... and trying to decide whether or not my latest TripAdvisor review will land me in jail... https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g580110-d594766-Reviews-Sea_View_Resort_Spa_Koh_Chang-Ko_Chang_Trat_Province.html

Sure Stew, just back from a quick weekend in Bangkok, surprised to see the talent at Thermae, it is really good these days...

When Songkran coincide with Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan, I will stay waaay clear of that one!

Living here at the moment in Bangrak, it is either pissing down (as it is now) or hot as a scorched mofo... it is quiet, not as lively as it should / used to be, but a few places open around Chaweng and around Maenam... Driving here right now is interesting, be prepared to get soaked.

How is life back home, mate? Jeff deLuna is still hustling in Patts it seems... beating Thailand no 1 with spotting 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9-ball 😆

Howdy, Moved to Koh Samui. Not sure what happened... but used to be on the Secrets Forum years back, see a few familiar people on the board already.