If you are based in Koh Tao or Koh Phangan
Ko Pha Ngan
Ko Pha-ngan is an island in the Gulf of Thailand in southeast Thailand in Surat Thani Province. Ko Pha-ngan is best known for its Full Moon Party at Hat Rin Beach. Ko Pha-ngan has two sister islands: the larger Ko Samui to the south and the smaller Ko Tao to the north.
What should you consider before you retire to Koh Samui?
You should consider the availability of healthcare before you retire to Koh Samui. Thankfully the island provides four private hospitals, Samui International Hospital, Thai International, Bandon Hospital and Bangkok Hospital Samui. The facilities are quite good although in any serious cases, you would be transferred to Bangkok.
Can I travel around Koh Samui and Phangan?
Travelers will be allowed to travel freely around Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao but you will have to stay at an accommodation with a SHA+ certificate, which is issued by the Thai government for safety and health measures standards.
Who can join Samui plus sandbox program?
As of January 11, 2022 the Samui Plus Sandbox Program is available to traveler from any country in the world. Do you need a Thai Visa? The foreigner may enter without a visa (depending on your nationality) or you must determine the appropriate visa to enter Thailand.
Where is Koh Samui located?
It is situated in the Gulf of Thailand, around 760km to the south of Bangkok. When you retire in Koh Samui, you have easy access to the popular resort islands of Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and Koh Nang.
What countries can enter Thailand without a visa?
If you have an ordinary passport issued by one of the following countries, you can travel to Thailand without a visa for up to 90 days:Argentina.Brazil.Chile.South Korea.Peru.
Is Koh Samui open for tourists?
Koh Samui, one of the most popular destinations in Surat Thani, has reopened to welcome back international tourists for vacation under the Samui Plus Sandbox scheme.
Can I get a visa on arrival in Thailand?
When you travel to Thailand, you must present the following documents to the Immigration Officer so they can issue your Thailand Visa On Arrival: Your passport, which is valid for at least another 30 days from the date of entry. The printout of the Thai Visa On Arrival Application Form.
Is Thailand visa free now?
Note - Thailand visa on arrival fee is waived off for Indian citizens until April-2020.
What do I need to travel to Koh Samui?
To enter Koh Samui by using Samui Plus model, tourists will have to present a vaccination certificate, as well as undergo a COVID-19 test at the airport.
Which is better Koh Samui or Phuket?
If you want a more lively beach scene, then Phuket is definitely the choice for you. If you want to find calmer, and more private beaches, Koh Samui is the better choice.
Do you need a visa for Thailand 2022?
From July 1st, 2022, foreign travelers no longer need to apply for a Thailand Pass before entering Thailand.
Is visa on Arrival Open in Thailand 2022?
Yes, Indian citizens can get a Visa on Arrival in Thailand, provided their period of stay in Thailand is two weeks (15 days). The visitors are also required to meet some other additional requirements to be eligible for the Visa on Arrival (VOA) in Thailand.
How much does a visa for Thailand cost?
Thailand and Bangkok Visa Fees for TouristsTourist VisaValidity of VisaVisa FeeTourist visa (single entry)3 monthsRs.2,000Tourist visa (multiple entry)6 monthsRs.10,000Tourist Medical visa (single entry)3 monthsRs.2,000Jan 13, 2022
How much is Thai visa on arrival?
Thailand Visa on Arrival Fees Applicants from India who intend to travel to Thailand and avail Visa on Arrival must provide 2,000 Baht in cash. Apart from that, they need to carry sufficient funding which is 20,000 Baht per person or 40,000 Baht per family.
How much time it takes for visa on arrival in Thailand?
The processing time of the E-VOA is usually between 24 – 72 hours. If your application has exceeded five business days, please contact us. If you have opted for express visa service, the E-VOA will be processed within 24 hours.
How do I get a tourist visa for Thailand?
How to Apply OnlineCreate an Account.Fill in Application Form.Upload Supporting Documents.Pay Visa Fee.Wait for. Visa to be Processed.Approval Visa. send by email.
Can I test and go in Koh Samui?
Travelers can book their Test and Go Hotel in Koh Samui through a booking website. Agoda.com is offering quarantine hotel packages with RT-PCR tests included for travelers entering Koh Samui, Thailand under the Test and Go Program. Always check the hotel offers if the RT-PCR test is included.
Is it safe to travel to Koh Samui?
Koh Samui is undoubtedly safe to travel. The island welcomes over 2.5 million tourists a year – and this number is rising. The most significant threat in Koh Samui is road traffic accidents. There is reported to be over 30 road traffic deaths per month on the island, mainly consisting of motorbike accidents.
Can I travel to Koh Samui via Bangkok?
You can fly to Samui on a direct international flight or international flight via Bangkok and be connected with approved sealed flights as details below.
Can I fly from Bangkok to Koh Samui?
Bangkok Airways, Etihad Airways and Thai Airways fly direct from Bangkok to Koh Samui / Samui Island.
How to get a visa for Thailand?
Here’s a list of the Thailand visa requirements you’ll have to provide: 1 Photocopy of your passport 2 Photocopy of your current visa and immigration card 3 Photo 4 Visa extension form 5 TBH 1900 in cash
What time does the Lomprayah ferry leave?
From Thong Sala Pier (Koh Phangan), the Lomprayah ferry departs daily at 7h20, 12h00 and 14h30.
What to do on Koh Samui?
If you’re like me and you’d rather make the most of Koh Samui while you’re there, you should definitely check out the coast, go for a swim and drive across the jungle. Koh Samui is a pretty big tropical island which is known for its beaches, its great diving options and its waterfalls.
Can you rent a scooter at the Pier?
You can rent a scooter a few minutes walk away from the pier. As soon as you reach the main road, you’ll find plenty of options for scooter rentals. As you won’t be able to leave your passport as a deposit, you can leave a cash deposit. (They asked for TBH 2000.) For a 24 hour rental, you should pay around TBH 200. We paid 300 for about 36 hours.
Do you have to wear a helmet in Koh Samui?
Also, you should remember to wear your helmet while driving in Koh Samui as the police officers are more strict on Koh Samui.
Does Thailand have a photo shop?
As soon as we got there, we spotted this little shop that provides you with photos, copies and forms. In Thailand, every office has its own shop located next to them to make it easier for us! (Thanks!) You can make copies for TBH 20 and you can get a photo for TBH 100.
Can I extend my visa to Thailand?
The Thai islands are so beautiful that you won’t want to leave. Well – this happened to me. As a Canadian passport holder, I had up to 30 days when I first entered Thailand by flight. Good news: in Thailand, it’s quite easy to extend your visa for an extra 30 days by visiting one of the immigration offices. Forget about the visa run, you can extend your stay without leaving Thailand.
When will Samui Plus Sandbox start?
The program is scheduled to start on July 15, 2021 which makes it the second Thai province ...
How long do you stay in Samui?
For travelers who wish to continue the journey to other Thai destinations, they must stay in Samui for 14 nights and thereafter will be allowed to travel to other parts of Thailand.
What insurance do I need to get a Thai passport?
You’ll need to secure COVID-19 Insurance that meets the requirements of the Thai authorities such as:
How long does it take to get a certificate of entry in Thailand?
The foreign traveler must apply for the COE or certificate of entry from the local Thai Embassy or consulate at least 5 to 15 working days prior to the intended date of travel.
How to apply for COE?
To apply for the COE, please register online by filling in your personal details, and upload supporting documents such as a copy of passport, copy of the valid visa (if any), proof of vaccination, and COVID-19 travel insurance. The Embassy will screen and pre-approve the applicants who meet the requirements. Please check the status of your application after 1-3 working days.
How long is a non-immigrant visa valid in Thailand?
Non-Immigrant Visa (for visiting Thailand based on the different purpose of stay and the visa is valid for 90 days and it can be extended in Thailand up to 1 year
How many days before travel date do you have to stay in Thailand?
They must also have already stayed in the said countries/regions no less than 21 days before the travel date. Thai nationals and foreign expatriates returning to Thailand must travel from countries/regions with a low to medium risk of COVID-19 as announced and constantly updated by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).
Is Samui a small island?
Samui is no longer a small island in the sense of development, and several supermarket chains are represented on the island. You’ll find a few branches of Tesco Lotus and well as numerous Tesco Expresses, a Big C supermarket and Tops. The Makro store supplies the restaurants and resorts with their fresh and dry goods, but the public is also welcome to shop there. The supermarkets carry a wide selection of imported goods and there are several specialty shops stocking imported wines, cheeses, meats and other goods. Of course, if you’re keen to shop like a local, then do try out the fresh markets too, where fruit, vegetables comes in fresh daily.
Does travel insurance cover Samui?
Now while you may arrive on Samui with travel insurance, this is usually for a limited time, so you’ll need to consider an international medical aid that will cover you outside of the country where your passport has been issued. There are several companies that offer this, including the well-known BUPA, and there are several packages available. Samui has several private hospitals of international standard, as well as the government hospital in Nathon. They are well-equipped and staffed to deal with illness as well as trauma, and some are even renowned for their plastic surgeons should you feel the need for a makeover to go with your new life on Samui.
Is there much Crime on Samui?
Samui is, generally speaking, a very safe place to live. There’s little violent crime, and what there is, tends to be aimed at those delving into shady business or involved in love triangles. Of course, as with anywhere in the world, some petty crime does exist, but it’s rare due to the fact that locals are Buddhist so believe in karma. Most police, and particularly the tourist police, do speak good English, as do most lawyers’ offices.
Getting to Koh Samui
If you are not at Koh Samui already, you will need to take a ferry to get there. You will be probably departing from either Koh Tao or Koh Phangan.
Ferry schedule
The ferry departs from Koh Phangan to Koh Samui (Nathon Pier) three times a day: 7:20 12:00 14:30
Where next?
If you haven’t explored the two other islands Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, you should plan to stay a few more days and take explore them. Here is a list of things to do in Koh Tao (the turtle island). You can easily spend at least three days on the island. Go snorkeling, diving or just rent a scooter and check out the viewpoints.
What is a tourist visa in Thailand?
3. Tourist visa (TR) If you’re planning to stay in Thailand longer, or if you’re not eligible for visa-free travel or a visa on arrival, you can apply for a tourist visa. There are two types of tourist visas in Thailand: a single entry visa and a multiple entry visa.
How long is a passport valid in Thailand?
On the day of departure from Thailand, your passport is valid for at least another 6 months and contains at least one blank visa page.
How to apply for a visa extension in Thailand?
The following is required to apply for 30-day visa extension: 1 A valid passport. 2 A departure card (obtained at the border or in the airplane to Thailand). 3 A recent passport photo (4x6cm). 4 Cash: 1,900 baht per application + a 40 baht administration fee. 5 Copies of the first page of your passport, your visa, your most recent entry stamp and your TM. 6 departure card. Sign every copy. 6 Completed TM. 7 form (with blue or black pen). Click here for an example of a filled in application form.
Can I stay in Thailand for 90 days?
Staying in Thailand longer than your authorized entry period is not allowed. For every extra day, you accumulate a fine of 500 baht, with a maximum of 20,000 baht (40 days). For overstays that exceed 90 days, you risk high fines, jail-time and being barred entry into Thailand. One day of overstay is tolerated; I (Mariska) wasn’t fined for my one day overstay. However, I was taken from the queue at immigration and an annotation was made in my passport. You won’t need to wait to extend until your entry is almost expired: the extra 30 days are added to the original number of days of your entry.
Can you fly out of Thailand with an open ticket?
You have a valid return/onward ticket that clearly indicates that the date and time of your flight out of Thailand is within the maximum duration of authorized stay. Open tickets usually aren’t allowed. Bus, train and boat tickets to neighboring countries are accepted occasionally. These conditions weren’t put in place by the Thai government but by the Thai aviation industry, so for more information, we advise you contact your airline company.
Do all consulates issue visas?
Not all consulates and embassies issue both types of tourist visas. The application procedures differ as well; some apply stricter rules than others. That’s why it would be best if you make the necessary inquiries concerning the procedures beforehand, by contacting your home country’s embassy or consulate.
Can I get a visa for Thailand?
It’s not possible to apply for a tourist visa on Thai soil. The application is done through your home country’s consulate or embassy. However, it is possible to do this elsewhere; like in a neighboring country (Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia).
What international schools are there in Koh Samui?
If you plan to retire to Koh Samui and are with kids still in education you’ll be happy to know there are several international schools to chose from. International School of Samui, PanyaDee, the British International School of Samui and Lamai International School are just a few to mention.
What to eat when you retire in Koh Samui?
The choice of restaurants on when you retire in Koh Samui is superb and ranges from cheap street food through to fine dining. Seafood is naturally featured on many menus and that applies to both Asian and western restaurants. French, Italian and other Mediterranean restaurants are available along with one’s offering Japanese and Korean foods. Your selection may not be as wide as Bangkok or Phuket but food lovers certainly won’t be disappointed.
What is the longest serving international school in the world?
International School of Samui. Koh Samui 's longest serving, fully accredited International school and the only School on the Island authorised to teach an International (British) Curriculum to all Nationalities from 2 to 18 years of age. + learn more.
Where is Bangrak in Koh Samui?
Over time Bangrak in northeastern Samui expanded followed by the old capital, Nathon and Chaweng and Bophut. Central Koh Samui has remained largely unspoilt, covered by jungle and it is here you will find the islands largest mountain Khao Pom.
How old do you have to be to go to Koh Samui?
Koh Samui's longest serving, fully accredited International school and the only School on the Island authorised to teach an International (British) Curriculum to all Nationalities from 2 to 18 years of age.
How many people live on Koh Samui?
Although Koh Samui’s population varies due to the nature of the island’s reliance on tourists, it is thought to be around 60,000 – 65,000. The island appears on some Chinese maps dating back to the 17th Century but generally, was hardly known due to its lack connection to the mainland.
When did Lamai International School open?
Lamai International School. The School first opened its doors to the children of Koh Samui in January of 2016 and is delighted to provide students the highest level of education in a bright and flourishing new environment. + learn more.
