Travel to Koh Samui

[Big Boy]

As some of you will have seen, I have downgraded my plans for a short break to Singapore to a break on Koh Samui.

This is actually a place I avoided in the past because of many reports of it being a mafia run island, which I've read on this forum. Plan B was Phuket, but that is another place I don't really fancy.

I need to take my truck with me just in case my wife needs oxygen. I will take a couple of bottles, just in case, but hopefully it won't be needed.

My very rough plan so far is:

Day 1 - drive to Surat Thani and stay the night. (any hotel recommendations please?)
Day 2 - drive to ferry terminal. I've been advised Sea Trans is the best of the bunch, and I see the car will cost 610฿ each way and passengers are 190฿ each way. (any comments on Sea Trans? I've looked at photos and it looks a bit like I.O.W. ferries. Best to book in advance or on the day?)
Days 2 to X (not sure of duration) - Check in to hotel. (any recommendations on area/hotels please? I'm not looking for beach life - I'll have the car and we'll move about/explore a bit - moans about wheelchair friendliness to follow )
Final day - Breakfast, ferry back to mainland and drive home - overnight hotel somewhere if tired.

So, a very sketchy plan so far, so any help would be appreciated. Also on 'wheelchair friendly' things to see and do. I guess waterfalls will not be suitable - an able bodied cousin took a fall at a Samui waterfall in 2019 and had to be taken off the island by air ambulance.

[Big Boy]

I'll bump this one, hoping somebody has been recently.

[Scout]

I’ve done this trip a few times. As for hotel in Surat, 100 Islands Resort and Spa is our favorite. Reasonably priced, as I recall it’s wheelchair friendly and decent buffet breakfast.

I think we used Raja ferry. Both ferry terminals are very close to each other. We never had advance booking, except on the way back one time as we wanted to be on the very first ferry at daybreak for long drive to Ranong for visa run to ANDAMAN Club. It’s been a few years but as I recall the ferry’s are old rust buckets and most probably not wheelchair accessible, the wife will most likely have to sit in the truck, transit time around 1 hour.

On Samui, I highly recommend Samui Orchid Resort & Aquarium. It’s located in a quiet location, just south of Lamai, (southern tip of the island), far from the hustle and bustle and boom boom of the tourist areas farther north. But not too far to drive to those areas for dinner and outings. You can drive around the entire island in about 45 minutes. You’d have to check but I think they can accommodate wheelchairs.

[Nereus]

.....................It’s been a few years but as I recall the ferry’s are old rust buckets and most probably not wheelchair accessible, the wife will most likely have to sit in the truck, transit time around 1 hour.

I have not been in recent years, but yes, the ferries at that time were old hand downs from China. It may well be a problem with access, as I doubt that they will allow anyone to sit in their car, and there are narrow strairways up to the passenger deck.
It is possible, or was, possible to walk on board and just the driver take and park the car. The same when getting off. But then, I doubt that option is wheelchair friendly.

[cookie102]

I did this trip the end of last year when quarantine was still needed. This time used Sea Train which was 100% better than Raja.
Passengers could board via a long ramp which could cater for a wheelchair and the driver loaded the car.
Yes the stairways from the car deck are quite narrow but the whole experience on Sea Train was good.
We stayed in a hotel in Lamai which was very wheelchair friendly with ramps everywhere ( I have mobility problems)

[buksida]

Haven't been to Samui for years and have no real desire to see the place again, but can vouch for the 100 Islands Resort recommendation in Surat, stayed there a couple of months ago and found the place rather nice.

[Scout]

.....................It’s been a few years but as I recall the ferry’s are old rust buckets and most probably not wheelchair accessible, the wife will most likely have to sit in the truck, transit time around 1 hour.

………………………I doubt that they will allow anyone to sit in their car, and there are narrow strairways up to the passenger deck.
It is possible, or was, possible to walk on board and just the driver take and park the car. The same when getting off. But then, I doubt that option is wheelchair friendly.

It definitely was not a problem to stay sitting in the car, at least it wasn’t in years past for us, but it’s been awhile. I’d be very surprised if there weren’t lots of folks staying in their cars, catching a little nap. I’ve always been amazed at how lax these things are in Thailand, workers sitting on top of trucks driving down the highway for instance..

[Dannie Boy]

I’ve not been to KS for about 20 years but even back then the Chaweng beach area was not somewhere you’d probably appreciate, attracting those seeking the nightlife culture!!

[Big Boy]

Just to clarify the wheelchair situation, my wife's legs, although troublesome at times, do permit her to walk short distances. Her disabling factor is her lungs. She gets out of breath very quickly when walking, hence the need to have oxygen nearby.

[Big Boy]

Thanks for the 100 Islands Resort and Spa recommendation guys - it looks good. I'll definitely be booking that one.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find much on Samui Orchid Resort. Whilst they had a web page, their prices were not visible. On the regular booking sites it seemed to be unavailable on our dates. It's a shame, because we've decided the Lamai area is where we'd like to be based. Does anybody have other recommendations for that area please?

I think you're all telling me to book the ferry when we arrive at the port - does anybody disagree? I must admit, I'll be shaking in my boots just arriving and buying, but I guess it takes pressure off, and Thai time can apply .

The vessels themselves are Thai, so I don't expect too much - it's only 90 minutes each way. I've looked at photos, and they seem to resemble a scruffy version of I.O.W. Ferries.

I think I'm almost ready to commit, but deciding upon the Samui hotel is my last problem. What I'll say, is looking at Agoda, you seem to get an awful lot more room for your money compared to the likes of Hua Hin. However, I've fallen foul of Agoda photos many times and would really prefer a recommendation.

[brianks]

I live in Khanom (only 20 minutes from ferry Terminals in Don Sok) and have gone over to Koh Samui several times. Raja Ferries are "rust buckets" but cheap. When I went via Sea Train Ferry I was blown away by the extreme difference in boarding terminal (almost like an airport) and the newness and quality of the Ferries. NO Comparison to Raja as there in a different League.

[Big Boy]

Thank you brianks, that confirms what others have told me, and that is the service I intend using. Is the 'on the day' buying a ticket for a vehicle/boarding process easy please?

[Highflyer]

Try Smile House on Bophut Beach/Fishermans Village.
We have stayed there 2 times, very good, also a few friend's have stayed there regularly.

[cookie102]

We stayed at Samayabura Hotel in Lamai. It is right by the beach and has nice grounds, The rooms we stayed in were very spacious with a nice balcony overlooking the sea.
There are lifts to the upper floors and ample parking spaces.
We found the staff to be brilliant and met all of our needs.
Would stay there again with no problems.

[joelle]

For Surat Thani
100 Islands Resort used to be our favourite but last couple of times we went there we found the rooms were dated with a musty smell
Tried 3 others which we liked
- Orchid River view Hotel around 900 baht breakfast included, nearby very nice restaurant called "Crossroads Riverside"
- Diamond Plaza Hotel 1000 baht breakfast included
booking directly with the hotel by phone (best) 077277299 or email reservation_s@diamondplazahotels.com
- Marlin Hotel around 700/800 baht breakfast included (on Agoda cheaper than booking. com)
All the hotels have lifts, spacious rooms and very good breakfast