Chaweng beach; The Beach, before and after the floods!
Many requests have come in over the last couple of days regarding the conditions on Chaweng Beach, the amount of debris and the general state.
As already mentioned in previous, everybody on Samui is working hard to get things in order again and clean up work is in full swing all over the island! This includes the beaches, please see the following pictures how it was a few days ago and how it is now!
This is also re-assuring for all people asking for info and updates about the Centara Grand Beach hotel in Chaweng. The pictures are either taken in front or near the Centara and the hotel is up and running and business is as usual!
All pictures taken by Joe Clasby.
The amount of debris was stunning on the beach!
The water had the color of mushroom soup a few days ago! Now the water is getting clearer day by day!
A lot of sand was washed away, staff is working to stabilize trees and fix steps down to the beach
For traffic jams, stay on the left side of the cone!
Hope this settles everybody's 'nerves' who was worried about the beaches and especially the Centara Grand Beach Resort since I received most questions and inquiries about this hotel.
Some beach parts may still be dirty but in front of the hotels I would expect clean beaches!
Camille
74 comments:
Hi Camille
Need advice:) We booked for a retreat in April from the 23rd not sure if we should postpone it to later in the year due to the weather conditions.
Thank you
Candice
Hi Candice,
As already mentioned multiple times in my blog, towards the end of the month Samui should be business as usual. Please read my blog carefully, however, if you don't feel comfortable coming anyway, look into the possibility in changing dates!
I'm just one person with my own opinion!
Hi Camille
I talked to a friend of mine living in Chaweng and according to him the worst mess should have been taken care of by the 14th, what is your opinion on this?
I really don’t want to reschedule our trip since I have been looking forward to come to Samui for a couple of months now.
Hi Candice
Don't worry - the bad weather was last week - it's sunny now in Samui, and April is normally a hot sunny month. Don't think there's any rain left in the sky! Have a great trip!
Hi Camille!
Thanks for you blog!!
We arrive to Bangkok on 7th April and we have ticket plane to Surat Thani same day.. Do you know if is possible go to Don Sak Pier from airport without problems??
Thank you so much
Alberto
Thanks for chipping in Jamie. Please check his Phuket weather blog for Phuket updates.
Hi Nessa,
That's what I've been saying for the last couple of days. Please have a read through my blog and the comments!
Just wanted to write you a quick message to say thank you for your blog, your constant updates have put my partners worries to bed, I tried to reassure her that things are done diferently over in Samui, where we would send three workmen and a wheelbarrow, samui would send hundreds of people who would pull out all the stops to get the island back on track! So thank you for your pictures and info, and may the wonderful work continue, well done to all!!!
Gary, due out on 20th April
Hi Gary,
There's a bit of truth in that ;-)
Much appreciated for the heads up, hope you enjoy your trip!
Hi Alberto,
It may be touch and go whether the Surat Thani airport is going to be open or not. Very difficult to predict at this stage.
I wouldn't count on it, Surat Thani is one of the two areas worst hit and having the biggest problems right now.
i must congratulate you a great blog. I'm bringing my famiy on Koh Samui and your blogs have certainly been the most up to date, unbiased review of the state of events.
I'm going to be staying in Plai Laem and do you know if that was as badly affected as the Eastern side of the island? many thanks
Hi Peter,
My house is in Plai Laem and the situation is fine over there right now. Some of the smaller side streets still have water but not the bigger roads.
Thanks very much mate.
If u get a chance please let me know your thoughts on the Langham place hotel now called the Gulrich ace on lamai beach.
That's where I'm meant to be staying. Wondering how damaged the hotel got?
Thanks very much though Camille, once again.
Warm regards,
Jignesh.
Hi Jignesh,
It's a very luxurious place but I don't have any current information on the place!
Hi Camille,
While I'm aware that you are swamped by emails, I'd appreciate if you could comment.
I'm supposed to be vacationing at BoPhut Beach starting on April 12 and was concerned on the situation of Fisherman's Village as well as the situation of the beaches.
Also, I'd appreciate to learn if the Samui Palm Beach Resort had been damaged or not during the flood. We had reserved Pool Side Villas.
Thanks and nice to see someone doing "foreign affairs work" for the Island.
Best,
Uri
Hi Uri,
Bophud was hit rather bad but the situation all over the island is improving drastically.
Unfortunately I d not have any updates information on individual hotels.
Hi
What does the beach look like in front of Chaweng Garden Beach Resort? And do you know if the bars in Chaweng are open now?
Thanks and keep up the good work
Hi Thomas,
Every bar that isn't affected by the floods will be open but I don't have any on the individual state of hotels!
flying in to Koh Saumi from UK on Saturday. Have found your blogs really great to keep track of situation - really looking forward to our holiday thanks to you and your pics. Keep the sunshine please!
Thanks Liz!
We do our best to keep the sun up and running ;-)
Hi Camile
First of all would just like to say your doing a great job with the blogs thank you very much helps people out alot.
Camile is there any sign of radiation been detected in thailand waters, because i did hear that alot of dead fish was found
but do not know how true this is, seen as you live out there was wondering if you have seen or heard anything.
Thanks in advance
Craig
Hi Craig,
Good point but I haven't heard anything about lots of dead fish being found
hi we are staying at the chaweng regent from the 16th april my niece is getting married do you know if this hotel has been affected by the floods or is it ok,many thanks vincent
Hi Vincent,
I have no information on the status of individual hotels but the Regent is on relatively high grounds in Chaweng so I expect it to be up and running.
Sure, if you do come across any info on the hotel's condition, beach and area around it since the floods please let me know.
I follow your blogs daily btw.
Warm regards,
Jignesh.
Will do so Jignesh.
Thank you so much .....
And beaches are ok and business back to normal ? or as normal as can be ?
Let's hope for a bit of sunshine over the next couple of weeks !
Hi Peter,
Some of the beaches will still have debris on them right now, it's up to the individual hotels to clean the beaches in front of their places right now.
There should be plenty of sunshine at least for the next 7 days.
Hello,
Thank you very much for the information!
I will be visiting Samui on April 17th and I am wondering if there is any expected increase in disease and/or mosquitoes from the flood?
Cheers,
Brad
Thanks for your response Camille,
Do you know if the beach at BoPhud has returned to normal as the pictures that you provided for Chaweng?
Also, are the stores/restaurants/others back to business?
Thanks in advance.
Best,
Uri
Hi Uri,
It's pretty much up to each individual hotel to sort their beaches out so I'm not sure that the situation is on Bophud beach but would expect most hotels to be cleaning their beaches.
I also think that due to the wind direction, Chaweng beach has gotten much more debris dumped on it's beach than Bophud.
Every shop that hasn't been damaged will be open for business!
Hello
i have a question, we have heard the Surat Thani airport is closed because of storm and rain. Is that correct?
We have booked a flight from Bangkok to Surat Thani on 12 April. Then we'll go to koh samui with the ferry
Will there still be problems on 12 April? I hope you can give me an info!
Sorry for my bad english.
Greetings from Germany
yours sincerely
Patrick
Hallo Patrick,
Im moment ist der flughafen von Surat noch immer geschlossen aber es kann gut sein das in ein paar atge der flughafen wieder offen geht. Der strassen verkehr rund um Surat Thani wird jeden tag besser. Im moment wurde ich fast erwarten das der flughafen am 12. offen sein wird kann das aber nicht garantieren!
Hi Brad,
Good question! Due to the current sunshine which I expect to last for a while (despite some minor showers) I would not expect too many mosquitos and diseases on Samui. I would expect the mainland to have more problems with this.
Thanks Camille,
Much appreciated.
I think we will take the chance and come after all.
Uri
Good to hear Uri, I hope you will enjoy your trip!
Hi Camille
Im sorry I was miss informed about the dead fish they was found before the earth quake in japan so nothing to do with the radiation.
Regards
Craig
Hi Craig,
I do remember that, that was in the US, all those sardines that got lost, wasn't it!
Hallo Camille,
vielen Dank für die schnelle Antwort. Wir fliegen am 8. April nach Bangkok, ich hoffe es ist in Ordnung wenn ich mich dann noch einmal nach der aktuellen Lage erkundige.
Gruß
Patrick
Hallo Patrick,
Kein problem!
Hi Camille, thank you very much for all the information you have posted. My wife and I are on our way over and were planning on staying in Khao Sok before heading over to Samui. We were planning on catching the night train from Bangkok to Surat Thani and catching a bus to Khao Sok (arrive April 9th) but based on your previous posts it sounds like Phin Phun is out of the question. Should we forget about trying to get to Khao Sok and just get off the train in Chumpon and head to Samui via ferry? Thanks again for info, much appreciated!
Regards,
Kelly
Hi Camille
Thanks for the great updates!
I have been informed that tranis go to Surat Thani now, but do you know if it is possible to go from the train station to the pier?
All the best
Katrine
Hi Camille,
Your blog has kept me positive while planning for my trip to Koh Samui on Sunday.
One question, is the Chaweng Garden Beach Resort operating as per usual?
Many thanks,
Rhiannon
Camille
This blogging is very new to me but your information is very helpful to myself and my family. We are due to arive at the Centara grand in Chaweng on 14th of April. Having had it postponed from last December as we couldnt leave london because of the bad snow. Then the floods hit and I thought I was jinxed, but your information has been extreemly helpful and it has put my mind at rest. See you in the bar at the Centara and I will gladly buy you a cold beer. Keep up the good work
Mark
Well Mark,
Looks like it's going to happen this time around, Enjoy your trip and thanks for the heads up on my blog!
Many thanks for your reply I will check your blog each day for any good news Regards Vincent
Vince
Hi Vince,
Hope as much as you do that the good news will keep coming through!
Dear Camille, thanks for your blog, my daughter and I are travelling to Samui (yes we are not canceling!!!!) from April 18-30, staying in the Reagent Resort Chaweng, are your pictures give me hope, that the worse have past both for the people in Samui and for the tourist. I realized you can not give us an update of the situation in all hotels but if you happen to made pictures of the area where our hotel is, we would love to see them, thanks again and praying that the sun comes and stays. God bless Koh Samui Regards, Gretta and Chantal
Hi Gretta and Chantal,
The Regent is on relative high ground and should be up and running, especially come the 18th April!
Camille
Do you get sharks in Samui waters? If one is going to dive is there anything down there that bites?
Warm regards,
Jignesh.
Hi Jignesh,
We only have dangerous sharks, so no big deal ;-)
Seriously though, yes there are things that can bite but they don't, I guess because they're nice creatures!
Hi Camille,
We are coming to Samui on the 21st of April to get married, do you think things will be ok??
Jason
Hi Jason,
By the 21st I would expect everything on Samui to be back to normal!
Me and my family is going to Poppies Samui Hotel. Could you please update on this hotel. We will be arriving 14th april - and really looking forward (as it has been quite expensive). Best regards Rikke
Hi Rikke,
Poppies is located on a very low part of Chaweng South, that area was hit very hard, I would suggest contacting the hotel regarding the current state of affairs. They will be able to clean up and repair a lot until the 14th April though!
Sorry for not having better news right now.
Thank you so much for this fantastic blog! all very reassuring. (we are staying at the Centara from the 15th April) keep it up -- fom Belinda and her very excited daughter Sammie! Thanx soooooo much!!!!!!Sx
Enjoy Belinda and Sammie!
No Camille
it was in thailand in feb was in rangon.
Regards
Craig
Hi Craig,
Don't recall that but thanks for the clarification!
Hi Kelly,
Keep a good eye out on the current situation for train travel, it may change within a few days.
If travel by train to Surat is not possible, I would suggest getting off at Chumpon and take a ferry from Chumpon via Koh Tao and Phangan to Samui.
Hi Katrine,
As soon as the railway station in Surat will open, it will be possible to get to the Donsak pier!
Where did you get this information about the railway station being open?
Hi there Camillie,
I was just wondering what your advice is on someone traveling alone in thailand is? I will be meeting a friends close to the end of april then I am alone for 6 days. I am a little nervous as to my safety as well as what I am gonna do! i want to meet people! Do you have any suggestions on where to go?
Hi,
If you keep your wits with you and don't check in your brain at Thai immigration, you will be just fine. In general Thailand is a very safe and friendly country to travel in. Do the same things as you would back home in respect with meeting new people and you should be fine.
Your blogs have been very useful in the last few days ... thankyou
We have spent 150,000batt booking 2 hotels in Koh from April 9th - I note that one of the hotels has cleared their front of the beach but we do not plan to spend our holiday stuck at the hotel
Can you give us an honest answer given how much money we have spent planning a 5 star holiday to Koh Samui at 2 hotels (Chaweng and Bo Phut) we have been before so know what it is like - and also played golf which is very expensive even though we stayed at the Santaburi which has special rates ... would we be better this year going to Phuket?
Roz
Hi Roz,
That's indeed a nice amount spent on accommodation but in my opinion all hotels will do their best to make your stay remember-able in a positive way.
All roads are open so you should be able to travel around. You will see remains of the floods though!
Hi Rhianon,
The Chaweng Beach garden should be fine, looking at it's location in Chaweng, on relative high ground.
Hi Camille,
Thank you very much for getting back to me so fast. I´m not crazy about the information you brought to me, but of course it´s only 6th april today so there is a bit of time to get thinks sorted at Chaweng beach. Have a great day.
Best regards
Rikke - Copenhagen (no sun and a bit of rain)
Hi Rikke,
Fully understand and appreciate your sentiments but I rather be frank, unfortunately that part of Chaweng has been hit fairly hard but on the other side it's still a week away and I would expect them to be able to sort themselves out before the 14th.
I do not have any info on the actual hotel and it's current state!
thankyou so much for replying Camille
You're welcome Roz, hope you enjoy your stay!
What a pleasnt surprise, never expected to receive an answer so fast, or at all.
Thanks a lot, keeping our hopes high, all the best for you and your family, lots of sun for Samui.
Gretta
You're more than welcome Gretta, that's pretty much what I've been doing during my spare time recently, answering mails and comments!
Thanks for the well wishing and hope you enjoy your stay on Samui!
Hi there,
I just came across your helpful blog when researching the tides at Koh Samui. Unfortunately I don't really understand what they mean:)
I am getting married 3 April 2012 in Koh Samui at a private villa in Lipa Noi beach. However, me and all my guests will be staying in north chaweng, probably baan haad ngam resort. However someone said the beach won't be pretty or swim-able as it's low tide season. What does this mean? What kind of beaches can we expect towards the end of march 2012/first week of april 2012?
Thanks so much!
End of March and early April should have great conditions around Samui and even with low tide it will be no problem to fully enjoy the beaches at Chaweng!
Pplease have a look at my archives, half way down the page on my Samui info and weather blog, left hand side, they go back a few years. Open a month that you’re interested in and check one of the of the last posts of each month, starting with ‘Goodbye to…………’ this post will tell you the weather conditions for that month.
You can also check each individual post for that month if you wish to.
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