Welcome to May 2020

Welcome to May 2020

Welcome to May 2020 indeed. Keep your distance and wash your hands regulary. It's Covid19 wasteland! This morning it's cloudy and wet over Koh Samui. We just had a strong shower. Very good for the ground water levels.

The weather in May is typically a nice mixed bag of sunshine and rain. Some years a bit more rain. Other years a bit more rain. Typically they are tropical showers. Fast and furious!

The Covid19 restrictions stay in place for Thailand during this May. However, there's a four step program to start opening shops, restaurants, parks, sporting options again. Just to name a few.

On the other hand, the alcohol ban remains in place for May, as will inter provincial travelling be discouraged. All other measures basically remain in place. Including the curfew between 10pm and 4am.

Welcome to May 2020

The departures entrance of Koh Samui airport. The gates are closed. The airport is closed down. Bangkok Air will start two flights per day between Bangkok and Koh Samui as of 15th May. Domestic air travel is slowly starting up again around Thailand. Currently only Nok Air is flying it's full regular schedule. 

Initially there was also talk that the 4 public holidays this month would be cancelled. This turned out to be incorrect. All four holidays remain in place. Today May day. 4th May Coronation day. 6th May Visakha Bucha day. 11th May Royal Ploughing Ceremony. That means official offices like immigration but also banks will be closed.

Hang in there folks. Be safe, keep your distance and keep washing your hands. And do donate! It is appreciated!

Please do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and enjoy the beaches around the island or in front of your hotel or resort and get some well deserved rest and a break. That is, once the travel restrictions have been lifted.

As already mentioned in my Facebook page, there are many initiatives around the island for helping Thai and Burmese people with food and other donations.
There are however also plenty of foreigners, Westerners or farangs who have a hard time dealing with no income and bills to pay. If you like this blog, this is a good time to help out and make a donation. If you can, much appreciated! There's a donation button on top of this page.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 26th January, 2017

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 26^th January, 2017

Today's weather;

It's cloudy over Koh Samui this morning and the roads are wet due to some rain last night. There may be a light shower or two today but they should be among the last ones we get for this week.  Current temp at 7am is 26C

Yesterday I drove down to Koh Lanta, where I will start a PADI IDC today. It's partially cloudy with nice blue patches in the sky and a current temp at 7am of 25C

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 26th January, 2017; The Seatran pier in Nathon, yesterday morning, rolling on to the Seatran ferry, heading for the mainland in Don Sak.

Yesterday saw a partially clouded sky around Koh Samui and it was a nice and dry day with a max temp of 31C. Last night there was some rain though.

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 26th January, 2017; View from the new bridge between the two Koh Lanta islands. This is a view towards Baan Saladan. Yesterday was the first time that I crossed the bridge, last year when I left it was just about a week or such before the bridge opened. Travel time is shortened by at lest half an hour or more, since there's no more waiting and queuing for the short ferry ride between the two islands.

The forecast for the next seven days is looking good, today and tomorrow may still see a bit of rain but the clouds are dissolving and we should have some sunshine coming our way as well, possibly starting tomorrow already but definitely when the weekend starts. Enjoy next week and the end of this month and February looks like it will be in good old fashion with some lovely weather.

Do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks! 

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 13th November, 2014Thre

Today's weather;

There's a mixed bag of weather around Koh Samui's sky with clouds and blue spots but it looks like it will stay dry. Current temp at 7am is 24.9C

Yesterday I drove over to Khao Lak, where I will start a PADI IDC today. t's also partly clouded with blue spots in the sky and the current temp at 7am is 23.8C

Monks in a songthaew or public taxi at Bophud traffic lights. Usually the monks travel for free

Yesterday saw a nice day around Samui with some sunny moments and a max temp of 32C

During my drive over to Khao Lak I encountered one very hard and short shower near Surat Thani and the rest of the trip was nice and easy with a partially cloudy sky and nice temperatures in Khao Lak and a max temp of 32.5C

The gas station near Phang Nga where I always stop on my down to Khao Lak or Phuket is up and running again and has changed a lot, but you can get gas and diesel again and food is now also available again.

The forecast predicts more cloudy skies coming up around Samui and plenty of rain as of Tuesday next week.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks! 

Camille

Don Muang airport, Bangkok

After being out of action for a few years, since the new Suvarnabhumi International airport opened it's doors in 2006, Don Muang airport in Bangkok has re-opened it's doors and gates in 2012 again as a low cost airline hub. 

The outside

Since I fly to Bali with Air Asia, since last year I've been using Don Muang again, with it's extremely conveniently Amari hotel located next to the highway that separates the two buildings but with a walk way over said highway that connects the two buildings. The flight to Bali leaves at 6am which leaves me without a direct connection from Koh Samui.

Departures, currently with Air Asia, Nok Air and One-Two-Go

Don Muang brings back some great memories since it was the first port of arrival for many of my earlier Thailand trips. The first shock of heat, the first smells, the first moments of excitement of being back where all down down the gate bridges at Don Muang.

The way to International departures, the passport control

Seeing the airport back now, after having used Suvarnabhumi for a few years, it's hard to imagine how this relatively small airport was capable of handling the millions of visitors it received each year. Renovation and upgrading plans are in the making accordingly.

The departures concourse

One of the drawbacks of this airport is it's location, Suvarnabhumi has easier access to downtown Bangkok by car and train system and is also just about a bit over an hour away from Pattaya.

Don Muang on the other can only be conveniently reached by taxi or car.

Tax free shopping

The golf court, taking from a taxiing airplane

One of the unusual things with this airport is that next to taxi lanes of the planes, there's a golf court. It's funny to see people, caddies and equipment are moving around when you look out of your plane window. I don't know of any other airports around the world that have this.

The luggage belt, welcome to Thailand

It's good to have Don Muang back in action. My personal inconvenience and probably other peoples as well, is the travel time and logistics of transferring between the two airports.

It puts Bangkok in the league of major cities world wide with at least two active international airports.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 15th February, 2014

Today's weather;

For the third time in one week we found ourselves back on the Seatran ferry, bound for the mainland. Tomorrow I'm planning to run a half marathon in Prachuap Khirikhan, a place we're been to 6 years ago and quite honestly, it's a bit further away than I remember it to be! It's going to be a long day of travelling.

The sky over Koh Samui is a bit of a mixed bag, mostly blue skies but there are some clouds hanging around. Current temp at 7am is 26.8C

Two Samui bound ferries

Yesterday saw a nice and sunny day with a fairly strong wind. Max temp reached 32C

The forecast predicts mainly sunny skies with the wind about to recede come Tuesday but the wind may be back come next weekend.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 11th February, 2014

Today's weather;

It's nice and blue again although parts of Southern Koh Samui are covered under a big cloud. We're on our way to Surat Thani to get a passport for our youngest one. The passport office just re-opened yesterday, after a prolonged closure due to the Bangkok protests, so it may be very busy today. right now we're still on the 6am ferry. Current temp at 7am is 25.6C

On the Seatran ferry on our way to Surat Thani, the South of Koh Samui is covered under a big cloud

Yesterday saw a nice and warm around Samui with a max temp of 31C

The forecast still shows blue skies but the wind should pick up tomorrow with a strong wind over the weekend.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 30th December, 2013

Today's weather;

It's cloudy and hazy around Koh Samui this morning but the sun tries hard to break through. Current temp at 7am is 24.9C

The roof for the sports area at our children's school is almost completed

Yesterday saw a cloudy day but it's still dry and so far it has been a very dry December. Max temp reached 28C

The forecast predicts a drop of wind and more sunshine within a day or two. It looks like a nice start of the new year.

Road fatalities statistics for New Year 2013, day 2

Before we get to the new year, the road statistics are not very good. A bus accident near Chumphon with the Bangkok - Hat Yai bus, where the driver apparently fell asleep at 5am, injured 18 people. 

On day two of the so-called "seven dangerous days" of the New Year holiday period, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department's Road Safety Operation Centre, reported that 47 people had been killed and 486 injured in 474 road accidents on Dec 28. Bringing the total up to 86 killed people by road accidents, with drunk driving being the biggest culprit.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 6th November, 2013

Today's weather;

Back home again! It's good to be with the family after more than two weeks. The sky over Koh Samui is not celebrating however and it's mostly cloudy. Current temp at 7am is 26C

Yesterday I flew in on Don Muang airport in Bangkok and it brought back plenty of memories of early trips to Thailand. Now it's hard to imagine that only 4 conveyor belts had to handle all incoming traffic

Yesterday saw a sunny day around the island and also Bangkok was sunny when I arrived during the afternoon but more cloudy towards the early evening. Max temp on Samui reached 32C

The forecast predicts a cloudy day with some rain tomorrow and cloudy with a few sun rays for the remainder of the week.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Remains of crashed Bangkok Airways plane have moved

The unfortunate Bangkok Airways ATR72-500 that crashed in 2009 was moved recently after having been at the same spot for almost 4 years at Samui airport.  As it is, today is exactly 4 years ago that the plane crashed.

Body view

The new location where it can be found is alongside 'Highway' 4170 near where it intersects with the 4169 close to Ban Saket. Coming from Nathon, it would be the second main intersection, taking a right, on your right side hand.

The black box

It's a bit of an odd location, since there's no scrap yard anywhere nearby or anything that would indicate a reason or purpose why it has moved down here. It's also strange to see the fuselage of a plane sitting next to the public road, as if it's dumped or fell off a truck. Although, for the latter, it's looking too well arranged.

The wings

The cockpit is missing, since that took the hardest hit during the crash, since it hit the control tower, there's no tail end and the rudder wing is missing as well. The wings are showed inside the interior.

The interior

The interior is completely stripped of anything useful and probably is being used for spare parts. Ad the picture above proofs.

Window with a view

On one side all windows are cut out, on the other side, a few windows seemed to have been removed as in the picture above, but that probably proved to be too much trouble, so cutting them out was easier.

Front view 

View from the side

If you happen to be around these parts of the island, maybe as part of a trip around the island that I  can highly recommend, this would be a short and a high curiosity factor kind of stop! 

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Thailand has the worst the worst traffic safety record of any major country in the world .

The string of bad and shocking news coming from Thailand recently just doesn't seem to stop.

A recent global study has revealed another world record was achieved by Thailand last year. Thailand has the worst traffic safety record of any major country in the world, as reported by the Bangkok Post today.
What is really shocking is the knowledge that those numbers are way off, the situation is worse than reported. If a person involved in an accident dies at a later time, like in a hospital, they are not counted.

A motorbike accident last week on Koh Samui, causing a one hour traffic jam to both ends of the road, luckily nobody died in this accident

Having just written about road safety in Thailand, this article doesn't come as a big surprise but it's shocking nonetheless!

Having lived now on Koh Samui for almost 14 years, the first couple of years I didn't see any accidents, let alone bodies, although I heard many (sometimes grueling stories) but the last couple of years I've seen an increase in road accidents, seen bodies and hear the ambulances almost on a daily base passing our house. Even in front of our house, a few meters to the left in a slight curve, a few people have died this year and in previous years.

It's bloody dangerous out there and Samui, Pattaya and Phuket rank among the more dangerous places in the country.

Unconfirmed (but fairly reliable) sources say that on Samui twice as many people die per year in road accidents compared to the Netherlands. That's just on Samui!

To top this off, I have a handful acquaintances and friends that died in road accidents over the span of those 14 years, let alone the amount of people that I personally know that had serious accidents.

Be careful out there when you decide to participate in Thai traffic: use common sense and don't try to manage or learn how to ride a bike in Thailand and drive defensively!

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Big Buddha pier in Bang Rak

Everyone who traveled through Bang Rak most likely has seen the Big Buddha pier or possibly has experienced or enjoyed the pier, which could be a very different experience, totally pending on your  perspective.

The pier is mostly known for the transfers of the MV Sea Flower, a big wooden boat, to/from Koh Phangan, docking on Phangan near Haad Rin, which is well know for it's Full Moon Party, usually once every month.

View from the pier

A few times per day it can be fairly busy, when the boat departs/arrives with (Metered) Taxis and mini buses hanging around for customers or dropping them off. However, during Full Moon Party days, it can be a mad house here, especially when the Sea Flower arrives. It also can make for some amusing sights when the FMP survivors come swerving off the pier in various states of intoxication and fluorescent paint jobs done on their body.

The actual pier

Back in the days, we're talking a century ago now, late 1999 and early 2000 the dive boat for the company I worked for at the time being also departed and arrived here every day. That was some hard work loading and offloading the boat each day with over a 100 tanks at times plus equipment bags, foods, drinks etc.

How convenient, a minimart!

Next to the pier used to be a 7-11 but alas, this 7-11 burned down in 2008 after a car crashed into it and just recently a new outlet has opened up across the street. Now you can conveniently buy drinks, snacks and fluorescent FMP t-shirts at the pier while you wait for your boat to depart in the local minimart.

The view from the street, a few times per day busy, during Full moon; a zoo!

Besides the minimart, you will find a ticket outlet next to the minimart, a bathroom facility and usually there will always be a few motocycle guys hanging out if you need a transfer nearby. During the times the boat departs/arrives there will also be a few taxis hanging out.

Street sign with times and price

Price for a one way ticket is 200.-THB and the boat leaves Big Buddha pier at 10.20am, 1.00pm, 4pm and 6.30pm each day.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Songkran Road accident statistics in Thailand 2007-2013

The 'Seven Dangerous Days of Songkran' have been designed for this year by the Thai Government as being from Thursday 11th April to Wednesday 17th April 2013. starting as of tomorrow, it's going to be an even bigger madhouse on the already dangerous Thai roads than it usually is.

Songkran itself is only celebrated on Koh Samui on Saturday 13th April, which for me personally is good enough. This is sharp contrast to other locations like Chiang Mai, Pattaya or Khao San road in Bangkok where the party lasts for a week.

During Songkran most people go upcountry to visit their parents or take their families for a holiday.  This in turn makes for busier than usual roads and accidents are inevitable. Most fatal accidents are caused by drunk driving and speeding and take place late afternoon to mid evening. You can cut the chance of being involved in a fatal accident if you wear a helmet on a motorcycle and put on your seat belt in a car. At dusk make sure you turn on lights and at all times keep within speed limits. Most of all, do not drink and drive.

Around the island only twice a year road checks are set up to control for drunk driving, our traditional New Year is one of them and the other time is during Songkran.

Here are the full statistics for accidents during Songkran 2012:

11-17 April 2012: Most accidents were caused by drunk driving (38.76%) followed by speeding (20.53%). The vehicles involved in accidents were motorcycles (81.12%), pick-up trucks (10.03%), car/taxi (3.55%), truck (0.55%), bus (0.30%) and van (.027%). Accidents happened the most on roads through villages (35.18%) and on highways (33.00%). The majority of accident happened on straight roads (57.73%). Most accidents happened between 4pm and 8pm (31.73%) followed by 12pm to 4pm (25.75%). Of those who were injured or were killed, most were over 50 years of age (18.15%), followed by 30-39 years of age (17.13%) and 15-19 years of age (17.08%). A total of 11.00% were less than 15 years old.

Last year there were 320 deaths during the Seven Dangerous Days of Songkran which averages at 45.7 per day. Here is how it has compared over the years:

Songkran 2007: 361 deaths, 4,805 injuries and 4,274 accidents
Songkran 2008:  368 deaths, 4,801 injuries and 4,243 accidents
Songkran 2009: 373 deaths, 4,332 injuries and 3,977 accidents
Songkran 2010: 361 deaths, 3,802 injuries and 3,516 accidents
Songkran 2011: 271 deaths, 3,476 injuries and 3,215 accidents
Songkran 2012: 320 deaths, 3,320 injuries and 3,129 accidents



Some scary statistics and a serious warning not to leave the house for long travels unless really necessary, and drive carefully out there! Wear a helmet and your seat belt, it's a madhouse out there!

Statistics come from Richard Barrow's original post.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Khao Luang National Park and Karom Waterfall, Lan Saka

During our visit to Lan Saka, where I participated this morning in the 3rd Lan Saka mini marathon, organized by the local hospital, we also visited the Khao Luang National Park today, nearby Lan Saka.

The entrance to the park

The park is easily to find when you're leaving Lan Saka in a Southern direction. We stayed at the Loy Chalet hotel, but opposite the entrance on the main the road is the Khao Luang hotel which looks very promising (next to the river which allows tubing) and just before the actual entrance is a resort and inside the park you can also find accommodation. Plenty of choices are available.

As always in Thailand, dual pricing is the norm of the day

After showing the lady at the entrance proof that I pay taxes in Thailand and a short preach by her about having to show some sort of proof like a work permit or the like, I did pay the Thai entrance fee of 40.-THB and the children went for free! Strangely enough there was a 30,-THB car fee which is nowhere displayed!

The entrance to the Karome waterfall inside the park

The biggest attraction at the park must be the Karome waterfall. One of many in the area but surely the biggest and most spectacular one.

Level 4 of the waterfall

The waterfall has 19 levels but only 7 are accessible for the public. The levels have also names, with the last one, 'Naan Daat Fah' the most spectacular and it includes a big basin.

A steep view down

The park is very well maintained and clean and the park rangers seem to be doing a good job for which the entrance fee is well deserved and apparently used to better the park.

For instance; various toilets are build on the road leading up to the main waterfall level, an excellent service and not that typical for Thai national parks, from what I've seen so far.

Signage along the road, it's 'only' 600 meters to the main level!

All around the park is well maintained, as the picture of the signage above shows, the toilets proof and the it was tidy and clean. Hats off to the park rangers for taking care so well.

View along the way, very impressive and spectacular views are guaranteed!

The road leading up and down again

As already mentioned, all is very well maintained and the roads are well taken care of. Any fallen trees blocking the road are sawed in half and removed from the paths and the paths seem to be fairly new and in a good state. It made a safe impression on me which can not always be said of many places in Thailand.

The walk up is 'only' 600 meters but seems a lot longer but because the paths in the hill are shaded, it's not too bad and on a regular base some seating arrangements can be found for a well deserved rest or for taking the beautiful scenery and nature in.

The main waterfall; Naan Daat Fah

The walk up is well worth it, once you reach the final waterfall you are presented with a fantastic view of the fall and a big basin in front of it. There's a big shaded picnic or relaxing are with benches and a sala. Bring your own food and/or drinks though, there's nothing for sale this far up the hill.

The basin in front of the Naan Daat Fah waterfall, nice and cold but apparently not open for swimming

King Rama VI initials

In 1917, King Rama VI visited the park and carved his initials into the rock (right click on the picture and open in a new tab for a better view), another reason to make it all the way to the top!

A great time was had by all 4 of us, the children loved it and my wife enjoyed it also. If in this part of the world, it's well worth a stop and checking out or maybe even plan a trip here! The whole Lan Saka area is nice and worth checking out.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Surat Thani railway station, or rather Phun Phin!

Although everybody knows about and refers to it as 'Surat Thani railway station', the actual station is located in a small city called Phun Phin.

In the past I have used this station a lot, in my early days, when I was still visiting Thailand as a tourist, to get to bus to Koh Phi Phi or Phuket. Later when I lived on Koh Samui I used the station as a start or finish point for overnight trains to/from Bangkok.

Entrance to the station

I prefer trains over buses in Thailand, especially considering these kind of stories. Accidents with trains happen a lot less and I sleep a lot better on trains compared to buses. The trains in Thailand for overnight travel offer 2nd fan and aircon bunks and 1st class aircon bunks. Comfortable enough to me, compared to a declining seat in a bus.

However, ideally I fly nowadays or take my own car!

Platform 1 with a train waiting to depart

Opposite the station are plenty of food stall, small mini markets, a few budget hotels and plenty of travel agents that can arrange a bus and ferry connection to 'the islands', being Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Other than that there's not really that much to do, my advice is to bring a good book. Night trains for Bangkok tend to leave around 9pm but your arrive somewhere around 4 or 5pm at the rail way station! That can be a long wait.

The schedule

There are not that many trains arriving and departing in this rail way station, just 14 in total. They actually all fit on this one schedule board, which interestingly enough has space delays. Seems to happen with Thai trains!

In case you just show up, you can't miss the ticket booth directly after the entrance

In general I would assume that you would buy a combi ticket on Koh Samui for ferry/bus train.

All trains are actually managed and run by the State Railway of Thailand.

These signs can be seen on all Thai railway stations

Station master

For departure, the system still relies on man power and signalling flags. From various wagons, employees hang green flags out of the window, indicating that that specific part of the train is ready to leave.

Once the all important whistles are blown, the train can leave

Outside the railway station

Riding trains in Thailand is convenient and a 'real adventure' with stunning sights. It's convenient as well, there's a food/restaurant wagon on the 'bigger' trains and don't forget, you're in Thailand, at each station you can buy food or people wills ell it to you whilst the trains is halted at a station. Give it a go, it's well worth the effort and time in my opinion.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille