Useful tips

Money, credit cards, banks

Currency
1 Baht (Bt) = 100 satang. Notes are in denominations of Bt1000 (grey), 500 (purple), 100 (red), 50 (blue) and 20 (green), 10 (brown). Coins are in denominations of Bt10, 5 and 1, and 50 and 25 satangs.

Exchanging money
You can convert major currencies to Baht at all banks and exchange booths. The rates are fairly similar island-wide at both types of locations. Always count the change you receive.

ATMs (automatic teller machines)
ATM or cash machines can be found in Nathon and Chaweng only. There is normally a handling fee of 1.5 percent on every withdrawal.
Note that some ATM machines do not accept credit cards. Look for the VISA and MASTERCARD signs.

Travelers' cheques & credit cards
Travelers' cheques are the safest way to carry your money. Better rates are offered for cheques than for cash, there is normally a charge of 13 baht commission and duty per cheque.
Many exchange booths accept credit cards, check to see if yours is valid before departure.  It is also worth noting that Visa and MasterCard are often the only cards accepted when paying for goods and services.  Expect a surcharge of up to 5 percent on every transaction.

Banks & wiring money
For transactions requiring a teller, there are banks in Nathon and Chaweng.
Banking hours are Monday - Friday 8:30am - 3:30pm.
It is possible to have money wired directly to a bank in Koh Samui.  The transaction will take up to five days to be completed and cost around US $40.
Western Union - has an agent located at the Bangkok Metropolitan Bank in Nathon. This is the fastest but most expensive way to send money. Money wired via Western Union can be collected less than 20 minutes after it isdeposited elsewhere on the globe.

Useful numbers

Country Code:  66
Area Code:  076
Airport, Samui
077-425012

Koh Samui Tourism Coordination Center
Thaweeratphakdee Road, Nathon 370, Moo 3, Tambon Angthong Koh Samui, Suratthani 84140, Thailand Tel: 077-420504, 077-420720 --2 Fax: 077-420504

Immigration - visa extensions are available at the Immigration Office in Nathon. Thanon Thaweeradphakdee, Tel. 077-421-069.

Samui emergency services (Ambulance)   077-421 444

Police

Hospitals

Fire department

Dentist

Credit cards (Bangkok)

Weather

From March to June it becomes very hot -- up to 40C (114F), with little or no rain,

Wilst July to September are hot with occasional rain. These are popular months for visitors.
In contrast to other regions of Thailand, Samui does not really have a well-defined rainy season.  However, November is often described as the monsoon month.  During this period it is common for there to be 2 or 3 days of very low light.

Health services

Medical care
There are two English-speaking hospital in Samui's Chaweng area.  There are also a number of small clinics and pharmacies in every village. Hospitals are well-equipped to handle most minor injuries and illnesses, and will refer you to a hospital to Bankok or Phuket for more serious ailments.

Communicable diseases
There have been no outbreaks of any serious diseases on Samui in recent years.  It is always recommended that holiday makers practice safe sex.

Water and ice cubes
Please exercise caution when ordering ice in bars and restaurants.  We recommend that travelers avoid drinking the local tap water.