Koh Samui First-Visit Essentials

A short list of things that make a first Koh Samui trip smoother, all drawn from the detailed records in this database.

Money. The currency is the Thai Baht. Thai bank ATMs charge 250 THB (Visa/UnionPay/JCB) to 350 THB (Mastercard) per foreign-card withdrawal, plus your home bank fee, so withdraw larger amounts less often and always choose to be charged in baht. Cards work at hotels, malls and bigger restaurants; cash is essential for markets, street food, songthaews, taxis and temple donations - plan roughly 70% card, 30% cash. A backpacker-style day costs roughly 1,200-2,100 THB; street food runs 60-150 THB a dish. Bargain at markets, never in malls; tip only lightly.

Safety and health. Obey red flags on beaches - red means do not swim; east-coast rip currents are worst November to January. Box jellyfish stings are rare but serious (mainly July-October): pour vinegar on the sting for at least 30 seconds and call 1669. Use mosquito repellent (dengue exists year-round). If you rent a scooter, you legally need a motorcycle licence plus an International Driving Permit; without them, insurance may not cover the island's most common tourist accident.

Culture. All temples are free, but they are active places of worship: cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes before entering buildings, never point your feet at Buddha images or monks, and women must never touch monks. All beaches are public by law - you may use the sand in front of any hotel.

Practical rhythm. Do outdoor sightseeing before 11:00 and after 15:00 to dodge the worst heat. Plan boat trips early in your stay so you can rebook if weather cancels them (common October-December). Match evenings to market days: Fisherman's Village Friday, Lamai Sunday, Maenam Thursday, Nathon food market daily. Carry small notes for parking, donations and songthaews. A tourist SIM costs about 299-1,199 THB depending on validity; buy at the airport with your passport. And keep your last day flexible if you are leaving by ferry during monsoon season.