Ko Samui Travel Forum

Hi

We're heading off to Samui on 30th April and back on 4th May. We have a few queries and hope that you guys can assist. We will be staying at Anantara @ Bo Phut.

1) Repellant - saw a couple of tips on this. Is it really that bad there? I read that mossies are everywhere .. are they even on the beaches?

2) Bikini - I'm quite large in size. Over here in Singapore, they don't seem to sell bikinis which will fit large size bodies. So my question is, are there any surf/bikini shops in Samui which I can get my bikini and wont cost me an arm/leg?

3) Tailoring - what's the cheapest in THB terms anyone has paid for a work shirt to be made in Samui?

4) Any good/reasonably priced travel agencies which we can arrange for daily trips around the island?

Oh forgot to also ask, apart from massages on the beaches, can anyone recommend good massage outlets which wont cost an arm/leg?

If you can read Chinese, I think you can find your answers on www.backpackers.com.tw/forum. If Chinese is all Greek to you, try the English version.

I am going to Samui on April 26, and will leave on April 30. As I know, the fee for massages is around 200 THB at the beach, but spa and massages is usually not less than 1800 THB. Will that cost you a leg?

Hope it helps!

Mosquitoes, Malaria and Dengue Fever.

This is a question that appears quite a lot here on VT.
You will hear from people who never take any kind of medication.
You will hear from those who do.

May I suggest that you contact your own doctor, practice nurse or travel clinic and ask for their advice?
If they recommend that you use some form of medication, get them to recommend the treatment.
You may find that some treatments you make you ill, if so, ask the doctor for an alternative.

Different anti malaria medication effects different people in different ways, what is good for one person is not always good for another. You won't know this until you have tried a particular medicine.

At present, there is no cure for Dengue Fever.
Unlike the mosquitoes that cause malaria, dengue mosquitoes bite during the day.

Is prevention better than the cure?
Of course it is.
DEET based products are the most effective way of repelling mosquitoes.
Available in different forms and strengths, users should always read the instructions carefully

“I will only be there 3 or 4 days, do I really need to take the medicine”
It does not matter, if it is an infected area, 3 or 4 minutes is all it takes to get Malaria.

Either way, you can return from your holiday with some great photographs, a sun tan and good memories or in a body bag.
The choice is yours.

True fact: - Malaria has killed more than half the people who have EVER lived.

This reply may appear to be a little melodramatic and over the top.
IT IS MEANT TO BE.
Too much irresponsible and bad information is given out over forums regarding the mosquito and its potential to kill.

thanks for the tips

does anyone know about the bikini bit?

A lot of stuff in Thailand is small,even if it says "large" it is usually a lot smaller than a "medium!" i havent been to Samui yet but most of the stuff comes from Bangkok so i would say bring your own just in case. they have a few specialty shops in Bangkok that sell larger sizes but on a whole Thai made clothes are a bit on the small side.I am a large in a shirt size but have to buy 2X or 3XL,jeans I am 33 waist and have to buy 36 in Thailand and thats if I can find those sizes.

Den

There are quite a lot of mozzies in Samui. I stayed in Chaweng and it gets bad - around the lake in particular. They're normally more active at night so you should be ok during the day on the beach but use some spray anyway. I used Jungle Formula - for tropical use, and that seemed to do the trick. The only time I forget to use it and went outside for 5 minutes I was bitten quite badly.

There are a number of bikini shops in Chaweng which you could try. I don't know about sizes but I'm sure you'll be able to find something. As for tailors, again they are everywhere and are open to bargaining. They will probably throw you in a suit too.

It's probably easier to hire a scooter, jeep or a taxi to travel around the island, it's pretty easy to find you're way around and that way you can stop off wherever you like.

xx