Now open to fully-vaccinated tourists, Southeast Thailand’s compact yet fun-packed island offers something for all, including world-class golf
If you’ve been endlessly daydreaming of heavenly sun-kissed island holidays, drenched in warm, sweet, unmistakably Thai hospitality, then you’ll be thrilled to know that the resort island of Ko Samui is now open to fully vaccinated international tourists – via the Samui Plus programme!
Launched by Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) on July 15, the Samui Plus programme (designed for travel between July and December 2021) facilitates travel to Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao in Surat Thani province for fully vaccinated tourists from designated countries (more on the Samui Plus programme later).
Located in the Gulf of Thailand off the east coast of the Surat Thani province, Ko Samui is a 228.7 sq km island and can easily be covered in a few hours by car or motorbike. Famed for its pristine beaches and lush inland mountains, the island also boasts many superb resorts ranging from luxury properties to quaint beach bungalows and is every holidaymaker’s ultimate destination.
Ko Samui offers an amazing array of experiences for one and all, from natural attractions such as the Ang Thong Marine National Park and Namuang Waterfall to the pristine waters and beachside bars of Chaweng Beach. While it is small enough to be circumnavigated in just a couple of hours by car, the island features such a variety of attractions and activities that it would be impossible to experience everything in a single visit.
The beaches of Chaweng and Lamai are bustling beach towns with stunning resorts, a vast array of restaurants, plus typically vibrant Thai nightlife with numerous bars offering a fantastic combo of ambience, entertainment, music and cocktails. There are also a few quieter beaches that are ideal for relaxation, many featuring some of the finest beach resorts in the world. Bo Phut exudes an old world charm with its rows of converted, old Chinese shophouses.
While in Bo Phut, foodies in search of unique dining experiences could check out Tree Tops Sky Dining & Bar at Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort. The fine-dining restaurant boasts 8 private tables nestled in a 120-year-old tree top canopy, providing the ultimate setting for romantic dinners and leisurely lunches as you take in the serenity of the lush rainforest.
Experience unforgettable evenings at Tree Tops (pic courtesy of Tree Tops Restaurant Samui) and Dining On The Rocks (pic courtesy of Six Senses)
Another fantastic al fresco option would be Dining On The Rocks, an award-winning restaurant located on the tip of the headland, presenting 270-degree views of the Gulf of Thailand. Featuring 10 terraced decks of weathered teak and bamboo, it provides for an intimate dining experience under the stars with a panoramic ocean backdrop.
Also worth exploring on your Ko Samui getaway are Thai cooking courses, yoga, Muay Thai and, of course, the usual island activities such as watersports, snorkelling and scuba diving.
And no holiday is complete without indulgent pampering sessions, so if spas are your “happy place”, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Tanya Samui, a holistic healthcare centre, even offers a unique stay-and-detox programme.
Fun On The Fairways
Golf aficionados, don’t forget to bring your golf bags ‘cos you’ll want to get in some spectacular golfing action on your Ko Samui vacay. The island offers two golf courses – the world-renowned Santiburi Samui Country Club and the rugged nine-hole Royal Samui Golf & Country Club course.
Rated as one of Thailand’s top golf courses, Santiburi Samui is built on a spectacular hillside setting on the north side of the island overlooking the azure waters of the Gulf of Thailand. The par-72, 6930-yard course proved its championship pedigree as the venue for the Asian Tour’s Bangkok Airways Open from 2005 to 2008, followed by the Queen’s Cup from 2009 to 2017.
Santiburi Samui CC
The course challenges golfers with dramatic elevation changes, tight Paspalum fairways and speedy Tifeagle greens. Crafted by local architect Pirapon Namatra and American designer Edward Thiele, the layout climbs into the mountains after the first few holes and then winds its way back down to the clubhouse. The well-appointed clubhouse has excellent facilities including a golfer’s terrace that opens out to great sea views.
If you’re eyeing a rugged yet charming golf experience, then Royal Samui is your cup of tea. Founded in 2006 by a group of golf enthusiasts, the par-33 nine-hole course is built on hilly terrain overlooking the east coast of the island and is characterised by tight fairways, sharp drops and steep climbs, as well as smallish greens. Dense clusters of coconut trees line the fairways while huge boulders add character and challenge to the course.
Accommodation To Suit Any Budget
There’s a diverse range of accommodation at Ko Samui, from rustic boutique stays to opulent five-star resorts, boasting the finest facilities and services money can buy.
At the top-end of the spectrum is the newly-opened Hyatt Regency Koh Samui located in North Chaweng, less than 10 minutes from the island’s international airport. Adopting a design-forward philosophy, the stunning property occupies eight acres of private coastline and offers 140 rooms including 24 spacious suites and villas with private balconies. Along with four restaurants and bars, there is also has a spa with five treatment rooms, freeform pools which cascade to the beach, as well as Camp Hyatt for children.
Plush accommodation at Hyatt Regency Koh Samui, located in North Chaweng (Images courtesy of Hyatt Regency Koh Samui)
The Samui Plus Programme
International visitors from approved countries are required to book accommodation for the first 7 nights in a ‘Samui Extra Plus’ hotel on Ko Samui only, followed by 7 nights in a ‘SHA Plus’ hotel either on Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan, or Ko Tao, before being able to travel to other destinations in Thailand.
Day 1: On the day of arrival, the first RT-PCR test will be conducted at the ‘Samui Extra Plus’ hotel, and the traveller must wait in their room for the result.
Day 1-3: After receiving a negative test result, travellers can then relax and use services in the area that the ‘Samui Extra Plus’ hotel has allocated.
Day 4-7: Travellers can travel in districts of Ko Samui according to the specified route and travel programme. A second RT-PCR test will be conducted at the ‘Samui Extra Plus’ hotel on Day 6 or 7.
Day 8-14: You must stay at a ‘SHA Plus’ hotel, and after receiving a negative test result, can travel within Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao. On Day 12 or 13, a third RT-PCR test will be conducted at the approved hospital.
Day 15: If the third test is negative, travellers can go from Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao to other provinces in Thailand as long as they provide proof of at least 14 nights’ stay, three RT-PCR test results, and evidence of disease control according to the destination’s regulations.
To find out more, visit https://www.tatnews.org/2021/07/samui-plus-faqs/
USEFUL CONTACTS
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Malaysia
Suite 22.01, Level 22, Menara Citibank, 165, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603-2162 3480
Email: info@tourismthailand.my / Website: tourismthailand.my
Royal Thai Consulate-General, Penang
No. 1, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, 10350 Penang
Tel: +604-226 8029 / 226 9484 / 228 6784
Email: thaiconsulate.pen@gmail.com / Website: penang.thaiembassy.org
