-          People:

SS  Samui has a year-round population of approximately 34,000. Many Thais come from the mainland to find a job, either in the construction business or the tourism industry. The areas around Chaweng and Lamai in the east offer a grand variety of accommodation for tourists, while Nathon, located on the west coast is the capital and inhabited mainly by Thais.

-          Clothing:

The The dresscode on Samui is absolutely informal. Light and loose cotton clothing is recommended to feel most comfortable. When visiting a temple make sure to dress polite. Topless sunbathing is considered rude in public places and generally not accepted.

-          Time of Travel:

The The climate of Samui is tropical and therefore warm throughout the whole year. The best travel time is around December to February, if you prefer the cooler and dryer months. The hottest season is between March and July and the raining season between October to December.

-          Visa:

Visi Visitors from the most western countries need simply a minimum six months valid passport to get a stay up to 30 days. You get this Visa in the Airport in Bangkok. If you are planning to stay longer, a 60 days tourist visa must be obtained from a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate abroad.

At   AT a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate you can apply for different kinds of Visa. For visiting Thailand longer than 30 days you need to get a tourist visa in advance.

-          Vaccination:

The There is no special vaccination needed, but it is recommended to vaccinate against Polio, Tetanus, Typhus and Hepatitis A. A vaccination against Malaria is only necessary, if you travel away from the main tourist areas in the northern regions of Thailand.

-          Customs:

      A person can bring up to 200 cigarettes or 250g tobacco and 1 liter of wine or other spirits. If you bring more than 10 000 US Dollar into Thailand a declaration is necessary. The export of Buddha Statues is forbidden as well as ivory or corals. The export of Thai currency is permitted up to 20 000 THB.

In the many branches of the Tourism Authority of Thailand you can get information about maps, events or sights as well as lists of recommended hotels and travel operator.

-          Electricity:

220 220 Volts AC at 50 Hz. The sockets can be used with European as well as American plug. There are occasional blackouts and power variations, especially during rainy season.

-          Tourist Health:

YouYou should not drink tap water or use it for cooking. Most hotels offer free bottled drinking water. When buying from food stalls, make sure the food looks fresh and usually it should be covered. Drink plenty of water during a day at the beach to avoid dehydration or heatstroke. Samui  has some of the best hospitals and medical care available.