Friday, October 1, 2021

Samui Plus (สมุยพลัส): The Rules for International and Domestic Travellers visiting Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao - Changed on 1st October

See the locations on Koh Samui เกาะสมุย SHA plus hotels Google Map.

Requirements for fully vaccinated foreign tourists from Friday Oktober 1 for visiting Koh Samui, Koh Pha-ngan and Koh Tao:
Surat Thani province has issued Covid-19 rules for foreign travellers visiting the three islands under the Samui+ Model.

Countries, from where travellers may enter Samui Plus: read.

You can fly to Samui on a direct international flight. Or you take an international flight via Bangkok and an approved sealed flight to Ko Samui. For the flight via Bangkok you have to book both flights together from Bangkok to Ko Samui. See airlines with code-sharing with Bangkok Airways. Any flight reservations booked separately will not be allowed. The sealed flights are operated by Bangkok Airways. Daily from Bangkok at 10.05, 14.35 and 17.10.


When you have arrived in Thailand you have to download Samui Health Pass or Mor Chana app on your smartphone and turn on.

After arriving at Ko Samui Airport you take the first RT-PCR test.

Afterwards you transfer to your SHA plus accommodation, only with transport company with Samui+ symbol.

You have to wait in the hotel room for the result of the first RT-PCR-Test.

If the result of the first test is negative, you can travel on Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao.
You can travel from the following piers only:
Ko Samui: Lom Phraya Na Phra Lan, Buri Rasa (hotel guests only) and Phu Yai Non.
Ko Phangan: Thong Sala
Ko Tao: Ban Mae Hat (Sala Vibvahadi)
Boats to Mu Ko Ang Thong: Na Thon Municipal pier

For 7 nights you can stay only in SHA plus accommodations. You can change the hotel no more than three times during these 7 days. List of SHA plus hotels on Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao. See also Koh Samui เกาะสมุย SHA plus Hotels Google Map


On day 6-7 you take the second RT-PCR-Test at Central Festival Ko Samui, Ko Phangan Hospital or Ko Tao Hospital.

On day 7, if the test is negative, you will be given a release form. From day 8 you then can travel freely around in Thailand.

This is an excerpt from the publication by Samui info by Nicha on Facebook.


Where international tourists can registrate for Samui Plus visits: COE Thailand. You need hotel bookings and payment confirmations for 7 nights to get the COE.

Read detailed Samui Plus FAQ.
#treasuresofthailand


Entry regulations for domestic travellers for Ko Samui,
Ko Phangan and Ko Tao

For Ko Samui:
From Dark red zone (Bangkok): RT-PCR-Test no longer than 72 hours old and be vaccinated
From red zone (Chiang Mai): RT-PCR-Test no longer than 72 hours old
From orange zone (Krabi, Phang Nga, Phuket): No test, no vaccination
From yellow zone (other districts of Surat Thani): No test, no vaccination

For Ko Phangan:
From Dark red zone (Bangkok): RT-PCR-Test no longer than 72 hours old and be vaccinated
From red zone (Chiang Mai): RT-PCR-Test no longer than 72 hours old and be vaccinated
From orange zone (Krabi, Phang Nga, Phuket): RT-PCR-Test no longer than 72 hours old and be vaccinated
From yellow zone (other districts of Surat Thani): No test, no vaccination

For Ko Tao:
From Dark red zone (Bangkok): RT-PCR-Test no longer than 72 hours old and be vaccinated
From red zone (Chiang Mai): RT-PCR-Test no longer than 72 hours old and be vaccinated
From orange zone (Krabi, Phang Nga, Phuket): RT-PCR-Test no longer than 72 hours old and be vaccinated
From yellow zone (other districts of Surat Thani): No test, no vaccination

Read which province belongs to which zone at tatnews.org


Read more:
Beaches, Hotels and Guesthouses on Koh Samui - see SHA Plus Hotels on Google Map
Ko Tao เกาะเต่า - a Hotspot for Diving - with SHA plus hotels Google Map
Ko Phangan เกาะพะงัน - beaches, resorts and your reviews - with SHA plus hotels Google Map


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Location: Ko Samui, Amphoe Ko Samui, Surat Thani, Thailand

Thursday, July 29, 2021

The Ko Samui Covid-19 Cluster and late Dancing at Black Club Samui

Thethaiger.com recently reported that some bars and clubs in Koh Samui continue to operate seemingly indifferent to Covid-19 restrictions in place without any masks or social distancing and during periods that nightlife was shut down nationally. Now 16 Covid-19 infections have been traced to the Black Bamboo Club in Chaweng. The Black” is an interior nightclub. “Black Bamboo” is its garden bar with a restaurant licence.

On Facebook the owner of the Black Bamboo restaurant gave the following declaration:

"I, Tinnakorn Poolsawad, owner of “The Black Bamboo Restaurant” at Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Surat Thani, want to explain to everyone that the restaurant was opened regularly to customers and has been filtering out Covid-19 by checking temperature, hand sanitisers, free masks for customers and ensure that all our staffs wear masks at all time. However, we received a notice that one of our customers from a couple of days ago got Covid-19. They had no symptoms or signs of Covid-19 so we offered them service as usual and were informed today that they have contracted Covid with no information of when or where they got it from. The Black Bamboo Restaurant will then be closed for 14 days from today onwards to filter out staff that are at risk, allow them to be quarantined, tested for Covid-19 and, in association with the government, we will undergo sanitary precautions required for Covid-19."

The statement does not say, that the guests weared masks all the time.

The authorities on Ko Samui urged people who have stayed at following places should contact Ko Samui Hospital for a Covid-Test:
The Black Bamboo on 16 July from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. On July 17, 2021, from 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and on July 23, 2021 at 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Speedy Lounge and Bar Lamai on 16 July from 9:30 PM - 10:30 PM.

The authorities on Ko Samui informed, that a 32 years old women working as cashier at a fitness center went to a birthday party and differenz places, before her infection has been discovered. She did not wear a mask. The authorities now prepare a place with up to 100 beds for infected people. Pol Col Yuttana Sirisombat, Superintendent of Bophut Police Station, was assigned with an investigation. Ultra bodies gym, where the women worked, announced closure until august 11 on Facebook.


Update on 29 July: 38 new Covid-19 cases detected from Black Bamboo cluster. Around 600 people went to covid-19 tests on Wednesday according to Samui Info by Nicha after the announcement by the authorities.

Update on 30 July: 40 new Covid-19 cases detected from Black Bamboo cluster. The governor of Surat Thani says the covid-19 cases on Ko Samui are not related to tourists arriving under the Samui Plus model or Phuket Sandbox model. Therefore the Samui Plus model can continue. But "Bangkok Post" writes: Samui Plus programme teeters on brink. Samui authorities informed, that by testing they found totally 99 COVID-19 infections so far, after Black Bamboo Cluster had been detected in Chaweng area.


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Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Beaches and Hotels SHA plus and Extra plus on Ko Samui เกาะสมุย

See the locations on Koh Samui SHA plus and Extra plus Hotels Google Map.

The following pictures are from guests, who have been there. So you get a real impression.

Extra plus hotels are designated for the first 7 nights of international tourists, who arrive for the Samui Plus program.
SHA plus hotels are designated for a safe stay after international tourist have spent their 7 first days with negative Covid-10 tests.

*** Recommended hotels


Mae Nam Beach ชายหาด

Picture by Christian Moser


Napasai - a Belmond Hotel - SHA plus:





Tongsai Beach ชายหาด ท้องทราย

Angthong Villa - Extra plus: Not situated at Tongsai bay, but on the West side. Only quite old reviews on tripadvisor.com.




So Paradise Villa - Extra plus:


*** The Tongsai Bay Hotel - SHA plus: From 7080 Bath. 84 Moo 5 Bo Put. Excellent reviews on tripadvisor.com.






Bophut Beach หาดบ่อผุด

Bophut used to be a traditional Thai fishing village. The restaurants are known for their great fresh seafood.


Panacea Villas - Extra Plus: Very good reviews on tripadvisor.com.








Peace Resort - SHA plus: 178 Bophut Beach. Very well maintained resort with excellent service according to very good reviews on tripadvisor.com.






Six Senses Samui - SHA plus:

Picture by Marc van der Chijs
View from the air


Zazen Boutique Resort & Spa - SHA plus: From 4760 Bath. 177, Moo 1 | Tambon Bophut. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com with some complaints about construction noise.








*** Bo Phut Resort and Spa - SHA plus: Very good reviews on tripadvisor.com.






Hansar Samui Resort - SHA plus: From 9000 Bath. 101/28 Moo 1, Bophut. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com.


The Scent Hotel: 58/1 Moo 4 Bangrak Beach.

Picture by Aurimas Adomavicius



Choengmon Beach ชายหาด เชิงมน

Best place for swimming is in the centre of the beach.

Meliá Koh Samui - SHA plus: Former The Imperial Boat House. With a lot of coconut trees. Very good according to reviews on tripadvisor.com.






Muang Samui Spa Resort - SHA plus: 89 Moo 5, Choengmon Beach. Nearly everything perfect at this amazing hotel according to reviews on tripadvisor.com.







Chaweng Beach หาดเฉวง

Picture by soma-samui
Chaweng Beach south

Chaweng Beach is the busiest area of Koh Samui with a large number of hotels, restaurants, bars and a lively nightlife with DJ bars, parties with fireworks, pubs and clubs. The beach is wide.


Briza Beach Resort - Extra Plus: The hotel is located on a fairly steep side of a hill. Breakfast choice is not great according to reviews in tripadvisor.com. No sand beach in front of the hotel. There is a terrace with sun loungers at the seafront.

Not a beach: a terrasse with sunbeds

Rooms with private pools on a hill


The Samui Beach Resort - Extra Plus: Mixed reviews on tripadvisor.com.


Villa Suralai - Extra Plus:




Sareeraya Villas and Suites - SHA plus: They take care of their white sand beach according to reviews on tripadvisor.com.






*** Sala Samui Chaweng Beach Resort - SHA plus: Sala Chaweng is a 144-room hotel. It has 2 parts, 52 rooms at the Beachfront and 82 rooms at the roadside, divided by a street. Sala Chaweng Beachfront has a big swimming pool courtyard next to the sea, Sala Chaweng Roadside is composed of many smaller courtyards, shaded with trees. Read more about the architecture on archdaily.com. An amazing resort according to the reviews on tripadvisor.com.










Amari Koh Samui - SHA plus: Very good reviews on tripadvisor.com.






La Vida Samui - SHA plus Boutique Hotel. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com.




Dara Samui - SHA plus: Quite good reviews on tripadvisor.com.






Chaweng Regent - SHA plus: Very good reviews on tripadvisor.




Baan Chaweng - SHA plus: Quite good reviews on tripadvisor.com.




The Library Samui - SHA plus: With a red swimming pool. Amazing according to reviews on tripadvisor.com.






Buri Rasa Village - SHA plus: A gem according to reviews on tripadvisor.com.






*** Banana Fan Sea Resort - SHA plus: very good reviews on tripadvisor.com.




Baan Samui Resort:

Picture by ToGa Wanderings


Evergreen Resort - SHA Plus: From 2050 Baht.



Poppies Samui - SHA Plus:





Chaweng Noi Beach

Picture by soma-samui

The beach offers pleasant swimming opportunities. The southern end is unsuitable for swimming: the water doesn’t reach your ankles and the bottom is covered with stones.


The Fair House Beach Resort - Extra Plus: The resort with lovely gardens lies at a hill, there is a steep way down to the beach or from rooms up to the restaurant, but you can use golf buggies. The beach is beautiful with a lovely beach bar. Mostly very good reviews on tripadvisor.com.






Samui Cliff View Resort and Spa: Between Chaweng Noi and Lamai Beach.

Picture by Effie.Y.



Coral Cove Beach

Baan Hin Sai Resort - Extra plus: A hilly resort, location far from grocery shops or restaurants, they have a shuttle to Chaweng. Cool pools with amazing sea views, but no beach. Mixed reviews on tripadvisor.com, some people were satisfied, others not.





Yai Noi Beach

Pawanthorn Samui - SHA Plus:





Thong Ta Kien Bay

Picture by Kitty

Picture by Kitty

Picture by Gretchen


Samui Yacht Club: From 1700 Baht. The bungalows at the beach front have grate views according to travelfish.org. See a video.

Picture by blogomat

Picture by Blogomat



Thong Ta Kian Resort: From 900 Baht. "Great find for the money" according to travelfish.org.

Picture by Gretchen
Villa



Lamai Beach

Picture by soma-samui
From Lamai View Point

Picture by IMP1

Wide and spacious beach, good for swimming, if you don't try the south and north end.


*** Rocky Resort - a Veranda Collection - Extra Plus Hotel - SHA Plus: Set on a beautiful stretch of white sand beach, with bungalows in lush hill gardens. Outstanding according to reviews on tripadvisor.com.






Floral Hotel Aura Samui Best Beach - Extra Plus: Not many reviews on tripadvisor.com right now, the hotel is new.




The Lamai Samui - Extra Plus The Lamai Samui is the new name of Le Meridien. Very good reviews on tripadvisor.com for the old Le Meridien.






*** The Spa Resorts - Extra Plus: Villas in a tropical garden. Recommended for detox stays, yoga and meditation. Very good reviews on tripadvisor.com.






Banyan Tree - SHA plus: Be aware, that this luxury resort does not lay at the beach, but on a hill at the beach. Very good reviews on tripadvisor.com.




Montra Hotel: From 4500 Bath. 142/33-42 Tambon Maret. Nina villas 0n a quiet hillside location, 1 km from Lamai Beach. Very good reviews on tripadvisor.com.




Standard Suite Villa



Coral Cove Beach

Between Lamai and Chaweng Beach

Picture by travelourplanet



Bang Po Beach ชายหาด บางปอ

Picture by Gangaajal

*** Four Seasons Samui Ang Thong - SHA Plus: Villas set in a jungle atmosphere with wonderful sea views and soft sandy beach. Excellent according to reviews on tripadvisor.com.




Lipa Noi Beach ลิปะน้อย





A more quiet beach with serene surroundings. Site of Samui’s most important pier that connects it with Surat Thani and the mainland of Thailand.


Baan Puri Villa - Extra plus: Excellent, 6 big rooms, perfect for a big family or a group of friends according to reviews on tripadvisor.com.




Ban Suriya Villa - Extra plus: A six bedroom beachfront villa with great reviews on tripadvisor.com.






Tawantok Beach Villas: Beachfront location.




Rajapruek Resort - SHA Plus: Quite good reviews on tripadvisor.com.



Rajavadee 4 Beachfront Bungalow


*** Anahata Samui Resort - SHA plus: Amazing detox retreat, good place for yoga and massage according to reviews on tripadvisor.com.

Meditation place




Taling Ngam Beach ชายหาด ตลิ่งงาม

At high tide, there is not enough water for swimming by the shore. It's a wild beach. In its northern half groves of coconut palms reach the seashore. Five neighbouring isles - Koh Thalu, Koh Din, Koh Chetta Mun, Koh Mae Koh and Koh Malaeng Pong - give the surname beach of five isles. Great sunsets here.





*** The Sunset Beach Resort and Spa - SHA plus: Very good reviews on tripadvisor.com.


Avani+ Samui Resort - Extra Plus: No possibility to swim in the rocky sea, but they have a shuttle bus to Lamai and Chaweng beach. Excellent service according to reviews on tripadvisor.com.






Conrad Koh Samui - SHA plus: Built on the edge of a cliff, great views from the villas. one of the best hotels on Ko Samui according to the reviews on tripadvisor.com.




Crystal Bay

Picture by FullofTravel


Ao Bang Kao อ่าวบางเก่า

Villa Moonstone - Extra Plus:




Read more:
The Koh Samui Guide

Ko Phangan เกาะพะงัน - beaches, resorts and your reviews
Ko Tao เกาะเต่า - a Hotspot for Diving and Snorkeling


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Location: Amphoe Ko Samui, Surat Thani, Thailand
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