Samui Open for Business?

[lootarzoon]

On 6/19/2020 at 6:49 AM, Maha Sarakham said:

Looked like a handful of expats just sitting around Lamai having a few beers... looks grim.  Even if the borders open this year, not sure we are going to proceed with our previous reservation on Samui.  Have a feeling a lot of places will be going under or not have staff in time for high season.

Forget about high season anymore for at least 2 years. We can only start to see the economical damages,chaweng is leading towards being a ghosts town with closings and bankrupcies

[Birdman]

8 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

That is true. But most Thais consider Samui and the southern islands to be a blight zone and a rip off too.

For most Thais Koh Samui is terra incognita. A place never considered to think about in their whole life time. 

 

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

9 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

No. It is deserted, and Chewing Beach resembles Dresden, post 1945. There are a massive number of businesses which are either abandoned, boarded up, closed, or gone for good. They were doing road work on the beach road in Chaweng before all this happened, and it appears that project is abandoned, so it has contributed to the blight. It is not a fun place to be at the moment. Friends of mine who live there say it is quite depressing to see all of this, and knowing how dependent the Southern Islands are on foreigners (Samui, Phangan and Dark Tao never attracted many Thai tourists, as they have an aversion to pirate pricing, and the stunning lack of law and order), who knows how long it could be, before we see any sort of revival?

You seem to be a bit distanced from reality.

'It is not a fun place to be at the moment.' There are no fun places for International tourists to be in Thailand. There are no tourists. There will probably be no International tourists until 2021 at the earliest. Anywhere in Thailand. Most airlines are planning to start flights in September - for domestic tourists. The country is locked down in case you had not heard.

Do you believe that Phuket or Pattaya or Bangkok are any better off?

I manage villas. There are plenty of domestic tourists currently arriving on Samui in the area where I am. Both Thais and foreigners. Most arrive via the ferries, having driven from Bangkok or Phuket. They are not looking for the sleezy areas that you keep harping on about. They do not want to go to some little village called Chaweng. They are coming to Samui, with their families, and enjoying the uncrowded beaches and good restaurants that are open. (The more touristy ones are still closed.) Most guests recently (both Thai and foreign) have been impressed with the quality and price of the food in the restaurants that we recommend. 'Much cheaper than Bangkok' say they.

Snorkeling around Samui is the best that I have seen since I arrived 20 years ago. Tours are starting up, but not in Chaweng. You seem to think that Chaweng and Samui are synonymous. They are not. Perhaps you should look at a map of Samui?

'Chewing Beach resembles Dresden, post 1945.' You are confused here. There are no beaches in Dresden. (And it is Chaweng.) Your photo of Chaweng beach is NOTHING like Dresden after the bombing.

'it appears that project is abandoned,' So let us now look at this little bit of frivolity.

From what I have seen on Samui, this is what will happen.

They have a team working on the island installing new drains. (Well done Samui.)

They have finished the drains in Chaweng and are now working in Bophut, Maenam, Plai Laem etc.

When the 'drain team' have finished, they will bring in the 're-surfacing team'. (Different skills and different machines.)

This bit should not surprise you - it will not happen quickly. When the re-surfacing team is ready for its job, it will probably be rainy season.

For once, please try and look at Samui (the island) and not Chaweng (one village). Samui is a great place to live and to visit. Chaweng - well, we will leave that one for you. You seem to be the expert on it.

[Tropicalevo]

1 hour ago, Birdman said:

For most Thais Koh Samui is terra incognita. A place never considered to think about in their whole life time.

Usually true. However, normal is no longer normal.

Since Interprovincial travel has restarted, quite a few Thais coming to Samui for a 'look see' whilst prices are low.

They have all enjoyed their stay here and plan on coming back  - as long as prices are low.

We have seen mostly family groups, but there are also groups of young Thais travelling on a bit of a budget.

The 'tourist model' on Samui is going to be different for at least a year or two methinks.

[elgenon]

Any girls working?lamai or Chawaeng?

[spidermike007]

13 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

You seem to be a bit distanced from reality.

'It is not a fun place to be at the moment.' There are no fun places for International tourists to be in Thailand. There are no tourists. There will probably be no International tourists until 2021 at the earliest. Anywhere in Thailand. Most airlines are planning to start flights in September - for domestic tourists. The country is locked down in case you had not heard.

Do you believe that Phuket or Pattaya or Bangkok are any better off?

I manage villas. There are plenty of domestic tourists currently arriving on Samui in the area where I am. Both Thais and foreigners. Most arrive via the ferries, having driven from Bangkok or Phuket. They are not looking for the sleezy areas that you keep harping on about. They do not want to go to some little village called Chaweng. They are coming to Samui, with their families, and enjoying the uncrowded beaches and good restaurants that are open. (The more touristy ones are still closed.) Most guests recently (both Thai and foreign) have been impressed with the quality and price of the food in the restaurants that we recommend. 'Much cheaper than Bangkok' say they.

Snorkeling around Samui is the best that I have seen since I arrived 20 years ago. Tours are starting up, but not in Chaweng. You seem to think that Chaweng and Samui are synonymous. They are not. Perhaps you should look at a map of Samui?

'Chewing Beach resembles Dresden, post 1945.' You are confused here. There are no beaches in Dresden. (And it is Chaweng.) Your photo of Chaweng beach is NOTHING like Dresden after the bombing.

'it appears that project is abandoned,' So let us now look at this little bit of frivolity.

From what I have seen on Samui, this is what will happen.

They have a team working on the island installing new drains. (Well done Samui.)

They have finished the drains in Chaweng and are now working in Bophut, Maenam, Plai Laem etc.

When the 'drain team' have finished, they will bring in the 're-surfacing team'. (Different skills and different machines.)

This bit should not surprise you - it will not happen quickly. When the re-surfacing team is ready for its job, it will probably be rainy season.

For once, please try and look at Samui (the island) and not Chaweng (one village). Samui is a great place to live and to visit. Chaweng - well, we will leave that one for you. You seem to be the expert on it.

Don't mean for this to be personal. I lived on Samui for 9 years, so I do know a bit about it. And I visit often. I currently have a few friends living there, and they all find it very depressing right now, with all of the closed shops, closed restaurants and hotels, and the typically stunning lack of local pride.

 

I know that does not fit neatly into your narrative, but these are guys I am close to, and they do not say these things lightly. 

[khunPer]

On 6/21/2020 at 7:26 AM, spidermike007 said:

They were doing road work on the beach road in Chaweng before all this happened, and it appears that project is abandoned, so it has contributed to the blight.

Just for your information – as you are not staying here anymore – the road work on Chaweng beach road is both for better sewer system, but mainly tunnels for underground wires, instead of the hanging wires, which with need of both more power and high-speed communication, expanded in a way not looking nice.

 

The square manhole covers are for underground wiring, excess waterproof pipe pieces can be seen laying at the right. The not-too-nice looking hanging wires are supposed to be installed inderground. The photo was taken April 9th, unfortunately I don't have a newer, as I'm not a manhole-photo collector.

 

The underground work is almost finished, they still seem to do a bit in the southern part, and the soi from the beach towards the police station and Laem Din market. Now it's waiting for the cables be be to put underground in the the waterproof tubes, just like it has been done with success at some streets up in Bangkok ("Wireless Road" comes to mind, it was among the first ones to get rid of wires...????)

 

Finally I would think – my vision only – that a new tarmac will be lay on top, just like the Ring Road has got very nice new double thick tarmac layer and side walks after the sewer works has been finished; the northern part of the Ring Road is really nice to drive now, with all the previous, often slightly dangerous, big sewer grills gone.

 

 

Samui is indeed approving nicely, a little bit all the time, but a major change for those that dream only of having the good old hippie-era, with muddy dirt roads, back.

[RickG16]

On 6/21/2020 at 5:04 PM, lootarzoon said:

Forget about high season anymore for at least 2 years. We can only start to see the economical damages,chaweng is leading towards being a ghosts town with closings and bankrupcies

I just don't agree with this narrative. After being cooped up for half a year, I think anyone with money for a holiday will take one! And there will be a few. 

[brain150]

Chaweng and Lamai are both pretty much in lock down !

Beach road in Chaweng is a nightmare and the whole place looks like an abandoned ghost town !

Same for Lamai !

I don't see any reason for anybody to go to Samui right now or in the near future.

 

After 8 pm you have the island to youself !

Thai markets are busy because the people have not enough money to go to the Restaurants.

Most Restaurants are CLOSED !!! [All around the Island]

 

Bangrak is as empty as it can be, so is the rest of the Island.

 

A bit of honesty is what is really missing on this Island - as can be seen by comments that

try to suggest that Samui is a place to go to right now.

 

It simply is not !

 

... and I am on Samui !!!

 

 

[Gulfsailor]

36 minutes ago, brain150 said:

Chaweng and Lamai are both pretty much in lock down !

Beach road in Chaweng is a nightmare and the whole place looks like an abandoned ghost town !

Same for Lamai !

I don't see any reason for anybody to go to Samui right now or in the near future.

 

After 8 pm you have the island to youself !

Thai markets are busy because the people have not enough money to go to the Restaurants.

Most Restaurants are CLOSED !!! [All around the Island]

 

Bangrak is as empty as it can be, so is the rest of the Island.

 

A bit of honesty is what is really missing on this Island - as can be seen by comments that

try to suggest that Samui is a place to go to right now.

 

It simply is not !

 

... and I am on Samui !!!

 

 

Chaweng Beach and Lamai certainly are very quiet. But other areas are actually quite busy. Loads of mainlanders on Samui now who grab the opportunity to stay at a luxury beachfront resort at up to 75% off. 

I took the Seatran ferry to Donsak yesterday and I was amazed to see ferries running every 30 minutes because it was so busy, in stead of every hour as is normal, and only every 2 hours just last month. 

Will take the ferry back to Samui tomorrow and will update how busy it is then.

 

[Tropicalevo]

12 hours ago, brain150 said:

A bit of honesty is what is really missing on this Island - as can be seen by comments that

try to suggest that Samui is a place to go to right now.

I manage a number of villas.

About 25 of them are active rental villas.

At the moment, only 4 are vacant. They are vacant because the owners do not want to drop the prices.

The other 21 villas all have guests. About half of them are short term (2 - 3 days) 'domestic' visitors who are making the most of the low prices. We are turning away enquiries.

There are reasons to visit Samui as long as you are not a bar-fly or like to be deafened by loud music. People go to Chaweng and Lamai for that and they are dead. I suspect that they will stay that way until at least next year.

The seas are perfect and the beaches are empty. Just how some people like them.

All of the restaurants that we recommend are open. Selling good food at reasonable prices. We do not usually recommend 'tourist' restaurants

Bangkok Airways has already had to put on an extra flight every day. Mind you, most of our short term guests are driving here.

I can only describe the Samui that I see and work in and people are coming here.

 

You, along with some others, are looking for one thing. Other people are looking for something else. They are finding it on Samui as it is now. Many of the villas have guests that have been here since before the lock-down and they are happy here. They are not rushing to leave.

There is no honesty missing in my posts. Numbers speak for themselves.

 

 

[Ron jeremy]

13 hours ago, brain150 said:

Chaweng and Lamai are both pretty much in lock down !

Beach road in Chaweng is a nightmare and the whole place looks like an abandoned ghost town !

Same for Lamai !

I don't see any reason for anybody to go to Samui right now or in the near future.

 

After 8 pm you have the island to youself !

Thai markets are busy because the people have not enough money to go to the Restaurants.

Most Restaurants are CLOSED !!! [All around the Island]

 

Bangrak is as empty as it can be, so is the rest of the Island.

 

A bit of honesty is what is really missing on this Island - as can be seen by comments that

try to suggest that Samui is a place to go to right now.

 

It simply is not !

 

... and I am on Samui !!!

 

 

Exactly what I am hearing from people living there, and all around Thailand, much different than business owners who are trying to paint a rosy picture. They all say the same thing, you made the best decision going home, there is nothing there, very few people around, no vibe, dead as a dodo. Things back home are basically normal, . I was told I was panicking when I left. 

No curfews back home, no booze bans, no line ups for food. Life is great. Very few people living there are happy if the real truth be known.

[Tmoney]

33 minutes ago, Ron jeremy said:

Exactly what I am hearing from people living there, and all around Thailand, much different than business owners who are trying to paint a rosy picture. They all say the same thing, you made the best decision going home, there is nothing there, very few people around, no vibe, dead as a dodo. Things back home are basically normal, . I was told I was panicking when I left. 

No curfews back home, no booze bans, no line ups for food. Life is great. Very few people living there are happy if the real truth be known.

Your opinion but not true.

 

I believe there are currently three distinct groups of westerners here on Samui (and surrounding islands).

There are those that are/were employed or self-employed relying on tourists for their incomes.

Sadly, they are struggling to make ends meet. (Dive schools come to mind).

There are of course others like Tropicalevo who don't rely solely on westerners for income and are not being materially affected.

 

There are those who came here on holiday but are stuck here unable to go home with visa extensions granted until the end of July, again, some struggling with little money for living.

(Yes, I know limited flights are available for some).

 

Finally there are the many ex-pats (like me) living here and thoroughly enjoying our life here regardless of whether or not the islands have tourists coming.

I love the quiet beaches, the quieter roads etc. but I also enjoy better times when the place is full of tourists. It makes me feel like I am on one long holiday and so many tourists when I meet them in bars say how lucky we are to be able to enjoy retirement on such a beautiful island.

Edited June 26, 2020 by Tmoney
photo

[khunPer]

2 hours ago, Ron jeremy said:

Exactly what I am hearing from people living there, and all around Thailand, much different than business owners who are trying to paint a rosy picture. They all say the same thing, you made the best decision going home, there is nothing there, very few people around, no vibe, dead as a dodo. Things back home are basically normal, . I was told I was panicking when I left. 

No curfews back home, no booze bans, no line ups for food. Life is great. Very few people living there are happy if the real truth be known.

We that lives here – on Samui – however see every day what daily life is like, and it's actually quite great, and was it all through the lockdown period, if you are not into business depending on tourism, or a stranded migrant worker; however the last ones we have been helping through among others the society Sisters On Samui (SOS), that kindly organize free food supplies, and other needs.

 

A number of people were "stranded" here – most seems to be here voluntary – and they don't look like being in a hurry to leave. There was a few weeks with no alcohol sale, as it was all over the nation, and curfew at night, where most people anyway sleep or stay home, so if you are not a heavy drinker or addicted to nightlife, not a serious problem; not even for me, and I'm normally out in party-nightlife three nights a week. Take-away food from numerous of the restaurants without line-up – including several-star resorts – during the relative short lockdown; or direct delivery at your home. Local life continued; traffic on roads, but less than high season, which is only nice; lots of people outside; and nice beach-life that in daytime is fairly private, in afternoon and evening busy, seems as busy as usual for this time of the year, which is normally low-season on Samui.

 

And now with partial re-opening it's a great place, only downside is if you're mainly here for partying and nightlife, but that is closed almost everywhere in the World, so not that different. Beer Bars have anyway not been a great issue on Samui for quite some years – only few visitors would head here for that – but some pubs also serving food has been open for a while, including a number of the cozy places by the beaches, including otherwise deserted Chaweng, where I noticed "Moonrise" had almost full house of mainly foreigners around 5pm when I walked the beach a few days ago.

 

However, those into Chaweng's party life, or Lamai's bar life – or commuting to the monthly Full Moon Party – might be (very) disappointed over Samui at present. Otherwise things "are basically" pretty "normal"...????

[Gulfsailor]

Taking the ferry from Donsak to Samui now. I haven’t seen it this busy here for a loooong time. People without reservation who arrive now (3PM), are being turned away as all ferries until 7:30PM are full, and they are running every 30 minutes. 

[phetphet]

On 6/19/2020 at 11:32 AM, Birdman said:

Smaller Thai owned hotels are opening now. They are hoping to make business with domstic tourists. Tha bigger ones still closed. 

Chaweng beach road is completely empty. Wonder why they don't finish building that road. Now would be perfect. 

 

Places like Plai Laem market full like before Corona. 

 

Personally I liked the first April weeks. Could stay like that forever

My GF told me that on the Samui webpage (Facebook page?), everyone is complaining and asking the same question: Why don't they get a move on and finish the works on Chaweng Beach Road while it is quiet?

[Ron jeremy]

21 hours ago, Tmoney said:

Your opinion but not true.

 

I believe there are currently three distinct groups of westerners here on Samui (and surrounding islands).

There are those that are/were employed or self-employed relying on tourists for their incomes.

Sadly, they are struggling to make ends meet. (Dive schools come to mind).

There are of course others like Tropicalevo who don't rely solely on westerners for income and are not being materially affected.

 

There are those who came here on holiday but are stuck here unable to go home with visa extensions granted until the end of July, again, some struggling with little money for living.

(Yes, I know limited flights are available for some).

 

Finally there are the many ex-pats (like me) living here and thoroughly enjoying our life here regardless of whether or not the islands have tourists coming.

I love the quiet beaches, the quieter roads etc. but I also enjoy better times when the place is full of tourists. It makes me feel like I am on one long holiday and so many tourists when I meet them in bars say how lucky we are to be able to enjoy retirement on such a beautiful island.

If you are a monk or a priest it is great, I also believe that some people like things quiet, but people don't go on holiday to come to a deserted island that resembles a morgue. There are many YouTube videos from all over Thailand. And speaking with people there, no it's not to there liking. 

But im happy you're enjoying things. My friends are not relics, enjoy a beer or 2 , and I did happen to be there, would I like to be there now? Not a farking chance! I truly beleive most retirees etc, are second and thirdly guessing what their retirement dreams have become. 

 

[Tropicalevo]

I have been told that Ark Bar is open and somewhere in Bangrak was playing loud music last night well past midnight (Chi?).

Looks like bar owners are not waiting for the official phase 5 relaxing.

These places would not be open if there were no customers???

Hey - Samui is not going to be like it was before covid for at least a couple of years. Same as for Phuket, Pattaya, Bangkok and other places all over Thailand

We are receiving enquiries for later on this year. Mostly from families and for longer than a week or two but they are all waiting to know when they can come here.

Is Samui open for business? Hell yes.

Is the entertainment area in Chaweng open for business? Hell no. And it won't be for some time.

[khunPer]

Samui open for business, a nightlife update...

 

As per 1st July, the bars and nightlife are allowed to open under strict restrictions. I had a little walk around the Chaweng Lake area today (June 30th), where it looks like Camp Beer is preparing something, with loud music and light inside, and cleaning activity. Camp Beer is mainly a place for Thai clientele.

 

Reggae Pub is however a sad sight. The new building looks like in decay, with broken windows and fenced in with posters from last big birthday party in 2012, especially the back side looks bad (the inserted image)...

 

Inside the original venue all of value has been removed, so won't open by July 1st – but to me it has for some times seemed like Reggae Pub has lost it's previous glory for quite some time, and it's clients also, so not really something new...

 

The whole Soi Reggae is still deserted apart from two places with some life, one even seemed like cleaning was in process. A few bars looks like totally cleared, another is available for rent or sale – if someone should be desperate about opening a bar on Samui – but during all the 19 years I've been coming here there has always been bars for sale in Soi Reggae...

 

But coming to the more living side of the lake, the 2nd Road, loud live music is distributed over a large area – so it was also yesterday afternoon – from the band in "Old School Bar", which apart from only few guests in the afternoon seems like it's fully open for business as usual, tables are close and without 1.5m-high partitions; Old School Bar is a place many young Thais often are visiting...

 

By the Beach Road the road paving has been leveled with tarmac, but most places seems closed. I didn't have time to check if any activity by Ark Bar, but I noticed that Chaweng Garden Resort, opposite the still closed Hard Rock Café, has a big "open"-sign...

 

The man I know in Green Mango Club signalled me that they would still be dead as a Dodo, at least silent, as I could see that the speakers had been taken down – well I can't imagine much fun in a disco without any dance activity and a night club usually opening 11 pm, and now forced to close before midnight...

 

However, you seem to have a chance for silent a night in the town, which might not be as silent as it's name, as "Hush" in Soi Green Mango was in full cleaning activity today, with music and light in working condition – there are still quite a lot of foreigners on the island, so not impossible some will head out in the nightlife for a change – perhaps there even will be some girls that cannot be stopped from dancing on the tables...????????

[khunPer]

Some July 1st late evening impressions from Chaweng...

 

Night action in the Old School Bar...

 

The parking area behind Green Mango...

 

The street in front of Black night club...

 

Party in Black...

 

Some angels waiting for Gery – or just some of Gery's angels...

[khunPer]

More July 1st late evening impressions from Chaweng...

 

Chica Loca Bar with live band (use to be great reggae music there)...

 

Soi Sound, will probably renamed to soi Hard Rock Hotel at some point in the future...

 

And a look the other way in that soi...

 

The beach road in Chaweng...

 

Soi Solo, or perhaps rather "soi Stadium" now...

[khunPer]

And even more July 1st late evening impressions from Chaweng...

 

The beach road in Chaweng is often a bit dead by night life time, but it's more dead than usual now due to most beachfront resorts are still closed – including Ark Bar and their beach parties – there are no new foreign tourist arrivals at the moment...

 

Soi Green Mango...

 

Temperature control, Thai Chana app for check in, and hand gel, and then you're allowed inside...

 

...inside Hush Club, Samui's HipHop RnB venue...

 

The usual night market is also back in action...

 

–And so, back in action, is almost all the usual life behind the beach area, with live bands in packed venues that typically attracts mainly Thai clients.

 

On my way to Chaweng I noticed that all the usual local restaurants are open, and also most of the few bars on the Ring Road from Maenam – and as usual not many guests there – and the the girls, probably the usual birds, were sitting in front of the small karaoke bars, so everything seems fairly normal now...????

[corkman]

I am very pleased to see so many replies to this topic since I started it a few weeks ago. I had no idea it would be popular! Some great and interesting opinions and perspectives here. I have ready them all with great interest and its an interesting log of how things are gradually opening up!

[Tropicalevo]

If people are thinking about coming to Samui by car, please make sure that you book the ferry.

Guests arriving this pm from Bangkok have just sent a message. Arrived Donsak 13.00. First available ferry 17.00.

I went to Suratthani last week and there was a long queue waiting to get to Samui when I disembarked at Donsak.

[Tmoney]

For anyone interested, this is the latest Samui promotional magazine published by TAKS.

Looks like a great place for a holiday. ????

 

KOH SAMUI _ Suratthani THAILAND 2020.pdf

[Maha Sarakham]

Saw this comment from someone on Bangkok Post, don't know how accurate it is but it sounds like the situation is quickly getting worse.

 

Quote

I’m on Samui right now, helping a friend. From what I see about half of all the businesses have closed, gone bankrupt. What the story doesn’t mention are the 300 out of the 600 hotels that have closed permanently. There are lines of hundreds of local people to get free food. How on earth is letting maybe 200 tourists per day come here going to save this? And that’s if they can get 200 tourists to wait for their test result for 2 hrs at the airport and then quarantine. Samui is in serious deep trouble for a long time to come.

 

Edited July 5, 2020 by Maha Sarakham

[samsensam]

1 hour ago, Maha Sarakham said:

Saw this comment from someone on Bangkok Post, don't know how accurate it is but it sounds like the situation is quickly getting worse.

 

 

 

on the plus side the government is doing a good job of protecting the healthcare system.

[evadgib]

I have noticed a slight increase in ferangs wobbling about on motorbikes of late...

[Birdman]

All the bigger hotels are also open now. Last Friday no chance to get a car ferry to Don Sak without a reservation. PG now with big Airbus coming in, not Dash. Also flights to/from HKT already since a week.    

[khunPer]

2 hours ago, Birdman said:

All the bigger hotels are also open now. Last Friday no chance to get a car ferry to Don Sak without a reservation. PG now with big Airbus coming in, not Dash. Also flights to/from HKT already since a week.    

Not "all", because all the big ones that closed on "my" beach – and the smaller ones also – are still closed: however some of the smaller resorts might open a section in a week-end if there's demand enough for it.

 

Where do you stay and see all big ones are open?

????