Living on the beautiful and exotic island of Koh Samui offers plenty of fun in the sun, world-class beaches, golf courses and accommodations. As a long-term expat, you can be rest assured that there is a family-like atmosphere on the island, with many choosing Samui as their home. We are dedicated to helping you make the transition to island living smooth and pleasant. Here, we have a guide that can be your “go to” resource for daily living needs on the island.
Having this information all in one place can help you navigate all of the tasks that arise when living abroad in Thailand. From emergency numbers to international schools, this guide is meant to assist you when you may need it the most.
At Samui Best Homes we can answer all of your questions and assist you in setting up your new living space. We welcome you to the unforgettable experience of making Koh Samui your new home!
Cost of Living
Like the rest of Thailand, Koh Samui features a lower cost of living than most Western countries. If you are interested in buying a property, check out our home buyer’s guide. For those looking to rent a house or condo, check out our available properties for rent!
Average costs of living for a single person living on Koh Samui:
- 7,000 – 50.000 THB/month rent (depending on standards)
- 3,000 – 5,000 THB/month motorbike rental
- 8,000 THB/month full health insurance
- 12,000 – 20,000 THB/month for food
Average costs of living for a family of 4:
- 20,000 – 100,000 THB/month for 3-bedroom villa (depending on standards)
- 9,000 THB/month minimum for car rental
- 8,000 THB/month full health insurance per person
- 30,000 THB/month international school tuition for 2 children
- 20,000 – 40,000 THB/month for food
For further information about the current costs of living on Koh Samui, check out Cost of Living in Koh Samui.
Food
Finding a delicious meal is never a problem on Koh Samui. From 20 THB a plate for chicken and rice to 3,000 THB for an imported steak, wine, and dessert, the options are endless. World cuisines such as Italian, French, Indian, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and Vegan foods can be found everywhere on the island with supermarkets also offering imported goods from around the world.
Popular Supermarkets on Koh Samui include Tops Market, Big C, and Lotus’s.
For the 10 best restaurants in Koh Samui via TripAdvisor, click here!!!!
Working in Thailand
Although there are many industries that foreigners are not allowed to work, an ample amount of sectors welcome skilled foreigners. If you have trouble finding legal work for your specialty or career, it is possible to start your own business that can allow you to work in an industry that is typically not available to foreigners. Such examples of industries include restaurants, bars, farming, services, etc.
Digital nomads will also be delighted when working in Koh Samui or other parts of Thailand as the country features a very good internet infrastructure.
Visa Options
If you have questions concerning the type of visa available for your situation, job, or interests, Samui Best Homes can assist you as well as help you with your visa application.
Emergency Phone Numbers
Tourist Police: 1155
Police (General Emergency Call): 191 or 911
Ambulance and Rescue: 1554
Fire: 199
National Disaster Warning Centre: 1860
Crime: 1195
Medical Emergency: 1669
Private Air Ambulance (Siam Air Care): 02 586 7654
Hospitals
Koh Samui Hospital
https://www1.samuihospital.go.th/weben/
61 หมู่ 1 Tambon Ang Thong, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84140
Phone: 077 913 200
Bangkok Hospital
https://www.bangkokhospitalsamui.com/
57 Taweeratphakdee Rd Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320
Phone: 077 429 500
Thai International Hospital
http://www.thaiinterhospital.com/
25/25 Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320
Phone: 077 332 654
Bandon International Hospital
https://m.facebook.com/BandonInterSamui/
123/1 หมู่ 1 บ่อผุด Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320
Phone: 077 332 706
Samui International Hospital
90/2 หมู่ที่ 2 Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320
Phone: 098 013 5479
Samui Home Clinic
https://www.samuihomeclinic.com/
29/7, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84320
Phone: 092 278 1988
Health Insurance Offices
AETNA
ต, หมู่ที่ 3 สาขาเกาะสมุย 26/12 ถนนทวีราษฎร์ภักดี อ.เกาะสมุย สุราษฎร์ธานี 84320
Phone: 077 374 561
The Viriyah Insurance Company, Ltd.
G29X+7JV, Tambon Bo Put, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320
PIS Premium Insurance Services (Broker)
https://www.facebook.com/PremiumInsuranceServicesSamui/
124/16 Moo 1, T. Bophut Amphoe Koh Sa-mui, Surat Thani, Thailand 84320
Phone: 091 526 4241
Think Safe International
https://www.thinksafeinternational.com/en/
23/18, Koh samui, Surat Thani 84330
Phone: 064 024 2091
Assure Thailand
108/7 Moo 6 T.Maret T, Surat Thani 84310
Phone: 063 083 0047
AB Samui Consulting (French)
http://insurance-samui.weebly.com/version-francaise.html
119/19 Moo1, Bophut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84320
Phone: Augustin +66 (0)8 43 08 78 65
or 077 430 499
Fiber Optic Internet Companies
True Move
https://truemoveh.truecorp.co.th/?ln=en
AIS
3BB
CAT Telecom
https://www.cattelecom.com/coverpage/start.php
22 หมู่ 3 ต.อ่างทอง อ.เกาะสมุย สุราษฏร์ธานี เกาะสมุย 84140
Phone: 077 420 113
Mobile Phone Companies
DTAC
AIS
https://www.ais.th/en/index.html
True Move
https://www.truemoveh-thailandsim.com/
Government Offices
Samui Immigration Office
http://www.suratimmigration.go.th/en/index.php?intro=1
333 หมู่ 1 ถนนแม่น้ำซอย1 Tambon Mae Nam, Amphoe Ko Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84330
Phone: 077 423 440
Surat Thani Provincial Land Office
18/2 หมู่ที่ 1 Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84140
Phone: 077 423 653
Surat Thani Provincial Transport Office
125, Moo 2, Tambon Lipa Noi, Amphoe Ko Samui, Surat Thani, 84140
Phone: 077 423 309
Surat Thani Provincial Labor Protection And Welfare Office
GWFR+5G4, Tambon Ang Thong, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84140
Phone: 077 355 414
Koh Samui Provincial Electricity Authority
GWCQ+5G3, Ang Thong, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84140
Phone: 077 332 820
Koh Samui District Provincial Electricity Authority
37/1 Moo 1, Tambon Angthong, Amphoe Koh Samui, Suratthani, 84140, 84140
Phone: 077 420 159
Water Services
Tulip Drinking Water
Bank Drinking Water
Samui Ring Road, Chaweng
31/1 Moo 3, Tambon Bophut
Koh Samui, Suratthani, 84320 Thailand
Phone: 0 7742 2371, 0 7742 2333
Samui Pure
Baan Big Buddha, 4171, Koh Samui, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320
Phone: 089 873 0017
Palling Drinking Water
Samui Ring Road, Lamai
18/1 Moo 3, Tambon Maret
Koh Samui, Suratthani, 84310 Thailand
Phone: 0 7741 8349, 0 7723 3116
R.O. Samui Drinking Water
https://www.facebook.com/rosamuidrinkingwater/
Phone: 087 981 6100
Blue Ocean Drinking Water
https://bottled-water-supplier-248.business.site/
68/8 หมู่ 1 แม่น้ำ Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84330
Phone: 095 424 4999
Samui Water Tech
https://www.samuiwatertech.com/
Bo Put, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320
Phone: 081 597 4174
Water Service Koh Samui
https://water-service-kohsamui.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral
31/31 Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320
Phone: 091 043 3131
Taxis
You can download the GRAB or NaviGO mobile applications to book a taxi
Other ways to book a taxi include contacting your hotel or place of stay and have them book one for you.
Airport
Bangkok Airways is the only company that flies directly out or into Koh Samui island. The airport is privately owned. The airport code is USM.
Phone: 077 428 500
Surat Thani International Airport:
The airport code is URT.
44MP+79, Maluan, Phunphin District, Surat Thani 84130
Phone: 077 441 230
Ferry
SeaTran Ferry
Raja Ferry Port
https://www.rajaferryport.com/
Lomprayah Ferry
https://lomprayah.com/page/route
Ferry Samui
International Schools
Green Acre International School
108 Moo 2 Namuang Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84140
Phone: 077 430 729
Panyadee – The British International School of Samui
6/5 Moo 3, Chaweng Noi, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84320
Phone: 077 413 506
Winfield International School/Collège et Lycée Français
Soi Rungrote Tambon Maret, LAMAI, Surat Thani 84310
Phone: 082 714 6938
International School of Samui (ISS)
141/21, Koh samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84320
Phone: 077 484 548
Oonrak International School
https://www.facebook.com/OonrakInternationalSchool/
57, Moo 1, Maenam, Koh Samui, Surat Thani, 84330
Phone: 077 332 040
Lamai International School
http://www.lamaiinternationalschool.com/
206/36, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84310
Phone: 094 794 4772
***Although this information can change, we are committed to keeping it updated for your convenience. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, some opening hours and services may not be accurate. Thus, we recommend calling the chosen service in which you need to verify hours of operation before arriving.***
For more information about living and investing on Koh Samui, check out our customized guides:
Published by: Samui Best Homes, July 28, 2022