Fatal box jellyfish attack arouses more safety precaution on Samui



KOH SAMUI: -- Samui district chief officer chaired the meeting with officials from the local public health office, Samui fishery officer, Samui local administration organisation and hotel and resort operators in Lamai beach to address the box jellyfish problem.

The movement came after Ms. Thies Saskia, a German tourist, was killed after she was stung by an unknown number of box jellyfish while swimming at Lamai beach.

Her friend Ms Jiovana Rassi was also injured after she went in the water to help her friend.

But her condition improved and was allowed to leave Bangkok Samui hospital late yesterday.

At the meeting, it was agreed that beaches will have to be cordoned off for the time being and operators of hotels and resorts have been asked to put up flags to warn off swimmers.

They have also been asked to place nets and buoys to prevent encroachment by the toxic animals.

First aid training has also been set up to educate residents and tourists alike on the correct action to take in the event of an attack.

Bottles of vinegar will also be placed at strategic locations throughout beaches on the island in case of emergencies so that first aid treatment can be quickly applied.

Jet-ski operators have also taken the initiative and have mobilized by asking all their members to set off on their jet-skis armed with hooks to catch the animals before they have the chance to reach public beaches.

This action was brought about after it was reported that large numbers of box jellyfish were sighted at Lamai beach in the morning hours.

As the sun reached its summit during noon, these sightings reduced as box jellyfish do not like strong sunlight.

Jet-skis have also been used to warn off swimmers and tourists of the danger from box jellyfish.

Officials have advised tourists that in the event that they wish to go into the water, they are advised to don swimwear that completely covers the entire body. Swimmers have also been warned not to enter the water after sundown.

Box jellyfish is one of the most toxic animals in the world and although vinegar does nothing to diminish the pain from their stings it is the only known remedy to combat the toxicity of its venom.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/fatal-box-jellyfish-attack-arouses-more-safety-precaution-in-samui


-- Thai PBS 2015-10-08

Tourists keep off the water in Samui



KOH SAMUI: -- The fatal box jellyfish attack that killed a 20-year-old German girl tourist has scared away tourists from swimming in the water although local authorities have come up with better prevention measure against the deadly marine animal.

A large number of tourists are still afraid to go into the water yesterday in fears that they would run into the jellyfish.

One bungalow operator said many tourists said that they are still quite afraid of what had happened.

They chose to walk along the beach or play in the water that is not too far away from shore, he said.

Yesterday the Samui Jet-ski Club staff tried to locate a large number of box jellyfishes that had killed the German tourist.

One staffer said that they have seen box jellyfish floating among a group of normal jellyfish.

Although normal jellyfishes are not as deadly as the box jellyfish, they could still cause painful stings.

He recalled that he had prior warned foreigners at noon that day of the box jellyfish and that they stayed off the water for a while.

But by around 8 pm that day, some tourists have decided they wanted to go for a swim again and by then, he had already finished work for the day.

Yesterday and today hotel personnel and life guards on the Lamai beach have been on the lookout at the area where the dead tourist had been for more jellyfish, which could have slipped in through the netted area.

They have also prepared first aid kits and vinegar to relieve the venom from the stings for tourists who might have been stung.

Other beaches around Samui Island have now stepped up prevention measures such as putting up signs warning tourists to beware of the jellyfish, especially in risk areas and putting up net to assign safe areas in the water to increase confidence and safety among tourists.

So far 12 tourists were attacked by the box jellyfish in Samui Island this year, 4 are Thais.
 

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/tourists-keep-off-the-water-in-samui

-- Thai PBS 2015-10-09

Samui Rescue locate two tourists lost in the mountains



KOH SAMUI: -- At around 10pm on Saturday 11th Samui Rescue received a report from Hanzar Hotel in Bohput Fishermans village to report that that two of their guests were lost in the mountain area between Manam and Lamai.

As soon as the calcame in all rescue teams plus other government forces such as the Royal Thai police and the Tourist police set out to search.

At around 0000 hrs team managed to speak to the lost couple from the Ukraine. With help from the GPS from the tourists phone in a Ber low reception area the Samui rescue Wat plai Leam were about to pin point their location using google maps.

At around 0100 am the team were only able to continue their search by 4×4 but spotted the couple stranded in a Toyota Vios in the middle of the mountains.

When they reached the couple they told the team that they had been in the car for a very long time and had gone to eat at the Peak Eye View Restaurant before trying to navigate their way back through the mountains.

The rescue teams brought the couple to a safe point in the road where they were greeted by about 30 concerned rescue workers, police and news teams. The couple where returned to their hotel by the police while their hire car was taken care of.


-- Samui Times 2015-10-12

Bangkok Airways launches campaign to grow coconut trees to promote tourism

BANGKOK, 13 October 2015 (NNT) - Bangkok Airways has unveiled a new campaign that focuses on local produce to help promote tourism.

According to President of Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, Koh Samui continues to be an important tourist location of Thailand and one on the top of the list of preferred destinations among foreign visitors.

In addition to natural beauty of clear water and clean sand, coconut trees are something that has been with Koh Samui for a very long time ascoconut has long been a key export item of the island, he said.

But because of pest problems and the construction of more resorts, the population of coconut trees has lately fallen drastically.

Mr. Puttipong said that, accordingly, Bangkok Airways is launching a coconut-tree-growing campaign under the theme “Love Earth Save Earth : Love Samui Save Coconut Tree”.

Under the campaign, the airline has distributed two main species of coconut, including fragrant coconut and brown coconut which is used to make coconut milk and coconut cream.

More than 2,000 coconut shoots have been given out to enable locals to grow and help promote tourism while making extra earnings as coconuts can be turned into several OTOP items.

-- NNT 2015-10-12

Police and DNP officials raided several houses on Koh Samui for illegal wildlife

 
KOH SAMUI:-- On the 14th of October, police and DNP officials raided several houses on Koh Samui Island after WFFT made again a detailed complaint about the use of illegally obtained gibbons in tourism.

The gibbons were used day and night as photo-props on the beaches and inside the cities on the island.

After investigators followed the men with gibbons back to their homes at night, several locations were found where the gibbon babies were kept during the non-working hours.

In the morning of the 14th several places were raided and 7 gibbons were found and confiscated.

WFFT will continue to pressure authorities to enforce the law on wildlife trade and exploitation.

Besides Koh Samui we also will force action on Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi and Pattaya.

WFFT wish to thank the director-general Niphon Chotibal for taking their complaint seriously and acting accordingly.

Source: http://www.samuitimes.com/police-and-dnp-officials-raided-several-houses-on-koh-samui-for-illegal-wildlife/

-- Samui Times 2015-10-17

Koh Tao Murders: Defense Asks Court to Drop Charges
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter  
 

Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo are guided through a 're-enactment' of the past September's double-murder on Koh Tao On October 3, 2014, file photo
 
SURAT THANI:-- Lawyers representing two Myanmar migrant workers accused of killing two British tourists on Koh Tao murder called on the court today to drop all charges against the accused.
 
In a written closing statement submitted to the Koh Samui Court today, the volunteer legal team stressed the court should dismiss the charges against Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo due to the weakness of the evidence against them and procedural abuses at the time of their arrest.
 
The prosecutions case is marked by an absence of significant evidence needed to prove the guilt of the accused for the crimes they are charged with, read the statement filed with the court today.
 
The two men have been accused of murder, rape and theft. They face the death penalty if convicted.
 
The legal team, provided by the Lawyers Council of Thailand, said the two men standing trial for the September 2014 murders were arrested illegally as they were denied legal representation and qualified translators. The statement also repeated key testimony to emerge during the trial including claims the suspects were tortured into confessing, a top forensic examiner concluding DNA collected from the alleged murder weapon did not match the accused.
 
Read more: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1445857120
 

-- Khaosod English 2015-10-26

Belgian tourist rescued after drifting in sea for 5 hours
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: MCOT

KOH SAMUI: -- A Belgian tourist was rescued by a fishing boat after drifting in the water for over five hours between Koh Samui and Koh Phangan yesterday.

Brigit Haeceman, a 26-year-old veterinarian, was rescued by a Rayong fishing boat after she was found waving for help in the sea about 6pm yesterday.

Exhausted Brigit was given dry clothes, bread and an Ovaltine drink by Nantapong Khacha-art, the boat’s owner, who also contacted the Samui authorities. Nantapong took her to the hospital when the boat reached Nathon Pier.

Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2015/10/30/belgian-tourist-rescued-after-drifting-sea-5-hours


-- Coconuts Bangkok 2015-10-30

Bizarre twist in the ‘Belgium girl rescued from Samui seas’ story



KOH SAMUI: -- On the 29th of October the Samui Times reported on a story about Belgian tourist being rescue from the sea after being lost for over five hours in the waves. Initial reports suggested that the young woman had an argument with her boyfriend and gone off kayaking before falling into the water and being swept away by a current. She was only rescued after a passing fisherman noticed her frantic waving.

The Samui Times have now been given information that suggests a member of a local rescue team had been called out to the couples resort in Maenam the day before the rescue to disarm an argument between the young woman and her boyfriend. When the rescue member arrived at the couples resort a staff member told him that the man had gone to bed and pointed to the woman who was bobbing about on the ocean about 2 kilometers from the shore. Staff told the rescue member that the young woman had swam out around 500 meters directly after the argument before coming back to shore and swimming out and in again, on her third swim out she did not come back. The staff at the resort were very concerned about the woman who seemed to be acting in a rather irrational fashion since she returned from the Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan that morning.

The rescue team member told the Samui Times he was rather reluctant to swim out 2 kilometers, however he realized he had to do something quickly as from that distance he could not tell if she was in trouble or not. Fortunately, with the lack of rescue boats in Samui a Dutch man at the resort agreed to kayak out with him. When they reached the woman by kayak she capsized the Dutch man’s kayak trying to get on it, the woman who was described as “spaced out” then managed to get onto the kayak of the rescue worker.

When they arrived back at shore the rescue worker spoke to the girl and told her the dangers of swimming out alone at night and told her of recent box jellyfish reports and suggested that she get some sleep before her flight home later on that day.

The following day the rescue worker was horrified to discover the woman had once again gone off kayaking alone after she had been due to return to Belgium, and was only rescued by luck when a fisherman saw her.

As well as this raising concerns about the mentality of the Belgium tourist, it also raises concerns about the lack of safety measures in place should tourist get into trouble on the sea. Koh Samui does not have lifeguards along its coasts unlike Phuket and Pattaya or jet ski rescue stations with trained life guards. The Monk at Wat Pli laem has a rescue team and an inflatable boat, but that, to the best of our knowledge is the only ocean rescue team in Samui, and if so leaves anybody enjoying the oceans rather vulnerable.

-- Samui Times 2015-11-02

Hit-and-Run Suspect Admits to Running Over Tourist on Samui
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


Still image of low quality security camera footage of a truck running over a tourist Saturday on Koh Samui. Source: Channel 3 / YouTube

SAMUI — A truck driver seen running over a foreign tourist and driving away from the scene surrendered to police Sunday on Koh Samui.

Sanong Songkul, 45, confessed to hitting the Israeli man with his pick-up truck on Saturday night, but defended his decision not to stop to help the wounded man because he was afraid crowds of onlookers might attack him, a police officer at a local station said.

The moment Sanong hit the tourist as he walking on the ring road was captured by a security camera and later posted on social media.

In the low-quality video, the pick-up truck appears to knock down the Israeli man and then drive over his head before speeding away from the scene.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1447653921


-- Khaosod English 2015-11-16

Russian man arrested for allegedly smuggling in 6.5 kgs of cocaine
The Nation

KOH SAMUI: -- A Russian tourist has been arrested on Koh Samui for allegedly smuggling in 6.5 kilogrammes of cocaine.

Lelekov Sergei, 24, the suspect was paraded at press conference at the Customs Department at 1:30 pm Monday.

Customs Department chief Kulis Sombatsiri told the press conference that Sergei arrived at Samui International airport from Singapore on Saturday and filed a complaint with the airport that he lost his two bags.

But the bags were handed over by officials of Silk Air to customs officials after the two bags were left unclaimed. The customs officials checked the bags on Sunday and found the drug hidden in secret compartments of the bags. Sergei was arrested on Sunday.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Russian-man-arrested-for-allegedly-smuggling-in-6--30273046.html


-- The Nation 2015-11-16

The Ritz-Carlton announces its new development in Koh Samui

KOH SAMUI: The Ritz-Carlton as announced two sanctuaries of luxury in Asia in partnership with YTL Hotels, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Niseko Village, Japan and The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui, Thailand.

The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui will be developed in the region of Plai Laem in the Northern tip of the island, well-known for its white sand beaches surrounded by the emerald waters of the Gulf of Thailand. The hotel will feature approximately 187 luxurious guest rooms and pool villas with a collection of dining, wellness and recreational experiences and facilities on the pristine sun-kissed beachfront. The Resort will be located at the north-east end of Koh Samui in the stunning Choeng Mon area.

When styling and designing a Ritz-Carlton, we are extremely conscious of the surrounding and abundant natural beauty which makes people fall in love with the destination,” explained Humler. “We want guests to enjoy and discover the extraordinary diversity and beauty to be found in this part of Thailand.”

At the official signing ceremony today, Dato’ Mark Yeoh, Executive Director, YTL Hotels said “We have had a long standing relationship with Marriott International since 1995. This expansion into Thailand and Japan is a continuation of our shared success over the years. The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui and the Reserve in Niseko Village will elevate the stature of the two highly sought-after tourist destinations.”

Niseko is home to the largest ski resort in Japan, and is known internationally for being one of the world’s leading ski destinations. The New York Times recently listed Niseko as one of the top 20 places to visit in the world, and Forbes Travel ranked Niseko among the world’s top 20 ski resorts.

With only 50 guest rooms, the ski-in and ski-out Ritz-Carlton Reserve will be the first in Japan and is scheduled for completion in 2020. The resort will be located at the heart of the all-season Niseko Village, which is highly lauded as one of the world’s best ski resorts, taking its place alongside St Moritz, Switzerland and Aspen, Colorado. With spectacular views of Mount Yotei or Ezo Fuji (named due to its resemblance to the iconic Mount Fuji), Niseko Village boasts some of the best ski slopes in the world and is famous for its dry champagne powder snow. During the summer a diverse range of outdoor recreation include golf, trekking and horse riding.

Upon opening, the Ritz-Carlton Reserve resort will be the fifth property in Japan for The Ritz-Carlton, joining Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Okinawa. The hotel will also be YTL Hotels’ 4th hotel in Niseko.

“Ritz-Carlton Reserves feature signature, one-of-a-kind boutique resorts positioned in unique settings, each with a distinctive personality and sense of place reflecting its history and culture,” said Herve Humler, president and chief operating officer, The Ritz-Carlton. “A refuge from the expected, Ritz-Carlton Reserve is for travelers seeking to discover a singular location and peerless resort that will offer guests’ exotic, hand-selected ‘hideaway’ destinations in a relaxed, casually elegant atmosphere. Niseko is a natural choice to complement our existing exclusive portfolio.”

Source: http://www.samuitimes.com/the-ritz-carlton-announces-its-new-development-in-koh-samui/

-- Samui Times 2015-11-20

Robbery in Koh Samui

KOH SAMUI: Last a night the home of an expatriate was broken into and robbed. The thief or thieves broke in through a back window of the house in Soi Somyamia behind the temple at around 8pm. A laptop and an old phone were stolen. The police were called to the scene and advised the owner of the property to make a police report at Bophut Police station. Residents are advised to be aware a gang could be operating in the area.

Source: http://www.samuitimes.com/robbery-in-koh-samui/

-- Samui Times 2015-11-20
 

Special treat in Maenam for all Samui residents and holiday makers alike!!!
 

KOH SAMUI: Starting today Jordan’s Sports Bar, Maenam walking street has a few new things happening. Our dear friend Mark is Jordans Maenammaking his annual pilgrimage down under and has left a local celeb in charge!

While he is away the bar will have all the usual footy, rugby, cricket, etc over the weekend (games shown will be chosen by whoever has the 3 highest bar tabs 5 mins before kickoff!). Plus plenty more events & activities all designed to keep the body guessing, including Wednesday’s “high-stakes” Killer Pool comp together with Maenam’s first ever Ladies Night (free tequila for all ladies & free food for everyone playing killer!)

So come join the shenanigans!! and help play while the cat is away!

Source: http://www.samuitimes.com/special-treat-in-maenam-for-all-samui-residents-and-holiday-makers-alike/

-- Samui Times 2015-11-21

Just heard a farang local was struck by a speeding motor cycle outside Premier Bar last night and was killed. Anyone know who he was ? R.I.P.

Annie Hansen mother of Australian bashed in Green Mango stages protest outside parliament house



KOH SAMUI: -- On Monday Annie Hansen, the mother of Jack Hansen Bartel staged a lone protest outside Parliament House in Bangkok. The Australian single mother was protesting for justice after her son was involved in a fight in the Green Annie protestMango nightclub in Koh Samui on the 9th of July last year. A wide eyed Annie held a placard reading “Support the endeavors of truth and justice. Negative human traits run within us all, not between countries or nationalities. LOVE COMPASSION TOLLERANCE, # Justice for Jack, #Justice for Jack, We are Human, We are part of this conversation”

Jack Hansen- Bartel, who has lived in Thailand with his mother for 15 years, was in Koh Samui last year celebrating the end of school. During his trip he found himself in the popular Green Mango Club in Chaweng and in a fight with Ramond Chang and Ryan Wang, two Chinese American students who were also taking a vacation on the island. During the fight it is alleged that Jack sustained facial injuries that required emergency plastic surgery and ongoing treatment that was expected to last between 12 and 18 months.

It is believed the altercation with Wang and Chang was over a girl. CCTV footage shows Jack entering the Green Mango with a girl who was known to the accused. Jack then left the club leaving the girl with Ryan Wang. While Annie maintains her son was sober all evening, only drinking water and soft drinks, some witnesses say that Jack was heavily intoxicated and attacked Ryan Wang when he later found him dancing with the girl he had previously kissed himself. Although Wang and Chang have not made a public statement they told one resident of Koh Samui that they had no idea how either of them could have caused the injuries to Jack’s face without themselves sustaining any injuries to their fists. Another witness, who wishes to remain unnamed, said that Jack as still picking fights in thJack 1e Green Mango for two hours after the altercation with Wang and Chang raising questions as to whether it was the altercation with Wang and Chang that caused the facial injuries or another fight had taken place.

The following day both Wang and Chang were arrested and appeared at the Samui Provincial Court on the 24th of July and charged with assault. However six weeks later the accused laid charges against Jack. Mother Annie then turned to the Army’s National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) for help. As part of her campaign Annie contacted the Shanghai American School which resulted in one of the students issuing a statement. “As a Shanghai American School alumnus of the same graduating class as Ryan Wang and Raymond Tony Chang, I would like to apologize for the actions of my peers. Please know that their actions are in no way representations of the average Shanghai American School student or the average Chinese-American youth: we really are better than this”

Jack pre attackAfter initially having their passports taken Wang and Chang were later released and allowed to travel in order to start university courses at Purdue and Cornell Universities. Annie then turned her attention to the accused universities for help and after much communication effectively managed to have Ryan expelled from Purdue. A friend of Ryan’s told the Samui Times he was horrified Annie would take such measures when the trial had not even begun let alone the accused being found guilty.

It is also believed that Annie was willing to drop all charges for a substantial cash payment from the family of the accused who she describes as “The rich parents of these 2 thugs”, the family refuse to give in to her demands for what is believed to be around 10 million baht.

In her search for justice for her son Annie has continued to call into question the integrity of the Samui court system and of Wang and Chang and their parents. On her Facebook group ‘Justice for Jack” Annie posts

“Every parents nightmare right? The spring break/summer vacation destinations, Cancun, Ibiza or in this case a place that is fast being exposed as one of the most lawless and corrupt places on earth, Koh Samui in The Gulf of Thailand.
In the early hours of the morning of June 10th 2014 Ryan Wang and Raymond Chang viciously assaulted a young Australian student Jack Hansen-Bartel, the young Aussie was left with horrific facial injuries and to this day is still receiving treatment.

jack post attackStraight forward case right? 2 spoilt brats with callous disregard for life and absolutely no clue as to what life expects of young gentlemen commit this offence, get arrested, tried, convicted and pay the piper, on release possibly disowned by their parents for bringing shame on their family and disrespecting every element of an upbringing that was carefully designed to kickstart an out of the ordinary career once they finished college. Simple ………..

No. To say that the following events compounded the initial crime is more than an understatement. The rich parents of these 2 thugs, obviously themselves just as callous as their children have conspired with Thai authorities to turn this case on it’s head, the famous Thai Illuminati JustUs system in full swing again attempting to whitewash the crimes of the “chosen ones”.

We will detail the collusion between the Royal Thai Police, Courts, Public Prosecutors and these shameful parents in the coming weeks in an attempt to expose the real truth, to expose what is an ongoing crime, a continuous assault on Jack and his family.
Please share this and all of the following posts and help us raise awareness, please click on https://www.facebook.com/JackHBSamui/timeline for the background if you are not already aware of the case and in reposting or commenting please always add the following hashtags ‪#‎raymondtonychang, ‪#‎ryanyunshangwang, ‪#‎tiffanymarikoturner, ‪#‎tellcornell
Watch this space ………”

Today is day one of the trial of Raymong Chang and Ryan Wang, the two men are not expected to attend.

-- Samui Times 2015-12-01

Accident near Toyota Taling Ngam Koh Samui

KOH SAMUI: -- At approximately 13.35 today (Thursday 10th of December) an accident occurred close to the Toyota Showroom in Baan Taling Ngam.

Eye witness accounts of the incident suggest one foreigner who appeared to have been riding a motorbike was seriously injured in a collision with a small truck.

A second foreigner was at the scene of the accident, it is unclear whether he was a pillion passenger or ran to the scene to help the injured man who is in his early twenties and has a small goatee beard.

Three ambulances quickly arrived at the scene.


-- Samui Times 2015-12-10

Samui community member needs your help in finding forever homes for fostered dogs
 

SAMUI: A member of our community is looking for help in order to take care of some of the islands stray dogs. Here is his story.

We came to Thailand with one dog, our lovely little Maggie but quickly we came face to face with the terrible plight of home for dogs needed in Samuidogs in Thailand. Our pack quickly grew as we felt compelled to help. Sadly our time in Thailand is coming to an end and we are desperately trying to find a loving home for each one. We are trying our hardest as we cannot accept leaving them back where we found them and all the shelters are completely full.

Dodo & Bella were badly neglected and abused pets, very skinny with an array of problems. Two months later, with plenty of good food and the right treatment and vaccinations they are now fully back to good health. Dodo is a golden retriever mix, he is around 2/3 years old and a big cuddle monster! Bella is a Thai mix around 5 years, she is very calm and gentle and just wants a peaceful home to grow old in. Both are so well natured and incredibly affectionate!

Teddy was a stray who followed us home from the beach. He was emaciated with a large wound on his head when we found him. His wound and scars have healed and he is getting fatter by the day! Despite his size he is still a puppy, around 7/8 months old. We think he is a Labrador mix. He’s super loving and a big sweetheart!

All three dogs are up to date with vaccinations & flea/ worming treatments. All three dogs are neutered.

Little M is around 8 weeks old, incredibly cute, affectionate and clever! She really is a special one and will grow up to be a wonderful doggie! She is one of 5 puppies we found abandoned on the beach in terrible condition. We took them in and got them back to full health. They are de flea’d/wormed, up to date on vaccinations and now in great health. We have managed to find loving homes for four of them and trying to find one for Little M (the cutest!). She has a beautiful soul, always wanting affection from both us and our other dogs.

If you can help find a forever home for these dogs please email editor@samuitimes.com

Source: http://www.samuitimes.com/samui-community-member-needs-your-help-in-finding-forever-homes-for-fostered-dogs/

-- Samui Times 2015-12-12

NaviGo Samui – the new taxi app in Koh Samui



KOH SAMUI: -- A new alternative to Samui taxis seems to have emerged in Koh Samui. Navi Go Samui.

There has been endless debate on social media sites such as Roads of Koh Samui regarding the prohibitive cost of NaviGo Samuitaxis in Samui, many of whom still refuse to use their meters. It has long been said that a more consistent service would encourage residents to use taxis more often, resulting in less accidents. It now seems that somebody has come up with a solution. Navi Go Samui.

There are currently 5 licensed cars, and one will come directly to your house using GPS location. There’s 100B booking fee then strictly 30B a kilometer. The price is the same for day time or night time. Estimates online are given prior to booking and the *lower* price (ie 400B – 450B) used. Example: return from the Reggae Pub to Santiburi Mae Nam – 400 baht inclusive.

According to the NaviGo Samui Facebook page you can book a safe and affordable ride in Koh Samui in less than 15 seconds. App features include estimate your trip costs, your driver’s details, and live tracking.

Instructions

1. Download NaviGo Samui App (For FREE).
2. Sign-up for an account (one-time registration).
3. NaviGo Samui will detects your location and sets it in the Pick-up location.
4. Select your Drop-off location.
5. Confirm Booking. And wait for your NaviGo Driver.

For more information on this service visit the Navi Go Samui Facebook page by clicking here.

If you have used this service the Samui Times want to hear about your experiences – please contact us at editor@samuitimes.com


-- Samui Times 2015-12-17