Living on Koh Samui
There is a fast growing ex-pat community flourishing on Koh Samui, with many people from Europe and beyond choosing the tropical life and now living on Samui permanently. Thailand is one of the most welcoming countries in the world and Koh Samui has developed and adapted over recent years to offer all the comforts of home in a tropical island location.
As an ex-pat, living on Samui is easy; the island now features some excellent locations for shopping, including large western supermarket chains, and sometimes you may even imagine you are hardly living within a Thai environment. What’s more, Koh Samui continues to develop. New shopping malls and entertainment centres are already being built, which will include the island’s first cinema. Over the last few years a number of Western treats that ex-pat residents may have once missed have become readily available.
When living on Samui, there is also a wealth of choice for wining and dining. Thai food of course abounds, but there is also a huge range of international cuisines, so when you can’t face another green curry you can get a burger or steak instead. There are also many Western style pubs and clubs, which serve local drinks as well as your favourite international beverages. Many also televise sporting events from Europe and elsewhere. There are not many experiences more satisfying than enjoying a cold beer in the sun whilst watching your favourite football team play in the cold wind and rain back home.
Of course Thailand wouldn’t be the same without the people, and it is often because of their friendly nature that foreign visitors keep coming back and end up living here on Samui. Most local people involved in the tourism trade speak a good level of English, so speaking Thai is not necessary, though life becomes much easier if you do make the effort. Don’t expect to be living among a true Thai society though, as 80 percent of all people on the island are visitors or ex-pats. Only if you busy yourself among the communities of the south, away from the popular spots will you truly feel like you are in Thailand.
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PropertyJoin a burgeoning expat crowd who spend part or all of their year on Samui, there's plenty of boutique villas up for grabs at affordable prices... more |
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VisasYou'll need a visa to stay permanently and there are several options, get accurate information here on which visa type you can qualify for properly...more |
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CostsYou'll be surprised at the lifestyle you can lead on Samui without breaking the bank, we help you estimate a typical budget for living on Samui... more |
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Learning ThaiAlthough you can probably survive without a word of the local lingo, the Thais will treat you with respect if you have a go, and you'll be better at bargaining...more |
