Koh Samui main ring road, which run around the island, in about 60 km long. Along the main road there are public and private taxis which connect all the villages and beaches. In Thai language, this particular public vehicle is called Songhtew. It is a pickup car with 2 benches behind where the passenger will seat. They charge per persons and the fares change according to the distance and the time. After 6pm the fare increase.

All along the main ring road there are many songhtew running during the day. In the night ( after 7pm ) the songhtew are running only between Maenam and Lamai.

There are only few Soghthew a day which run at the Southern beaches ( Thong Khrut, Phang Ka ). In Thaling Ngam and Lipa Noi beach there are songhtew running to Nathon Town up to 7pm in connection with the car ferry. There are songhtew running also between Bophut, Big Buddha, Choeng Mon and Chaweng up to 6-7pm.

The fare for the Songhtew should be fixed from the government, but as usual in Asia, the driver will charge you more than the right price. Especially in the night, they can ask you several times more than the regular price.
It is very important always to agree on the price before you get into the vehicle. In this way you will never have bad surprise !. When you reach your destination, you will pay the price you agreed before with the driver.

There are also several Private Taxis running everywhere around the island. They have a sign on the roof say "Taxi Meter", actually they should use the meter and charge the passenger accordingly. In reality, the meter is always "broken" and never work !!.
It is very important always to agree on the price before you get into a private taxi.

For the people who want to stay in an remote beach or don't want to bargain every time for the taxi fare, there are many agency around the island where you can rent a motorbike or a car. They usually charge a fixed rate with unlimited kilometers per 24 hours.

The motorbike are usually 110-120cc scooter with automatic gear or semi-automatic gear ( without clutch ), is possible to drive up to 2 persons. Also if the local drive in 4 persons on this bikes, it is not permitted by the law, so we recommend to drive not more than two person. The helmet is obligatory by the law, in reality many locals doesn' t use the helmet. But when there is a police check and you are without helmet you will have to pay 500 Baht fine. Koh Samui police enforce the helmet law only for the bike driver. If the back passenger doesn' t have the helmet is not usually a problem. For rent and drive the motorbike it is not required a driving license

Attention. Koh Samui roads are very narrow. On this road there is heavy traffic especially in the high tourist season. Very often there are big trucks running the main road carrying heavy construction material, very often there are holes at the border of the road and also there is sand on the road

We don' t want to scare you, but is better that only people with motorbike driving experience rent one. There are thousand of tourist that come to Samui every year and always rent a bike, if you get used of the road, it is not so dangerous, but every year there are many accident on the road in Koh Samui, so watch out !!

To consider also that for some European and American Countries, the diving is opposite. In Thailand the driving is on the left side of the road The motorbike are never insured. If an accident happen you are the responsible for the damage of the bike.
Some agency may ask you to keep your passport in deposit as a guarantee for the bike. This is not really legal !! and many embassy say that. You should never give you passport to somebody.
If the agency require a deposit or guarantee, leave a photocopy of your passport, or some cash even in euro or us dollar, but remember to get a receive for that !!.

In Thailand happened many scam in the past regarding motorbike for rent. It is up to the agency where you rent the bike. If the agency is not honest they could charge you for a scarf on the bike which was already there before you rented the bike, but you didn' t notice it. So Check carefully the bike before you rent it. If there is some scarf or something not ok, let the owner notice it, then you will be ok !!

If happen that the bike fall down and it got scratch somewhere, you should pay for the damage you made. But if the owner is not honest he could charge you many time more the real price, making a good profit out of you accident.

In reality, the cost for repairing a bike it is very cheap in Thailand compare to the western countries. If happen that somebody want to charge to much for the damage, ask him to go an official dealer and let them evaluate the cost of the damage.

A good way to find a motorbike for rent without being cheated is by rent them for your hotel or resort. If the place you're staying offer this service, it is quite safe. You will pay a bit more than the agency outside, but you will have a better condition bike and the hotel or resort management will not cheat you because you' re their client. Also they will not ask you any deposit because you'r staying there.

We recommend a private agency of honest people who rent motorbike and cars. The owner, Mr Piporn has a good selection of vehicle and if you need any help for ticket, tours, taxi or any service in Samui he is always ready to help you.
His shop is located in Ban Tai ( between Bangpo beach and Maenam Beach ).
Contact Mr Piporn:
Telephone: ( 0066 ) 089 8712474
email: prasertbm@hotmail.com

A safer way to get around Koh Samui is by renting a car. There are many agency who rent a cars. Private agency usually rent a car for 24 hours and with unlimited kilometers. The cars are insured but the insurance doesn' t cover everything. In case of accident you will have to pay a small amount ( around 200-330 $ ) and the rest will be cover from the insurance company.
If you rent a car from a local agency, the driving license it is usually not required in Koh Samui, but in case of accident, you could have some problem if you don' t have it.

In Koh Samui there are some international standard car rent agency like Avis, Hertz, Budget. They have offices at the airport, in Chaweng beach and in some big hotels. The vehicle are always in good conditions and are fully insured. It is required an International driving license and a credit card to rent a car in this offices.

In high tourist season it happen often that there is a a shortage of car for rent on the island. If you want to be sure to have your vehicle during your Holiday in Koh Samui, is recommended to reserve one in advance.

Reserve a Car for your holiday in Koh Samui.