TRAVEL BLOG
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Bangkok Airways Flight Review - Samui to Singapore
Bangkok Airways is a Thai airline based at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok. Bangkok Airways operates flights in Thailand as well as to destinations in Cambodia, China, Japan, Laos, Maldives, Myanmar, Singapore and Vietnam.
Bangkok Airways at Koh Samui
My flight was from Samui, Thailand to Singapore for a flight of just under two hours.
Bangkok Airways is not a low cost airline as they serve food, and they are not a full service airline as there is no inflight entertainment. They call themselves a boutique airline, which is probably a good way to split the difference.
Seating is assigned and Bangkok Airways serve meals on all flights.
Bangkok Airways Inflight Meal
Labels: bangkok-airways, flight-review, koh-samui, singapore, thailand
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Koh Samui Airport
Samui Airport (USM) is the airport of Koh Samui, serving domestic and international destinations. Samui Airport is a privately owned airport, built and owned by Bangkok Airways.
Samui Airport
Ticket Office
Bangkok Airways bills itself as a boutique airline and the airport feels more like a tropical hotel resort than an airport. Samui Airport was listed 4th Best Airport in the Smart Travel Asia 2006 online poll.
Departure Lounge
The airport has 2 terminals (Domestic and International) and is opened planned. There are no wall as such, so the tropical air circulates freely in the terminal and you can see the gardens and runway nearby.
The departure lounge features comforts that you would usually associate with alliance lounges at big airports. There is a Courtesy Corner with free coffee and snacks, and complimentary newspaper stand. There is also a free internet corner (but no wireless).
Courtesy Corner
Newspaper Rack
The toilets are great. You have to go in even if you don't need to just to see the tropical fish tanks.
Tropical Fish Tank - Mens Toilet
Boutique Toilet
When your flight is ready you are transferred to your plane via a tropical transfer bus.
Transfer Bus
Samui is a great airport if you have become too accustomed to the drudgery of low cost airline terminals, which are often not much more than a tin shed. It adds a touch of class to flying which was lost, well decades ago. The high landing costs for other airlines though is probably why there aren't as many airlines flying into Samui.
Samui Airport is currently used by Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways, Berjaya Air and Firefly.
Labels: airport, bangkok-airways, koh-samui, thailand
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Tuesday, March 25, 2008
No Speedo Please
Bo Phut beach on the north shore of Koh Samui is the most upmarket of all the beaches on the island. Its class is confirmed with this sign.
No Speedo Please - Bo Phut Beach, Koh Samui
Labels: amusing-photos, koh-samui, sign, thailand
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Don't Drink and Vote
There was an election on in Thailand, and on the election weekend the sale of alcohol was banned. Interesting idea. I guess their reasoning is that it's hard enough picking candidates sober.
Election Laws No Alcohol - Thailand
Labels: koh-samui, sign, thailand
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Beach Hawker
A hawker advertising his product on Mae Nam Beach, Koh Samui.
Beach Hawker - Mae Nam Beach, Koh Samui
Labels: beach, koh-samui, thailand
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Purple Dog
Purple Dog - Koh Samui
Labels: animals, dogs, koh-samui, thailand
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Mummified Monk
The Mummified Monk at Wat Khunaram has to be the most unusual attraction on Koh Samui. The monk, Loung Pordaeng, died in 1973 in the meditation position and that is how he is presented today, still relatively well preserved. Sunglasses have been added so as not to scare the kiddies.
The Wat is on the 4169 ringroad between Ban Thurian and Ban Hua Thanon.
Mummified Monk - Koh Samui
Labels: koh-samui, temple, thailand
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Gas by the bottle
There are proper petrol/gas stations all over Koh Samui but once you are on the road you can get fuel for your bike by the bottle from these little roadside shops.
Gasoline Bottles
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Tailor on the Beach
Interesting location for a tailor shop. I don't how many people dream about getting a suit made whilst lying on the beach, but I'm sure it's not many.
Tailor on the Beach
Labels: beach, fashion, koh-samui, thailand
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Coffee of the Day - Lamai Beach
Coffee - Lamai Beach, Koh Samui
Labels: cafe, coffee, coffee-of-the-day, koh-samui, thailand
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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No Durian
The Durian is known in Southeast Asia as the "King of Fruits". Its aroma is so pungent though that this King is not welcome inside some places.
No Durian
Labels: food, koh-samui, sign, thailand
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Sunday, October 08, 2006
Driving tips - Koh Samui
Please remember to drive on the left
Labels: koh-samui, sign, thailand
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Saturday, October 07, 2006
Full Moon Party Thailand
A popular way of getting there is by speed boat from from the neighbouring Koh Samui.
Further reference:
Full Moon Party Thailand
Full Moon Party Postcard
Labels: events, koh-phangan, koh-samui, thailand
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Fried Bananas - Koh Samui
Fried Bananas - Koh Samui
Labels: food, koh-samui, thailand
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Buffalo Boy - Koh Samui
Buffalo and Boy - Bo Phut, Koh Samui
Labels: animals, bo-phut, koh-samui, thailand
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