Tesco Lotus

Also, in the same complex is a multi-screen cinema showing Hollywood movies, a fast-food hall, a hairdressers, children’s rides and games and to top it all there is HOME PRO. Think B&Q in the UK. Again, this is a giant warehouse selling everything for the home, including bedding, televisions, refrigerators, curtains and every power tool imaginable.

If you think that is amazing, then just down the road from Tesco Lotus you have a choice of two other hypermarkets selling food and household items. If you are looking to buy in bulk then BIG C is for you. This hypermarket is a little bit cheaper than Tesco Lotus, but only takes cash. Diagonally opposite Big C is LATITUDE NINE, a shop house that sells Australian beef and home made western style meat pies and yummy desserts, as well as items that you might find difficult getting elsewhere such as Branston’s original pickle and certain branded mustards. Also, they have a very good, but small selection of New World wines in stock at reasonable prices.

Another shop that carries more western products such as Waitrose biscuits, teas etc., is TOPS SUPERMARKET half way along Chaweng main street. Parking is easy here, just pick-up a ticket at the gate to Central Market and get it stamped in the supermarket, then hand it in as you drive out and you won’t have to pay for parking. Still in Chaweng Main Street and round the corner from Tops is BOOTS the chemist. Here you can buy all your toiletries and sun creams as well as the usual pharmaceutical items. Save some money and stock up before you return home.

If you are looking for a food and beverage wholesaler for imported and local produce then go to COLIBRI FOOD SUPPLY in Soi Colibri, Chaweng. Detlev, the owner, supplies most of the restaurants in Samui and has banks of refrigerators stocking a good range of frozen products. Here you will find everything from organic vegetables from Chiang Mai to steaks and sausages from Australia as well as spaghetti's, olive oils and tins of this and that, most likely from your home country. If Tesco Lotus or any of the other supermarkets doesn’t stock what you are looking for then Colibri probably will.

Rows of shop houses are beginning to appear along the main roads, especially the road from Chaweng to Bophut. They range from specialist food suppliers to boutique furniture design. Keep an eye open as you drive around and if you see something of interest it may be worth stopping to check it out.

TIP. If you are the one driving don’t attempt to look at the shops as you drive past. Concentrate on the road ahead, it’s safer. Your time will be spent avoiding motor cyclists and numerous potholes in the road. From my experience of driving around Samui you will miss whatever you are looking for as the shop houses are all small, built in terraces and most look the same. Instead, have your co-driver do the reconnaissance.

Other Practical Info

Not so long ago there were very few ATM machines in Koh Samui. Now it is almost impossible to avoid them. Yellow and blue are the most popular colours and most of them dispense a maximum of 20,000 Baht at one time.

Samui International Hospital

This is the nearest hospital to Karma Samui just 4 minutes drive away. All the staff speak good English and they are very efficient. No need for an appointment. Once you have registered at reception a nurse will take your blood pressure before you see a doctor. There are no long queues and the waiting time is short. The doctors are trained to western standards and listen carefully to what you have to say. In no time at all you are out with a pack of pills or a tube of ointment in your hand.

Likewise, the dentists here are excellent. It is best if you make an appointment. We haven’t had any major dental work done except for fillings and cleaning and had no problems with that, in fact, it is the first time in my life I haven’t felt any pain when I have had my teeth drilled and the cost is a lot less of what you would pay back home.

If you have an emergency then Karma Samui will call a doctor for you.

For medical procedures it is worth checking out all the hospitals on Samui. I have lost count, but there are a number of international hospitals and most of them have state-of-the-art equipment and fully qualified doctors and surgeons.

Always do your homework first before making any decisions. Most hospitals will be happy to give you a consultation and a quote for any surgical procedures.