Airplane Information Part One

The biggest news is that an airport is being built on Koh Phangan. Official permission has been given for Kan Airways to built a runway on Koh Phangan. There has been extensive land clearance in an area between Bantai and Thong Nai Pan. It's too early to say 100% whether this is going to be the site of the new airport. So watch this space.

The Bangkok Airways service between Koh Samui and Bangkok was updated in April 2011. They've added extra scheduled flights. In June, July and August there are additional flights laid on for expected peek times. Check the Bangkok Airways website for these flights. Tickets cost about 4,000 THB each way. Promotional prices are often available. Again check the website. It should be remembered that if you take a late flight from Bangkok you will miss the last ferry to Koh Phangan (leaves at 16.30). Bangkok Airways will release a new timetable on March 24th, 2012

The airport building in Koh Samui is only a few years old. It is a stylish building set in tropical gardens. The nearest pier is Big Buddha. It takes about 20 minutes to get from Big Buddha to the airport by taxi. The Haad Rin Queen goes from Haad Rin to Big Buddha pier. The next closest is the Lomprayah service from Bophut (Koh Samui) to Thongsala (Koh Phangan).

Koh Samui taxis, like Bangkok taxis, are yellow with a sign on the roof saying "meter". However, the drivers refuse to go on the meter despite an effort by Koh Samui authorities to fine taxis that refuse to give metered fares. So negotaite a price before you get in the taxi. The advantage of the Lomprayah ferry service is that the ticket price includes a transfer to anywhere on the island.

Nok Air have teamed up with Lomprayah to offer combined catamaran - bus - airplane tickets. You can book the tickets online or buy them at Don Mueng Airport in Bangkok and Thong Sala Pier (Lomprayah Office). The cost is between 1,000 and 2,000 THB one way. The total journey time is 5 hours. Nok Air flies out of Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport. It is worth checking this route as they sometimes offer discounted fares. Nok Air is the only air carrier using Don Mueng Airport (yes, it's re-opened) so it is usually a quick and on-time service.

The Solar Air schedule has been disrupted by the floods last year. They used to use Don Mueng airport but moved to Pattaya. They have flights down to Chumphon Airport. From there you can catch a bus to the ferry port and a Lomprayah catamaran down to Koh Phangan. When this service is running it costs about the same (for a combined plane / bus / ferry ticket) as Nok Air

For more information see airplane information part three

Suratthani Airport

Some distance from Suratthani there is a government airport. Air Asia is the one budget operator flying from Suratthani airport to Bangkok. They offer flights to and from Bangkok for about 1,700 thb each way. However, when you factor in the 5 hours it takes to get to Suratthani airport from Koh Phangan and the cost of taxis and boats it seems a less appealing alternative. The timetables for Air Asia are on the Airplane Part Two page.