Jobs in Koh Samui

Introduction

Thailand is well known for an electrifying nightlife, picturesque beaches, and ambient islands. If you are planning for a hassle-free, fun-filled holiday in Thailand, Koh Samui is undeniably the best choice. Situated off the east coast of Kra Isthmus in the Gulf of Thailand, is the beautiful island, Koh Samui. It is the second largest island of Thailand, next to Phuket. Koh Samui with its natural attractions, palm-fringed beaches, coconut trees, dense rainforest, posh resorts, and relaxing spas, is a huge draw to the expat community each year.

Tourism is the major contributor to the economic growth within the region. Approximately, 2.5 million tourists visit Koh Samui every year. The major income source for locals is tourism and agriculture. Coconuts are grown as a cash crop and exports of rubber which are grown here to other countries is a significant source of local income. Fishing is also an important industry and also a hobby for many. Most expats work as English teachers in schools and colleges.

Popular areas in Koh Samui

The most popular towns to reside in Koh Samui are as follows.

• Chaweng-is the biggest and the busiest town on the East coast of the island. The biggest attraction in Chaweng is the 7 km long Chaweng beach. It is notable for its white sand, crystal clear emerald-blue water, corals and if you feel adventurous you can charter a boat, swimming, exhilarating water sports, Thai street foods, and a pulsating nightlife which makes it a paradise for tourists. The expat community mostly live in the outer areas of Chaweng.
• Lamai- is an ideal place for honeymooners and shopping lovers. Sandalwood luxury villas in Lamai are quite fascinating as they grant the tourists access to the infinity pool. It provides breath-taking views of the ocean. Muslim fishing village, Lamai temple, lush green fields, with livestock adds beauty to the region.
• Bophut- It is just a short drive to reach Bophut from Koh Samui airport. Big Buddha beach, Fisherman's village, boutiques, trendy bars, waterfronts are all essential attractions. You will find a larger group of the expat community here and they mostly work within the tourism industry or as English teachers.
• Lipa Noi- The beautiful town of Lipa Noi is situated on the west coast of the island. It is not a great choice if you enjoy a late night lifestyle as it is a quiet location. However, the beaches here are eye-catching, and its remoteness makes it an ideal spot for tourists who like to visit just the beaches without any party activity around it. A town is a good place for an expat to settle down as it already has a good number of expats living there, because of the great schools and healthcare centers etc.

Weather and Climate in Koh Samui

Thailand lies between the tropic of cancer and equator, which makes it humid and pleasant all year round. The average temperature is 28°C, with humidity ranging between 70% and 80%.

• The dry season- with less rainfall, slightly cooler temperatures, breeze, and calm seas, December to February are considered as the right time to visit the Island. The dry season makes it perfect for the tourists to venture out. Bookings in hotels and resorts peaks during this period.
• The hottest season- March and April are the hottest months with the average temperature surging up and pass 30° C. There is an increase in precipitation towards the beginning of May. May to September is typically the monsoon season. You can expect sudden afternoon thunderstorms, yet, strong daytime sunshine.
• The rainy season- The months of September, October, and November can have torrential downpours and is the least favored time to visit Thailand.

Getting around Koh Samui

Koh Samui lacks the popular, tuk-tuks, which are commonly available in most Thai cities. It also lacks a proper, organized public bus service, but there are several other ways to explore the beautiful island.

1.  A Songthaew, a standard mode of transportation available in Koh Samui, is a pickup truck. It can accommodate 8-10 passengers. It carries passengers around the main city and to many outer suburb roads that lead to various beach towns neighboring the city.
2.  Taxis, though expensive, are the most favorite mode of transport on the island and the availability of a high number of Taxi enables the tourists to haggle down the prices.
3.  Scooter taxi is also a fantastic option, as it is cheap, quick and fun.
4.  If you are traveling with a group of friends or family, renting a car would be the best way to explore the magnificent island as this offers maximum flexibility at minimum cost.

Work Visas in Koh Samui

A work permit visa is a mandatory requirement for any foreign national who wishes to work in Koh Samui or anywhere else in Thailand.

A non-immigrant visa is a prerequisite to obtaining the legal Thai work permit. You can apply for a work permit after your arrival by submitting all essential documents like employer details, job description, gross pay, and marriage certificate, if applicable. It would cost around 2000 baht to get the visa stamped, and renewal is possible based on the duration of the employment contract. Foreigners are allowed to work in most industries; however, there are some restrictions to work in industries related to manufacturing, hairdressing and jewelry making etc.

Additional Information

• Since 1980, the Thailand economy is flourishing due to the millions of tourists visiting each year and in the last decade; tourism has emerged as the biggest revenue source within Koh Samui.

• Apart from Tourism, IT industry and Medical Tourism are also contributing to the economic growth of Koh Samui.

• Thai Baht (THB) is the local currency of Thailand, and one US dollar is equivalent to 31 THB approximately.

• ‘Thai’ is widely spoken across Koh Samui, followed by English.

• Major holidays in Koh Samui are as follows

• January 1 – New Year's day
• April 13-15 – Thai New year
• May 1 – International Workers' day
• August 12 –Queen Sirikit's birthday
• October 23 – King Chulalongkorn day
• December 10 – constitution day