We got our bags and went to the pickup point to get our taxi we had booked in bangkok…..30 mins later still waiting and starting to think that guy on the street selling rolex watches for £14 wasn’t a genuine travel agent!;)
I jest of course but this is the transfer we booked in Bangkok during one of our tours so was starting to think it was all a con and nothing else we had booked was going to be valid! Anyway waited a bit longer before remembering we had been given a number to ring just in case anything went wrong. We found a phone box and phoned the number, only to be met with someone speaking Thai and not understanding what I was saying. This was unusual because the people you generally come across as a tourist in Thailand speak fantastic English, being on the end of a phone probably didn’t help though! Anyway we managed to get one of the airport staff to ring the number and find out what was going on, turns out the driver was a day behind so thought our pickup wasn’t until the next day. He was then there in a few minutes which was a relief for us, not so good for him as one phone call from me lost him a day of his life!
It actually got better as he spoke fluent English and was amazingly friendly telling us all about the island and the different places we were driving through! You definitely get a feeling of pride for the island when talking to the locals and a feeling they want you to be there. Of course they want you there to spend money but its a win win for everyone. You get a fantastic holiday in paradise and they encourage more people to come to increase the wealth of the island. This guy also turned out to be who was dealing with all the transfers etc we had booked in Bangkok and was able to confirm them all with us. Little bit more confident it was a real travel agency in Bangkok now;)
Just for information if you simply land at samui airport and are going to the centara villa resort and havent already booked a transfer, this is not a problem you will just have to pay around 800/900 baht (£18). Also tell them its the one next to the butterfly house as they should know where you mean then as there is also a Centara in chaweng! If your actually going to chaweng the taxi fair will be much cheaper at arround 300(£6) baht, maybe even cheaper!
