The second most frequented tourist spot in Thailand next to Phuket is the Ko Samui Island. It is Thailand’s third largest island, and the Ko Samui Island Airport serves local arrivals in and departures from the area. Bangkok Airways built and still operates the airport, but is now also served by Thai Airways International.

Bangkok Airways serves Phuket, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and other local areas, while Thai Airways International also serves Bangkok. Other airlines that serve the airport are Berjaya Air and Firefly that come and go to Subang. The Ko Samui Island Airport is only two kilometres away from the town of Chaweng.

The airport’s waiting areas are all outdoors. The only indoor area is the gift store. The domestic and international terminals are about 50 metres away from each other. Chaweng is the centre village of the island, which is only a few minutes’ drive using car hire at Samui Island Airport.

Public transport from the airport can range from 70 to 1000 baht, the latter can be too expensive, even for Thai perspectives. Cheap car hire at Samui Island Airport come from Avis, Budget, Hertz, and Sixt—the familiar brands that foreigners can depend on for standard rates and policies that include insurance.

The reason that car rental is the best way of getting around the island and particularly Thailand is that public transportation requires a lot of price negotiation. Add to that a language barrier and interior government flaws, and you’ve got yourself a headache that can last as long as your entire vacation.