Driving on Koh Samui: rules, the car ferry and fuel

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According to Thailand's Ministry of Transport, a foreigner may drive with a valid Thai licence, a valid International Driving Permit or a licence from an ASEAN country. Carry your passport as well. Every registered car shows a square blue tax disc on the windscreen; the year on it follows the Buddhist calendar, which is the Gregorian year plus 543.

Rules of the road

• Traffic keeps to the left, and the limit in built-up areas is 80 km/h.
• Everyone in the car wears a seat belt, including the rear seats.
• Since 17 August 2023 children under six must travel in a child seat of the Thai TISI standard; the fine is up to 2,000 THB.
• The drink-driving limit is 50 mg% (20 mg% for drivers under 20 and those with a provisional licence). Penalties include up to a year in prison, a fine of 5,000–20,000 THB and a suspension of at least six months.
• Do not park next to red-and-white or yellow-and-white kerbs.

The car ferry

Raja Ferry runs between Donsak on the mainland and Lipa Noi on Samui every hour from 05:00 to 19:00 in both directions, and the crossing takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. Under the Surat Thani provincial tariff a passenger pays 200 THB and a car 640 THB. The same operator sails from Lipa Noi to Thong Sala on Koh Phangan in about 1 hour 30 minutes. Taking a rental car off the island needs the rental company's agreement, so ask before you book.

Fuel and weather

Island stations sell E20, 91 and 95 petrol, and many prefer cash. The driest months are February to April; the heaviest rain falls from October to December, with November averaging 444.6 mm, when some roads flood and the asphalt is slippery.