Koh Samui Car Rental

Renting a car or a jeep on Koh Samui is straightforward enough to do and there are places all over the island that will be happy to oblige you. You have a simple choice here: either go for one of the big companies like Avis or Hertz, or put your business with somebody more local.

Although it's possible to rent different models of saloon car, by far the most common rental around is the universally-popular Suzuki Caribbean jeep. These come in two styles - a two-seater with an open back and the enclosed four-seater. There's no difference in the rental costs between the two, although it's not that comfortable for adults to ride outside in the flatbed of the jeep!

Jeeps

Rental costs vary, expect to pay between 750 - 1,500 baht a day. If you shop around, you will find entry level Suzuki jeeps available at 600 baht a day, but you'll have to hunt for them. If you take a jeep for a week or more ask for a discount, too.

Saloon Cars

Saloon cars are more expensive and with Samui's limited road system may not always prove to be worthwhile - it's 54 kilometres around the Ring Road. Expect to find yourself paying in excess of 2,000 baht a day for a small family saloon.

When you apply to rent a vehicle, many places will ask you to leave your passport as security. While this is never an advisable practice, it is often unavoidable. Be prepared to have to do this, and so take the precaution of making a copy before you go - of both the back information page and also the pages that have a record of your entry into Thailand.

Car Insurance

This is a constantly dubious point and one which you are advised to take seriously. Many local businesses won't even require you to fill in a form, let alone provide you with insurance. Other shops will tell you that the insurance is automatically included - and in a way it is.

Unlike your country, in Thailand it is the actual vehicle that is insured and not the person who is driving it. And all roadworthy vehicles (including the one you're just about to rent) will have insurance.

However, very few other than the newest of vehicles are fully insured - it's just too expensive. So it is a bet of 100 to 1 that your vehicle will only be covered 'third party' - that is the insurance will pay for any damage to the vehicle you have been in an accident with and not to your vehicle.

If you are really concerned about this then any independent insurance agent will arrange this for you, and it's not expensive. I'm not certain that you can get less than a month's cover but a fully comprehensive insurance for a short period will cost around 3,000 baht.

Finally, check your choosen hire vehice over really carefully for scrapes and dents before you take it, and that includes loose trim like bumpers and wheel arches. Point these out to the owner and photograph it (or pretend to!) and make him aware that you look as if you know what you're doing.

It's not unheard of for people to be charged for already-existing damage (and at inflated rates) when they return the vehicle - and remember he's got your passport!

One last point: We have heard of cases where the insurance has fine print that limits the vehicle use to on-road only. So if you plan to go into the wilds of the darkest Samui jungle, check before you scrape!

Taxis and being driven

I suppose if you have to, you have to. But the taxi rates on Samui are something of a national joke. If you are wondering about seeing the island for the day - or more - think about hiring a car with a driver instead. That way you have more flexibility that a tour company will offer and it will probably work out a lot less expensive than a set tour for two people.

Go to any business where you see cars or motorbikes for rent outside and explain your proposal. Although it's not an advertised service, few places will turn you down.

Please note that many tour offices also offer car rental. But what is less-commonly known is that they will supply you with an 11-seater mini bus for the day - and at exceptionally reasonable rates per person.

For example, you and two other couples from your resort rather fancy going to the Lady Boxing at Lamai. The mini bus will take you there, drop you and return at a time of your choosing to bring you back. And working at pre-midnight rates of 300 baht per hour (from pick-up to drop-off) it will probably cost 200 baht each to go in comfort.