Latest news with #KohSamui
The Sun
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Six TV series to inspire your next getaway from European wine villages to exotic islands
ARE you struggling to think of where to go on your next holiday? How about getting inspired from your favourite TV show? 14 14 Whether you're a fan of the sun or want more of an active holiday, there are TV shows that have seen it all. Here are the top six TV shows that have us wanting to book a getaway ASAP, from tiny villages in Portugal to beautiful vineyards. White Lotus Aside from the murder, weird goings on and strange guests at the White Lotus resort, it's an incredibly enviable holiday destination. The very first season starring Jennifer Coolidge and Sydney Sweeney was filmed in the stunning Four Seasons resort in Hawaii. For season two, they moved production to the Four Seasons San Domenico Hotel in Taormina, Sicily. As for season three, it returns with eight episodes on February 16, 2025, where they filmed at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui. Koh Samui is a small island off the east coast of mainland Thailand making it the best place for diving and snorkelling. The stunning desert paradise offers hillside villas, pools overlooking the ocean and personal residential assistants to help guests with whatever they need. The fastest way to get to Koh Samui is by flying to Samui International Airport (USM). You can fly from Bangkok, the UK, or other cities in Thailand. There are lots of attractions on the island, from a sunset cruise to visiting the Big Buddha Temple. You can stay in these six holiday homes from TV & Film 14 14 The Good Ship Murder Much of the filming for this Channel 5 drama took place on the MSC Virtuosa, a cruise ship operating out of Southampton. The ship is used for all the location shots while still carrying fee-paying passengers. While there are a few murders, much of the show has a stunning backdrop because the majority is filmed in Malta. The island country in the Med is the perfect place for a getaway and there are plenty of filming hot spots to hit if you're a fan of the series too. Filming has previously taken place in the church in the village of Mellieha, Imġiebaħ Bay, St Christopher's Street, the Upper Barrakka Gardens, Victoria Gate which are all in Valletta, the country's capital. 14 14 Love Island: All Stars Reality fans are glued to the current Love Island series, but we're obsessed with the villa from Love Island: All Stars on ITV2. In the backdrop of the Franschhoek winelands is the beautiful villa, Ludus Magnus. If you don't need a resort, there are lots of apartments for rent around Franschhoek, which is an hour drive outside of South Africa 's capital of Cape Town. Franschhoek is known for being one of the most beautiful wine villages in the world and stands out as the premier wine and food region of South Africa. There are lots of opportunities to explore the winelands and the neighbouring mountains by horse or tram. 14 14 Emily in Paris Luckily for us, a trip to Paris is pretty easy thanks to the Eurostar. Emily and her French pals have given us plenty of places to check out. From the Bistro Terra Nera which doubles as Gabriel's Restaurant. Emily's go-to bakery is La Boulangerie Moderne, and her famous apartment is just around the corner on Place de l'Estrapade. As fans know, in season four, the characters ventured out of Paris and went to the French Alps. They stayed in the Haute-Savoie town of Megève which is the perfect place for a skiing break. 14 The Split: Barcelona The Split spin-off in Barcelona aired its finale in December 2024. If you couldn't stop checking out the beautiful scenery, then make sure to book a trip to the Spanish capital. The characters are reunited at a wedding that takes place in a vineyard - one you can go to. The Torre del Veguer vineyard is in Sant Pere de Ribes. The vineyard is located about an hour and a half's drive from Barcelona. The vineyard offers lots of activities from yoga and wine sessions, wine pairing experiences and a tours of the vineyard which come before a wine tasting. 14 14 House of the Dragon The Game of Thrones spin-off used so many locations to create the other world of Westeros. A lot of the backdrop you see is actually filmed in Wales and Cornwall, but there are a few of locations outside of the UK too. Monsanto in Portugal doubles for Dragonstone, the ancestral home for House Targaryen, one of the forty dragonlord families, in the first season. The village is perched on top of a hill is famous for its ancient castle, boulders and is considered one of the most picturesque villages in Portugal. If you fancy a stay in the village, there are some charming Airbnb's available to rent for as little as £80 per night. 14 14
The Sun
15-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
I moved a holiday paradise to live a luxe, cheap life… but an illness you don't get in the UK led to a £2k hospital bill
A YOUNG woman moved to a paradise island six years ago to live a luxury lifestyle on little money, but recently found herself in hospital with a nasty illness. Back in May, Claudia, a content creator who is originally from the UK but now lives in Koh Samui, Thailand, and her boyfriend, ended up in hospital after experiencing a fever, chills, vomiting and a nasty rash that spread 'all over' their bodies. 2 Not only did they have to have 'daily blood tests', but they were also whacked with a £2,000 hospital bill. Eager to inform others about dengue fever, which is not found in the UK and cannot be caught from another person, Claudia, who quit her corporate job to move abroad, took to social media to reveal all. She acknowledged that she and her partner both spent time in hospital after they treated themselves to a luxury hotel stay for their anniversary. Whilst at the 'incredible' hotel, Claudia recognised: 'We both started experiencing extreme symptoms like fever, chills, nausea and vomiting and after a couple of days of this and barely leaving the room because we felt awful, we went to the doctors and they confirmed it was dengue fever.' Dengue, also known as dengue fever, is an infection spread by mosquitoes. According to the NHS website, dengue fever is 'not usually serious and often gets better on its own.' The NHS also recognised that 'some people get a more severe type of dengue, but this is rare.' Dengue fever is often found in tropical areas such as parts of Africa and Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, the Pacific islands and some southern areas of North America. There is also a risk of getting it from spring to November in parts of southern Europe, including Croatia, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Madeira. There is a vaccine that helps protect against dengue fever and it is recommended for people who have had, or might have had dengue in the past and are travelling to a part of the world where dengue is common. I felt like I'd been hit by a truck and put it down to heat stroke - it was a killer holiday virus You can get advice from a travel clinic if you're travelling to a part of the world where dengue is common, but if you need the vaccine, you'll have to pay for it privately. Opening up on their dengue fever experience, Claudia, who now has cheap rent and reduced living costs thanks to living in Thailand, added: 'We had to get daily blood tests and eventually they told us we had to be admitted to hospital because our platelets dropped into critical condition. 'We were in hospital for three nights being monitored and had more symptoms like muscle aches, extreme fatigue and a crazy itchy rash all over our bodies. What are the symptoms of dengue fever? Dengue won't always cause symptoms, according to NHS guidance. But if you do experience some, they'll usually come on four to 10 days after an infected mosquito bites you. The symptoms can be similar to the flu and include: Fever Severe headache Pain behind the eyes Muscle and joint pain Nausea and vomiting Widespread rash Abdominal pain Loss of appetite There is no cure or specific treatment. Patients can relieve their symptoms via painkillers, staying hydrated and resting. In rare cases, dengue symptoms can develop into severe dengue. Elderly patients, or those with other medical conditions, are most at risk. Severe dengue fever symptoms can include: Severe skin bleeding with spots of blood on and under the skin Blood in the urine and stools Respiratory distress - when the lungs cannot provide the vital organs with enough oxygen Organ failure Changes in mental state and unconsciousness Dangerously low blood pressure You should call 999 or go to A&E if you experience any of the severe symptoms. 'The hospital was so nice, it was like a five star hotel and we had our own room and nurses on call 24/7 looking after us.' The 31-year-old travel enthusiast, who was just 24 when she first ventured to the ' paradise island ', shared her concern about how big the hospital bill was going to be, and later confirmed: 'The hospital stay cost around £2,000 total, but luckily we were insured - we only paid £100, the insurance covered the rest directly with the hospital.' Shortly after posting the clip, Claudia confirmed that she hadn't received a dengue fever injection in the past, as when she left the UK six years ago, the vaccine 'didn't exist.' Social media users react The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ islandlifewithclaudia, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 417,200 views, 9,331 likes and 227 comments. Social media users were stunned by Claudia's experience and flocked to the comments to share their experiences with dengue fever. One person said: 'I caught dengue in Bali. Worst week of my life, the fever and headache was on another level.' Another added: 'I feel for you, I had dengue in Costa Rica. Was horrific.' A third commented: 'Dengue is the worst.' Meanwhile, someone else wrote: 'I had it in Argentina. Again good insurance covered me but was horrid thing to have. Glad you're both ok.' Not only this, but another user gasped: 'Urgh mosquitoes love me… I have new fears.'
Daily Mail
11-07-2025
- Daily Mail
New details emerge about the moments before top Aussie lawyer was found dead in a massage parlour on Thai island where Shane Warne died
A high-profile Australian lawyer who died in Thailand had been walking barefoot while drinking beer before he started feeling ill in a massage parlour. Christopher Saines was found unresponsive at Siam Touch Massage parlour on the Thai holiday island of Koh Samui about 6am on Monday. The 43-year-old CEO of Brisbane 's GLG Legal was seemingly fit at midnight when he entered barefoot and with a beer before paying $20 for a traditional Thai massage. The massage lasted until around 2am before Mr Saines went to use the venue's bathroom on the third floor, The Sydney Morning Herald revealed on Friday. However, after returning from the toilet, Mr Saines allegedly complained about feeling tired to staff who let him rest in the parlour. Workers reported hearing him snoring until 4am but, when they tried to wake him later in the morning, Mr Saines was dead. The lawyer had been staying in Thailand with his wife and other family members who have since released a statement regarding his death. 'It is with unimaginable sorrow that we confirm the sudden passing of a beloved son, brother, husband, father, friend, and colleague, Christopher Saines,' they said. 'Christopher was a deeply loved member of our family and a remarkable person whose presence brought light to us. 'At just 43, Christopher had already made a profound impact through his professional achievements and his unwavering commitment to the people and causes he cared about most. 'He lived with purpose, passion, and drive.' Mr Saines was a father to two young children and his family has asked for patience and to be left alone as the investigation into his death continues. 'We kindly ask for privacy as we navigate our grief and make the appropriate arrangements.' Little has been shared about the investigation, with authorities yet to confirm which factors they are looking into regarding Mr Saines' death. On Monday, emergency services were called to the massage parlour which was just minuted from where cricket legend Shane Warne suffered a fatal heart attack in 2022. Police and medics found him on a narrow bed inside one of the shop's private upstairs rooms. Police said initial inquiries suggest Mr Saines died of heart failure The lawyer was lying horizontally across the bed with his legs dangling over the side. No foam was found around his mouth. Initial inquiries suggested the 43-year-old died of heart failure. Police Lieutenant Colonel Phumaret Inkong said officers found a ziplock bag containing a white powder, suspected to be cocaine, in Mr Saines' trouser pocket. 'From initial field testing using police reagents, it's presumed to be an illegal drug, but we're not sure if it's actually cocaine,' he said. Lieutenant Colonel Inkong said police are not treating Mr Saines' death as suspicious. The Siam Touch Massage parlour is understood to have remained closed since Monday according to locals, the publication reports. Mr Saines had been staying with his family at Villa Mia, a $4,000-per-night hotel, which is roughly a 20 minute walk from the parlour. While there were no CCTV cameras inside the business, which offers sexual services, police found footage outside the shop which showed Mr Saines arriving. Mr Saines' wife was informed of his death at 3pm on Tuesday. His body has been taken to Surat Thani Hospital for post-mortem examination following which it is believed he will be cremated before his ashes are returned to Australia. Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
News.com.au
11-07-2025
- News.com.au
Inside massage parlour where top Aussie lawyer found dead
Police investigating the death of high-flying Australian lawyer Christopher Saines are looking into whether a white powder found in his pocket was cocaine - and if the Thai massage parlour whe he died was licensed to operate. Mr Saines was holidaying with his wife, Chantho, and their two children on the popular southern island of Koh Samui Authorities say initial inquiries suggest the 'deeply loved and devoted' father died from heart failure. Lieutenant Colonel Phumaret Inkong of Bo Phut Police Station told journalists that officers found a small ziplock bag containing a white powder in Mr Saines' trouser pocket, and until the substance, suspected to be cocaine, is tested and results confirmed, police will keep an open mind. A police source said the results were still a couple of days away. Mr Saines was last seen barefoot and with a beer in hand before he entered Siam Touch Massage in Bo Phut late on Sunday night. It is understood the 43-year-old chief executive of Brisbane firm GLG, left the 17-room property in the tourist area overlooking Chaweng Beach late on Sunday night. He arrived at the parlour alone, apparently opting for a 400 baht – $A18 – traditional oil massage. Col Phumaret Inkong said that after Mr Saines finished getting the massage, he got dressed and went to the bathroom. 'Then, he asked to sit and rest on the bed for a moment, and he simply fell asleep,' he said, according to Asia Pacific Press. 'The masseuse said that he was snoring so loudly that they had to ask the guests nearby if they wanted to change rooms. 'He stayed like that until around 3am, when the shop closed, and the masseuse left him to sleep in the room.' Mr Inkong said around 6am, she came back up to wake him, but he didn't respond. 'She then called her friend to help check on him. That's when they discovered that he had passed away. It's believed that he died sometime after 4am.' Masseuse Premyupa, 47, told local media after she finished the massage around 1.10am, Mr Saines, who paid in cash, asked to rest on the bed. 'I went to serve another customer and when I came back around 10 minutes later, he was asleep,' she continued. 'He was still snoring around 4am, so I didn't wake him.' Ms Premyupa told local outlet Thaiger when she returned to wake him two hours later, he was cold and unconscious. She said it was around 6.20am when she tried to wake him, adding he was not breathing. 'I panicked and called the other staff for help.' Mr Inkong said when police arrived at the scene, Mr Saines 'was already lying dead', adding 'there was no foam at the mouth'. Lieutenant Colonel Inkong said the masseuse reported no injuries, and the massage 'proceeded normally without incident.' While there were no CCTV cameras inside the massage parlour, which reportedly also offers sexual services, police found footage outside the shop which showed Mr Saines arriving without shoes and carrying a can of beer. Officials investigating massage parlour Officials are investigating whether the parlour, housed in a three-storey commercial building, is licensed to operate. understands the massage parlour, not currently listed on Google, only opened in June this year. The building is also home to Samui Green Hotel, which did not have any information regarding Mr Saines' death when contacted by Images show several rooms inside the parlour including the alleged private room Mr Saines was found unresponsive. Police and medics from Koh Samui Hospital found him lying horizontally across a narrow bed with his legs dangling over the side. Mr Inkong said there were no signs of physical struggle. 'The masseuse had no injuries either. The massage proceeded normally,' he said. Initial inquiries suggest the 43-year-old died of heart failure. His body was taken to the Surat Thani Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Staff from villa searched for Mr Saines When staff at the luxury hotel noticed Mr Saines had not returned to the villa on Sunday night, they started to look for him. 'The hotel staff noticed the guest was missing, so they went out to look for him,' Mr Inkong said. Police said that the staff 'did not show any suspicious behaviour' and his wife, Chantho, had not raised any concerns with officers about foul play. has contacted the villa for comment. Heartbreak over Mr Saines' death Mr Saines' wife, Chantho, was informed of his death about 3pm on Monday. The family were staying at the luxury villa during there time on the island. Shocked staff at the late lawyer's firm – GLG – told he was expected back at work next week. A statement sent to by GLG Legal said the family of Mr Saines was overwhelmed by grief, and that the 43-year-old was 'deeply loved'. 'It is with unimaginable sorrow that we confirm the sudden passing of a beloved son, brother, husband, father, friend, and colleague, Christopher Saines, who died earlier this week while on holiday with his family in Thailand,' the statement read. 'Christopher was a deeply loved member of our family and a remarkable person whose presence brought light to us. 'At just 43, Christopher had already made a profound impact through his professional achievements and his unwavering commitment to the people and causes he cared about most. He lived with purpose, passion, and drive. 'Christopher leaves behind his loving wife and two young children. He was a dedicated family man and a remarkable father. He will be remembered by us as a warm, loving, and caring person. 'We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support we've received during this incredibly painful time from our friends, colleagues, and the broader public.' The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family. Mr Saines was the leading commercial and property law solicitor at Brisbane-based firm, GLG. According to his LinkedIn he has been a CEO at the firm for 10 years. He was also an Advisory Board Member of Aged Care Reviews and a committee member of the International Bar Association. DFAT have been contacted for comment on Australia's involvement in the investigation and arrangements for Mr Saines to be returned to his homeland.
The Sun
10-07-2025
- The Sun
I ditched the UK for Thailand – I no longer scrape by, get a doctor's appointment in seconds & go in the pool everyday
A YOUNG woman has revealed that she ditched the UK for Thailand and will never return. After feeling 'unfulfilled' and living 'paycheck to paycheck', Claudia decided to sell everything she owned, quit her corporate job and jet abroad. 4 4 4 4 Now, not only does Claudia have cheap rent and reduced living costs, but she also gets to go in the pool everyday too. And that's not all, as the content creator, who lives in Koh Samui, Thailand, can now get a doctor's appointment 'instantly', has a maid who does all her cleaning and only pays £18 for a Russian manicure. Claudia, who has her own business as a marketing strategist and moved to the 'paradise island' in 2023, now pays just £300 a month for rent and can eat out for only £1.12. The 31-year-old was just 24 when she first ventured to Thailand in search of like-minded people who weren't stuck complaining about the bad weather and cost of living crisis back home. She uprooted her life and moved to Koh Samui, Thailand's second largest island, known for its palm-fringed beaches, coconut groves and dense, mountainous rainforest. Now, the travel enthusiast is able to live a much more affordable lifestyle and has shared the three reasons why she will 'never return' to the UK. Posting on social media, Claudia dipped her toes in a swimming pool, as she revealed the first reason why she won't move back to the UK - because she thinks it is a 'miserable place to be.' The influencer explained: 'The sky is always grey, it's raining almost all of the time, sometimes even in the summer and it affects the mood of the people so it makes people miserable.' Claudia acknowledged that she enjoys being in sunshine and never liked having to wait to go on holiday every time to do it. Claudia, who previously claimed that whilst living in Thailand, she is able to order most of her food, then revealed that rather than "scraping to get by,' she is able to live a much more purse-friendly lifestyle. She shared: 'The second thing is everybody in the UK is just scraping to get by - the cost of living is through the roof, you don't get much for your money and on top of that you are taxed so much on everything, you can barely breathe without being taxed in the UK. 'Whereas there are countries like Thailand where your money goes a lot further and you can live a really good quality of life.' The final reason why Claudia wants to stay in Thailand is due to safety. She shared: 'In the UK, you cannot walk down the street without the fear of your phone getting snatched out of your hand and as a woman I would not walk alone at night in the UK, whereas here I feel so safe. 'Never had anything stolen, I've never had any sexual harassment in the street from men, I feel so safe here and why would I wanna go back to a place where I feel unsafe, where it's always grey and where I've got no money because I'm being taxed so heavily?' Moving house hacks 1. Declutter Before You Pack Sort through your belongings and get rid of anything you no longer need. Donate, sell, or recycle items to lighten your load. 2. Create an Inventory Make a list of all your items. This helps keep track of everything and ensures nothing gets lost in the move. 3. Use Quality Packing Materials Invest in sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, and packing tape. This will protect your belongings during the move. 4. Label Everything Clearly label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. This makes unpacking much easier and more organized. 5. Pack a 'First Day' Box Include essentials like toiletries, a change of clothes, snacks, and important documents. This will keep you from rummaging through boxes on your first day. 6. Take Photos of Electronics Setup Before unplugging your electronics, take photos of the wiring setup. This will make it easier to reconnect everything at your new place. 7. Use Suitcases for Heavy Items Pack books and other heavy items in rolling suitcases. This makes them easier to transport and reduces the risk of injury. 8. Colour-Code Your Boxes Use different coloured stickers or markers for each room. This will help movers quickly identify where each box should go in your new home. Social media users react The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ islandlifewithclaudia, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 175,000 views. Not only this, but it's also amassed 6,340 likes, 910 comments, 701 saves and 1,044 shares too. I think you have made the right choice. Enjoy your life TikTok user Social media users were impressed by Claudia's video and many eagerly raced to the comments to express this. One user beamed: 'Yes! This is my biggest dream! I'm working hard to build my own business so I can quit my job and move to Thailand! Wish I could find a remote job and move sooner.' Whilst a second added: 'I think you have made the right choice. Enjoy your life.' Meanwhile, others agreed with Claudia's claims about the UK, as one person said: 'Agree with you 100%. I have just left the UK for Dubai. I used to live in Singapore and Malaysia for 10 years. Made a big mistake going back to the UK.' At the same time, another added: 'I left for Portugal where the quality of life is similar. The UK is ruined.' Meanwhile, when someone asked: 'What's the health system like?' Claudia confirmed: 'I have health insurance and the hospitals here are much better, I get seen instantly.'
