Ko Samet
From World travel guide
Ko Samet (เกาะเสม็ด) is a small island in Rayong Province, within easy reach of Bangkok.
(there's also a smaller Ko Samet in Chumphon Province)
Contents |
Understand
Ko Samet is not renowned for its parties (unlike Ko Pha Ngan) or its diving (unlike Ko Tao), but it has both convenience and quietness in its favor. It's a popular tourist destination for Thais as well as foreigners.
Get in
Ko Samet, including all of the good parts, is a national park and has an entry fee. Thais pay 20 baht, foreigners 200 baht - a classic example of Thai dual pricing. If your ferry arrives at the main pier and you take a songthaew to the beaches, there will be a stop at the main ticket checkpoint. If your ferry arrives at one of the beaches, an officer will collect the fee as you step out of the surf. Note that there is plenty of foot traffic in and out of the park to the 7-Eleven, ATM or other shops and restaurants and if you have no bags you can nonchalantly walk into the park without anyone checking your ticket.
The 1st class bus from Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai) to Ban Phe usually takes just over 3 hours, costs 276 baht, and terminates opposite the ferry piers (there's no direct service to Ban Phe from Moh Chit - nearest alternative is to Rayong). If you take a regular bus from Pattaya or Sattahip, you'll need to take a songthaew or charter a tuk-tuk to the ferry piers. Minibus services go straight to the piers.
Ferries from Ban Phe to Ko Samet take around 30 to 45 minutes. Only buy a one-way ticket, as there's no discount on round-trip tickets and you won't have to worry about losing it. The ticket sellers may also offer to sell you the national park ticket - don't bother.
The nearest airport fielding commercial flights is U-Tapao, just east of Sattahip - about 45 km from Ban Phe.
See
- Catch the sunset from dramatic cliffside locations along the south-west coastline.
Do
- Hiking
- Boat trips
- Snorkeling/Diving
- Traditional on almost every South-East Asia beach, Ko Samet has started featuring "Full/Half/Dark Moon" nights. These should not be confused with the massive Full Moon Parties on Ko Pha Ngan or other parts of Southern Thailand - here they are simply an excuse for drink specials.
Buy
Ko Samet doesn't have much in the way of shopping beyond basic beach accessories (sarongs, T-shirts, etc).
Most hotels have some books to trade or rent, and there are a growing number of hawkers selling books as too.
Eat
Seafood, seafood, and seafood. But there's also meat and veggie curries as well as Western favorites like pizza, and a bakery that makes fresh bread. Almost every hotel and bungalow operation has its own restaurant but it's only the movies that differentiate them. Many also set up tables and chairs at night for dining on the beach.
Budget
If you've jonesing for some sticky rice and other country fare head down to Ao Wong Duan.
Mid-range
Splurge
- Ao Prao Resort, [1]. Very posh resort on the west side of the island. You might even see some of the Thai glitterati lounging about - if only you could recognize them.
Drink
The local special can be reproduced as follows:
- one child's sandbucket, small
- one pint Mekong whiskey
- one can Coca-cola or Pepsi
- one scoop ice (optional)
- one to three straws
Place all ingredients in sandbucket and drink via straw. Repeat until the sandy beach rises up to meet you.
There's also the usual assortment of Thai beer - Chang, Tiger, San Miguel, Leo, and Carlsberg. Prices are significantly higher than on the mainland, but most bars have some form of happy hour. Alternatively, there's always the option of buying a 6-pack and sitting on the beach; for non-drinkers there are tropical fruit drinks.
Sleep
Most of the accommodation centers around the beaches on the east coast; try to arrive on the island as early as possible to have the best selection to choose from.
The northern-most beaches of Hat Sai Keaw and Ao Hin Kok have many hotels with typical Thai concrete bunker-style rooms. If your room doesn't have air conditioning it can get a little hot during the day. At the very northern end are a few upscale resorts. At beaches further south you'll find the bungalows ranging from dismal shacks to four-star, air-conditioned mini suites.
Unless you've made the mistake of booking your room with the touts back at the dock you'll find a place by strolling down the beach. As this island becomes more and more popular it's getting harder to find rock-bottom prices. Expect to pay 600 baht for the basics. Most of the accommodation is first-come, first-served and the cheaper bungalows tend to go fastest. High-end establishments usually take reservations by phone, fax, and via the web.
Always ask to see the room before taking it. Many rooms will have minimal bedding so you might want to bring your own sleep sack or sarong. Towels, soaps, toilet paper, etc. may not be provided in basic bungalows but should be for sale cheaply somewhere close-by.
Budget
- Tub Tim Bungalow, Ao Tub Tim (AKA Ao Phudsa), is usually reliable and has rooms in the 600-1300 baht range. It's in a quieter area and at night you might be lulled to sleep by the gentle sound of crashing waves.
Mid-range
Splurge
- Samed Villa Resort, 89/4 Ao Phai; tel. +66-38644094 [2]. Has beautiful new air-con rooms right next to the water at 1400-1800 baht.
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