Welcome to Koh Samet

This is my Koh Samet Wiki page and will be updated on a regular basis. If you have something to add please comment at the bottom of the page so everyone can benefit.

Koh Samet is one of the most attractive of all the Thai islands. It is small enough for visitors to explore most of the island by foot; it is 4 miles in length and three miles across at its widest point. Koh Samet island is the nearest big tourist island to Bangkok and for this reason it is extremely popular with young Thais– especially on bank holiday weekends. The fact that so many people come to the island might suggest that it is spoiled, but it is actually holding up remarkably well. The island has been declared a national park and there are strict regulations on development and maintenance of the island’s beauty. If you do intend to arrive on Koh Samet during the high season, or when there is a holiday weekend, you might be wise to book your Koh Samet hotel or bungalow before arriving to avoid disappointment.

Koh Samet really can leave visitors feeling like they have arrived at a tropical paradise. The laid back feeling of the island hits you immediately and all the problems of daily life can seem far away. Even though this is such a small place there is still plenty of entertainment on offer. Much of the nightlife occurs right beside the beach; the bar crowds will often spill right onto it. The partying is not as fierce as what you might find on Koh Phangan, but it is exciting enough to satisfy most hedonists. If you prefer just a quite drink beside the beach then you will find plenty of places for this on the island as well.

It wasn’t until the early eighties that people were actually allowed to stay on Koh Samet island over night; before that visits were limited to day trips. The island plays a large part in Thai mythology and it was once a hangout for pirates. In fact you still hear stories of treasure buried around the island so you never know what you are going to dig up when building sand castles.

Koh Samet is a national park so there is usually a fee that you need to pay when you arrive; although not always. Foreigners pay 200 THB (children only 100 THB). Thai nationals pay a lot less than this; the reason being that they already pay income tax. Some people get quite upset about the double pricing but when you consider that it is only a few dollars it puts it more into perspective. Some boats drop new arrivals straight onto the beach and if this happens there is no need to pay any admission fee.

Koh Samet Arrivals and Departures
Boat
People arriving on Koh Samet will usually come from Ban Phe port in Rayong. Here you will find many different boats that can take you across to the island. It is also possible to make the trip from Nuan Thip which is very close to the port in Ban Phe. The trip across currently costs 50 THB and the journey takes approximately 45 minutes. If you have the money you can get a speedboat for about 700 THB; this makes the journey a lot faster and you can have the speed boat take you to where you want to go on the island.

How to Get to Ban Phe/Nuan Thip
Ban Phe and Nuan Thip are both in Rayong and there are many buses that will take you to these ports. If you are staying in a tourist area like the Khao San Road in Bangkok or in Pattaya you will have a number of travel options. Minibuses are quite comfortable and make the journey a bit faster than normal buses; you will find these in both Pattaya and Bangkok. There are also regular government buses between Rayong and many other cities. If you are coming from Rayong you can get a Songthaew to Ban Phe or alternatively you can hire a taxi. If you are arriving in Suvarnabhumi Airport the best option is probably to get a taxi all the way; all though this is definitely not the cheapest option. The nearest airport is U-Tapao which is near Pattaya but there are probably not too many reasons to choose this as a way to get the island.

Getting Around Koh Samet
One of the really nice things about Koh Samet is that you can walk practically anywhere. There is only one main road and in parts this turns into a dirt track. It is possible to rent a motorbike on the island if you want a bit more freedom and don’t feel like exerting yourself too much. The fact that parts of the road on the island aren’t very safe means though that it is probably best not to ride a motorbike; there really is no need to and if you have an accident there is no hospital on the island. There is a Songthaew service (a type of open bus) that goes between the different destinations; you can also hire a Songthaew for private charter. One of the nicest ways to get around the island is by boat.

What to See on Koh Samet
Na Dan Pier
Na Dan Pier (ท่าเรือหน้าด่าน) is usually the first place that people see when they arrive on the Koh Samet island; most visitors won’t see it again until they leave. Na Dan can be found in the north of the island. There are a few restaurants and shops here and you will also find a couple of hotels and bungalows. There are also some nice beaches nearby.

Hat Sai Kaew
Hat Sai Kaew (หาดทรายแก้ว) is the biggest and most popular beach on Koh Samet; it is also known as Diamond Beach. This is where you will find a lot of Koh Samet hotel options and quite a few restaurants and bars. If you have come for peace and solitude then this probably isn’t the best beach for you, but it is stunningly beautiful all the same. The white sand right next to warm turquoise waters makes this a place where some people are willing to spend almost their whole holiday. Even if you don’t intend to stay at Hat Sai Kaew you will still probably want to visit at least once or twice.

Ao Thian
In the Thai language thian means candle or candlelight and so Ao Thian (อ่าวเทียน) means Candlelight Beach. This is a nice place to visit at nighttime as there are a couple of nice restaurants here. The beach itself is just mostly rocks and this tends to be an empty location during the day. If you want a romantic dinner or a bit of time alone then Ao Thian might be a good place to choose.

Ao Wong Deuan
Ao Wong Deuan (อ่าววงเดือน) is another of the big beaches and it is just down the coast from Hat Sai Kaew and right before Ao Thian. This beach does attract a lot of people but it is still possible to find a nice quite spot alone. Some of the restaurants here are superb – especially if you like seafood. There are also quite a few beach bars where you can chill out in the evenings and watch the sun go down.

Ao Pai
Ao Pai is to the south of Hat Sai Kaew and people will spill on to here to get away from the busier beach. This is another attractive area and there are far fewer restaurants and bars – so a better choice if you want a bit of peace. The fact that it is a small beach though means that it can feel busy during the high season. Swimming here is also not as satisfying as on Hat Sai Kaew due to the large number of rocks; it is still a great place to work on your tan and relax.

Ao Noi Na
This is another beach close to Hat Sai Kaew and is probably a good choice if you want something a bit more laid back. The only drawback is that the view is of the mainland and this can take away from the feeling of being on a paradise island. This part of the island is a bit less popular than other areas but that is changing. The beach here is clean and there are a few reasonably priced Koh Samet bungalows.

Ao Phrao
If you really want the feeling of seclusion then the best choice is Ao Phrao. This is well away from all the main tourist entertainment – or as far away as you can get on such a small island. This is a great place to just kick back and relax; here it is possible to imagine what it would be like to live like Robinson Crusoe. The swimming here is very satisfying and the beach is attractive and clean. If you want to enjoy this tranquil place then the best option is to hire a boat to take you there.

Ao Karang
Much of the life on Koh Samet is dedicated to pampering the tourist. Ao Karang offers a different perspective because it has a more traditional Thai feel to it. Here you will find the tastiest Thai food as this is where many of the locals go to eat. There are also a few resorts in this area. Ao Karang can be found at the southern tip of the island.

What to Do on Koh Samet
Swimming
The sea around Koh Samet is not only nice to look at but it is also wonderful to swim in too. There are a couple of places on the island that are rocky but for the most part the swimming is ideal. In places like Hat Sai Kaew there are usually a lot of people in the water. You will always find a quiet spot if you move along the coast.

Take a Boat Trip around the Island
Traveling around the island by sea is a great way to really appreciate it. A lot of visitors just arrive at one of the beach areas and spend the rest of the holiday there. Samet is a small island but there is a lot to see if you take the time. A trip in a boat gives a unique vantage point and is a great opportunity to take some spectacular photographs.

Traditional Massage
Koh Samet is such a relaxing place that it makes the perfect location for Thai massage. Many people will have one of these massages while lying down on the beach; just be warned that you are not going to want to get up again afterwards. Massage is not only very relaxing but it is also an important part of Thai medicine and used to treat many mental as well as physical problems.

Scuba Diving
There is only one main scuba diving company on Koh Samet island called Ploy Scuba. If you have never dived before you will be able to learn how to do this; you can even train for your PADI Open Water License. The actual diving takes place away from the island as there is not much to see locally.

Observe the Sunset with a Beverage
A lot of the beach bars get busy around sunset as people go there to admire the scene. Watching the sun set on Samet is a wonderful experience and something you are sure to want to do again and again. What better way to do it than with a drink in your hands. Once the sun sets most people will go back to their rooms and get cleaned up for a night of entertainment. Many people party so hard that they get to see the beautiful sunrise as well.

Eat Seafood
If you enjoy seafood then you will have a great time on the island. The main dishes that most restaurants promote are seafood based; you will also find plenty of seafood buffets. If you don’t like this type of dish then don’t worry because there are plenty of other options as well.

Get a Tan
Getting a tan is probably the most popular activity on Koh Samet. Wherever you turn there will be people slowly baking in the sun. If you like that type of thing then you will be in heaven; if this type of thing bores you then there is plenty more to do.

See How Many Beaches You Can Visit in One Day
There are many beaches on Koh Samet so who wants to just lie on the same one all the time. If you are feeling bored you might want to go on an excursion to see how many beaches you can manage in the one day. This is not as easy as it sounds. Although the island is small the going can sometimes be tough and there is a lot of temptation along the way.

Party on the Beach
The nightlife on Koh Samet is not as wild as on other islands but this doesn’t mean that you can’t have a great time. Quantity isn’t everything and the bars that Samet does have get really bouncing; you will have no problem finding a good time on the island. A lot of the bars are right next to the beach so you can do your partying in the comfort of the sand. If you want something more romantic and secluded you can take your drinks and move further down the beach and away from the crowds.

One of the more popular drinks on Koh Samet is the bucket; this is actually something that you will find on most Thai islands. The bucket is a very strong alcoholic drink made up of a small bottle of Mekong whiskey, Red Bull (the local energy drink that has been copied around the world) and Cola. People share these buckets as they come with multiple straws. Many of those who decide to party with this drink will pay heavily the next morning with a hangover from hell. Probably not a good choice if you plan on doing a lot of traveling the next day.

Khom Loy Lanterns and Fire Shows
Khom Loy lanterns are often seen on Koh Samet. These balls of fire are spectacular to see as they lift off into the night sky. The Khom Loy was once used in war as a way to light up the battlefield at night; these days they are used for far more peaceful purposes. Sitting on the beach and watching these lanterns is likely to be something that will be remembered for years afterwards. There are also other types of fire shows around the island.

Off the Beaten Track in Koh Samet
Ao Kiu
Ao Kiu was once considered a hidden treasure on Koh Samet, but this is changing. It is difficult to get there by road so the easiest way to make the journey is by boat. It has to be said that more people are finding out about this wonderful beach and there are already a few expensive resorts popping up in the local area. Still it is a beautiful and well worth a visit.

Koh Kudi
This is another island not far from Koh Samet and it is possible to get there by speed boat. The main reason why people will visit this area is for diving; it is a good place to go if you want to check out what the underwater world has to offer. There are also some snorkeling opportunities. If you want to stay on Koh Kudi there are some bungalows available or you can also hire a tent.

Walk Across the Island
There is a road linking one side of the island with the other and it takes about an hour to walk it. This is a nice way to see the interior of the island; something that a lot of people miss.

Emergencies on Koh Samet
Night swimming is a common sight on Koh Samet. Many of the people engaging in this activity will have had a lot to drink and may be putting their life in danger by going for that midnight swim. There is no doubting that the warm waters around the island are inviting at any time of the day or night, but night swimming is dangerous.

The medical provision on Koh Samet is very limited. There is a clinic near to Na Dan pier but any serious problems will need to be dealt with away from the island. The nearest big hospital is in Rayong town. The lack of emergency facilities on Koh Samet island is one more reason why people are best advised not to ride motorbikes or engage in any dangerous activities such as swimming drunk at night.

Crime on the island is quite rare but if you do have any problems then the best advice is to contact the local tourist police. The emergency number is 1155. There is not too much evidence of drug use on Koh Samet, but if you are approached with offers of illegal substances you are advised to walk away. If you are caught with illegal drugs in Thailand it is a serious offense.

Theft on the island does happen now and again; it is suspected that a lot of this is committed by other tourists. If you are staying in some of the cheaper accommodation you may find the locks on the doors are not very secure. This is why it is probably wise to keep your belongings with you or purchase a more secure lock.

Highlights of Koh Samet
- An afternoon spent chilling out on Hat Sai Kaew followed by watching the sunset at a beach bar and a nice meal in a restaurant.
- A day lying around on Ao Phrao; the most peaceful part of the island. This is a wonderful location away from it all and good choice if you want to experience something different.
- Watching a Khom Loy show from a Koh Samet beach. These fire balls sadly don’t hit the skies every night, but if you are lucky enough to see them it will be an experience you are unlikely to forget.

Where to Next?
- If you are looking for a bigger island with more going on then you might want to move next to Koh Chang further along the eastern seaboard.
- If you really want to party hard then you might want to visit Pattaya next (otherwise known as sin city). A holiday split between Koh Samet and Pattaya is recommended because that way you get a good dose of wild hedonism mixed with peace and tranquility.
- Those wishing to experience a bit more of traditional Thai life might want to move on to Issan ( North East Thailand) or to the North such as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai or serene and peaceful Pai.