Koh Samet

[Braveheart]

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)

 

Ko Samet is not overly 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 for its proximity to Bangkok.

 

Ko Samet, including all of the good parts, is a national park and has an entry fee. Thais pay 40 baht, foreigners 400 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. (There is a road via the temple, take that and you won't get near the checkpoint.

 

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, from there you can take a Song Thaew to Ban Phe). 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.

 

There are two methods to get around the island. The first is by songthaew, this is just a pickup truck with the passengers sitting in the back. It costs 200 baht for a private trip, or between 20 and 60 baht per person for a full car, depending on which beach you are going to. This is a rather expensive method to get around the island, and the dusty roads can make it an uncomfortable trip. The second way is by renting a motorcycle. Signs advertise 300 baht per day or 100 baht per hour, but when you go to enquire about renting they will often say 400 or 500 baht per day. Insist on paying 300 baht. You will usually be able to rent it from the hotel you are staying at. Leaving your passport or a deposit is not necessary or advisable.

 

 

Catch the sunset from dramatic cliffside locations along the south-west coastline.

 

Catch A fireshow at the renowned Silver Sand Bar on Ao Phai Beach. They are usually held around 10pm, and are biggest later in the week and on weekends when the party crowds come in.

 

A boat trip with any of the number of companies should cost around 600B and can include snorkelling, fishing, a visit to the fish farms and floating restaurant, or a tour around the island.

 

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, which are present every night of the year anyway.

Drink the local speciality, a SangSom bucket, which is a toxic mix of Thai whiskey, red bull and coke, served in a kids sandbucket with lots of straws.

Read a novel set on Koh Samet while you lounge on the beach: The Butterfly Trap

 

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.

 

Seafood, seafood, and seafood, some of the best barbeques are found along Ao Phai and Haat Sai Kaew beaches. But there's also meat and veggie curries as well as Western favorites like pizza, and a bakery that makes fresh bread at the Naga Bar and Bungalows on Ao Hin Khok. 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.

 

If you are relaxing on the beach during the day there are plenty of hawkers selling fresh fruit, BBQ chicken wings, dried squid, papaya salad (can be extremely spicy) and even ice creams at reasonable prices.

 

Also if you need a break from Thai cuisine a number of the restaurants along Haat Sai Kaew make excellent club sandwiches. They also offer western style breakfast. (eg. bacon and eggs, yogurt or breakfast cereal)

 

In town (Na Dan), there are two smallish, more traditional Thai eateries that serve good quality Thai food at fairly cheap prices. One is located across the road from the 7/11 near the national park entrance, and the other is just a few shops down from the same 7/11. Both have menus in English.

 

If you've jonesing for some sticky rice and other country fare head down to Ao Wong Duan.

 

If you are after a traditional Thai breakfast there are a couple of ladies who set up their mobile eatery daily next to the Tourist Police checkpoint that services Haat Sai Kaew. They serve boiled chicken on rice (khao man gai tom), fried chicken and rice (khao man gai tort) or rice porridge (jok) for 20-30 baht. The food is fresh and they do a brisk trade serving locals as well as a few tourists.

 

Gecko Bar, located at the end of Ao Phai beach next to Silversand Resort, does an excellent barbeque with chicken steaks smothered in mushroom sauce and sizzling beef and chicken hotplates. Between 100 and 200 baht, these meals are definately good value, try the fries.

 

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.

 

Although Koh Samet is not a renowned party island, Haat Sai Kaew and Ao Phai do get their fair share of backpackers, and therefore have their fair share of parties. Everyday on Ao Phai flyers are handed out from the different bars that advertise the drink specials for that night, and might even give you a free drink. Biggest nights are generally Thursday-Saturday, when more of the backpackers and expats come to the island. The main bars along Haat Sai Kaew are:

 

Beach Bar: a small bar with a few pool tables and some of the best cocktails on the island, try the bar's specials. Located right at the end of the main road that runs in from the village and through the national park entrance.

 

Ploy Bar: a large, generally Thai-style night spot that often has live acts and some manner of sideshow games. Located in the middle of Haat Sai Kaew, a big establishment, you can't miss it.

 

and along Ao Hua Khok / Ao Phai are:

 

Naga Bar: once 'the' bar on the island, it has gone downhill somewhat in the last few years, but still a good place to hang and enjoy cheap drinks and a few games of pool with locals and tourists alike. Located at the top of 'Naga Hill' between Haat Sai Kaew and Ao Hua Khok.

 

Tok's Little Bar: a small thatched hut serves as the main bar for this laid back, chilled out drinking spot. They generally have good drink specials and a different theme for every night, so grab a bucket and chill out on a mat on the beach. Occasionally has some fireshows and special parties. Next door to Naga Bar.

 

Silversand Bar: arguably the most popular bar on the island, Silversand brings in the largest backpacker crowd, and is generally where everyone ends up at the end of the night. The bar boasts quite a big dancefloor and generally the best fire shows on the island. Located at the opposite end of Ao Phai to Naga Bar.

 

Baywatch bar, AO wong Duan: Popular bar for foreigners and Thai on AO Wong Duan with very relaxed chairs and an extended cocktail list to enjoy those long Thai nights. Currently they are expanding having rented the space from the bar next to them. They have a website: www.baywatchbar.com

 

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 - Singha, 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.

 

But It Looked So Nice In The Brochure! 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. Tourist season on Samet is generally from November - February and June - August, at which time finding vacant accomadation can be a challenge. Also, beware any public holidays, the island fills up like crazy!

 

The northern-most beaches of Hat Sai Keaw and Ao Hin Kok have many bungalow operations 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. On some beaches you can 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.

 

Always check that the windows on the room have well sealed mosquito screens. Dawn and dusk are the times that the mosquitos are out and about. It is well worth buying a mosquito aerosol spray and giving your room a blast before going out for your evening meal/drinks. Personal mosquito sprays or lotions are also recommended whilst you are out in the early morning or evening. Also if your room has an en-suite close its door as this will take away one water source for the mosquitoes. Also sleeping with a fan panning over the bed while you sleep makes it harder for any mosquitoes that you may have missed to actually land on you.

 

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, although at night you might find the sound of bar music drowns out the lull of the ocean waves.

 

Tok's Little Hut, A Hua Khok (sometimes part of Ao Phai), offers fan bungalows with individual bathrooms from between 300 and 800 baht/night, depending on proximity to the beach. The bungalows are not necessarily pretty or overly clean, but if you want cheap they're fairly good value.

 

Silversand Resort, Ao Phai, though becoming more upmarket everyday, Silversand still offers a few decently priced fan bungalows with attached bathroom for around 600 baht/ night.

 

Sea Breeze, Ao Phai (behind Silversand), is a dingy little place offering fan bungalows with attached bathroom from about 400 baht/night, about as cheap as you will get, and in a fairly decent location.

 

The Lost Resort, Ao Phai (up the road from Silversand), a new bungalow op owned by a British expat, this resort offers clean, pleasant triple-share rooms with attached bathrooms for about 500-600/night. The small reception/restaurant area does one of the best fried breakfasts for anyone missing home.

 

Lung Dam Bungalow, located on Ao Lung Dam (a one-hour walk south on the beach from Na Dan), has very basic bungalows in the 300-500 baht range. It's on a small bay that is excellent for swimming. The restaurant has excellent service and is one of few on the island that is open early for breakfast. This beach is not accessible directly by road; unless you arrive directly by boat, you must walk on the beach for at least part of the way.

 

Most accomadation operations on Koh Samet offer a variety of different types of rooms, most of which fall in the mid-range category. If you are willing to spend between 600 and 1500 baht/night, you shouldn't have any trouble finding accomodation, no matter what beach you are on. A few such places are:

 

Tarn Tawan, located on Ao Cho, is a clean, pleasant spot with decent bungalows, friendly service, and excellent food. The air-con bungalows, at 1000-1200 baht in low-season, are good value.

 

Sai Kaew Villa, has clean and serviced bungalows and some concrete bunker style accommodation in the 700-1200 baht price range (fan or A/C) set amongst well groomed gardens. Their large dining and evening beach restaurant on Haat Sai Kaew serves good food and the staff is friendly. They are also a two minute walk from the Seven-Eleven and internet shops.

 

Ao Phai beach. Samed Villa Resort, 89/4 Ao Phai; tel. +66-38644094. Has beautiful new air-con rooms right next to the water at 1900-2100 (low season).

 

Extracted from Wikipedia: Koh Samet

[stevie g]

i cant wait to go !!!!!

[flc]

quick tip if you ve been before as we

 

quick tip if you ve been before as we have many times...call ahead tell reception you stay there everytime you go ...then ask for a discount...even in busy times....i was taken for valentines this year n got a third knocked off...but hotel did check our names on their database.....

 

quick tip if you ve been before as we have many times...call ahead tell reception you stay there everytime you go ...then ask for a discount...even in busy times....i was taken for valentines this year n got a third knocked off...but hotel did check our names on their database.....

[Chris Pattaya]

Koh Samet is an island that is changing rapidly as the tourist demographic shifts from young budgeteers to older, more affluent holidaymakers. Most places have now upgraded their accomodation to offer hotel-standard rooms at hotel prices whilst the less comfortable, unreconstructed options have also risen well beyond the old 100-baht-a-shack-days and now supply the same tired, basic, bed-and-a-bath huts for 500 baht up.

As the age range of the clients has risen so the entertainment on offer has moved with the times. Ploy Bar, on Hat Sai Kaew now offers a Bangkok standard, air-conditioned night-club with imported Flip-Flop band and cabaret although most people still make the nightly walk to Silver Sands for late-night drinks and dancing.

Silver Sands offers much in the way of local entertainment with often quite large groups of entrepeneurial locals visiting for short breaks in order to expand their customer base. They tend to share a room between the group finding occaisional accomodation as demand necessitates.

Perhaps the most difficult thing to find on Koh Samet is decent food. Most places offer the same hackneyed menus of Western perrenialls and the bananna pancake crowd are well catered for, but, decent Thai food just does not exist on the island. Most beachside places offer a variety of seafood at vastly inflated prices however anything which involves more than frying or grilling should be avoided as the resulting dining experience is to be somewhat avoided.

No Thai-style place believes that white people understand Thai food and no amount of careful ordering will change this.

Whatever language you use.

A place which grabbed my attention recently is 'The Sausage Factory', an English-styke place just before the 7/11 near the park entrance.

Offering typical Engish fare at very reasonable prices it is a haven from the badly produces beach food in the park and well worth the walk when the need for something a little better is upon you. Its sausages are excellent (as they should be coming from Simple Simon's on Pattaya) and they make their own real chips. It is marred only by the personality of the British owner, a Fawltyesque creature who specialises in rudeness, arrogance and ignorance.

At least his wife can fry.

Incidently, I've had Simple Simon's sausages as far away as Cambodia. Can anyone beat this?

All-in-all, Samet is undoubtedly one of my absolute favourite places to spend two or three days and I visit at least once a month (which means deep discounts in my regular places with the resultant obligatory big drinkings with the owners). The 400 baht fee CAN be avoided on the presentation of a tax card, work ID or sometimes even a driving license as, unlike more rural parks, the National Park employees are very used to Bangkok residents coming for weekends expecting the Thai rate and they seldom challenge a confident, polite approach. I'm sure that they, like us, tire of the constant conflict that arises from the degrading dual-pricing scams so prevellent in this childishly xenophobic little nation. I just hand them my ID and 40 baht and, after the most cursory of glances, they issue my Thai ticket.

Avoid the mini-busses from Bangkok to Ban Phe as they cater for what remains of the hippie travellers. Three hours of shoeless, dreadlocked, patchouli-oil reeking companions can inhibit the most cheerful of souls.

Enjoy.

[LocalYokul]

Fawltyesque creature who specialises in rudeness, arrogance and ignorance

is his name Basil ?

[I69]

I've had good times and bad there, I'd recommend Wonge Deuan and Wonge Deuan Villa

 

Haht Sai Gaaw is important for the tourists, but I don't like it

too crowded

 

make sure to book in advance, especially if it's a long weekend

[Gosser]

Great Reviews, most helpful Thanks

[Hardeep J]

one of the best reports i've read about an island... well done braveheart. :Bravo1:

 

can't wait to get onto this island in september

[coolman]

Hey sounds great and good report as well.Should check it out some day thanks for the info.

[Bimbom]

This sure seem like a place to visit

[Cuz]

Been there once during the New Year period and it was simply paradise. I only stayed two days but I could've stayed two weeks.

 

Next time will be in August. I have it on authority that Koh Samet is one of the best places to go in rainy season as it often skips the downpours that happen in other places. We'll see.

 

I'll post here how it goes for you guys.

[Bluemoon]

For anyone who hasn't beenI would highly recommend it.Nice to go for a few days to chill out and relax.we always stay at the Sai kaew beach area.Bliss.

[routeman]

If possible avoid the weekends as accomodation prices sky rocket and are very hard to come by unless pre-booked!

[belllla]

HI

From what I understood you've been there.

Would you like to introduce this beach and its facilities, we;re going there on Christmas holidays and will stay at vongduern beach resort.

Thanks in advance

Regards

 

 

I've had good times and bad there, I'd recommend Wonge Deuan and Wonge Deuan Villa

 

Haht Sai Gaaw is important for the tourists, but I don't like it

too crowded

 

make sure to book in advance, especially if it's a long weekend

[CockSnot]

I believe the book 'Thai Girl' by Andrew Hicks is based on Koh Samet for a large part of it, some good descriptives in there if I remember rightly...

 

[phomsanuk]

You forgoy the red bull in the recipe, possibly intentionally, it's deadly as it is. Does the island specialize in euthanasia tourists?....

[Johnny Wilde]

I'm planning for a some days of sanctuary on Samet in late july just to get a break from Patts during my three week vacation so I really appreciated all the tips above.

Just walking around on the beach and chill with my friends before we head back to all the lovely madness for the last 9 days

[AlantheBuilder]

Do they have Bar girls yet-?????

[Billy Boy]

I'm sold, great review.

[indian_reviewer]

NICE koh samet trip report ,and i hope u can help me too.

we r a couple and going 1st time to koh samet , so can u tell me which beach is less crowded, has shallow water snorkeling(like some in phuket) as WE DONT KNOW SWIMMING..

 

and any accommodation u recommend there

 

hope u can help!

[kopite]

Are there any freelancers or beer bars at all on Samet?

[gazman]

Are there any freelancers or beer bars at all on Samet?

 

Yes there are beer bars, didn't see any freelancers, however would suggest that you take a girl with you.

[travis bickle]

If possible avoid the weekends as accomodation prices sky rocket and are very hard to come by unless pre-booked!

 

very good information-spot on-avoid the weekends.

 

NICE koh samet trip report ,and i hope u can help me too.

we r a couple and going 1st time to koh samet , so can u tell me which beach is less crowded, has shallow water snorkeling(like some in phuket) as WE DONT KNOW SWIMMING..

 

and any accommodation u recommend there

 

hope u can help!

 

The snorkelling is very poor in ko samet-you can do a snorkelling boat trip-but its for strong swimmers ...better forget the snorkellin-hire a motorbike or two and go and see the island-it takes a couple of hours to see it all-there are plenty of quiet beaches....pick one as you drive around....OR....take a walk from white sands beach(the main one...along the coast-the 2nd or 3rd beach you come to is lovely and quiet...

Are there any freelancers or beer bars at all on Samet?

Yes there are a couple of beer bars on the main road from the pier....ive seen a few ladies on there...ive also had a shag off one of the massage girls on the beach...(but theyre a bit rough)...as has been said...bring your own-unless you are a strapping 22 year old with a similar friend-then you might get lucky and hit upon a couple of scandanavian lovelies or a couple of yankee girls-ive seen a few of those on ko samet.

[Daveo]

<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HdD55LHwsNU" frameborder="0"></iframe>

 

<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xm4DeRODpp4" frameborder="0"></iframe>

[Lcc]

A lot of posts here are saying to avoid the weekend if possible. We arrive on a Sunday and have not booked accomodation in advance. Do you think we'll be OK just rolling up and finding somewhere?

 

I have been to Samet once before but paid over the odds by booking a nice hotel before we travelled to Thailand.

 

Cheers.