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Koh Samet Guide (Samet Island)
The tropical paradise island of Koh Samet is in Rayong province in Thailand, within easy reach of Bangkok and the party town of Pattaya. It is an extremely convenient and easy island to reach, and offers tranquillity and beauty, along with stunning and plentiful beaches. It is a very popular destination for Thais as well as tourists wishing to escape Bangkok for the weekend.
How to get to Koh Samet?
In order to get to this island paradise from Bangkok, the first class bus departs from the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai) to Ban Phe (from where you get a ferry to Koh Samet). The bus trip takes just over three hours and costs under 300 bt (about 6 euros). The bus stops opposite the ferry piers. The ferry ride from Ban Phe to Koh Samet takes about 45 minutes. It is not worth buying a return ticket, as there is no discount. You will be charged a fee, usually around 6-8 euros for tourists, on arrival at the island. This is because the island is a National Park and the fee is classified as an entrance charge. Getting Around Samet Island
Once you reach Koh Samet, there are two ways to get around the island. One option is by “songthaew”, which is basically an open-back pick-up truck with passengers sitting in the back. The cost is around 200 bt (approx 4 euros) for a private trip, or between 30-60 bt per person if the truck is full. The fare also depends upon your destination, whether hotel or beach, and which beach you decide to try first. If comfort is a priority for you, with the compacted dirt roads, this can be quite uncomfortable, apart from being the most expensive option of the two. Or you can rent a motorcycle. One of these should cost no more than 350 bt per day (about 7 euros) or 150 bt. (3 euros) an hour. If upon your initial enquiry about cost you are quoted a much higher figure, then simply smile and insist on handing over your 350bt. You can usually hire a motorcycle from your hotel too. Accommodation in Koh Samet
Most tourist accommodation in Koh Samet is built around the beaches, and mostly on the eastern coast. If you have not pre-booked, then it is wise to plan to arrive early in order to have the best selection. The height of the tourist season tends to be from November through to February, and June to August. Finding accommodation during these periods can be difficult. When planning your trip, take into account any Thai Public Holidays when the island can be extremely busy. Hat Sai Keaw and Ao Hin Kok beaches on the north of the island have many of the typical Thai style bungalows. At the extreme north are some high-end resorts offering luxury and comfort at reasonable cost when compared with other tropical islands. Most of these upscale hotels will take your reservation online. If you are on a tight budget, you can expect to pay around 600bt (around 12 euros) per night for basic accommodation. But as the island grows in popularity, these cheaper bungalows tend to fill up fast and are becoming harder to find. Things to do in Samet Island
This island has some stunning sunsets. The south-west coastline offers a really dramatic cliffside location from which to enjoy the evening. Other highlights include the fireshow at the Silver Sand Bar on Ao Phai Beach. They are usually held around 10 pm and the nearer the weekend, the larger the show. Hiking is popular, as are boat trips which should not cost you more than 600bt (about 12 euros), and can take in snorkelling, fishing, a visit to the floating restaurant or a tour around the islands. Don’t miss the spectacularly fresh seafood available from just about every beachside café and restaurant. The local speciality drink on Koh Samet is a SangSom bucket. This is a potent mix of Thai whiskey, coke, lots of ice, and a high caffeine energy drink, like Red Bull. It is usually served to you in a child’s plastic sandcastle bucket with as many straws as you need. Koh Samet is a beach-lover’s paradise, where you can soak up the sun on sandy beaches gazing at the turquoise sea. It does not offer a great deal by way of shops, but the choice of beaches, the scenery, sunshine and seafood more than compensates.
More Photos of Koh Samet Submitted by : Andrew 01-Apr-07
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