Koh Samet is a small beautiful idyllic island (often refered to as crystal island) with superb beaches and a relaxed chilled out atmosphere. Around 200km from Bangkok make Koh Samet Island both easy and affordable to get to. Taking about 3-4 hours total travelling time from Bangkok, or 2 hours from Pattaya. Another plus point for going to Koh Samet is the cost of getting there. Buses from Ekamai bus terminal cost about 135 baht and the boat fare starts around 50 baht.
The Thai word Koh means island, and Samet is tree that grows in large quantities all over the island, and famed for its bark which is used both in traditional medicine and for boat building.
Its beautiful beaches especially in the north-east of the island have been described as having the "whitest finest sand" in Thailand. In 1981 Koh Samet was given national park status when it joined the Khao Laem Ya National Park. It has great natural beauty, secluded beaches and a lush rich interior. It is also the home to spectacular wildlife such as monkeys, hornbills, gibbons and exotic butterflies.
Its beautiful beaches especially in the north-east of the island have been described as having the "whitest finest sand" in Thailand. In 1981 Koh Samet was given national park status when it joined the Khao Laem Ya National Park. It has great natural beauty, secluded beaches and a lush rich interior. It is also the home to spectacular wildlife such as monkeys, hornbills, gibbons and exotic butterflies.
In the early 1970's Koh Samet was 'discovered' by Thai teenagers and young couples looking for a weekend place to go not too far from the Bangkok. Recently its popularity has increased with overseas tourists joining the locals in search of a tropical paradise. There are many really nice resorts and cozy bungalows on most of Koh Samet's beaches and you can easily book them from this website. Electricity is now available 24 hours a day, and resorts offer TV and air-conditioning. Camping is still popular on the more secluded beaches, but bring your own tents!
The eastern side of Koh Samet consists of wide open bays with pure white sand. The biggest and most popular is Hat Sai Kaew - known to westerners as Diamond Beach, is the closest to the mainland. The mile long sweep of bay has wide sand backed by palm trees, and on the promotory is a temple with a large Buddha statue. This beach is popular with day trippers, and with those staying for several nights. It is next to the small fishing village and several shops and restuarants. But it's sand is perfect, with a consistency like fine talculm powder and squeaks underfoot. The water is shallow and warm, and almost crystal clear. As you walk south along the narrow path linking the bays, you will come to bay after bay, all slightly different and perfect in their own way. The sand is dappled with fallen leaves and at the water line you sometimes find strange fish. You are able to sit for hours on these beaches, listening to the breeze in the trees, the soft murmur of the waves, and watch fish jumping. Koh Samet is a place where you can really unwind and relax.
The National Park Entry FeeIs something that really bothers visitors to Koh Samet. All non-Thais are charged a fee to basically enter the island. Now normally most people don't worry about this, but because the typical tourist pays ten times the local Thai person and the fact that the park has been over-developed and largely trashed by developers make it a bit of a joke. Worse, this entry fee has recently been increased to 400B per person for non-Thais (Thais pay only one-tenth that amount). In the past, it was possible to avoid paying this fee by arriving on the island at places other than Nadan or Ao Wong Deun. However, proactive rangers now meet arriving boats at almost every location to collect this fee. (Thais are not as dumb as they look!)
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