Koh samet

Understand

Ko Samet is not overly renowned for its parties or its diving , 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.

Climate

Even though Ko Samet is only a few kilometers from the mainland of Rayong, the island with its micro-climate (the driest archipelago in Thailand) gets much less rainfall than the rest of the province. The rainy season is May to September but even then it still has significantly less rain than the other islands in Thailand. Tourists should, however, be careful of occasional storms.

History

It is believed that once upon a time, Ko Samet was the home of pirates and that until this very day there is still lost treasure buried somewhere on the island.

Thailand’s legendary poet Sunthorn Phu was the first one to put this island on the map when he set his classical epic there, Phra Aphai Manee “The Story of Princes, Saga, Mermaids and Giants”.

Even though Bangkokians had known about the beauty of Ko Samet for decades before, the Thai government put this island off limits and restricted overnight stay there; that was until 1981. In that year, on 1st October, the Forestry Department of Thailand declared Koh Samet and its surrounding to be a national park.

Geography

Located just 200km from the capital in the Gulf of Thailand, the T-shaped island of Ko Samet is famed for its white sandy beaches, exotic coral and crystal clear waters. The island is 6.5 kilometres offshore of Ban Phe, Mueang district. Forest remains blanket up to 80% of the total area of 3,125 rai.

Koh Samet is under the administration of Pe Sub-district, Muang District, Rayong Province.

Get in

Most of Ko Samet, including all of the good parts, is part of Khao Laem Ya and Mu Ko Samet National Park and has an entry fee. Thais pay 40 baht for adults, 20 baht for children (current as of 6/09); foreigners pay 200 baht for adults, 100 baht for children (current as of 11/09). This two-tier pricing policy is applicable to all national parks. If you can explain, however, that you actually live or work in Thailand, then you may not have to pay the ‘tourist’ price. One excuse for the difference is that "Thai pay taxes". 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 which avoids the checkpoint entirely. Note: some bungalows might give the impression that the entry fee is included in their booking, but it is not.

By car

There are many routes from Bangkok to Rayong:

1. Driving along Sukhumvit road (Highway No. 3); passing Bangpu, Chonburi town, Bangsaen, Sri Racha, Pattaya, Jomtien Beach, Sattahip, Banchang and get into the centre of Rayong province. The total distance is approximately 220km.
2. Taking Bangna-Trat road (Highway No. 34); off the Highway No. 3 at Chaloen Nakorn Toll Plaza through Pang Phi and Bang Bo of Samut Prakarn province and connect with the Sukhumvit road (Highway No. 3) at 70th kilometres. The total distance of this route is approximately 220km.
3. Drive along the Sukhumvit road (Highway No. 3) from Bangkok to Banglamung then off at 140th kilometres that connected with Highway No. 36 and take about 70km to Rayong. The total is about 176km.
4. Taking Highway No. 344 to Chonburi; through Ban Bung, Nong Yai, Wang Chan and end at Klang district, Rayong province. Total distance is 180km.
5. Driving along Motoway from Pattanakarn road to Pattaya and followed by Highway No. 36 about 50 kilomatres to Rayong province.

Taxi service (the street taxis) is also available to Rayong. You need to specify Ban Phe since the pier at Ban Phe is at the lower outskirts of Rayong itself. The metered fare is approximately 1600 baht, but most drivers will want to go "off meter" for a fare ranging from 1500 baht (for some drivers who don't realize the meter is slightly higher) to 2000/2200/2500 baht. Expressway tolls of about 100 baht are additional. You can either grab a taxi from your hotel or guesthouse that is willing to make the drive on the spot, or pre-arrange a pickup from a taxi driver you like by asking for his cellphone number and calling to make a booking - the latter routine works best if you have a native Thai speaker to help you. Look for a later model taxi and do a quick visual check of the tires before committing to a trip. As a general precaution with all taxis in all countries, it's better to double up in a taxi with a friend on a long ride like this.

There are also mini-vans that leave from Victory Monument and charge 250 bht per person. This is a slightly nicer alternative to the larger tourist buses that depart from the bus stations. While the mini-vans drive faster than the tourist buses, they also make several stops along the way in Rayong which makes the trip about the same time as the tourist buses. The best way to get to Victory Monument is via the BTS Skytrain, since traffic is quite busy around this section of town. The mini-van "stations" are close to the base of the Victory Monument Skytrain stop.

By plane

Bangkok Airways has operated a flight daily from Phuket and Samui to U-taphao Airport. For more information contact Bangkok Airways at number (0 2265 5678) or travel agents. From the airport, it is about one hour by car or bus to reach the pier. This way of transportation is only recommended for travellers from the south of Thailand.

Paradise Beach Resort Surat Thani Description

The Paradise Beach Resort is set amongst lush tropical garden and is surrounded by thick coconut plantations. Located on Samuis tranquil northern shoreline bordering the non-commercialized golden sands of Maenam Beach and the warm clear waters of the The Gulf of Thailand, this resort is the perfect place for relaxation and an idyllic escape from a busy daily life. Plenty of sun chairs surround the hotels swimming pools and on the Beach or, for those seeking activity, a large choice of sports and tours are available. Within the resort property you will find a water sports center, tour booking office, tailor shop and a 5 star PADI diving center. A choice of massages is available in the tropical garden and a nearby Spa offers a large choice of pampering services. The hotel also offers an hourly free shuttle service to the entertainment and shopping area at Chaweng, operating from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. This intimate resort has 11 cosy bungalows, 78 spacious deluxe rooms and 6 well furnished suites in traditional Thai style, each with a private balcony or veranda. All of the accommodations are equipped with cable/satellite TV, coffee/tea making facilities, in-room movies, mini bar, in-room safe, telephone, and private bath. Enjoy dining in one of the two elegant restaurants which are located directly on the beachfront with scenic views to the Gulf of Thailand and the neighboring island of Koh Phangan. In this elegant surrounding of coconut trees and tropical vegetation, the master chefs prepare delightful dishes of exotic Asian and sophisticated International cuisine. The Italian Restaurant, Roma, offers delicious pizzas and pasta dishes with an excellent selection of wines and spirits.

How to go: Take the Highway 404 from town, passing Yan Ta Khao District. Then continue on the same road to Palian District for 29 kilometers, turn right at the cross-roat to Had Samran District for another 20 kilometers.


Attractions: Because of many ditches and cananls flowing into this sea, the sand around the beach here then turns to dark grey. Swimming is not recommended. The beach is wide with beautiful scenery and among peaceful atmosphere where located Ta-Se Pier to trip to Koh Sukorn.

The highlight of Samran Beach-Ta-Se Pier is its sunset view point at dust while the scene of Koh Lao Liang appeared ahead in the sea.


Facilities: Long-tailed boat is on service all day, taking about 15 minutes to Koh Sukorn.
Ta-Se Cape is a fish market where sea foods of reasonable price are sold. Small bungalows are available for rent.

How to Go Pak Meng Beach Trang Thailand

Location: Mai Fat Sub District, Sikao District, only 38 kilometers from twon. How to go: Take the Highway 4046 (Trang-Sikao) for 28 kilometers, then turn left to the Highway 4162 for another 10 kilometers, turn right at the three-way intersection to Pak Meng Pier. There are commuting buses routing Trang-Pak Meng Pier on service everyday. Attractions: Pak Meng Pier is located on Pak Meng Beach which is the gateway to islands of Trang Sea. Every morning and evening during tourism season, this pier is full of tourists visiting various islands such as Koh Muk (Morakot Cave), Koh Kradan, Koh Ngai, Koh Ma, Koh Waen, Koh Chueak. Pak Meng Pier is also an attractive viewpoint, especially the outstanding mountain in the middle of the sea and the most beautiful scenery of sunset at dust which is such a symbol of Trang Sea. Next to the pier is a peaceful long beach of off-white sand under shady atmosphere. A lovely pine forest fringes the beach as from Pak Meng Beach to Chang Lang Beach continuing to Had Chao Mai National Park. Facilities: Boat service around islands of Trang Sea. Boat service to Koh Muk (Morakot Cave Koh Kradan, Koh Waen, Koh Ma, Koh Chueak. Tourists can contact tour service counter in town for one day package program. Car of tour agent is serviced from accommodation to the pier including lunch, beverage, fruits and complete set of diving equipment.

Location: Koh Libong Sub District, Kantang District


How to go: Take the coastal road from Had Chao Mai National Park (yothatikarn Road) for 20 kilometers to Ban Nam Rap three-way intersection, then turn right for another 6 kilometers to Ban Chao Mai.


Attractions: This long beach shadd by sea pines lying in line extends from Yong Lin Beach for 3 kilometers. It is such an off-white sand beach of a little bit steep with deep water, swimming is not recommended due to its location close to community.


Facilities: Food stores and tent for rent as well as toilets are on service. Spending the night in tent is allowed as well.

● Mu Koh Phi Phi
is an archipelago of six islands which consists of Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Le as the major islands. The superb scenery of the islands includes high hills with jutting cliffs surrounded by marvelous beaches and emerald sea, hiding underneath a bank of coral reefs and colorful marine life. Places to visit of Mu Koh Phi Phi include covers a total area of 28 square kilometers : 8 kilometers in length and 3.5 at its broadest point. At the north end is Cape Laem Thong, where there is a Chao Ley, or sea gipsy village. These sea gypsies emigrated from Koh Lipeh in Tarutao National Park, near the border with Malaysia. Diving at Laem Thong is excellent, as it is also at Hua Rah Ket to the extreme south. There are long beaches with rocks scattered about. Two curving bays are especially beautiful : Ton Sai and Loh Dalam. This is also where accommodations and tourist services are found. Unfortunately this area has become a party place with lots of bars playing loud music until the early morning hours. For a quieter vacation it is advised to go to the other beaches which only can be reached by longtail boat or a jungle walk over the hills. is 6.6 square kilometers in total area : 3 kilometers in length and 1 at its broadest point. The island is entirely limestone and steep cliffs rising from the sea very nearly ring it. Surrounding waters average about 20 meters in depth, reaching 34 meters at the deepest point off the island's southern tip. Phi Phi Ley has several beautiful bays : Pileh, Maya and Loh Samah ; Ao Pileh is very nearly enclosed by the limestone walls of the island's cliffs, so that the water appears almost to be an island sea. On Phi Phi Ley's northeast is the famous Viking Cave; this was renamed by H.M.Rama IX when he visited it in 1972, Tam Pya Nak, from the shape of a particular boulder, which resembles in shape the head of the great serpent of Buddhist legend, the Naga.

It is a place much revered by the local people who come there to collect the swift's nests used to make Bird's Nest Soup, a Chinese delicacy. On the eastern and southern walls of the cave are colored drawings dating from historic times. There are pictures of elephants and also of various boats : European, Arab and Chinese sailing ships ; baroques, motorboats, and steamships. It is theorized that these pirates who paused in their travels from west to east, sheltering in the cave to escape the monsoon winds, transfer cargo, or make repairs. Travel to the Phi Phi Islands Tour operators in both Phuket and Krabi provide transport and tour packages to this popular destination. Regular boat service is available form Jao Fah pier in Krabi. lies also to the north of Phi Phi Don, not far from Koh Yung. Sandy beaches are on the north and east sides of the island. Broad coral reefs stretch away into the south. lies to the north of Phi Phi Don. There is a rocky beach on the east side, and a smaller strand of sand in a fold of the hill. Many beautiful and various corals are found there. Koh Phi Phi can be reached by boat either from Krabi or Phuket. In downtown Krabi tourists can take a boat at Chaofa pier. The boat leaves for Koh Phi Phi daily. Boat tickets are available at the pier or from travel agents in the town. It takes about 2 hours and a half for the journey. Regular boats from Ao Nang to Koh Phi Phi are also available during high season.