Ko Sameds rare bird

2008-05-15T12:11:00.000-07:00

The oriental piled hornbill, picture by primitiveculture.blogspot.com

This bird often remains unvisible. But if you know, where to look, you will detect the oriental pied hornbill (nok gaek), who is up to 70 centimetres long. As The Nation reports, on Koh Samed there are only a handful of these birds left, but some islanders have founded a Hornbill Conservation Society. Thani Sukrajang, the owner of Ao Noi Na guesthouse, takes guests to watch this bird. And Samet Resorts are engaging for this project. Locals say, construction workers are shooting the birds. But there could be other reasaons for the disappearing: Certainly 300000 tourists, coming to the island every year, harm the ecology system of the island. But Samet Resorts want to intensify the green image of Koh Samet. Let's hope, this creates an engagement, that really helps the oriental piled hornbill.

Videos Ko Samed

2008-05-14T14:16:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaqYWJyfOvc

Discover Ko Samed

2008-05-13T12:43:00.001-07:00

Here we have some links:

Baywatch Bar at Wong Deuan Beach, with internet café and speed boat service.

Ko Samed

2008-05-13T07:34:00.000-07:00

The Southeast Coast of Ko Samed

What you discover
Beaches with very fine white sand. Ko Samed (also Samet), 6 kilometres long and 3 kilometres wide, is part of the Khao Laem Ya-Samed National Marine Park in front of the Eastern Cost of Thailand, which includes the islands Kudi, Kruai, Kham and Plai Tin. Therefore you pay a 400 Baht entrance fee, when you arrive at the island. It's close to Bangkok, so it can get crowded on weekends. In the 1970's Thai teenagers and young couples discovered Ko Samed for weekends. It's the driest island in Thailand and can be visited all year. The rainy season goes from May to July, but even then it has less rainfall than the mainland around Rayong.

Ko Samed and the small islands nearby are surrounded by coral formations in shallow water - good for snorkeling. Other water sports as sailing, parasailing, skiing and fishing can be arranged. The best places to see coral reefs are sited off the island's southern tip and along the eastern coastline near Wong Deuan beach. Tropical jungle dominates the hills inside the islands, populated by monkey, birds ans snakes.

There are three ATM.

There are mosquitoes on the island - so take care of bites, because malaria and dengue fiever can happen.

How you arrive
The ferry for Ko Samed leaves in Ban Phe at Chok Kisda Pier (see map). from 8 am to 6 pm.

From Bangkok Air conditioned and regular buses leave to Ban Phe from Eastern Bus Terminal on Sukhumvit Road, Ekkamai. Aircon buses leave every hour from 5 am to 8 pm. The trip takes 3.5 hours. There are mini buses too, leaving Bangkok from Victory Monument from 7 am to 6 pm (every hour). Book by phone: +66 8 4769 1702, +66 6 4761 1772.

From Bangkok Eastern Bus Terminal you can also take buses to Rayong and change to Songthaews (Mini busses) to Ban Phe.

From Bangkok Airport Bus Terminal you take the 9906 bus to Rayong. It leaves at 05.40, 08.40, 09.10 09.40, 10.40, 13.40 16.00, and 18.40. In Rayong, you take a songthaew to Ban Phe.

More details about busses here: Thailand Transportation

About getting around on Ko Samet: Taxis and motorbikes

Hotels, Bungalows and Beaches

2008-05-13T05:35:00.000-07:00

Beaches West Side

Laem Noi Na แหลมน้อยหน่า

Unseensamed Resort: From 1800 to 6000 baht. The resort is constructed on stilts on the sea. There are beds and in the restaurants tables, where you can see the sea under your feet...

Laem Phra แหลมพระ

Ao Kham อ่าวขาม

Ao Prao อ่าวพร้าว
Also Phrao Prao Bay

200 meters long beach, the sunset side of the island!

Ao Prao Resort: From 2145 to 13860 Baht. Far from the more populated side of Koh Samed. Mixed reviews on tripadvisor.com. Interesting review also on virtualtourist.com

See more pictures by wanderingjew

Le Vimarn Cottages & Spa: From 7000 to 9000 Baht. Deluxe cottages and villas with a private spa. Read the reviews on tripadvisor.com

Villa with private spa

Lima Coco Resort: From 2590 to 6990 Baht. Read reviews on tripadvisor.com

Pictury by k.j., more on bloggang.com

Laem Rua Taek แหลมเรือแตก

Ao Kiu Na Nai อ่าวกิ่วหน้าใน

Beaches East Side

Ao Wiang Wan

Ao Noi Na อ่าวน้อยหน่า

Mooban Talay Resort: From 4700 to 9000 Baht. 24 luxury bungalows. Mooban Talay Resort tells a story, an illustration of the legend "Pra Apai Manee", the Prince and the Mermaid, written and set in Koh Samed. Each bungalow displays a specific part of the story, illustrated by 13 paintings. It has a Spa. Read reviews on tripadvisor.com

Pictures by Firesky

Samed Club: From 2470 to 3990 Baht.
Close to Sai Kaew beach and Na Dan village, if you want to explore restaurants, bars and shops. The beach is very small, you can read in a review on tripadvisor.com

Baan Ploy Samed Resort: From 3200 to 8000 Baht. 14 rooms. Very special: Wooden bungalows on a platform on stilts over the sea in the middle of the bay, also some rooms at the beach. You reach the platform by boat. In the restaurant holes under the table, where you can let hang your legs down. Read the review on travelfish.org

Picture by jayen

Picture by Aunyarat

Samed Cliff Resort: From 1700 to 3400 Baht. Read review on travelfish.org

Samed Resort: From 500 to 600 Baht.

Ao Klang Resort: From 300 to 800 Baht.

Baan Seefaa: From 600 to 1000 Baht.

The Beach House: From 1200 to 2500 Baht. 6 rooms.

Tha Na Dan
Nadan Pier

Tiny village around the pier.

Marco Polo: From 600 to 900 Baht.

Ao Luk Yon อ่าวลูกโยน

A very quiet beach - but just 5 minutes to walk to busy Sai Kaew Beach

Pineapple Beach Resort: From 1500 to 2000 Baht. Read
review on travelfish.org

Had Laem Yai แหลมใหญ

Laem Yai Huts: From 1100 to 2500 Baht.

Had Sai Kaew หาดทรายแก้ว
Also: Had Sai Khaeo Diamond Beach

With 780 meters the longest beach and very popular.

Lima Bella Resort: From 4590 to 11900 Baht. Not at the beach, you walk 300 meters. Read reviews on tripadvisor.com

Sai Kaew Beach Resort: From 4700 to 16000 Baht. Two resorts in one. The Deluxe Section nestles on a quiet, scenic and sandy beach with clusters of rock formations, while the Superior Section sprawls along the main bathing beach bustling with activities. Bars and restaurants nearby. Read
reviews on tripadvisor.com

Saikaew Villa: From 700 to 2550 Baht. Read review on travelfish.org

Samed Grand View Resort: From 2500 to 10000 Baht. Read reviews on tripadvisor.com

Tonsak Resort: From 2200 to 5000 Baht. 30 bungalows and villas.

Skyhigh Resort: 2000 to 3000 Baht. 7 rooms.

Ploy Talay Resort: From 1000 to 1500 Baht. 30 rooms.

Ao Hin Kok
also Hin Khok

Good for swimming.

Tok's Little Hut: From 300 to 800 Baht. 38 bungalows climbing up a hillside. With beachfront bar. See a picture of one bungalow . And see overview.

Naga Bungalows: From 300 to 900 Baht. Bungalows very basic, bar quite lively in the night.

Ao Phai อ่าวไผ

Very popular white sand beach, good swimming.

Silver Sands: Around 1000 Baht. Around 20 huts, a pub and a beach disco. "The" late night party spot with music until 4 am. If you are not a party animal, it's not the right place for you. Read reviews on tripadvisor.com

Samed Villa Resort: From 1400 to 5000 Baht. Read the review on travelfish.org

Tutu Bungalows: From 600 to 1200 Baht. See review on travelfish.org

Ao Phai Hut: From 350 to 1200 Baht. 70 rooms.

Picture in 2003 by John Lamb

The Lost Resort: From 500 to 1000 Baht. Set back around 200 meters from the beach. 10 rooms. Read the review on travelfish.org

Sea Breeze bungalows: From 500 to 1500 Baht.

Ao Tubtim อ่าวทับทิม
Also called Ao Phutsa

Good swimming beach.

Tubtim Resort: From 1000 to 2000 Baht.

Picture by Ed, see more

Pudsa Bungalows: From 600 to 800 Baht.

Ao Nuan

Picture by Antti
See also picture of the beach by James Fenn

Ao Nuan Bungalows: From 600 to 900 Baht. On a small hidden away beach, "where you're more likely to hear the song of birds and the drill of cicadas rather than the noise of families or party-goers", writes travelfish.org

Picture by Idy

Ao Cho อ่าวช่อ

Good for swimming south of the pier, according to travelfish.org.

Ao Cho Grand View Resort: From 3500 to 5500 Baht.

Ban Tongta: From 2000 to 2500 Baht. 3 rooms only.

Ao Wong Duan หาดวงเดือน
Also: Deuan

500 Meter long halfmoon. Many jetskis and speedboats on this beach, seafood restaurants and bars.

Vongdeuan Resort: From 2000 to 3500 Baht.

Vongduern Villa: 50 rooms in bungalows.

Malibu Garden Resort: From 1550 to 7000 Baht.

Samed Cabana Resort: From 3200 to 7500 Baht. 16 beachfront rooms, 14 sea view rooms, 6 superior rooms, and 2 family suits.

Blue Sky Bungalows: From 700 to 1200 Baht.

Vimarn Samed Resort: From 1300 to 2900 Baht.

Ao Thian อ่าวเีทียน
Candle Light Beach

Good for swimming.

Ban Keang Talea: From 800 to 1300 Baht.

Candle Light Resort: From 800 to 2500 Baht.

Horizons: From 800 to 1200 Baht.

Sang Thian Beach Resort: From 1800 to 4000 Baht.

Ban Thai Sangthian: From 2000 to 4000 Baht. Read the review on travelfish.org

Viking Holiday Resort: From 1500 to 2500 Baht.

Ao Lung Dam
Also Lung Dum

The bar at Apache Garden View is quite popular. The restaurant is on a dock, over the sea.

Lung Dam Bungalow: From 700 to 1000 Baht.

Ao Wai อ่าวหวาย

Samet Ville Resort: From 1180 to 13900 Baht.

Ao Kiew Na Nok อ่าวกิ่วหน้านอก
Kiew Na Nok Bay

Paradee Resort: From 12500 to 71500 Baht. A resort for couples, not fit for children. Two beaches, one aboundant with coral. The Suite Villa has Butler Service.

Garden Villa with pool

Bedroom of suite villa

Pool of suite villa

Ao Karang อ่าวกะรัง
Karang Bay

Nimmanoradee Resort: From 2500 to 5500 Baht. 15 cottages.

Travel to Ko Samed เกาะเสม็ด

Ko Sameds rare bird

Videos Ko Samed

Discover Ko Samed

Ko Samed

Hotels, Bungalows and Beaches