Also: Ko Samed. Guide to hotels, resorts, huts and beaches. Tipps by insiders and reviews of hotels, guesthouses and restaurants by other guests. More destinations in Thailand: #treasuresofthailand: Your Thailand Guide
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 Samet 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.
What you discover
Beaches with very fine white sand. Ko Samet (also Samed), 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 Samet 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 Samet 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 Samet 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.
Baan Ploy Sea Resort: From 2500 Bath. 16-room boutique resort. There is a nice seaview, but no beach. "The view from the first floor suite in the main block is superb you can get this for 3-4000 baht a night. The views from the sea villas, accessed by boat from main block are also great, but priced at double or more....", writes rathin100 on tripadvisor.com, where you find very good reviews. See pictures on flickr.com.
Mooban Talay Resort: From 3400 Bath. Located on a 200 meter long private beach at the end of Noi Na Bay with white powdery sand beach. 21 bungalows surrounded by lush tropical garden under the shade of trees. See also Mooban Talay on Facebook. Showers are an issue for the guests: "Showering in the open air with the trees above was WOW especially hearing the birds and geckos", writes simhop on tripadvirsor.com. But Aurelie G. see's it the opposite way: "Shower outside can turn out to be a nightmare. No one can see you, however, if you go there at night, you feel very vulnerable to any animal deciding to "attack" you (e.g. mouse or rats)."
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Thailands Islands and Beaches: East Coast Koh Chang and Koh Kood Beaches, resorts, bungalows, more islands and Google Map Koh Samui Beaches and resorts, with Google Map Koh Phangan Beaches and resorts, with Google Map
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