Just 120 miles from Bangkok and a 20 minute ferry ride from mainland Thailand, Koh Samet is an idyllic island far removed from the bustle of Thailand's sprawling capital city. The wonder and magic of the island was first expressed by the 19th century Thai poet Sunthorn Phu, who set his dramatic epic 'Phra Aphai Manee' ('The Story of Princes, Saga, Mermaids and Giants') on the island. The island's beauty was further recognized by the Thai government's 1981 act to limit overnight stays and activity on the island in order to preserve its dramatic scenery and unique landscape; today, despite an abundance of Koh Samet hotels and a thriving tourist economy, Koh Samet remains a recognized National Park, meaning the island continues to be preserved but also meaning visitors do need to pay a fee to enter the island.
To reach the island, visitors must either take a ferry from the piers at Ban Phe or Nuan Thip, or hire a speed boat. It is worth noting that a return ticket on the ferry is the same price as two single journey ticket, so it is just the same value to purchase a single ticket; speed boat hire prices vary widely, from the reasonable to the extortionate, so look around for the best deal. Published ferry timetables should be taken only as a guide as captains will usually wait until the boat is full before leaving, so travelers may wish to be fairly flexible at either end of the journey! On the island itself, visitors generally travel by songthaew or by hired motorcycle, although tourists should try to negotiate on price and only hire vehicles from a reputable company or hotel.
One of Ko Samet's greatest attractions is arguably its abundance of soft, white, sandy beaches and most Koh Samet hotels are built on or close to the beaches of the east or north coast, taking advantage of the sea breezes which help to cool the hot air; approximately 80% of the island is covered in forest, making inland areas much more humid than the coast. In Koh Samet hotels often take the form of groups of bungalows; these can be built from either concrete or bamboo, with concrete being the hotter - but more secure - option. More upmarket hotels can be found on all sides of the island and are more likely to have air conditioning, better service and more universal facilities.
The humid climate and dense forest of inland Ko Samet means visitors will often spend the entirety of their holiday on the beach. However, that is not to say that such holidays are spent idly. While many of the smaller bays are perfect for quiet relaxation and romantic tranquility, larger bays such as Ao Wiang Wan are popular for water sports, diving and fishing. Just a short ferry or boat ride north of Ko Samet lie the smaller islands of Ko Kruai, Ko Kham and Ko Pla Tin, with Ko Thalu and Ko Kudi to the east. Many of these islands are uninhabited (although tents are available to hire from the National Park authorities) and offer great opportunities for fishing and scuba diving among some of the most incredible coral reefs in Thailand.
Another great attraction to Ko Samet is its incredible cuisine. As one might expect for an island so focused around its beaches, the most popular type of cuisine is seafood. Many beaches host huge barbecues where fresh seafood, squid and chicken can be bought for very reasonable prices. More traditional Thai cuisine can be bought cheaply in the town itself. Alternatively, many hotels, restaurants and beach stalls sell Western food such as sandwiches, burgers and English breakfasts which is often just as fresh and well prepared as the traditional Ko Samet cuisine.
While none of the Thai islands are generally considered 'party' islands, the recent increase in tourism over the past decade has led to an increasingly vibrant nightlife in Ko Samet as hotels and restaurants aim to cater for backpackers, students and expats who live in mainland Thailand and come to Ko Samet for short, weekend breaks. Some great bars can be found along the Haat Sai Kaew and Ao Phai beaches, selling an assortment of Thai beers alongside tropical cocktails. A local favorite consists of Mekong whiskey, Coca-Cola and Thai Red Bull served in 'fishbowl' style in a child's sand bucket. As with any product which must be imported to Ko Samet from mainland Thailand, branded alcohol is generally more expensive sold from Koh Samet hotels and bars than it would be on the mainland.
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