Koh Samet

Koh Samet is a small feather-shaped island located in the Gulf of Thailand off the coastline of the Thai province of Rayong, approximately 220 kilometers southeast of Bangkok. The name of the island is derived from the cajeput tree found throughout the island, as the Thai word for cajeput is samet. The island was formerly called Koh Kaeo Phitsadan, which translates as the “Magic Crystal Island”. The island is gifted with beautiful white sand beaches and calm waters, perfect for swimming, and attracts through its simple and rustic lifestyle that is clearly contrasting to the much more active lifestyle in Pattaya.

The tourists got to know Koh Samet for its unpretentious charm, but Thai people associate the island with one of their most respected poet, Sunthorn Phu (1786-1855), whose early work, the epic poem Phra Aphai Mani is based on the experiences lived by the poet on the island.  The poem talks about a mermaid saving Prince Aphai Mani from the sea and taking him to Koh Samet. A statue illustrating the drama is placed on the rocks between Ao Phai and Hat Sai Kaew (Diamond Beach).

There are no major tourist attractions on the island, but this is what keeps its charm and relaxed atmosphere that would be lost if things started to evolve like on all the other commercial islands in Thailand.

Despite the effort of the authorities to keep the island as clean as possible, some bungalows, hotels and clubs have been illegally built to accommodate tourists. Luckily, there is a limited number to these and the island manages to still keep its peace and quiet. It lacks the hustle of modern technology and the agitated nightlife that Pattaya and Phuket are most famous for. The nightlife is not absent altogether, but it is rather limited and lacks the neon-lit bars and discos. However, you should not get the image that the island has no attractions at all, as it has its own variety of restaurants and hotels, and it is great for water sports as well. You can try diving and snorkeling at the coral reef to the south side of the island, do some windsurfing or take a boat or fishing trip. There are some shopping options as well, but they are rather limited, so if you are a shopping addict, a day or two in Bangkok would be much more recommended.

The most beautiful beach on the island is Hat Sai Kaeo, also called the Diamond Beach, on the North-Eastern side of the island and at only a ten minute walk from Na Dan, where ferry boats arrive from the North of the island. Hat Sai Kaeo has the longest and most impressive beach that has become a favorite for families with children and for tourists that come from Pattaya for one day. There are several smaller beaches South from Hat Sai Kaeo. Phai Beach, also known as the Paradise Beach, has a few small bungalows to rent, as well as a tourist office and a post office. Tub Tim and Pudsa beaches, further down to the South offer a much more peaceful atmosphere and a relatively easy access to the emptier beaches on the Western coast of the island, where the sunsets are breathtaking. There are also other beaches on the Eastern coast, such as Wong, Deuan, Candlelight, Wai and Kui.