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Among the islands most loved by travelers can be found Southern Thai islands The famous, like Kosmoy, Copenhagen and Kofipi, but if you want to travel specifically in the eastern part of the country - it is strongly recommended not to give up the beautiful island Ko Samet which became famous for its spectacular coral reefs, which kiss its white shores. As such, the pastoral island has become especially loved by vacationers in Bangkok and is a destination to which they can escape after exhausting the urban city and looking for a quiet place to find relaxation.
In Ko Samet you will find everything you love about the Thai islands - soft golden sands, clear turquoise water at just the right temperature, a fresh breeze that brings with it the sweet-salty smells of fresh fruit smoothies and sea salt, coconut trees swaying in the wind and the sound of laughter from tanned tourists from around the world All enjoy an atmosphere of boundless freedom.
The magical islands have created a name for themselves and today almost everyone who imagines the ultimate destination for a pampering vacation thinks of one of the colorful islands of the exotic country, and rightly so - in addition to the beautiful beaches offer the islands Plenty of activities and attractions Everyone who is young at heart will enjoy them, alongside pampering resorts, impressive temples, great hiking trails, water sports, lively markets and an extraordinary culinary experience.
If that's not enough, we'll also mention you Prices which characterize Thailand which are, how to say, sometimes ridiculously low. Which makes a visit to the place especially recommended for Families with little ones, honeymoon couples, backpackers and anyone who wants to enjoy the best but at an affordable price (to say the least) and even stay with a little extra in their pocket until the end of the vacation.
Koh Samet, which is no more than 150 km southeast of Bangkok, is not only a beautiful island but has been declared a national park, and although it extends over 6 km in length and 3 in width, it has countless magical spots that will make your time pleasant and make your The stay in the place is unforgettable.
In this context it is important to take into account that the entrance to the island involves a fee of 200 baht and the receipt should be kept until the end of the visit.
For all the hotels in Ko Samet, click here >>
Along the beaches in Ko Samet there are plenty of places to stay in a wide price range so you won't have any trouble finding a place to stay that will meet your needs and your preferred type of vacation.
In general, most of the accommodation is in the eastern part of the island, where the local pubs, restaurants and nightlife are concentrated. This is where you can find traditional bungalows, backpacker hostels and also 3-4 star hotels at reasonable prices. In the western part of the island you will find mainly luxurious resorts and 4-star hotels with excellent service.
Although this paradise has only come to the attention of tourists in recent years, Thai residents have known this magical place for several decades, but the Thai government banned tourism in the area and only when the area was declared as part of the Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park were tourists allowed to enter it and establish Accommodations.
One of the reasons for keeping the place a secret and the lack of desire to make it commercialized and touristic, are the stories hidden behind it, which undoubtedly give the place a special atmosphere that surrounds the visit and paints it in a mysterious and fascinating light.
According to legends, this is the place where the story of "the princess, the mermaids and the giants" took place (mythical characters from a poem written in the 19th century by the famous writer Sunthorn Phu) which inspired many stories and beliefs in Thai folklore. In addition to these, the locals say that the island was used for a long time as a stronghold of pirates who hid many treasures buried there to this very day.
The most popular way to get from Bangkok to Koh Samet is by minivan from Bangkok to Ban-Phe and from there a ferry to the island. The average cost of this route is about 350 baht per person.
Another option to get to Ban-Phe is to board a bus at Ekkamai station. Cost 170 baht.
If you arrived independently to Ban-Phe, you can purchase a ticket for a ferry or boat going to the island. Cost 100-300 baht, depending on the means of sailing.
Although we are not particularly large, in Ko Samet you can enjoy quite a few beautiful beaches, which can be roughly divided so that on the eastern side of the island are the more developed and touristic beaches with restaurants, hotels, pubs and shops, while on the western side you will find pristine beaches where you can isolate yourself and enjoy the peace.
Also called the "Diamond Sand" beach, it is the main beach on the island and around it are most of the accommodations, pubs and restaurants.
This place is especially loved by backpackers because relatively cheap accommodations are scattered along it. It is a relatively rocky beach decorated with beautiful sculptures.
The beach where the ferries arrive, the center of the island's nightlife and the place to go if you want to engage in water sports.
A relatively small and secluded beach, suitable for couples, families with children and anyone who wants to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere not too far from the main attractions.
Also called the "Candlelight" beach, it is a secluded beach with spectacular views but in order to reach it you have to go to Ao Nuan beach and from there take a ferry.
Located in the quiet beaches area, but inhabited mainly by vacationers looking for a luxurious atmosphere and the hotels located there are priced accordingly.
The main activity on the island is centered around staying on the beaches - pleasant walking trails, sunbathing, massages and spending time in your lap. It is a great place for those who are not looking for "what to do", but want to focus on themselves, their travel partners or enjoy the local nature.
Those looking for a little change can go to the beaches in the east of the island where there is lively activity from the afternoon until the night (including traditional full moon parties) and in addition to these you can enjoy attractions such as snorkeling, diving (including amazing diving courses!), water sports, routes Bicycles, sailing around the island in a motor boat (offered as a day trip by the local travel agencies), visiting the neighboring islands and more.
If you are a lover of temples, you can go to Koh Samed Buddha located near Hat Sai Kaew beach and admire a beautiful temple with a large Buddha statue and a monk who will give you a lucky bracelet.
The island itself is not large and has only one main road so getting around is easy and so is orientation. As in other places throughout Thailand, the most popular way of getting around on this island is by renting motorbikes, although the rental prices on the island are considered relatively high. Another option is to get around using green vans that offer a comfortable ride on back benches at an average cost of about 60 baht per person (of course depending on distance and number of passengers).
One of the special things about the island is its weather, which thanks to its geographical location, the distance from the mainland and the surrounding areas, is characterized by relatively stable weather throughout the entire year and relatively dry to other places throughout Thailand. This means that even the rainy season, which starts in May and ends in September, is relatively dry and you can visit the island during it.
The beautiful island of Ko Samet has become famous for its magnificent coral reefs, which kiss its white shores. Especially loved by vacationers in Bangkok and is a peaceful destination to which they can escape after exhausting the city and looking for a quiet place to find relaxation.
The most popular way to get from Bangkok to Koh Samet is by minivan from Bangkok to Ban-Phe and from there a ferry to the island. There are several other ways to get to the island, all of which are detailed on our website.
Along the beaches there are plenty of places to stay in a wide price range so you won't have any trouble finding a place to stay that will meet your needs and your preferred type of vacation.
On the Simple Thailand website, we have compiled for you the most recommended places to stay in Ko Samet, including the possibility of quick booking in a few clicks. You are welcome to take a look at these places on the website and reserve a place for yourself.