KoSamet
In the end of April, i had a holiday to remember on beautiful samet island. I used to go there one more time. The first time i stood at Had SaiKeaw which is reached easily, so this is most popular and crowded. The second is Aow Wai. This is private beach which is only one enfranchise, Samet Ville Resort.
KoSamet is an island off the coastline of the Thailand province of Rayong. Popular with foreign tourists and as a weekend getaway for residents of nearby Bangkok, most of the island (excluding the Na Dan area) belongs to the Khao Laem Ya - Mu Ko Samet National Park.It is most often reached by boats from Ban Phe, about 3-1/2 hours by bus from Bangkok's Ekamai bus station.
Ko Samet is not overly renowned for its parties (unlike Ko Pha Ngan) or its diving (unlike Ko Tao), but it has both convenience and quietness in its favor. It's a popular tourist destination for Thais as well as foreigners for its proximity to Bangkok.
How to get in there.
Most of Ko Samet, including all of the good parts, is a national park and has an entry fee. Thais pay 40 baht, foreigners 400 baht - a classic example of Thai dual pricing. If your ferry arrives at the main pier and you take a songthaew to the beaches, there will be a stop at the main ticket checkpoint. If your ferry arrives at one of the beaches, an officer will collect the fee as you step out of the surf. Note that there is plenty of foot traffic in and out of the park to the 7-Eleven, ATM or other shops and restaurants and if you have no bags you can nonchalantly walk into the park without anyone checking your ticket. There is a road via the temple which avoids the checkpoint entirely.
The 1st class bus from Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai) to Ban Phe usually takes just over 3 hours, costs 276 baht, and terminates opposite the ferry piers (there's no direct service to Ban Phe from Moh Chit - nearest alternative is to Rayong, from there you can take a Song Thaew to Ban Phe). If you take a regular bus from Pattaya or Sattahip, you'll need to take a songthaew or charter a tuk-tuk to the ferry piers. Minibus services go straight to the piers.
Ferries from Ban Phe to Ko Samet take around 30 to 45 minutes. Only buy a one-way ticket, as there's no discount on round-trip tickets and you won't have to worry about losing it. The ticket sellers may also offer to sell you the national park ticket - don't bother.
The nearest airport fielding commercial flights is U-Tapao, just east of Sattahip - about 45 km from Ban Phe
How to get around.
There are two methods to get around the island. The first is by songthaew, this is just a pickup truck with the passengers sitting in the back. It costs 200 baht for a private trip, or between 20 and 60 baht per person for a full car, depending on which beach you are going to. This is a rather expensive method to get around the island, and the dusty roads can make it an uncomfortable trip. The second way is by renting a motorcycle. Signs advertise 300 baht per day or 100 baht per hour, but when you go to enquire about renting they will often say 400 or 500 baht per day. Insist on paying 300 baht. You will usually be able to rent it from the hotel you are staying at. Leaving your passport or a deposit is not necessary or advisable.
View point.
- Catch the sunset from dramatic cliffside locations along the south-west coastline.
- A fireshow at the renowned Silver Sand Bar on Ao Phai Beach. They are usually held around 10pm, and are biggest later in the week and on weekends when the party crowds come in.
Activity.
- Hiking
- Boat trips-A boat trip with any of the number of companies should cost around 600B and can include snorkeling, fishing, a visit to the fish farms and floating restaurant, or a tour around the island.
- Snorkeling/Diving
- Traditional on almost every South-East Asia beach, Ko Samet has started featuring "Full/Half/Dark Moon" nights. These should not be confused with the massive Full Moon Parties on Ko Pha Ngan or other parts of Southern Thailand - here they are simply an excuse for drink specials, which are present every night of the year anyway.
- Drink the local speciality, a SangSom bucket, which is a toxic mix of Thai whiskey, red bull and coke, served in a kids sandbucket with lots of straws.
- Read a novel set on Koh Samet while you lounge on the beach: The Butterfly Trap
No comments:
Post a Comment