Jep's restaurant, Ao Hin Khok, Ko Samet

Taken on: 25th January, 2008. Copyright: All Rights Reserved - See travelfishery's page of Flickr

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Stunning Ao Hin Khok is a 200m stretch of beach that has been left largely undisturbed thanks to resorts being built back from the sand.

Instead the beach is home to Chawalee, a Bangkokian who left the big smoke to lead a hermit's life on Ko Samet. Her humble abode is just south of the centre of the beach and she'd prefer you didn't lie about right out the front of her place. She speaks excellent English it you want to have a yarn.

Hin Khok Bay is one of the best beaches on Ko Samet for swimming and sunbaking, with silvery-white, extra fine sand that sneaks up between the toes.

The only downside is the lack of shade on the beach, aside from a couple of patches out the front of Jep's Restaurant -- so don't forget the sunscreen.

The accommodation is better value than some neighbouring beaches, though the cheaper the room the higher up the hill you'll have to hike.

Ao Hin Khok is one of the main backpacker and traveller centres on Ko Samet and in ... Read our complete Ao Hin Khok travel guide

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