Ko Samet

Ko Samet is part of Khao Laem Ya - Ko Samet National Park, which encompasses Khao Laem Ya on the mainland, as well as various islands in the region.

Despite its national park status all of Ko Samet's beaches have been developed -- the only way you'd know you're on a national park is via the entry fee charged to all visitors. Many who come looking for an island paradise complain that the island has been ruined -- tacky resorts crowd the best beaches, and trash sometimes spoils the landscape. Nevertheless, Ko Samet retains enough beauty and appeal to win over a regular stream of return visitors.

The island is famous among Thais as the setting for a story by their most famous poet, Sunthorn Phu. Travellers will notice on Haad Sai Kaew the decaying statue of Phra Arpaimanee, who travelled with his flute around Thailand until one day he was captured by a ravenous giantess. After seeing her chomp the head off a buffalo, he managed to lull her to sleep with his music and ran away. Upon escaping he met and fell in love with a beautiful mermaid. They married and lived happily ever after with a son, Husakorn, who had the body of a horse with the head of a dragon -- if nothing else an interesting study in genetics.

As Ko Samet misses most of the heavy monsoon that plagues other islands, the weather is guaranteed to be pleasant at almost any time of year. And though the beaches have been overdeveloped, they still manage to be beautiful, with sparkling white sand curving between coconut palms and clear cerulean water. If you can get past the fact that this should be a national park, you'll find Ko Samet to be a traveller's paradise of magnificent beaches, delicious seafood and dozens of choices for nightlife.

 

Ko Samet is popular with Thais, foreign travellers and expats from Bangkok and Rayong, so there's always a good mix of people. However, this also means that there is little peace to be had unless you arrive mid-week. Being so close to Bangkok, Ko Samet gets extremely crowded on weekends and holidays, and the prices do rise accordingly -- sometimes by as much as 60%. If bungalows are full when you arrive, it is possible to camp on the beach, despite what you may be told.

With the crowds comes a lively nightlife, with good deals on drinks late in the evening, including the popular coin toss, which gives you a 50/50 chance of winning a free drink. All bungalows have their own restaurant, and many fire up beach barbecues at night.

Where you choose to stay on Ko Samet depends largely on what your ideal scene is. The east coast is the most popular, as it's dotted with sandy beaches, coves and most of the island's restaurants, bars and accommodation. The tiny west coast beach is more secluded and upscale, with only three top-end resorts to choose from. Though the nightlife on the west coast is fairly limited, the resort bars see a fairly good crowd coming to watch the sunset over the water. The north is Ko Samet's quietest coast, with just a few small guesthouses clinging to the rocky shoreline. A few upscale resorts dot the far end of this coast on the only strip of pleasing beach.

While it's important to decide which coast is more to your taste when choosing where to stay, the island is only 6km long and 3km wide, so it isn't difficult to visit another area on a daytrip.

Add to scrapbook

 

 

  Search for accommodation

Search for guesthouses & hotels
where in Thailand?
Ao Nang Ao Phang Nga National Marine Park Ayutthaya Ban Chiang Ban Huay Kon Ban Krut Ban Phe Ban Toei Bang Saphan Yai Bangkok Betong Buriram Cha-am Chachoengsao Chanthaburi Chiang Dao Chiang Kham Chiang Khong Chiang Mai Chiang Rai Chiang Saen Chumphon Chumphon Beaches Damnoen Saduak Doi Khun Tan National Park Doi Phukha National Park Haad Nopphara Thara Hat Yai Hua Hin Kamphaeng Phet Kanchanaburi Khao Lak Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park Khong Chiam Ko Adang Ko Bulon Lae Ko Chang Ko Kham Ko Kho Khao Ko Kradan Ko Kut Ko Lanta Ko Lao Liang Ko Libong Ko Lipe Ko Maak Ko Muk Ko Mun Nork Ko Ngai Ko Pha Ngan Ko Phi Phi Ko Samet Ko Samui Ko Sukorn Ko Tao Ko Tarutao Ko Wai Ko Yao Noi Ko Yao Yai Krabi Lampang Lamphun Lopburi Mae Hong Son Mae Sai Mae Salong Mae Sariang Mae Sot Muang Tam Mukdahan Mukdahan National Park Nakhon Pathom Nakhon Phanom Nakhon Ratchasima Nakhon Si Thammarat Nakhon Si Thammarat Beaches Nan Nan to Ban Huay Kon Narathiwat Nong Khai Nonthaburi Pai Pakbara Pattani Pha Taem National Park Phang Nga Town Phanom Rung Phattalung Phayao Phetburi Phibun Mangsahan Phimai Phitsanulok Phrae Phrao Phu Chee Fah Phu Lang Ka Phu Sa Dok Bua National Park Phuket Prachuap Khiri Khan Railay Beach Ranong Ratchaburi Sangkhlaburi Satun Si Saket Soppong Sri Chiang Mai Sukhothai Sungai Kolok Surat Thani Surin Tak Tak Bai Thale Ban National Park That Phanom Thong Pha Phum Trang Trat Ubon Ratchathani Udon Thani Umphang Yala Yasothon

Sort results by:
Travelfish ranking (best first)
Price (cheapest first)
Name (A-Z)
Show only properties bookable online

Sponsored listings

Recommended reading

 » Ko Mun Nork -- paradise but a stone's throw away
 » What is the best island in Thailand?

 

Ko Samet reviews

Backchat from the Travelfish community

Not a soul has had a thing to say about this place -- why don't you get the ball rolling?

Have your say

 

 

 

Vision: Ko Samet