Ko Samet

Understand

200 km from Bangkok in the Gulf of Thailand, the T-shaped island of Ko Samet is known for its white sandy beaches, exotic coral and clear waters. Ko Samet has developed steadily over the past decade or so, but it hasn't been the victim of over-zealous construction found on Ko Samui and Ko Chang. The island is surrounded by tropical coral reefs and relatively clean seas. Tourists can also enjoy delicious cuisine and fine nightlife. It's a popular tourist destination for both Thais and foreigners. As Ko Samet is close to Bangkok, the island is ideal for those in the capital wanting to relax with their families for a couple of days, without having to go through all the rigmarole of travelling down south. It's a 2½-hour journey to Ban Phe, then a 20-min ferry to the island. As of October 2025, there is only one ATM on the island, located opposite the Hat Sai Kaeo Tourist Service Centre. ATMs have been removed from outside the 7-Elevens over an apparent dispute. ATMs at Ban Phe pier charge extortionate fees.

Climate Even though Ko Samet is only a few kilometres from the mainland, the island with its micro-climate (the driest archipelago in Thailand) gets much less rainfall than the rest of Eastern Thailand. The rainy season is May-Sep but even then it still has significantly less rain than the other islands in Thailand. Despite the relative lack of rain, much of the island is densely forested. Samet is the Thai name for trees of various species in the Melaleuca genus, which grow in abundance on the island.

History It is believed that Ko Samet used to be the home of pirates and that there is still buried treasure somewhere on the island. Thailand's legendary poet, Sunthorn Phu, was the first one to put this island on the map when he set his classical epic Phra Aphai Manee ("The Story of Princes, Saga, Mermaids and Giants") here. Although Bangkok residents have known about the beauty of Ko Samet for decades, the Thai government declared this island off-limits and res

Getting there

Most of Ko Samet, including all the good parts, is part of Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park and has an entry fee. Thai adults, 40 baht; children, 20 baht. Foreign adults, 200 baht; children, 100 baht (Nov 2024). This two-tier pricing policy is applicable to all national parks. However, if you can demonstrate that you live or work in Thailand you may not have to pay the tourist price.

By car and taxi As Ko Samet is an island, you first have to drive to Rayong. From Bangkok, you can take Sukhumvit Rd (Hwy 3) passing Chonburi, Si Racha, Pattaya, Sattahip and onto Rayong. The total distance to Rayong is approximately 220 km. If you drive onto Hwy 36 at Bang Lamung (before Pattaya), you'll take a shortcut inland and save about 45 km, although the scenery is not as impressive. Taxis are available from Rayong. You must specify Ban Phe since the pier at Ban Phe is at the eastern outskirts of Rayong. The metered fare is approximately 1,600 baht, but most drivers will want to go "off-meter" for a fare ranging from 2,000-2,500 baht. Expressway tolls of about 100 baht are extra. You can either take a taxi from your hotel or guesthouse that is willing to make the drive on the spot, or pre-arrange a pickup from a taxi driver you like by asking for his mobile phone number and calling to make a booking. This works best if you have a native Thai speaker to help you.

By bus The bus from Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai) to Ban Phe usually takes 3½ hours, costs 173 baht, and terminates opposite the ferry piers. There is no direct service to Ban Phe from Bangkok's Mo Chit Bus Terminal. It only takes you to Rayong, from where you can take a songthaew (20 baht) to Ban Phe. There are direct first-class bus services between Rayong and Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport. 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. There are also minivans that leave from Victory Monument in Bangkok's Phahonyothin d

Getting around

The island is very small in comparison to the more populated Thai islands, so exploring the island can easily be done on foot, bike, or by hiring a motorbike and driving down the island to visit a few of the smaller more secluded beaches and taking in some of the more naturally forested areas further down to the south of the island. ATVs are no longer available on the island. The island has only a single main road. Some parts are concrete and some parts are only a dirt trail which get quite bumpy. There are two ways to get round the island. The first is by songthaew (usually a rather well-worn pickup truck with two benches in the back and no roof), which costs 200 baht for a private trip, or between 20 and 60 baht per person when full, 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. There are signboards at bus drop-off and pick-up points at each beach stating prices to other destinations on the island. The second way is by renting a motorcycle for 300 baht/hr, 500 baht/day. You will usually be able to rent it from your hotel. Leaving your passport or a deposit is not necessary or advisable.

Motor bike hire The island has more motorbike hire shops than any other shops so they are not hard to locate and prices are standard ranging from 300-400 baht per day for manual or automatic bikes. Before hiring a bike you should be aware that once you enter the main national park entrance the roads are in very poor condition and only people with some experience should to tackle them.

Gold Shop: This motorbike hire shop is just up from the national park entrance and 7-Eleven (opposite Chilli Restaurant). This family takes very good care of their motorbikes. The owner, Jep, is a very friendly guy and always willing to help. His son also rents their vehicles from next to the 7-Eleven by the park entrance and Bow is also very helpful and if you rent for a few days will o

See

Catch the sunset from dramatic cliff side locations along the southwest coastline. A fire twirling show heads up and down Hat Sai Kaew & Ao Hin Khok beaches between 18:00 and 22:30. A donation is appreciated.

East coast beaches Most beaches are on the east side of the island. The beaches hide in small bays and stretch some 200 m. From the north, there are Hat Sai Kaeo, Hat Hin Khrong, Hat Khlong Phai, Ao Phutsa, Ao Thapthim, Ao Naun, Ao Cho, Ao Thian, Ao Long Dum, Ao Wai, Ao Kio Na Yok and Ao Karang. The spelling of beach names can vary due to transliteration. These beaches are great for watching the sunrise too. Beaches from north to south on the east coast:

1 Hat Sai Kaew (Sai Kaew Beach, Diamond Beach). One of the most beautiful and most popular beaches on Ko Samet, Hat Sai Kaew is 1 km long and 25–30 m wide. Most of this space is taken up with deckchairs from the restaurants. Hat Sai Kaew, which literally means "crystal sand beach", is filled with activities. Visitors can enjoy