Ko Samet
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Ko Samet

Ko Samet

Small island southeast of Bangkok, known for white beaches within Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park.

Ko Samet is a small island about 200km southeast of Bangkok, and for that reason it draws more weekend visitors than almost any other beach destination in Thailand. It sits within Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet National Park, which means the interior is protected forest and the beaches are kept relatively clean — something you cannot take for granted on more developed Thai islands.

The beaches themselves are the main draw. Hat Sai Kaew (Diamond Beach) on the northeast coast is the busiest and most social, lined with beach bars and sunbeds. Ao Phai and Ao Cho are quieter. The further south you walk, the thinner the crowds get. The sand is genuinely white, the water is clear enough for snorkelling, and sunsets from Ao Phrao on the west coast are reliably good.

It is not Ko Phi Phi or the Samui group — the island is smaller, the infrastructure more modest, and in high season it can feel crowded at the northern end. But that is also the point: you can get here from Bangkok in three hours, spend a few days on a real beach, and be back before the weekend is out. For a city break from the capital, Ko Samet is hard to beat.

Guide

Bars and Cafes

Ko Samet's bar scene is concentrated on Hat Sai Kaew and Ao Phai, with fire shows on the beach most evenings during the high season (November to April). The beach bars are open-air, run their own sound systems, and stay open late — the island has a reputation as a party destination among Bangkok weekenders.

Naga Bar on Hat Sai Kaew is consistently busy and runs nightly fire shows with performers twirling flaming ropes and poi over the sand. The drinks are standard bucket-and-mixer fare but the setting is genuinely fun.

Ao Phai Bar (several places use this name) on Ao Phai is a quieter option — cocktails on low cushions facing the water, good enough to be a destination rather than just a stop.

For something lower key, the bars in Na Dan village serve cold beer at normal Thai prices in an atmosphere aimed at locals rather than tourists.

Guide

Beaches

Ko Samet's beaches run down the eastern coast from north to south, each with a slightly different character. Hat Sai Kaew in the north is the widest and most developed — sunbeds, beach bars, and plenty of company. A short walk south brings you to Ao Hin Khok and Ao Phai, which are calmer and better suited to a quiet afternoon in the water. Further south still, Ao Cho and Ao Nuan are narrow and nearly deserted even on busy weekends.

The western coast has only a couple of accessible beaches, but they face the right direction for sunsets. Ao Phrao is the prettiest of the western bays and tends to attract a slightly more upscale crowd.

Snorkeling is possible off most beaches, though the reefs are modest. The clearest water and the best coral are generally found at the island's southern tip.

Guide

Getting There

The gateway to Ko Samet is Ban Phe pier in Rayong province. Ferries run from there to three piers on the island: Na Dan (25 min), Ao Prao (30 min), and Wong Duan (45 min). Services run daily from around 07:00 to 17:00. If the schedule does not suit, speedboats are available for private hire at Ban Phe for around 1,000 baht per trip.

By bus from Bangkok: Buses to Ban Phe leave from Ekkamai (Eastern) Bus Terminal. The journey takes about five hours and costs around 100–120 baht. Services run roughly every 40 minutes from 07:00 to 20:30. From Ban Phe it is a short walk or motorbike taxi ride to the ferry pier.

By taxi from Bangkok: A metered taxi or ride-share from central Bangkok to Ban Phe takes about three hours and costs 1,600–2,000 baht. Useful if you are travelling with luggage or a group.

Note that Ko Samet sits inside a national park — you will be asked to pay a national park entrance fee (currently 200 baht for foreigners) when you arrive on the island.

Guide

Things to Do

Ko Samet's activities are mostly beach-based, but the national park interior offers some contrast. The island is small enough to walk across in an hour, and the paved road from Na Dan pier to the southern tip covers most of the main beaches.