I've vistited Samet 3 times - inward 1998, 2008 as well as 2010. Most of this page was written later on the 2008 trip, but I receive got updated information as well as added pix from 2010 where needed..
Still some prissy relaxed beaches on Samet - this is Ao Pudsa aka Ao Tubtim, looking north.
Samet is a minor hilly isle amongst all but 1 of the beaches on the eastward coast. You tin flaming walk from the due north eastward corner to the far due south on the east-coastal runway inward a leisurely 3 hours (image Blue You)
Listen upwards island-seekers, this is what I learned.
It’s non a existent skillful thought to cast a draw solid impression on an island:
- later on travelling all black yesteryear overnight buses from the Andaman amongst piffling sleep.
- arriving so early on inward Ban Phe you lot receive got to hang around interminably for the initiative of all ferry.
-getting RAINED ON on that initiative of all ferry (dry season, no less).
- getting quoted a rip-off fare for the curt journeying from the pier to the starting fourth dimension of the beaches yesteryear Samet’s sleazy songthaew mafia.
- trudging along amongst yer pocketbook dodging puddles through that tacky looking shopping street before the National Park gates (admittedly that strip has a skillful alternative of services these days).
- paying the rip-off 200baht NP entrance fee …. for what? (maybe existence able to tell at to the lowest degree it's ameliorate than the old 400 fee, which tezza refused to pay the whole fourth dimension it existed) as well as so finding the concrete route turns to dingy slush 30m yesteryear the NP entrance (couldn’t the inexpensive bastards pass a chip of our coin paving the route at to the lowest degree every bit far every bit the 3rd of the initiative of all 3 (all popular) beaches - nah, every bit good busy edifice luxury concrete condo-style vacation places for NP bigwigs on Ko Kradan as well as similar).
- existence shown a crap value 400 baht share-bathroom room at Naga Inn on AO HIN KOK (2nd beach down) amongst a lovely outlook over piles of edifice debris (particularly when you lot receive got but left a corking 200b amongst bath house overlooking a gorgeous beach on Ko Phayam).
- noticing Naga receive got pose inward a beach bar/nighclub across the route as well as someone else has a Reggae Bar following door, both of which didn’t be on your final see inward ‘98 as well as would last certain to create the nights restful.
UPDATE 2010 - good Hin Kok mightiness last a chip noisy at black but I constitute it the to the lowest degree busy of the initiative of all 4 beaches from the due north during the day. And amongst some of the whitest sand when non wet.
That's Ao Phai as well as so Ao Pudsa/Tubtim farther due south inward the background. Click to expand the shot. Note that shots taken inward 2008 don't expand - those taken inward 2010 should, although it could depend on your browser.
So yeah - yesteryear this phase of the game I was pretty pissed as well as tended to concur amongst those who receive got been claiming Samet has gone to the pits.
So I decided to caput south, where inward ‘98 at that spot I’d seen some existent set dorsum places.
Well non at the following beach, AO PHAI which these days is pretty built out yesteryear several bungalow outfits including 1 I was determined to remain inward following see - Samed Villa, - but whose neat headland bungalows receive got been replaced amongst bigger, decidedly upmarket jobs seemingly closer together - yet way beyond tezza’s budgetary reach. Ao Phai also has a reputation for partying.
But hold the weddin’ trendsetters, I walked around the headland on the coastal path as well as every bit Samed Villa ended Pudsa Bungalows started, amongst prissy old-style bungalows almost on the seaside rocks as well as 20m from the ocean. I went a chip farther as well as WHOA, the compact beach itself (AO PUDSA aka AO TUBTIM) looks but similar I recollect from 1998- existent prissy - as well as at that spot seems to last entirely 1 other bunglalow house on it, the widely praised Tubtim Resort. 
Pudsa Bungalows' rockside huts are my sort of location.
This 600fan hillside second-rower amongst an interrupted thought of beach as well as sea wasn’t great, wasn’t bad - plenty of room, a large comfy bed, soap/toilet newspaper supplied, no towel, no sink, skillful H2O pressure, create clean but starting to hold off a chip tatty (the side yesteryear side bungalow was existence renovated - hey, mayhap mine was next). Grounds were create clean but at that spot was a lot of scratchy looking bare the world (see department on H2O shortage), paths good lit at night. 
Chez tezza at Pudsa Bungalows
Pudsa Bungalow's beachside restaurant.
Ao Pudsa/Tubtim beach - Pudsa Bungalow's eating theatre foreground, Tubtim's behind. New Tubtim bungalows going inward on the far headland.
UPDATE 2010 - I spent a fair chip of fourth dimension checking Tubtim this trip. The house is huge, amongst dozens of bungalows including a hell of a lot of fan amongst bath jobs at 600-700 when I asked. Just nigh all of these looked a stride upwards from basic traveller bungalows.
Well, all of them receive got a fair chip to a greater extent than development, except for:
- VONG DUERN which was pretty built-out dorsum then. Actually it seems improved - dorsum so it was known every bit the haunt for sex-tourists as well as a lot of the places were a chip tacky, straight off it doesn’t hold off every bit good bad at all. However it even so looks to last 1 of the busier noisier beaches on the isle amongst mainly midrange accommodation as well as quite a few bars etc.
UPDATE MARCH 2010 - for business office of my latest see I decided to remain on Vong Duern, at Vong Duern Villa whose 2d rockside eating theatre higher upwards has existent prissy views over the beach. The beach is indeed a pretty prissy house to remain amongst skillful sand, prissy swimming most sections at all tides as well as plenty of diverseness inward places to eat, grab a beer etc. Not peculiarly noisy at night.
About v minutes gets you lot to tranquility Candlelight Beach to the due south - less than 2 minutes to Ao Cho to the north. Vong Duern Villa had a corking seat beachside/rockside/hillside at the due south end, but I would non tell our tiny rockside bungalow was peculiarly skillful value or inward corking condition. Lady Tezza is has filed a written report amongst lots to a greater extent than information as well as pix inward the TRIP REPORTS section.
- And AO NUAN - the tiny beach initiative of all due south of Tubtim which has but 1 traditional backpacker style place, Ao Nuan Bungalows.
A 2010 shot of Ao Nuan which is yesteryear far the most set dorsum beach due north of the far far south. But the bungalow articulation mightiness last taking wages of this - it has a broad gain of accommodation from tiny rustic exterior bath traditional bungalows to large aircon jobs, but wanted 700b for the old inward almost shoulder flavor 2010 (2000b for the latter). Apparently at that spot is no route access hither - but it is entirely nigh 3 minutes walk from the beaches each side on the coastal runway - Ao Pudsa to the due north existence the easier trek amongst a pack. Of class a speedboat drop-off would last the go as well as this is 1 house a National Park ranger would last unlikely to last waiting on the beach for his 200b. That's the far northern goal of White Sand Beach inward the far background - you lot could walk upwards at that spot inward nigh 25 minutes as well as cross 3 other beaches.
AO CHO but due north of Vong Duern surprised me - a lately printed guidebook said its isolation meant it was 1 of the to a greater extent than set dorsum but the ii or 3 places at that spot seemed to crowd the bay out as well as the beach was reasonably busy.
UPDATE 2010 - umm, I'm gonna revise that. Lady Tezza as well as I walked to Ao Cho several times from Vong Duern (less than 2 minutes to cross the depression headland saddle) as well as constitute the beach delightful - non busy, skillful H2O for swimming, some prissy bars as well as restaurants.
AO THIAN (aka CANDLELIGHT BEACH) - AO LUNG DAM was my favourite final visit; lovely patches of sand, sparsely settled as well as amongst some rattling eclectic bungalows belonging to Candlelight Resort on the northern headland as well as corner of the beach.
Well bungalows are straight off built but nigh everywhere possible, Candlelight Resort has gone considerably upmarket as well as has moved maybe 100m due south away from the corner of the beach - but I thought Thian even so attractive because somehow it doesn’t appear crammed, some of the wooden seaside accommodation blocks at the due north goal receive got multi-tiered balconies virtually overlooking the sand (I’m a sucker for sitting waaay upwards on my balcony amongst a bottle of Maekhong watching the passing parade of bikini babes) as well as the southern most bungalow place, Apache (technically on Ao Lung Dam - the longish bay is divided yesteryear minor sections of stone into several patches of sand - Lung Dam is the southern most) was existent appealing amongst okay looking beachside trad style fan bungalows for 600 as well as a neat rickety pier amongst some outrigger sitting platforms over the water, the perfect house for a beer or 5. 
There were some Thai girls frolicking inward tiny bikinis off the pier. Hey, niiiiiice. Then I thought - you lot don’t run into many Thai girls inward bikinis (update - to a greater extent than of them inward 2010) , fifty-fifty the rent-girls travelling amongst guys usually habiliment shorts. And the babes I was checking were taller than usual, had bigger boobs, paid excessive attending to their pilus as well as bikini fit, sashayed when they walked as well as kept giving me flirty looks. Whoa, katoeys!!!
Still they looked way hot.
Jeez, I’m starting to acquire seriously worried nigh me!!!!!
2010 motion painting of northern one-half of Ao Thian shot from the goal of Apache's pier. There are some existent prissy rockside as well as hillside bungalows belonging to other operators which hold off to last budget/flashpacker to left of frame before the pier. This is a prissy shot to expand - Candelight Bungalow's eating theatre is that biggish beachfront chore closest to the H2O a chip away from the corner - their bungalows are on the depression hillside behind (to our left).
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Ao Lung Dam due south of the pier. Apache's bungalows are mainly inward this section. Pretty basic trad jobs but a guy staying at that spot told me he was paying entirely 300 inward March 2010 which is a fair chip cheaper than my '08 quote.
Lady Tezza really liked eating as well as having a beer on the pier - nosotros came downward every twenty-four hr menstruum from Vong Duern, takes maybe v minutes to hitting the due north goal of the Ao Thian but some other 10 minutes to walk downward here.
I kinda think the guy right background had something to exercise The Lady's enthusiasm - looked similar a 2010 version of Fabio. I didn't hear - his daughter was hot. If you lot expand motion painting you'll notice a gunship inward the left background - the Thai princess was visiting swanky Kui Na Nok to the due south as well as this was business office of her escort.
Blue subway is pumping fresh H2O to Apache resort - H2O shortage is a large work inward dry out season. One argue why bungalows are to a greater extent than expensive.
I’m non gonna knock it. It is an attractive beach inward appearance, has a buoyed-off department for prophylactic swimming, has nigh a chiliad neat candlelit tables as well as mats set upwards on the sand at black (concentrated inward the southern tertiary of the beach - places due north had a few of these but were unpacked whereas due south was running 90%+), lots of gorgeous Russian bikini babes running around (heaps of Russians packet tourists jet inward to nearby U-Tapao for some fourth dimension inward the sun. As a existent prissy Anna Kournikova clone told me, it’s minus 35C inward Siberia inward Feb.
Gratuitous shot of Anna K clone. Whoa, maybe non a clone!!! In the spirit of equality, I receive got a hunk-shot fer all you lot ladies at the human foot of the page. (image - Star Diet Secrets)
Note that 1 time these babes overstep 35 the bikinis don't grow but the ladies exercise markedly - hello lighten upwards on the borsch as well as fermented Irish Gaelic patato sweethearts! Russian guys are biiiiig bulky blokes who favour those budgie-smuggler racer swimsuits hauled way upwards at the sides as well as downward depression below the beer gut inward front. Listen upwards Alexi, Olympic swimmers as well as Aussie surf-lifesavers tin flaming carry the Speedo look, but what you lot demand is a whole lot of surfer board shorts, size XXXXL. Preferably Billabong.****
There is a skillful render of shops as well as tourist services behind White Sand beach as well as that principal route shopping street is less than 10 minutes walk.
Hell, whatsoever isle tin flaming carry a White Sand/Hat Sai Kew. If it don‘t float your especial boat, caput south.
Note that some bungalows inward the rattling large White Sand complex at the southern goal volition acquire principal route noise. The remainder receive got no problems from the road, but could acquire amusement noise.
Good intelligence for budget travellers - at that spot is at to the lowest degree 1 prissy looking traditional house left on White Sand, Laem Yai Hut House, way downward the far northern goal of the beach which is arguably the nicest as well as quietest section. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 skillful pose out as well as gain of bungalows spread over a large expanse across the depression saddle of the cape here, 1 or ii really overlooking the rocks of the north-east coast rather than the beach. Fancier bungalows looked to last flashpacker bird - a guy inward a slightly to a greater extent than basic house incl bath told me he was paying 700.
This is a 2010 shot, but how long volition this house final inward this prime number spot?
AO LUK YUN. When I was leaving inward '08, my speedboat turned around the north-east corner of the isle beyond White Sand Beach as well as I saw this rather appealing old style bungalow resort amongst nigh a dozen trad bungalows along the shore of a piffling cove. The house looked budget inward standard. Hey, this could last the perfect house for those old fourth dimension travellers wanting something all yesteryear itself - kinda similar Sunset, the house I stayed on on Ko Mak. Travelfish's map shows Pineapple Beach Resort inward this area. Note that at that spot did non seem to last a existent beach here, although that could improve at lower tides. No problems, White Sand Beach is entirely nigh 10 minutes walk away. This expanse is pretty closed to town too.
This is a 2010 shot of Ao Luk Yun. Pineapple is the house at right - a fair chip of novel edifice going on hither although at that spot seemed to last few guests. The house on left was a prissy looking newish midrange articulation - didn't acquire the hollo but Google mightiness notice it. Sand is pretty express here. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 fair few locals angling off the rocks inward the area.
THE WEST COAST.
There is entirely 1 beach here, AO PRAO. Back inward 98 it was dominated yesteryear high-end as well as midrange joints. I couldn’t run into whatsoever argue for alter as well as because the trek across is hot as well as dusty, gave it a miss this time. From retention the beach is pretty nice.
UPDATE 2010 - I got across to Ao Prao this trip - run into shot below. It is straight off a gated community amongst a safety checkpoint on the steep access route 100m behind photographic television set camera - although I don't know how effective this is every bit they allow riff-raff me through. Some rattling prissy joints along hither - as well as access to speedboat is yesteryear a tractor-driven trolley out into the H2O so you lot don't acquire your Manolo Blahnik gym-shoes wet.
Note that v star Paradee articulation way downward due south at Kui Na Nok also extends across to the W coast - the isle is existent thin there.
THE NORTH COAST.
Nicest department of beach on the due north coast is inward front end of Mooban Talay resort.
Ban Poi Samed is both eating theatre as well as accommodation - stand upwards on the pier this shot was taken from as well as band the bell for a boat shuttle across.
New stilts over H2O articulation on due north coast of Samet - sign said Mook Samet
GETTING TO SAMET
Slow ferries from Ban Phe nigh Ranong to the northern pier at Na Dan roughly hourly (they tend to hold off for a decent load) from 0800 to 1700 inward high flavor - the trip takes upwards to 45 minutes. Buy a one-way 50baht ticket on the boat, non the render 100baht 1 the go agents volition elbow grease to sell you. You may wishing to come upwards dorsum yesteryear speedboat which is a lot ameliorate peculiarly if you lot are at 1 of the beaches away from the piers.
Ferry arrives at Na Dan pier inward the island's north. Some are a chip bigger every bit are almost all the ones which are operated yesteryear the eastward coast bungalow joints.
Those bungalows behind right are business office of the afore mentioned tarted upwards Sunrise Beach Resort. The ones out of frame to right are higher on the seaside rocks as well as quite attractively sited. Sign advertises "Avoid the National Park Fee"
Ferries run to Wong Duan less frequently. UPDATE 2010 - really diverse resorts run ferries to many of the other beaches every bit good - if you lot volume into a house enquire nigh this possibility. Some of the populace ferries volition also deliver to the beach for a toll - for event they would receive got us around to Vong Duern later on delivering others at the principal pier for a reasonable amount if at that spot were at to the lowest degree seven of us. Fewer as well as nosotros would receive got to pay way more.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 chip tricky is the fact at that spot are at to the lowest degree 3 Ban Phe piers - I've previously entirely used the fundamental pier which I think is the 1 most Rayong songthaews as well as minibuses from Bangkok as well as Pattaya driblet off at, but inward the latest 2010 trip nosotros were dropped at the eastern pier opposite the omnibus station. This pier seems to receive got a reasonable service but I didn't run into whatsoever speedboats around. There are budget restaurants as well as beer if you lot receive got to wait.
Ferry services are roughly halved inward depression season.
There is straight off a skillful speedboat service from a pose out of operators. I think they hold off until they acquire a decent charge at Ban Phe - go to 1 of the piffling go agents inward the lane nigh the 7/11 inward Ban Phe opposite the pier for info. For the opposite trip at that spot are set times for the initiative of all forenoon run at least. I caught 1 of these off Ao Pudsa/Tub Tim - it took less than 20 minutes including a pick upwards at White Sand beach. The cost was 200baht (200 from side yesteryear side Ao Phai inward 2010 although Samed Villa's personal speedboat was 250) which was scarcely dearer than the taxi charter dorsum to Na Dan + tedious boat.
Quite a few bungalows receive got their ain speedboats (and slowboats) as well as volition receive got other paying passengers to the especial beach.
There are hourly buses to Rayong from Bangkok’s eastern (Ekamai) omnibus terminal, as well as a few straight to Ban Phe. UPDATE 2010 - straight off much ameliorate - Cherd Chai Tour runs every hr to Ban Phe from counter v - also has boat tickets.
Time a chip less than 3 hours to Rayong - maybe 3.5 to Ban Phe.
There are also fairly frequent buses from the northern/central omnibus terminal (Mochit) to Rayong as well as fewer to Ban Phe.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 similar service to both Rayong as well as Ban Phe runs out of the novel Transport Centre at Survanabhumi airport.
Songthaews acquire out from beside the Rayong omnibus station to Ban Phe ofttimes - nigh a xl infinitesimal trip for 25 baht.
You tin flaming also acquire minibuses from as well as to the Khao San Road expanse of Bangkok. Minivans or Ban Phe acquire out ofttimes from the Victory Monument expanse of Bangkok. Apparently the large sign is hard to miss. There are also frequent vans to Rayong from here.
There are also vans from Pattaya as well as from the Trat piers where you lot acquire inward from large Ko Chang.
Leaving Samet, purchase your tickets at the agents inward Ban Phe, minor go agents inward the hamlet at Samet summation a lot of the bungalows' as well as resorts' go desks.
Note the minibuses from Ban Phe to the Trat Coast tend to driblet you lot at go agents some distance from the operating piers, the promise is to sell non entirely ferry tickets but accommodation, daytrip excursions etc - the go agency nosotros were dropped at inward 2010 was charging 150 1 way for the ferry tickets, good over normal. No problem, a similar house 100m downward the route was charging lxxx including the 3km carry to the Centerpoint pier. There were people from our minibus who were dropped off at this 2d go agency - I think it depends on who you lot originally volume your minibus ticket amongst - nosotros booked through Samet's Ao Phai Hut's go desk.
Car amongst driver transfer Bangkok Airport as well as Bangkok downtown to Ban Phe (also vans for large groups)
There are no ferries from Samet to Ko Chang or across the Gulf to the Samui area, a fairly frequent inquiry on go sites.
SONTHAEW TAXI TRANSPORT ON SAMET - inward my opening rant I moan nigh a rip-off quote from the northern pier to my destination. This was because at that spot was way every bit good few people for a total charge (around 8 people from memory) - amongst a total charge the fares are quite reasonable. But if you lot receive got to charter a songthaew taxi it tin flaming last ridiculous - for event the v infinitesimal trip from Vong Duern to Samet Villa cost Lady Tezza as well as I 200baht inward March 2010..
The skillful intelligence is that rates are straight off posted at the northern pier as well as most beaches.
Fares board at northern pier. Bit hard to read shot fifty-fifty when expanded - 2010 rates ( total load/charter) - White Sand Beach 10/100, Ao Phai 20/200, Tubtim 20/200, Ao Cho 30/250, Vongduern 30/250, Candlelight-Lum Dam 40/350, Ao Wai 50/450
Note at that spot are plenty of motorcycles for hire nigh the pier, inward the hamlet as well as at most beaches. Be careful if non skilled - the route due south tin flaming acquire bumpy amongst those nasty trippy transfers ruts as well as steep inward parts.
Some of the places mentioned inward this report. Click to expand icon which is looking from the north-east towards the north-west. That's Na Dan hamlet to left of MAIN PIER - the due north eastward corner of the isle is at bottom, W coast at top.
***DISCLOSURE - the writer owns a truckload of Billabong stock. Well that aint quite truthful - the Mutual Fund I promise to finance my early on retirement (The Nigerian Trust as well as Fidelity Fund) owns a boatload of Billabong stock. Or so they tell me.
My personal equity is nigh 1 millionth of 1 pct of the company’s shares - I figure I ain the sign on the executive washroom door.
Listen upwards dudes as well as dudettes, continue buying that corking Billabong gear as well as maybe I’ll last able to upgrade to flashpacker inward my dotage.
Still some prissy relaxed beaches on Samet - this is Ao Pudsa aka Ao Tubtim, looking north.Samet is a minor hilly isle amongst all but 1 of the beaches on the eastward coast. You tin flaming walk from the due north eastward corner to the far due south on the east-coastal runway inward a leisurely 3 hours (image Blue You) Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 bigger, much to a greater extent than detailed map from travelfish showing bungalow locations tin flaming last seen here.
As usual, travelfish's full general information as well as bungalow reviews are excellent.
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Listen upwards island-seekers, this is what I learned.
It’s non a existent skillful thought to cast a draw solid impression on an island:
- later on travelling all black yesteryear overnight buses from the Andaman amongst piffling sleep.
- arriving so early on inward Ban Phe you lot receive got to hang around interminably for the initiative of all ferry.
-getting RAINED ON on that initiative of all ferry (dry season, no less).
- getting quoted a rip-off fare for the curt journeying from the pier to the starting fourth dimension of the beaches yesteryear Samet’s sleazy songthaew mafia.
- trudging along amongst yer pocketbook dodging puddles through that tacky looking shopping street before the National Park gates (admittedly that strip has a skillful alternative of services these days).
- paying the rip-off 200baht NP entrance fee …. for what? (maybe existence able to tell at to the lowest degree it's ameliorate than the old 400 fee, which tezza refused to pay the whole fourth dimension it existed) as well as so finding the concrete route turns to dingy slush 30m yesteryear the NP entrance (couldn’t the inexpensive bastards pass a chip of our coin paving the route at to the lowest degree every bit far every bit the 3rd of the initiative of all 3 (all popular) beaches - nah, every bit good busy edifice luxury concrete condo-style vacation places for NP bigwigs on Ko Kradan as well as similar).
- existence shown a crap value 400 baht share-bathroom room at Naga Inn on AO HIN KOK (2nd beach down) amongst a lovely outlook over piles of edifice debris (particularly when you lot receive got but left a corking 200b amongst bath house overlooking a gorgeous beach on Ko Phayam).
- noticing Naga receive got pose inward a beach bar/nighclub across the route as well as someone else has a Reggae Bar following door, both of which didn’t be on your final see inward ‘98 as well as would last certain to create the nights restful.
UPDATE 2010 - good Hin Kok mightiness last a chip noisy at black but I constitute it the to the lowest degree busy of the initiative of all 4 beaches from the due north during the day. And amongst some of the whitest sand when non wet.That's Ao Phai as well as so Ao Pudsa/Tubtim farther due south inward the background. Click to expand the shot. Note that shots taken inward 2008 don't expand - those taken inward 2010 should, although it could depend on your browser.
So yeah - yesteryear this phase of the game I was pretty pissed as well as tended to concur amongst those who receive got been claiming Samet has gone to the pits.
So I decided to caput south, where inward ‘98 at that spot I’d seen some existent set dorsum places.
Well non at the following beach, AO PHAI which these days is pretty built out yesteryear several bungalow outfits including 1 I was determined to remain inward following see - Samed Villa, - but whose neat headland bungalows receive got been replaced amongst bigger, decidedly upmarket jobs seemingly closer together - yet way beyond tezza’s budgetary reach. Ao Phai also has a reputation for partying.
But hold the weddin’ trendsetters, I walked around the headland on the coastal path as well as every bit Samed Villa ended Pudsa Bungalows started, amongst prissy old-style bungalows almost on the seaside rocks as well as 20m from the ocean. I went a chip farther as well as WHOA, the compact beach itself (AO PUDSA aka AO TUBTIM) looks but similar I recollect from 1998- existent prissy - as well as at that spot seems to last entirely 1 other bunglalow house on it, the widely praised Tubtim Resort.
Sweet beach - Ao Pudsa/Ao Tubtim
Pudsa Bungalows' rockside huts are my sort of location. Now Tubtim’s website had indicated it was a chip upmarket for me, so I walked into Pudsa Bungalow’s airy beachfront restaurant. Sorry, the rockside 800b bungalows are aircon as well as taken (1500 inward 2010 - amongst some thousand rockside fan jobs - 900 for longer stays), but yeah, I tin flaming receive got a 2d row fan chore on the colina for 600 (700 when I checked inward 2010) . Well, 600 don’t seem so corking later on Phayam, but it certain blows Naga Inn out of the water. It also blows similar style places inward similarly pop Andaman locations similar Railay as well as Phi Phi right off the planet. And the beach is every bit prissy every bit Phayam, nicer than the beaches I’d but trudged yesteryear (which aint every bit good bad beach-wise at all) as well as way less crowded than the pop Andaman spots. The fact I couldn’t run into whatsoever nightclubs, beach bars or long tails threatened to drive me to slumber amongst lack of noise.
So hey, of a abrupt I’m thinking old Samet may non last every bit bad every bit a lot of people are saying. So I grabbed a bungalow.
So hey, of a abrupt I’m thinking old Samet may non last every bit bad every bit a lot of people are saying. So I grabbed a bungalow.
This 600fan hillside second-rower amongst an interrupted thought of beach as well as sea wasn’t great, wasn’t bad - plenty of room, a large comfy bed, soap/toilet newspaper supplied, no towel, no sink, skillful H2O pressure, create clean but starting to hold off a chip tatty (the side yesteryear side bungalow was existence renovated - hey, mayhap mine was next). Grounds were create clean but at that spot was a lot of scratchy looking bare the world (see department on H2O shortage), paths good lit at night.
Chez tezza at Pudsa Bungalows Restaurant prices were average budget bungalow, nutrient as well as service okay. They set upwards a seafood BBQ each black as well as they had a department amongst those neat bar mats+candles+ cushions set upwards on the sand.
Pudsa Bungalow's beachside restaurant. I also ate at nearby Tubtim’s beachfront restaurant. Ditto except prices maybe a piffling chip higher. BTW, Tubtim was putting inward some create novel large upmarket looking bungalows towards the southern headland amongst elevated balconies as well as first-class views upwards the isle of the northern beaches. If I come upwards dorsum amongst a few $$ (3000b inward March 2010 - which was a few $$ every bit good much fer me) this volition last but the place.
Tubtim also has a minor sunbathing platform moored inward the bay nigh the southern headland which was a prissy spot to pass some time.
Tubtim also has a minor sunbathing platform moored inward the bay nigh the southern headland which was a prissy spot to pass some time.
Ao Pudsa/Tubtim beach - Pudsa Bungalow's eating theatre foreground, Tubtim's behind. New Tubtim bungalows going inward on the far headland.UPDATE 2010 - I spent a fair chip of fourth dimension checking Tubtim this trip. The house is huge, amongst dozens of bungalows including a hell of a lot of fan amongst bath jobs at 600-700 when I asked. Just nigh all of these looked a stride upwards from basic traveller bungalows.
An onshore breeze was blowing during my see which at 1 phase was rigid plenty to acquire minor waves breaking off Pudsa. For a brief 10 infinitesimal menstruum they were large plenty for me to really trunk surf them, something I receive got entirely done 1 time before inward many dry out flavor visits to Thailand.
I also had a hold off off the southern headland for coral etc on concern human relationship my stalker, TT poster somebodyelse, is ever giving me grief when I don’t. Samet is non known for skillful snorkelling as well as certain enough, when I dived downward (the choppy wavelets had turned visibility to crap) the scraps of coral were rubbishy as well as the fishies were limited. I also managed to bang my shin on as well as unseen stone as well as pause the skin. Curse you lot SBE!
SOUTH OF AO PUDSA
Pudsa is nigh a tertiary of the way downward the isle from the north. There are 8 or so beaches to the south. So following twenty-four hr menstruum I took the beach path to run into how much they had changed inward 10 years.
I also had a hold off off the southern headland for coral etc on concern human relationship my stalker, TT poster somebodyelse, is ever giving me grief when I don’t. Samet is non known for skillful snorkelling as well as certain enough, when I dived downward (the choppy wavelets had turned visibility to crap) the scraps of coral were rubbishy as well as the fishies were limited. I also managed to bang my shin on as well as unseen stone as well as pause the skin. Curse you lot SBE!
SOUTH OF AO PUDSA
Pudsa is nigh a tertiary of the way downward the isle from the north. There are 8 or so beaches to the south. So following twenty-four hr menstruum I took the beach path to run into how much they had changed inward 10 years.
Well, all of them receive got a fair chip to a greater extent than development, except for:
- VONG DUERN which was pretty built-out dorsum then. Actually it seems improved - dorsum so it was known every bit the haunt for sex-tourists as well as a lot of the places were a chip tacky, straight off it doesn’t hold off every bit good bad at all. However it even so looks to last 1 of the busier noisier beaches on the isle amongst mainly midrange accommodation as well as quite a few bars etc.
UPDATE MARCH 2010 - for business office of my latest see I decided to remain on Vong Duern, at Vong Duern Villa whose 2d rockside eating theatre higher upwards has existent prissy views over the beach. The beach is indeed a pretty prissy house to remain amongst skillful sand, prissy swimming most sections at all tides as well as plenty of diverseness inward places to eat, grab a beer etc. Not peculiarly noisy at night. About v minutes gets you lot to tranquility Candlelight Beach to the due south - less than 2 minutes to Ao Cho to the north. Vong Duern Villa had a corking seat beachside/rockside/hillside at the due south end, but I would non tell our tiny rockside bungalow was peculiarly skillful value or inward corking condition. Lady Tezza is has filed a written report amongst lots to a greater extent than information as well as pix inward the TRIP REPORTS section.
- And AO NUAN - the tiny beach initiative of all due south of Tubtim which has but 1 traditional backpacker style place, Ao Nuan Bungalows.
A 2010 shot of Ao Nuan which is yesteryear far the most set dorsum beach due north of the far far south. But the bungalow articulation mightiness last taking wages of this - it has a broad gain of accommodation from tiny rustic exterior bath traditional bungalows to large aircon jobs, but wanted 700b for the old inward almost shoulder flavor 2010 (2000b for the latter). Apparently at that spot is no route access hither - but it is entirely nigh 3 minutes walk from the beaches each side on the coastal runway - Ao Pudsa to the due north existence the easier trek amongst a pack. Of class a speedboat drop-off would last the go as well as this is 1 house a National Park ranger would last unlikely to last waiting on the beach for his 200b. That's the far northern goal of White Sand Beach inward the far background - you lot could walk upwards at that spot inward nigh 25 minutes as well as cross 3 other beaches.AO CHO but due north of Vong Duern surprised me - a lately printed guidebook said its isolation meant it was 1 of the to a greater extent than set dorsum but the ii or 3 places at that spot seemed to crowd the bay out as well as the beach was reasonably busy.
UPDATE 2010 - umm, I'm gonna revise that. Lady Tezza as well as I walked to Ao Cho several times from Vong Duern (less than 2 minutes to cross the depression headland saddle) as well as constitute the beach delightful - non busy, skillful H2O for swimming, some prissy bars as well as restaurants. AO THIAN (aka CANDLELIGHT BEACH) - AO LUNG DAM was my favourite final visit; lovely patches of sand, sparsely settled as well as amongst some rattling eclectic bungalows belonging to Candlelight Resort on the northern headland as well as corner of the beach.
Well bungalows are straight off built but nigh everywhere possible, Candlelight Resort has gone considerably upmarket as well as has moved maybe 100m due south away from the corner of the beach - but I thought Thian even so attractive because somehow it doesn’t appear crammed, some of the wooden seaside accommodation blocks at the due north goal receive got multi-tiered balconies virtually overlooking the sand (I’m a sucker for sitting waaay upwards on my balcony amongst a bottle of Maekhong watching the passing parade of bikini babes) as well as the southern most bungalow place, Apache (technically on Ao Lung Dam - the longish bay is divided yesteryear minor sections of stone into several patches of sand - Lung Dam is the southern most) was existent appealing amongst okay looking beachside trad style fan bungalows for 600 as well as a neat rickety pier amongst some outrigger sitting platforms over the water, the perfect house for a beer or 5.
There were some Thai girls frolicking inward tiny bikinis off the pier. Hey, niiiiiice. Then I thought - you lot don’t run into many Thai girls inward bikinis (update - to a greater extent than of them inward 2010) , fifty-fifty the rent-girls travelling amongst guys usually habiliment shorts. And the babes I was checking were taller than usual, had bigger boobs, paid excessive attending to their pilus as well as bikini fit, sashayed when they walked as well as kept giving me flirty looks. Whoa, katoeys!!!Still they looked way hot.
Jeez, I’m starting to acquire seriously worried nigh me!!!!!
2010 motion painting of northern one-half of Ao Thian shot from the goal of Apache's pier. There are some existent prissy rockside as well as hillside bungalows belonging to other operators which hold off to last budget/flashpacker to left of frame before the pier. This is a prissy shot to expand - Candelight Bungalow's eating theatre is that biggish beachfront chore closest to the H2O a chip away from the corner - their bungalows are on the depression hillside behind (to our left).
Ao Lung Dam due south of the pier. Apache's bungalows are mainly inward this section. Pretty basic trad jobs but a guy staying at that spot told me he was paying entirely 300 inward March 2010 which is a fair chip cheaper than my '08 quote.Lady Tezza really liked eating as well as having a beer on the pier - nosotros came downward every twenty-four hr menstruum from Vong Duern, takes maybe v minutes to hitting the due north goal of the Ao Thian but some other 10 minutes to walk downward here.
I kinda think the guy right background had something to exercise The Lady's enthusiasm - looked similar a 2010 version of Fabio. I didn't hear - his daughter was hot. If you lot expand motion painting you'll notice a gunship inward the left background - the Thai princess was visiting swanky Kui Na Nok to the due south as well as this was business office of her escort.
Blue subway is pumping fresh H2O to Apache resort - H2O shortage is a large work inward dry out season. One argue why bungalows are to a greater extent than expensive. AO WAI, due south of Thian, was some other 98 favourite. It is straight off monopolised yesteryear the rattling large Sametville Resort, which a adult woman on my slowboat to Ko Phayam raved about. But alas budget bungalow fans, this is decidedly midrange inward toll although a lot of the bungalows looked to a greater extent than flashpacker. Nevertheless, 1 of the quietest areas on Samet as well as non unattractive.
UPDATE 2010 - Sametville has expanded amongst several to a greater extent than bungalows on the higher expanse due north of the beach itself. And they receive got thrown a barbed-wire debate as well as locked gate across the coastal walking track, forcing walkers downward onto the hard stone platform. WTF! This is National Park nation as well as all us suckers receive got paid 200 baht to walk the tracks. When I go dorsum I'm taking a set of wire-cutters - cook that debate as well as gate large time. I got a existent prissy shot of their beach, but bad luck Sametville, aint gonna exhibit it.
The southern most settled beach, KUI NA NOK, has the mega expensive Paradise (Paradee) Resort as well as Spa. Seems these people don’t desire the lower classes on their beach, because the long coastal runway thru the scrub on the approaching headland had felled vegetation as well as spikey vines deliberately set across it. Aint gunna halt a world-class seaside rock-hopper similar yers-truly. The safety guy glared at me every bit I scoped out the millionaires' mistresses draped on the seaside banana chairs but I but gave him the large cheesy - ALL beaches inward Thailand belong to the King who has opened them to the public. Aint no such thing every bit a individual beach no thing what these goons volition elbow grease to tell you.
For the same argue every bit Ao Cho, no KNN beach shots here.
Paradise Resort itself looked existent nice, but worth entirely a quarter of what they charge.
THE NORTHERN SECTION OF THE EAST COAST.
As I said, AO PHAI as well as AO HIN KOK due north of Tubtime/Pudsa are pretty built-out, non unattractive beach-wise during the twenty-four hr menstruum as well as receive got lots of people sitting at tables as well as mats on the sand at night. Both receive got a fair chip of amusement at black (ie noise).
TRIP REPORT section.
By the way, many people confuse Samed Villa amongst the similarly-named Sametville farther downward the isle on Ao Wai when researching/booking - every bit said earlier, Sametville are the creeps who receive got blocked the coastal walking track.
If you lot are staying at Hin Kok as well as at Ao Phai's Ao Phai Hut, Sea Breeeze, Lost Resort as well as some huts at the huge Silver Sand you lot are going to acquire traffic dissonance from the principal route which is pretty busy these days. The route heads inland due south of these so traffic dissonance becomes no problem. The beaches farther due south are accessed yesteryear side tracks amongst non much traffic.
HAT SAI KEW (WHITE SAND BEACH) is but over a minor headland from Hin Kok as well as this northern most east-coast beach is the longest as well as busiest on the island. It is packed amongst bungalows, restaurants, bars, beach-chairs an umbrellas as well as features the dreaded jet-skis, H2O skiing as well as paragliding.
UPDATE 2010 - Sametville has expanded amongst several to a greater extent than bungalows on the higher expanse due north of the beach itself. And they receive got thrown a barbed-wire debate as well as locked gate across the coastal walking track, forcing walkers downward onto the hard stone platform. WTF! This is National Park nation as well as all us suckers receive got paid 200 baht to walk the tracks. When I go dorsum I'm taking a set of wire-cutters - cook that debate as well as gate large time. I got a existent prissy shot of their beach, but bad luck Sametville, aint gonna exhibit it.
The southern most settled beach, KUI NA NOK, has the mega expensive Paradise (Paradee) Resort as well as Spa. Seems these people don’t desire the lower classes on their beach, because the long coastal runway thru the scrub on the approaching headland had felled vegetation as well as spikey vines deliberately set across it. Aint gunna halt a world-class seaside rock-hopper similar yers-truly. The safety guy glared at me every bit I scoped out the millionaires' mistresses draped on the seaside banana chairs but I but gave him the large cheesy - ALL beaches inward Thailand belong to the King who has opened them to the public. Aint no such thing every bit a individual beach no thing what these goons volition elbow grease to tell you.
For the same argue every bit Ao Cho, no KNN beach shots here.
Paradise Resort itself looked existent nice, but worth entirely a quarter of what they charge.
THE NORTHERN SECTION OF THE EAST COAST.
As I said, AO PHAI as well as AO HIN KOK due north of Tubtime/Pudsa are pretty built-out, non unattractive beach-wise during the twenty-four hr menstruum as well as receive got lots of people sitting at tables as well as mats on the sand at night. Both receive got a fair chip of amusement at black (ie noise).
TRIP REPORT section.
By the way, many people confuse Samed Villa amongst the similarly-named Sametville farther downward the isle on Ao Wai when researching/booking - every bit said earlier, Sametville are the creeps who receive got blocked the coastal walking track.
If you lot are staying at Hin Kok as well as at Ao Phai's Ao Phai Hut, Sea Breeeze, Lost Resort as well as some huts at the huge Silver Sand you lot are going to acquire traffic dissonance from the principal route which is pretty busy these days. The route heads inland due south of these so traffic dissonance becomes no problem. The beaches farther due south are accessed yesteryear side tracks amongst non much traffic.
HAT SAI KEW (WHITE SAND BEACH) is but over a minor headland from Hin Kok as well as this northern most east-coast beach is the longest as well as busiest on the island. It is packed amongst bungalows, restaurants, bars, beach-chairs an umbrellas as well as features the dreaded jet-skis, H2O skiing as well as paragliding.
I’m non gonna knock it. It is an attractive beach inward appearance, has a buoyed-off department for prophylactic swimming, has nigh a chiliad neat candlelit tables as well as mats set upwards on the sand at black (concentrated inward the southern tertiary of the beach - places due north had a few of these but were unpacked whereas due south was running 90%+), lots of gorgeous Russian bikini babes running around (heaps of Russians packet tourists jet inward to nearby U-Tapao for some fourth dimension inward the sun. As a existent prissy Anna Kournikova clone told me, it’s minus 35C inward Siberia inward Feb.Gratuitous shot of Anna K clone. Whoa, maybe non a clone!!! In the spirit of equality, I receive got a hunk-shot fer all you lot ladies at the human foot of the page. (image - Star Diet Secrets)Note that 1 time these babes overstep 35 the bikinis don't grow but the ladies exercise markedly - hello lighten upwards on the borsch as well as fermented Irish Gaelic patato sweethearts! Russian guys are biiiiig bulky blokes who favour those budgie-smuggler racer swimsuits hauled way upwards at the sides as well as downward depression below the beer gut inward front. Listen upwards Alexi, Olympic swimmers as well as Aussie surf-lifesavers tin flaming carry the Speedo look, but what you lot demand is a whole lot of surfer board shorts, size XXXXL. Preferably Billabong.****
There is a skillful render of shops as well as tourist services behind White Sand beach as well as that principal route shopping street is less than 10 minutes walk.
Hell, whatsoever isle tin flaming carry a White Sand/Hat Sai Kew. If it don‘t float your especial boat, caput south.
Note that some bungalows inward the rattling large White Sand complex at the southern goal volition acquire principal route noise. The remainder receive got no problems from the road, but could acquire amusement noise.
Good intelligence for budget travellers - at that spot is at to the lowest degree 1 prissy looking traditional house left on White Sand, Laem Yai Hut House, way downward the far northern goal of the beach which is arguably the nicest as well as quietest section. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 skillful pose out as well as gain of bungalows spread over a large expanse across the depression saddle of the cape here, 1 or ii really overlooking the rocks of the north-east coast rather than the beach. Fancier bungalows looked to last flashpacker bird - a guy inward a slightly to a greater extent than basic house incl bath told me he was paying 700.This is a 2010 shot, but how long volition this house final inward this prime number spot?
AO LUK YUN. When I was leaving inward '08, my speedboat turned around the north-east corner of the isle beyond White Sand Beach as well as I saw this rather appealing old style bungalow resort amongst nigh a dozen trad bungalows along the shore of a piffling cove. The house looked budget inward standard. Hey, this could last the perfect house for those old fourth dimension travellers wanting something all yesteryear itself - kinda similar Sunset, the house I stayed on on Ko Mak. Travelfish's map shows Pineapple Beach Resort inward this area. Note that at that spot did non seem to last a existent beach here, although that could improve at lower tides. No problems, White Sand Beach is entirely nigh 10 minutes walk away. This expanse is pretty closed to town too.
This is a 2010 shot of Ao Luk Yun. Pineapple is the house at right - a fair chip of novel edifice going on hither although at that spot seemed to last few guests. The house on left was a prissy looking newish midrange articulation - didn't acquire the hollo but Google mightiness notice it. Sand is pretty express here. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 fair few locals angling off the rocks inward the area.THE WEST COAST.
There is entirely 1 beach here, AO PRAO. Back inward 98 it was dominated yesteryear high-end as well as midrange joints. I couldn’t run into whatsoever argue for alter as well as because the trek across is hot as well as dusty, gave it a miss this time. From retention the beach is pretty nice.
UPDATE 2010 - I got across to Ao Prao this trip - run into shot below. It is straight off a gated community amongst a safety checkpoint on the steep access route 100m behind photographic television set camera - although I don't know how effective this is every bit they allow riff-raff me through. Some rattling prissy joints along hither - as well as access to speedboat is yesteryear a tractor-driven trolley out into the H2O so you lot don't acquire your Manolo Blahnik gym-shoes wet.
Note that v star Paradee articulation way downward due south at Kui Na Nok also extends across to the W coast - the isle is existent thin there.
THE NORTH COAST.
Nicest department of beach on the due north coast is inward front end of Mooban Talay resort. If you lot plough right off the ferry at Na Dan you lot tin flaming walk along a nice, pretty tranquility concrete route to the far goal of the set dorsum due north coast inward nigh 15-20 minutes. The expanse is called AO WIANG WAN as well as AO NOI NA. There is a gain of accommodation along hither from budget to pretty flash, prissy views dorsum to the mountain-backed mainland, as well as you lot don’t receive got to pay whatsoever 200baht National Park entrance fee. The beaches are pretty minor as well as non every bit skillful every bit inward the common except at the far goal where the department inward front end of the attractive upmarket Mooban Talay Resort is every bit rattling nice.
Samed Cliff Resort's wooden walkway-connected white bungalows built on a steep hillside are inward some other attractive looking midrange articulation which has a puddle amongst a minor but fairly prissy department of beach across the road.
There are a span of PLACES ON STILTS OVER THE WATER along hither - generally midrange looking or higher. Google for Ban Ploy Samed as well as Mook Samet.
Samed Cliff Resort's wooden walkway-connected white bungalows built on a steep hillside are inward some other attractive looking midrange articulation which has a puddle amongst a minor but fairly prissy department of beach across the road.
There are a span of PLACES ON STILTS OVER THE WATER along hither - generally midrange looking or higher. Google for Ban Ploy Samed as well as Mook Samet.
Ban Poi Samed is both eating theatre as well as accommodation - stand upwards on the pier this shot was taken from as well as band the bell for a boat shuttle across. Ban Pou Dan on the route is to a greater extent than flashpacker, looks to receive got some prissy rooms as well as has a span of them built over the H2O off the side of a rattling curt walkway. These are sort of an extension to the principal building.
There are some skillful value cheapies along here, downward to 200baht. Home Resort had waterside (over the rocks, maybe a chip of beach at lower tides) fan bungalows amongst bathrooms for 300 - initiative of all off the ferry, inside 3 minutes stroll. UPDATE 2010 - This house has tarted itself upwards quite nicely as well as is straight off calling itself Sunrise Villas amongst 500b fan rooms incl hot H2O as well as TV summation aircon rooms for 1000. Ph 089-2200117
WET SEASON - Samet is 1 of the driest islands inward Thailand. Check the stats on the Wet Weather Thread accessed from the index. This makes it 1 of the ameliorate islands from Apr into November. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 summation is that almost all beaches confront eastward as well as so are sheltered from the prevailing moisture flavor westerly winds. So you lot acquire much smoother seas as well as less unsightly flotsam etc blown onto the beaches.
WATER SHORTAGE - the downside is that come upwards dry out flavor the H2O runs out speedily pregnant bungalows receive got to cart it from the mainland, an expensive process. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 bungalow possessor told me the principal argue bungalows halve prices inward “wet” flavor is non depression patronage, but because they don’t receive got to pay for water.
The shortage of H2O way less expensive bungalows receive got a lot of bare the world rather than prissy lawns, gardens.
This is a belatedly March 2010 shot of the island's reservoir inward the hills betwixt Ao Phai as well as Ao Prao - likely even so a calendar month as well as a chip before the start of moisture flavor but entirely running at abt 5% capacity. Water tankers at left were pumping H2O out - it seems coastal resorts convey H2O from the mainland yesteryear boat spell inland places rely on these tankers for H2O delivery.
BIG WEEKEND CROWDS - closeness to Bangkok as well as Rayong way lots of Thai locals hitting Samet for weekends as well as populace holidays. If you lot think to acquire inward on Fri or Saturdays or on populace holidays, create certain you lot are booked or hold off forwards to a lot of searching for a room.
AVOIDING THE NATIONAL PARK FEE - harder these days because the NP guys are waiting on quite a few of the beaches for ferries as well as speedboats to arrive, every bit good every bit at the northern entrance. Didn’t run into whatsoever on Tubtim/Pudsa, but did on a existent unlikely tranquility southern beach. Maybe a thing of luck.
THE ROAD SOUTH - banknote it turns inland nigh the start of Ao Phai, the 3rd beach down. It has a crap surface as well as is existent steep inward parts so receive got assist if you lot hire a motorbike - as well as it is a hot tiring bastard to walk. The beaches are reached yesteryear side-tracks, a lot un-signposted. If you lot are walking, role the coastal path which is rattling pleasant most of the time.
THE COASTAL PATH - I reckon it has gone downhill from ‘98. I already mentioned the deliberate blockage downward south. Why the hell aren’t the NP guys clearing this? (answer, because Paradee Resort likely paid THEM to block it). There are virtually no NP administration signs so sometimes it takes a spell to locate the route when leaving a beach - really the signs you lot DO run into for the path receive got been created yesteryear bungalow operations to halt people wandering around their places looking for the way.
How pathetically slack is the Thailand National Park service!!??
ATMs - at that spot are a span inward town before you lot come upwards to the NP northern entrance including the 7/11 nigh the entrance. The give-and-take is they often run out of coin on weekends as well as populace holidays.
NOISE - I don’t think I saw a longtail boat on the eastward coast. Speedboats yes, but they hummmm thank you lot to the American Environmental Protection Agency. For the same argue they also emit nigh 1/100th of the pollution of a longtail.
White Sand, Hin Kok, Phai as well as Wong Duan receive got dissonance from bars, music etc.
I’ve already mentioned route dissonance inward parts of the initiative of all 3 above.
Dogs are inward moderate numbers (in a National Park!!!!)
WET SEASON - Samet is 1 of the driest islands inward Thailand. Check the stats on the Wet Weather Thread accessed from the index. This makes it 1 of the ameliorate islands from Apr into November. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 summation is that almost all beaches confront eastward as well as so are sheltered from the prevailing moisture flavor westerly winds. So you lot acquire much smoother seas as well as less unsightly flotsam etc blown onto the beaches.
WATER SHORTAGE - the downside is that come upwards dry out flavor the H2O runs out speedily pregnant bungalows receive got to cart it from the mainland, an expensive process. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 bungalow possessor told me the principal argue bungalows halve prices inward “wet” flavor is non depression patronage, but because they don’t receive got to pay for water.
The shortage of H2O way less expensive bungalows receive got a lot of bare the world rather than prissy lawns, gardens.
This is a belatedly March 2010 shot of the island's reservoir inward the hills betwixt Ao Phai as well as Ao Prao - likely even so a calendar month as well as a chip before the start of moisture flavor but entirely running at abt 5% capacity. Water tankers at left were pumping H2O out - it seems coastal resorts convey H2O from the mainland yesteryear boat spell inland places rely on these tankers for H2O delivery.BIG WEEKEND CROWDS - closeness to Bangkok as well as Rayong way lots of Thai locals hitting Samet for weekends as well as populace holidays. If you lot think to acquire inward on Fri or Saturdays or on populace holidays, create certain you lot are booked or hold off forwards to a lot of searching for a room.
AVOIDING THE NATIONAL PARK FEE - harder these days because the NP guys are waiting on quite a few of the beaches for ferries as well as speedboats to arrive, every bit good every bit at the northern entrance. Didn’t run into whatsoever on Tubtim/Pudsa, but did on a existent unlikely tranquility southern beach. Maybe a thing of luck.
THE ROAD SOUTH - banknote it turns inland nigh the start of Ao Phai, the 3rd beach down. It has a crap surface as well as is existent steep inward parts so receive got assist if you lot hire a motorbike - as well as it is a hot tiring bastard to walk. The beaches are reached yesteryear side-tracks, a lot un-signposted. If you lot are walking, role the coastal path which is rattling pleasant most of the time.
THE COASTAL PATH - I reckon it has gone downhill from ‘98. I already mentioned the deliberate blockage downward south. Why the hell aren’t the NP guys clearing this? (answer, because Paradee Resort likely paid THEM to block it). There are virtually no NP administration signs so sometimes it takes a spell to locate the route when leaving a beach - really the signs you lot DO run into for the path receive got been created yesteryear bungalow operations to halt people wandering around their places looking for the way.
How pathetically slack is the Thailand National Park service!!??
ATMs - at that spot are a span inward town before you lot come upwards to the NP northern entrance including the 7/11 nigh the entrance. The give-and-take is they often run out of coin on weekends as well as populace holidays.
NOISE - I don’t think I saw a longtail boat on the eastward coast. Speedboats yes, but they hummmm thank you lot to the American Environmental Protection Agency. For the same argue they also emit nigh 1/100th of the pollution of a longtail.
White Sand, Hin Kok, Phai as well as Wong Duan receive got dissonance from bars, music etc.
I’ve already mentioned route dissonance inward parts of the initiative of all 3 above.
Dogs are inward moderate numbers (in a National Park!!!!)
New stilts over H2O articulation on due north coast of Samet - sign said Mook SametGETTING TO SAMET
Slow ferries from Ban Phe nigh Ranong to the northern pier at Na Dan roughly hourly (they tend to hold off for a decent load) from 0800 to 1700 inward high flavor - the trip takes upwards to 45 minutes. Buy a one-way 50baht ticket on the boat, non the render 100baht 1 the go agents volition elbow grease to sell you. You may wishing to come upwards dorsum yesteryear speedboat which is a lot ameliorate peculiarly if you lot are at 1 of the beaches away from the piers.
Ferry arrives at Na Dan pier inward the island's north. Some are a chip bigger every bit are almost all the ones which are operated yesteryear the eastward coast bungalow joints. Those bungalows behind right are business office of the afore mentioned tarted upwards Sunrise Beach Resort. The ones out of frame to right are higher on the seaside rocks as well as quite attractively sited. Sign advertises "Avoid the National Park Fee"
Ferries run to Wong Duan less frequently. UPDATE 2010 - really diverse resorts run ferries to many of the other beaches every bit good - if you lot volume into a house enquire nigh this possibility. Some of the populace ferries volition also deliver to the beach for a toll - for event they would receive got us around to Vong Duern later on delivering others at the principal pier for a reasonable amount if at that spot were at to the lowest degree seven of us. Fewer as well as nosotros would receive got to pay way more.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 chip tricky is the fact at that spot are at to the lowest degree 3 Ban Phe piers - I've previously entirely used the fundamental pier which I think is the 1 most Rayong songthaews as well as minibuses from Bangkok as well as Pattaya driblet off at, but inward the latest 2010 trip nosotros were dropped at the eastern pier opposite the omnibus station. This pier seems to receive got a reasonable service but I didn't run into whatsoever speedboats around. There are budget restaurants as well as beer if you lot receive got to wait.
Ferry services are roughly halved inward depression season.
There is straight off a skillful speedboat service from a pose out of operators. I think they hold off until they acquire a decent charge at Ban Phe - go to 1 of the piffling go agents inward the lane nigh the 7/11 inward Ban Phe opposite the pier for info. For the opposite trip at that spot are set times for the initiative of all forenoon run at least. I caught 1 of these off Ao Pudsa/Tub Tim - it took less than 20 minutes including a pick upwards at White Sand beach. The cost was 200baht (200 from side yesteryear side Ao Phai inward 2010 although Samed Villa's personal speedboat was 250) which was scarcely dearer than the taxi charter dorsum to Na Dan + tedious boat.
Quite a few bungalows receive got their ain speedboats (and slowboats) as well as volition receive got other paying passengers to the especial beach.
There are hourly buses to Rayong from Bangkok’s eastern (Ekamai) omnibus terminal, as well as a few straight to Ban Phe. UPDATE 2010 - straight off much ameliorate - Cherd Chai Tour runs every hr to Ban Phe from counter v - also has boat tickets.
Time a chip less than 3 hours to Rayong - maybe 3.5 to Ban Phe.
There are also fairly frequent buses from the northern/central omnibus terminal (Mochit) to Rayong as well as fewer to Ban Phe.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 similar service to both Rayong as well as Ban Phe runs out of the novel Transport Centre at Survanabhumi airport.
Songthaews acquire out from beside the Rayong omnibus station to Ban Phe ofttimes - nigh a xl infinitesimal trip for 25 baht.
You tin flaming also acquire minibuses from as well as to the Khao San Road expanse of Bangkok. Minivans or Ban Phe acquire out ofttimes from the Victory Monument expanse of Bangkok. Apparently the large sign is hard to miss. There are also frequent vans to Rayong from here.
There are also vans from Pattaya as well as from the Trat piers where you lot acquire inward from large Ko Chang.
Leaving Samet, purchase your tickets at the agents inward Ban Phe, minor go agents inward the hamlet at Samet summation a lot of the bungalows' as well as resorts' go desks.
Note the minibuses from Ban Phe to the Trat Coast tend to driblet you lot at go agents some distance from the operating piers, the promise is to sell non entirely ferry tickets but accommodation, daytrip excursions etc - the go agency nosotros were dropped at inward 2010 was charging 150 1 way for the ferry tickets, good over normal. No problem, a similar house 100m downward the route was charging lxxx including the 3km carry to the Centerpoint pier. There were people from our minibus who were dropped off at this 2d go agency - I think it depends on who you lot originally volume your minibus ticket amongst - nosotros booked through Samet's Ao Phai Hut's go desk.
Car amongst driver transfer Bangkok Airport as well as Bangkok downtown to Ban Phe (also vans for large groups)
There are no ferries from Samet to Ko Chang or across the Gulf to the Samui area, a fairly frequent inquiry on go sites.
SONTHAEW TAXI TRANSPORT ON SAMET - inward my opening rant I moan nigh a rip-off quote from the northern pier to my destination. This was because at that spot was way every bit good few people for a total charge (around 8 people from memory) - amongst a total charge the fares are quite reasonable. But if you lot receive got to charter a songthaew taxi it tin flaming last ridiculous - for event the v infinitesimal trip from Vong Duern to Samet Villa cost Lady Tezza as well as I 200baht inward March 2010..
The skillful intelligence is that rates are straight off posted at the northern pier as well as most beaches.
Fares board at northern pier. Bit hard to read shot fifty-fifty when expanded - 2010 rates ( total load/charter) - White Sand Beach 10/100, Ao Phai 20/200, Tubtim 20/200, Ao Cho 30/250, Vongduern 30/250, Candlelight-Lum Dam 40/350, Ao Wai 50/450Note at that spot are plenty of motorcycles for hire nigh the pier, inward the hamlet as well as at most beaches. Be careful if non skilled - the route due south tin flaming acquire bumpy amongst those nasty trippy transfers ruts as well as steep inward parts.
Some of the places mentioned inward this report. Click to expand icon which is looking from the north-east towards the north-west. That's Na Dan hamlet to left of MAIN PIER - the due north eastward corner of the isle is at bottom, W coast at top.***DISCLOSURE - the writer owns a truckload of Billabong stock. Well that aint quite truthful - the Mutual Fund I promise to finance my early on retirement (The Nigerian Trust as well as Fidelity Fund) owns a boatload of Billabong stock. Or so they tell me.
My personal equity is nigh 1 millionth of 1 pct of the company’s shares - I figure I ain the sign on the executive washroom door.
Listen upwards dudes as well as dudettes, continue buying that corking Billabong gear as well as maybe I’ll last able to upgrade to flashpacker inward my dotage.
Aint capitalism great!!!!
Buy to a greater extent than Billabong trendsetters! BTW, this is the entirely shot on the internet of yours-truly. You receive got to trust me on this. (image Surf Skate Online)
Julie has done a Ko Samet trip written report amongst to a greater extent than information as well as pix here.
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If you lot are considering Samet mayhap you lot mightiness last thinking of calling inward to:
PATTAYA on the way from Bangkok
KO CHANG AND NEIGHBOURS farther east
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Sumber http://tezza-thailandbeachesandislands.blogspot.com/Buy to a greater extent than Billabong trendsetters! BTW, this is the entirely shot on the internet of yours-truly. You receive got to trust me on this. (image Surf Skate Online)
Julie has done a Ko Samet trip written report amongst to a greater extent than information as well as pix here.
--------------------------------------------
If you lot are considering Samet mayhap you lot mightiness last thinking of calling inward to:
PATTAYA on the way from Bangkok
KO CHANG AND NEIGHBOURS farther east
------------------------------------------
If you lot receive got whatsoever extra data or corrections, delight ship them below. If you lot receive got questions, delight inquire them on the Forum, which tin flaming last accessed from the Index. I don't acquire to cheque each isle page often, but I'll elbow grease to cheque the forum each twenty-four hr menstruum when non travelling.