Koh Samet: the island of the poet

White sand, small coves and a statue of a mermaid from a famous Thai poem.

Area

Day trips

Start from

Pattaya

Distance

about 80 km to Ban Phe pier

Time needed

1–2 days

Best season

November – April

Difficulty

Easy

Transport

Car or minibus to Ban Phe, ferry to the island

Tickets & rules

National park entry fee on the island

Why go

Koh Samet is a national park island off the Rayong coast, with fine white sand and clear water. It's popular with Thais on weekends and much quieter during the week.

Its beaches range from busy Sai Kaew to quieter coves on the eastern side.

The island has a mix of lively beaches with seafood barbecues at night and quiet coves where you can swim in peace. Walking paths connect many beaches along the east coast.

Sunsets on the western side, at Ao Phrao, are beautiful.

The story

Koh Samet is linked to Phra Aphai Mani, an epic poem by Sunthorn Phu, one of Thailand's greatest poets. A statue of the prince and the mermaid stands on the island.

The island became a national park in the 1980s.

In the poem, the prince Phra Aphai Mani escapes from a sea giantess with the help of a mermaid. The statue on the island depicts this scene.

Sunthorn Phu lived in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries and is celebrated as Thailand's national poet.

Getting there

Minibus or car to Ban Phe pier, then ferry or speedboat to the island.

The drive from Pattaya to Ban Phe pier takes about 1.5 hours. Ferries run regularly in the day.

A suggested plan

1. Day 1Ferry over, beach day, sunset on the western side.
2. Day 2Walk the coastal paths between coves, return.

Where to stay

Bungalows and resorts across the island.

Good to know

• Bring cash; ATMs are limited.
• Weekdays are calmer.
• Pay the national park fee at the entrance; keep the ticket.
• Seafood barbecues on Sai Kaew beach in the evening are fun.