Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [193]
Around the island you can check your email at Jep’s Bungalows (Click here) and Naga Bungalows (Click here) in Ao Hin Khok, and at a couple of spots along Ao Wong Deuan. All charge a steep 2B per minute.
A satellite phone for making international calls is located outside the National Parks main office visitors centre.
Ko Samet Health Centre (0 3861 1123; 8.30am-9pm Mon-Fri, 8.30am-4.30pm Sat & Sun) On the main road between Na Dan and Hat Sai Kaew. On-call mobile numbers are posted for after-hours emergencies.
National Parks main office (btwn Na Dan & Hat Sai Kaew) Also has another office on Ao Wong Deuan.
Police station (1155) On the main road between Na Dan and Hat Sai Kaew. There’s a substation on Ao Wong Deuan.
Post office Naga Bungalows in Ao Hin Khok acts as the island’s post office; it also loans and sells second-hand books.
Samed Travel Service (08 1664 8563; 8.30am-5pm) Opposite the ferry terminal; makes transport (including railway) and accommodation bookings.
Dangers & Annoyances
Ko Samet has been malarial in the past, and while the health centre now claims to have the problem under control, the island is infested with mosquitoes. Cover up and use buckets of repellent.
Take care on the road leading away from the beach past Sea Breeze Bungalows in Ao Phai, as travellers have reported being robbed in this area.
We’ve also had reports of boat scams on the mainland, in which travellers are sold a speedboat ticket for around 800B per person. Refer to Click here for prices and timetables, but note that a speedboat going one way should cost anywhere from 1500 to 2500B total, no matter how many passengers.
Activities
Sailboards, boogie boards, inner tubes and snorkelling equipment can all be rented on the beaches at Hat Sai Kaew, Ao Hin Khok and Ao Phai. Dive operators run trips to nearby sites; the best diving is at Hin Pholeung, halfway between Ko Samet and Ko Chang. This isolated spot is well away from destructive boat traffic and has two towering underwater rock pinnacles with excellent visibility (up to 30m). Here you can spot large pelagics like manta rays, barracuda, sharks and, if you’re lucky, whale sharks.
Two reputable dive operations on the island are Ploy Scuba Diving (0 3864 4212; www.ployscuba.com) in Hat Sai Kaew, and Ao Prao Divers (0 3864 4100-3; aopraodivers@hotmail.com), based at Saikaew Villa and the Ao Prao Resort.
Naga Bungalows (Click here) offers moo·ay tai (also spelt muay thai) lessons in its beachside boxing ring. One program caters specifically to women and is quite popular.
Tours
Jimmy’s Tours (08 9832 1627) runs tours around Ko Samet and the neighbouring islands. A six-hour boat tour (10am to 4pm) of the neighbouring islets, including the Rayong Turtle Conservation Centre (Click here) on Ko Man Nai, costs 1500B per person (minimum group size of 10 people).
Sleeping
Ko Samet was originally a backpacker idyll, but accommodation is inching up the price chain, and it seems that the majority of the old backpacker shacks are either being razed or surrounded by midrange and high-end bungalows. A lot of resorts offer all three options, the reason for the wide price variance under many listings. A simple hut is usually around 350B, while an air-con bungalow goes for at least 1200B.
We quote standard weekday rates, which may (it’s all about supply and demand) as much as double in price during weekends and holidays. If you do turn up at the weekend, make sure you ask for the reduced weekly rate on the Monday – this reduction is often conveniently forgotten. If you come during the week, always ask for a discount. Most bungalows now provide 24-hour electricity and running water.
In the past many places did not take forward bookings, but this is changing and more places now have websites and email addresses. Note that for some of the more simple places, even if they have phones, they still may not take – or honour – bookings. Be prepared to be flexible, because your chosen accommodation may still