Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Ko Samet (or Koh Samed) is one of the eastern islands off the coast of Rayong province. The island is roughly a three-hour drive from Bangkok followed by a short ferry ride, making it a popular weekend getaway for those living in the Thai capital looking for a breath of fresh air, a chill time on silky white sand beaches and a dive into the clear sea with tropical coral reefs.

Ko Samet was the first island to start the “Upcycling the Oceans, Thailand” initiative of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) last year with PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) and the Ecoalf Foundation, making Thailand the first country in Asia to be part of the global ocean clean-up effort. (A story on the “Upcycling the Oceans, Thailand” (UTO) project was published in MPD Weekender on May 18)

As part of raising public awareness of the oceans’ ongoing plastic waste problem and showing that Thailand still has beautiful islands, beaches and dive sites, the TAT Hong Kong Office recently hosted a trip to Ko Samet for Hong Kong and Macau media to experience a two-day two-night liveaboard UTO programme and to explore Ko Samet’s fine white sandy beaches.

The flights for this trip were sponsored by Hong Kong Airlines, which has several flights per day to Bangkok and Koh Samui.

Wreck dive

The liveaboard UTO programme offered at the Rayong DiveCentre includes six dives and an additional night dive for certified divers only. The dive sites are Hin Luk Bat, Koh Chang HTMS Chang Shipwreck (‘Chang’ means ‘elephant’ in Thai), West Alhambra Rock (Hin Pleang), and East Alhambra Rock. 

The Chang wreck dive is one of the newest dive sites in Koh Chang. According to a briefing, HTMS Chang was commissioned by the US Navy in 1944 for use during World War II.

In 1961, the ship was handed over to the Thailand government for service with the Royal Thai Navy. In 2012, the Royal Thai Navy decided that HTMS Chang should become an artificial scuba diving reef, and on November 22 that year, about 6.5 kilometres off the southwestern coast of Koh Chang, the 100-metre-long and 20-metrewide HTMS Chang was sunk to 25 metres on the ocean floor and became one of the largest wreck dives in Thailand.

The liveboard programme costs 13,500 baht (3,410 patacas) per person, while a one-day fun dive (two dives) costs 3,500 baht per person. For non-certified divers, the dive centre offers a Discovery Scuba Diving swimming pool practice and open water diving,
which costs 5,000 baht. Full gear rental is 400 baht a day. For more details, please visit www.rayongdivecenter.net.

Ko Samet’s story

Ko Samet literally means “island of the cajeput tree”. The cajetput tree is the source of cajeput oil known for its therapeutic properties. Cajeput is derived from the Indonesian term “kayu putih” or “white wood”.

There are several statues around the island, a giant ogress, a mermaid and a man playing a flute, because they are the characters of a legend set in Ko Samet.

That tale is from the poem “Phra Aphai Mani” written by Thailand’s national poet Sunthorn Phu from 1822 to 1844. This epic, published in 1870 and considered a national treasure in Thailand, follows the adventures of Prince Aphai Mani, how he was captured by an ogress and how a mermaid rescued him by taking him to the “Wonder Island”, which is present-day Ko Samet.

Getting there

In 1981, the Thai government declared Ko Samet a National Park. Due to its special status, visitors arriving at the island are required to pay an entry fee of 200 baht.

As it is quite a popular holiday destination, transport links to Ko Samet are fairly convenient with buses departing from Ekkami (Bangkok’s Eastern Bus Terminal) to Ban Phe Municipality Pier in Rayong, or by getting a taxi or minivan when travelling in a group as it doesn’t cost a fortune, and the journey generally takes about three hours. Then from the pier, it is just a 45-minute ferry ride to
the island.

Where to stay

There are many hotels and resorts on the island, and Samed Resorts Group operates some of the best ones there, each catering for different needs.

For those looking for a luxurious escape, the group’s Paradee Resort is the top pick, which has its own private Jadet Pier near Ban Phe pier, has it own speedboat shuttle service, private beach and villa accommodation where the standard rate for a beachfront pool villa is 31,700 baht a night. Other options include a garden pool villa at 22,800 baht a night, or garden villa at 20,200 baht.

Upon arrival at Paradee Resort’s office at Jadet Pier, guests are asked to pick their own essential oil for their villa, select their choice
of drink – a bottle of red or white wine, or sparkling – and choose two of the resort’s natural soap bars.

The 40 villas feature natural hues and décor of Thai teak wood in a lush green surrounding, the interior has an impressive high vaulted ceiling, four-poster bed, an alfresco shower, deep bathtub and a private pool. The resort also has another outdoor pool overlooking its beach, an all-day dining restaurant and spa facilities.

For those looking for more beach fun and nights-out, the more vibrant and contemporary-themed Sai Kaew Beach Resort is an
option.

Sai Kaew Beach Resort has all the facilities that any resorts typically have, and it is conveniently located right on the public beach, where all the restaurants, bars and night entertainment come alive. For people going to Sai Kaew Beach Resort, the shuttle ferry service to the island departs from Ao Prao pier, which is next to Jadet Pier.

Standard room rates at Sai Kaew Beach Resort range from 16,100 baht a night at the beachfront pool villa to 7,600 baht a night
at a deluxe room.

As with most hotels there, both resorts assist guests with bookings for excursions and joining water activities around the island.

Samed Resorts Group’s Paradee Resort and Sai Kaew Resort each sponsored the media group’s night’s stay there for the trip.

This photo shows the private beach at Paradee Resort in Ko Samet earlier this month.

PLEASE READ THE FULL ARTICLE IN OUR PRINT EDITION.