Introducing Ko Samet
An island idyll, Ko Samet bobs in the sea with a whole lot of scenery: small sandy coves bathed by clear aquamarine water. You’ll have to share all this prettiness with other beach lovers as it’s an easy weekend escape from Bangkok as well as a major package-tour destination.
But considering its proximity and popularity, Ko Samet is surprisingly underdeveloped with a thick jungle interior crouching beside the low-rise hotels. Most beachfront buildings adhere to the government set-back regulations and are discreetly tucked behind the tree line. There are no high-rises or traffic jams (the interior road still isn’t paved) and most beach-hopping is done the old-fashioned way, by foot along wooded trails skirting the coastline.
History
Ko Samet won a place in Thai literature when classical Thai poet Sunthorn Phu set part of his epic Phra Aphaimani on its shores. The story follows the travails of a prince exiled to an undersea kingdom ruled by a lovesick female giant. A mermaid aids the prince in his escape to Ko Samet, where he defeats the giant by playing a magic flute. Formerly Ko Kaew Phitsadan or ‘Vast Jewel Isle’ – a reference to the abundant white sand – this island became known as Ko Samet or ‘Cajeput Isle’ after the cajuput tree that grows in abundance here and is highly valued as firewood throughout Southeast Asia. Locally, the samet tree has also been used in boat building.
Ko Samet hotels and hostels
Though resorts are replacing bungalows, Ko Samet’s accommodation is still surprisingly simple and old-fashioned compared to Thailand’s other beach resorts. Weekday rates don’t rank well on the value scale (fan rooms start at 800B), but look incredibly attractive considering that weekend and holiday rates increase by as much as 100%.