Foods and Eat when you stay in Kho samet

Seafood, seafood, and seafood, some of the best barbeques are found along Ao Phai and Haat Sai Kaew beaches. But there's also meat and veggie curries as well as Western favorites like pizza, and a bakery that makes fresh bread at the Naga Bar and Bungalows on Ao Hin Khok. The best burgers on the island can be found at Saffron, while Jep's Restaurant offers cooking you'll still be missing a year after you leave -- try the chicken and cashew nuts with steamed rice. Almost every hotel and bungalow operation has its own restaurant but it's only the movies that differentiate them. Many also set up tables and chairs at night for dining on the beach.

If you are relaxing on the beach during the day there are plenty of hawkers selling fresh fruit, BBQ chicken wings, dried squid, papaya salad (can be extremely spicy) and even ice creams at reasonable prices.

Also if you need a break from Thai cuisine a number of the restaurants along Haat Sai Kaew make excellent club sandwiches. They also offer western style breakfast. (eg. bacon and eggs, yogurt or breakfast cereal) 

Shopping in kho samet

Ko Samet doesn't have much in the way of shopping beyond basic beach accessories (sarongs, T-shirts, etc). But, there are high quality crystal products and reed products. Crystal can be purchased at Lotus Crystal Factory in Pluak Daeng District of Rayong.

Most hotels have some books to trade or rent, and there are a growing number of hawkers selling books too.

Popular local food in Ko Samet includes sumptuous fried durian and fruits which also includes rambutan and mangosteen. The province is also well-known for its great seafood products such as: shrimp paste, fish sauce, dried shrimp, squid, octopus and other dried seafood. 

Events and Festivals in kho samet

Rayong Fruit Festival (งานเทศกาลผลไม้และของดีเมืองระยอง) In May of each year, Rayong's fruit reaches its peak season. The venue for celebration is always changed between Mueang and Klaeng districts. Tourists can enjoy floats decorated with fruits, fruit contests, beauty contests, as well as fruit and seafood fair.

Sunthon Phu Day (งานวันสุนทรภู่) Organised on June 26 of each year at Sunthon Phu Monument, Klaeng district, to honour the great poet. Exhibitions and plays from his poetry will entertain visitors.

Changing the robe for Phra Chedi Klang Nam (งานห่มผ้าพระเจดีย์กลางน้ำ) The annual traditional event is held during the full moon night of the 12th lunar month, or in November. The robe blanketing around the pagoda in the middle of the Rayong River, in Mueang district, will be changed. Meanwhile, the people will celebrate the event along with the Loi Krathong Festival by boat racing and many kinds of local entertainment.

Thot Pha Pa Klang Nam (Waterborne Robe Offering Ceremony) (งานทอดผ้าป่ากลางน้ำ) During the Loi Krathong Festival of each year, or on the full moon night of November, people living near the mouth of the Prasae River will prepare a monk's robe at the pier. After completing the ceremony on the boat, a monk will come to get it. Normally, the robe offering ceremony is held at the temple. This special tradition has been inherited for over a century. 

Tourism in Ko Samet

As Ko Samet is so near Bangkok, the island is ideal for those in the capital wanting to chill-out with their families for a couple of days, without having to go through all that rigmarole of having to travel down south. Ko Samet has developed steadily over the past decade or so, but it hasn’t been the victim of over zealous construction which has hit the likes of Ko Samui or even Ko Chang. The island is typified for its splendid beaches and white silky sand, surrounded by tropical coral reefs and crystal clear sea. Tourists can also enjoy a plethora of delicious cuisine and fine nightlife.

Getting around on Ko Samet

Get around Getting around on Ko Samet

Getting around on Ko Samet: The island has only a single main road. Some parts are concrete and some parts are only a dirt trail. There are two methods to get around the island. The first is by songthaew (usually a rather well-worn pickup truck with two benches in the back and no roof), which costs 200 baht for a private trip, or between 20 and 60 baht per person for a full car, depending on which beach you are going to. This is a rather expensive method to get around the island, and the dusty roads can make it an uncomfortable trip. The second way is by renting a motorcycle. Signs advertise 300 baht per day or 100 baht per hour, but when you go to enquire about renting they will often say 400 or 500 baht per day. Insist on paying 300 baht. That is for mechanic moto. If you want to get automatic one, you will pay 400 Baht per day. You will usually be able to rent it from the hotel you are staying at. Leaving your passport or a deposit is not necessary or advisable.

Warning: Only hire a bike from a reputable hotel and not some dodgy agent; he could be a scammer.

You can also rent/hire an ATV/Quad/4x4 for 1600 baht/day 

kho Samet By Bus

Goto kho Samet By Bus

The 1st class bus from Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai) to Ban Phe usually takes 3.5 hours, costs 178 baht, and terminates opposite the ferry piers (there's no direct service to Ban Phe from Moh Chit - nearest alternative is to Rayong, from there you can take a songthaew to Ban Phe). If you take a regular bus from Pattaya or Sattahip, you'll need to take a songthaew or charter a tuk-tuk to the ferry piers. Minibus services go straight to the piers.

For Ekamai Station

• Rayong Tour Company: 0 2712 3662
• Cherdchai Tour Company: 0 2391 2237
• Khonsong Co., Ltd.: 0 231 2504

For Morchid Station

• Rayong Tour Company: 0 2936 1216
• Cherdchai Tour Company: 0 2936 0199
• Khonsong Co., Ltd.: 0 2936 2852 to 311

Buses from Rayong to Bangkok are available from 03.00-21.30 hrs.

• Rayong Tour Company: 0 3886 1354-5
• Cherdchai Tour Company: 0 3867 4144 (Samyan), 0 3861 1528 (Phe)
• Khonsong Co., Ltd.: 0 3861 1378
• Nakornchai Air Company: 0 3861 6009

Ferries from Ban Phe to Ko Samet take around 30 to 45 minutes. Only buy a one-way ticket, as there's no discount on round-trip tickets and you won't have to worry about losing it or finding that your ticket isn't valid for the most convenient return ferry. The ticket sellers may also offer to sell you the national park ticket - don't bother. 

Goto Kho Samet By Car

Goto  Kho Samet By Car

There are many routes from Bangkok to Rayong:

1. Driving along Sukhumvit road (Highway No. 3); passing Bangpu, Chonburi town, Bangsaen, Sri Racha, Pattaya, Jomtien Beach, Sattahip, Banchang and get into the centre of Rayong province. The total distance is approximately 220 kilometres.
2. Taking Bangna-Trat road (Highway No. 34); off the Highway No. 3 at Chaloen Nakorn Toll Plaza through Pang Phi and Bang Bo of Samut Prakarn province and connect with the Sukhumvit road (Highway No. 3) at 70th kilometres. The total distance of this route is approximately 220 kilometres.
3. Drive along the Sukhumvit road (Highway No. 3) from Bangkok to Banglamung then off at 140th kilometres that connected with Highway No. 36 and take about 70 kilometres to Rayong. The total is about 176 kilometres.
4. Taking Highway No. 344 to Chonburi; through Ban Bung, Nong Yai, Wang Chan and end at Klang district, Rayong province. Total distance is 180 kilometres.
5. Driving along Motoway from Pattanakarn road to Pattaya and followed by Highway No. 36 about 50 kilomatres to Rayong province.