Searching for a perfect escape in Thailand, near Bangkok? We did so too and found Koh Samet (Samed island), which is a perfect place for those, who are searching for tranquil beaches to relax.
Easy to reach
We found a lot of scenic areas, different beaches and a peaceful time in Koh Samet. So, we just fell in love with the place! The island is relatively close proximity to the Bangkok or Pattaya which makes it a go-to weekend option for city dwellers.
Pattaya to Koh Samet
We took a direct bus from Pattaya airport and reached our destination in 2-3 hours. You don’t need any tickets because you can buy them at the airport. The minibus fills fast and goes straight to Rayong port, where you have to buy a speedboat or a ferry ticket to Koh Samet.
P.S. Be aware of the prices in order not to get involved in a scam and overpay. We trusted the port worker and didn’t negotiate. After that, we found out that we overpaid for the speedboat tickets.

Koh Samet beaches
Koh Samet has wonderful beaches, so it’s a perfect place for beach lovers! From bar-studded bays to tranquil coves, beaches on Koh Samet come in a range of styles. We enjoyed walking over the nice clean deserted beaches and cliffs further and further away from civilization.

Most beaches in Koh Samet have at least one bar where you can enjoy a nice cocktail or a local beer. However, there are not much nightlife activities on the island. To sum up, it is a beautiful place to spend some peaceful days and enjoy the salt water.

Favourite beach on Samed island
All the beaches in Samed island seemed different and beautiful in their own way. But we found the Ao Phrao beach as a very nice place to enjoy the sun and visited the beach several times within five days of our stay. Ao Phrao beach is Samet’s only west-coast beach, so it’s an ideal spot to watch a sunset. Relatively few boats and few people on the Ao Phrao beach make it a good place to relax.

9 things to do in Koh Samet, Thailand
There are not many activities on the island, but you can find some interesting stuff to do, like:
- have a tour to visit small islands nearby
- go snorkeling in the clear waters
- rent a bike and visit all the beaches on the island
- have a massage
- visit the port and take a look and the statue of the Phra Aphai Mani
- watch the fire shows on the beach
- rent a canoe
- try parasailing
- rent a water motorcycle.

do you think it’s possible to put tent there? no problem for two European girls?