Koh Samed
Just a few hour-drive from the capital city of Bangkok, the eastern province of Rayong lies along the Gulf of Thailand coast that enhances its unique characteristic landscapes for that travelers can enjoy. Its three distinct attractions are many beautiful beaches both in the mainland and in the islands. Secondly, Rayong province has been long well recognized as the place of delicious foods – its fresh seafood and the regional fruits such as durian, rambutant, pineapple, mangosteen and many more up to the seasons.
Samed Island
Samed Island is a small island within the compound of Khao Lamya Moo Koh Samed Marine National Park. The around the island is featured with white and pristine sandy beaches suitable for sun bathing, swimming and some other beachside activities.
There are several beaches with ranges of resorts and bungalows for travelers to enjoy and fits their budgets. Haad Sai Kaew or Sai Kaew Beach is the longest and is considered the most popular beach in the island. Ranges of beachside activities are available. Ao Vong Duan or Vong Duan Bay is place where the tourists can appreciate the most fantastic sunrise. Ao Prao Bay is the only the beach on the west coast with quiet atmosphere with fantastic view of sunset.
Apart from the mentioned beaches, tourists can also spend their moment on other beaches in the island which also features similar white sand with different atmospheres. They are for examples, Ao Hin Nok Bay, Ao Phai Bay, Ao Wai and more.
How to get to Rayong:
Ekamai Bus Terminal, located on Sukhumvit Road, is the center for buses heading to the East. Both air-conditioned and regular buses leave for Rayong every 30-40 minutes from 5am to 10pm. The trip takes around 3 hours. Call 0 2391 4900 and 0 2391 2504 for more information. For those who want to go further to Samed Island, they can get off at Ban Phe and then take a ferry or speed boat to the Island, which takes around 20-45 minutes. For those who want to drive, they can take Highway No. 3 (220 km) or Highway No. 36 (179 km) heading to Rayong.
The nearest airport fielding commercial flights is U-Tapao, just east of Sattahip - about 45km from Ban Phe - however it only has flights to Ko Samui and Phuket.
There are direct 1st class bus services between Rayong and Suvarnabhumi Airport (the new BKK).
To Samed Island
Ferry time tables from Phe to Samet Island
There are difference ferry services from Phe; Nuan Thip Pier (0 3865 1956), Phe Pier (0 3889 6155-6) and Sri Ban Phe Pier (0 3865 1901) to Samet Island everyday. The trip take about half and hour. Fare ranges from 50-150 baht; hiring private boat is also available. Transportation on Samet Island is local bus services and on foot.
Alternatively, there are 2 speedboat companies that operate from the Phe Pier. A speedboat prices can range from 600B to NaaDaan pier to a few thousand baht for the outer-lying bays and beaches.
For the return from the Koh Samet public pier, take either the Nuan Thip or Ban Phe piers for your destination - it doesn’t matter which one you departed from, you can return to either, they are only a short walk apart, and you might get an earlier boat back if you are willing to be flexible and return to a different pier. Both are served by the song thaew “pickup taxis”; Ban Phe has an informal “taxi stand” in front of the 7-11 across the street, with passenger cars used as cabs. It cost 200 baht for a ride from Ban Phe to the Novotel, quite a distance down the coast, in early 2009.
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