Ko Samet Travel Forum

We are going to Thailand in May and are spending 4 nights in bangkok followed by a beach holiday. Were originally planning on going to Koh Lanta but being on the andaman coast were concerned about the weather and sea visibility for snorkelling etc at that time of year, anyhows we are now considering Koh Samet staying at the Le Virman on Ao Phroa (I think) I believe Ko Samet's nightlife is on the other side, is it easy to get there and back, even later on when the bars are closing etc? also we are planning on going for nine nights, will there be enough to do on Koh Samet? or are there trips and stuff you can go on? Any advice is really appreciated

Le Vrimarn is beautiful. I stayed next door at the Dome Bungalows when I was there. Ao Prao is a very small beach, about 1/4 mile long at most, with only 3 resorts sharing the waterfront. Getting there and back is an adventure. The road over the island is the worst I've ever been on in 20 years of travel. It's more like a mountain goat path, full of ruts and large boulders that any vehicle has to maneuver around. This is a good way to keep the traffic flow down on that side of the island. You can walk it if you're fit, it's not that long a road, but it's really not a hike I'd want to make at night after bar-hopping. You can hire a taxi to take you over the hill between Ao Prao and the main area of activity, but it will be in the back of a beat-up truck with destroyed suspension (because of the road). Don't expect anything more. I suppose it might have improved since I was there, but I doubt it. If you're looking for a lot of diversion you won't find too much on Samet, it's a small island. I'm sure there are some snorkelling and diving excursions available. Shopping is basic and limited.

All I know is that 9 days on Koh Samet is a very long time, and if you want to do something new everyday, you will get bored. Why don't you go to two different islands, you have the time.

I would have to agree with aukjejetty - 9 days on Koh Samet is too long if you are looking for different activities every day. I would say that 3 days is probably enough, so why not visit another island as well? Try Koh Chang which is beautiful.

Hi - I would echo all of the above (although actually Samet is my favourite place to go for a long weekend out of Bangkok o you shouldn't be put off). It's great for a few days - but 9 might be too long (unless you're happy to laze about).

Haven't been to Koh Chang but it's supposed to be lovely. However, just a word of warning - a friend went in May last year and didn't see a single hour of sun in 5 days. Koh Chang can get hit really hard by the Monsoon (which starts around then).

That's one of the joys of Samet, it's quite a dry Island so when it's raining everywhere else, it's normally OK there.

Hope you have fun.

C :-)

Koh Chang is definatly a good option, I love that island and went there a few times. May is still okay for Koh Chang, I went there in May before and one time in September, which is still monsoontime. Even with the monsoon going on, Koh Chang is beautiful and worth a visit. Also it is not too far from Bangkok, you could do both Koh Chang and Koh Samet.

Aukje

Thanks so much for the advice and info, if we went to Ko Chang first and then onto Samet is it easy enough to get transport either bus or taxi? and how long does it take?

Hey, even though I agree with those who say 9 days might be a little much I DO wanna put my hand up for Samet. Don't go around making a bad chioce like going somewhere completely different. Samet is GREAT, though small. And as for the roads mentioned above...I even put a warning tip in on my SAmet page dedicated to the roads :P.

/Roger

Koh Lanta in May is not too bad. You will still have lots of sunshine and dry weather. The sea should be reasonably calm. The rough weather start in late June onwards to late Nov.

We stay at Le Vimarn before. It is a nice place but we felt it is a bit overpriced. Also, the beach is no good. Too small and too narrow. The good beach is on the other side of the island.

If I were you and if I want to avoid the Andaman, I will go to Samui. Of course, since it will be May visit, Phuket or Lanta should be the best choice.

check this
http://thailand-travel-info.blogspot.com/2006/06/paradise-koh-samed.html
it says about every beach in koh samed.
i've been there an for the night life is great in Ao pai.
see my personal album here then
http://spaces.msn.com/members/kanik9
choose "paradise samed island"
kani rynn