Thailand Hotel Online: Koh Samet Hotels

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Koh Samet Hotels

History of Koh Samet

It is believed that once upon a time, Ko Samet was the home of pirates and that until this very day there is still lost treasures buried somewhere on the island. Thailand's legendary poet Sunthorn Phu was the first one to put this island on the map when he set his classical epic there, Phra Aphai Manee "The Story of Princes, Saga, Mermaids and Giants".

Even though Bangkokians had known about the beauty of Ko Samet for decades before, the Thai government put this island off limits and restricted overnight stay there until 1981. In that year, on 1st October, the Forestry Department of Thailand declared Ko Samet and its surroundings to be a national park.

Most of Ko Samet, including all the good parts, is part of Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park and thus has an entry fee. Thais pay 40 baht for adults, 20 baht for children (current as of June 2009); foreigners pay 200 baht for adults, 100 baht for children (current as of November 2009). This two-tier pricing policy is applicable to all national parks. If you can explain, however, that you actually live or work in Thailand, then you may not have to pay the "tourist" price. One excuse for the difference is that "Thai citizens pay taxes".

If your ferry arrives at the main pier and you take a songthaew to the beaches, there will be a stop at the main ticket checkpoint. The journey from the pier to the town centre is a fairly short stroll, taking less than ten minutes. If your ferry arrives at one of the beaches, an officer will collect the fee as you step out of the surf. Note that there is plenty of foot traffic in and out of the park to the 7-Eleven, ATM or other shops and restaurants and if you have no bags you can nonchalantly walk into the park without anyone checking your ticket.

There is a road via the temple which avoids the checkpoint entirely. Note: some bungalows might give the impression that the entry fee is included in their booking, but it is not. You may also be asked to pay the park entry fee when boarding the ferry on the mainland, but if you mention you are staying outside the park boundaries they wont make you pay.

Koh Samet Hotels in Thailand

Picture	Hotels	Class	Location	Price
	Le Vimarn Cottage & Spa Koh Samet		Ao Prao Beach	5,900 THB
	Malibu Garden Resort Koh Samet		Vongduean Beach	1,415 THB
	Mooban Talay Resort Koh Samet		Ao Noina	3,112 THB
	Sai Kaew Beach Koh Samet		Saikaew Beach	3,584 THB
	Saikaew Villa Samet Island		Saikaew Beach	693 THB
	Samed Cabana Resort		Vongduean Beach	1,784 THB
	Samed Cliff Resort		Ao Noina	1,514 THB
	Samed Pavilion Resort		Ao Phai	2,124 THB