Hi all

Just wondering if I could get some advice on the places I've listed above. Here's what I need to know:

What are the ways in which you can go from Bangkok to Koh Samet?
What is the cost involved in travelling to Koh Samet?
How long does it take to get from Bangkok to Koh Samet?
Where would you suggest staying in Ko Samet?
Where is the 'central' part of the island (i.e. where restaurants, bars, shops etc are)?

What are the ways in which you can go from Bangkok to Koh Chang?
What is the cost involved in travelling to Koh Chang?
How long does it take to get from Bangkok to Koh Chang?
Where would you suggest staying in Koh Chang?
Where is the 'central' part of the island (i.e. where restaurants, bars, shops etc are)?

And, lastly, are there any other quaint islands near Bangkok that I could go to instead of staying in Bangkok for a few days?

Thanks for your help!

Ali

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I still believe in paradise. But now at least I know it’s not some place you can look for. Because it’s not where you go … its how you feel for a moment in your life. If you find that moment … it lasts forever.

Any small travel agent in BKK can book you a minibus/ferry combo ticket the day before you want to go to both Samet and Chang.

Samet is about 3 hours + from BKK and Chang 5hours +

The best place to stay for me is Saikow beach on Samet,where most of the life is and an easy walk to and from the pier through the small town.

Kai bai I like on Chang but most of the life is at saikow beach,Saikow beach just means white sand beach, think i spelt it wrong though and most islands have one.

You can get a combo ticket to both islands in one as the mini buses drop people off at Ban pae for Samet and pick others up going to Chang, and visa versa.

We did both a few years ago on the one ticket, Chang first and then Samet.

Koh Samet is a really small island and has a lot to offer for its size.

Koh chang is I think the 3rd biggest island in thailand and great for elephant rides/jungle and the fishing village is good too.

On Chang you will need to use transport,on Samet you can walk everywhere.

I have been going to Samet since 1989 and its my favorite!

It is so simple to get to,once been you will wonder why you havent been before!


Den

Sorry White sand beach on both islands is the main area.

Den

There is an AC bus from Ekamai bus station to Ban Phe, one of those big blue buses, there are many buses daily, I think one an hour, the bus stops right on the main road in Ban Phe virtually opposite the ferry pier. I can't recall the bus fare but it's dirt cheap.
I far prefer Samet to Chang, it's easier to get around and far more scenic with better beaches. Like Den I prefer the main beach at Sai Khao and down the beach from there it's all nice. My wife and I went to Chang last year and stayed one night and bolted for Samet. Chang was far more expensive, terrible traffic (damn resort vans drive like maniacs) and everywhere building-building-building. Save yourself time & money and go to Samet.

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You're only young once, but you can stay immature forever.

Thanks heaps guys! I'm sold on Samet!!!!

Booking my flights today!!!! Soooooooooo excited!

Can either of you give any recommendations on places to stay? As this will be my last stop of the trip, I don't mind splurging and staying somewhere nice to unwind before returning to reality!!!

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I still believe in paradise. But now at least I know it’s not some place you can look for. Because it’s not where you go … its how you feel for a moment in your life. If you find that moment … it lasts forever.

Hi Ali,
Sorry, I cant recommend anywhere on Samet as I havn't been there but I am looking forward to your reports when you return as I have it short listed for next year. When are you going and where else in Thailand are you staying?. I posted a link to a blog site last week that had some fantastic info on both Samet and Chang. It was aimed more to the low budget traveller but It has some great general info on a variety of Islands.Just scroll down to the last thread I posted.

I hope thing are looking up for you, I had a few teary moments reading your last post.

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I love Thailand this much

Here's the link...... Tezza's Beaches and Islands: Ko Samet

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I love Thailand this much

Hiya

The reports should be interesting as it's lots of first timers going and two of my best friends who will be on their honeymoon too!!! Quite the crowd of people we have going actually! It should be an amazing trip.

I'm going to 'slum' it (not that I think you can slum it in Thailand with the standard of their hotels when all you need is a room with a bed over there) whilst the rest of the group will probably live it up a bit more seeing as it's their first time. I'm hoping I can wrangle getting one of them to backpack it with me though which hopefully won't be too hard!!!

I'm planning to go on Sunday, 22 March and the idea for me is to go to the following places in the order listed:

Bangkok (just overnight here)
Bagnkok to Phuket
Phuket to Phi Phi
Phi Phi to Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta to Koh Tao (need to look into this more to see if it's do-able but pretty sure it is)
Koh Tao to Koh Samui
Koh Samui to Koh Phangan (for another full moon party!)
Koh Phangan to Koh Samui to Bangkok (agian, one night in Bangkok on KSR)
Bangkok to Koh Samet
Koh Samet to Bangkok (again, one night in Bangkok)
Bangkok to Perth

So it should be good!!! I'm planning to go for about 4 weeks all up this time. I don't like the idea of backtracking to Bangkok so much but it's always nice to get a few nights in there. I need to see more of Bangkok too other than just KSR and the MBK Centre! ;)

Thanks heaps for the info - all taken on board and I will no doubt be telling you all about it when I get back!!!

__________________
I still believe in paradise. But now at least I know it’s not some place you can look for. Because it’s not where you go … its how you feel for a moment in your life. If you find that moment … it lasts forever.

P.S - Thanks for the comment about the JBR!!! I'm still trying to get all the info down and in posting form!!! It's taking longer than I thought. Damn the save button and not using it when it was almost finished!!!!

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I still believe in paradise. But now at least I know it’s not some place you can look for. Because it’s not where you go … its how you feel for a moment in your life. If you find that moment … it lasts forever.

I have stayed in a few but I like Saikaow villas, they are pretty good for the price.

Saikaow resort is a bit more up market with a swimming pool, I had an expensive beach front hut, but most of there rooms except the 2 family units are not on the white sand beach but on a rocky side that i think used to be called Bannana beach.

I tried upmarket rooms but I think they are a waste of money as you spend most of your time day and night on the beach,so may as well go cheaper.

Tonsak was another good one we stayed at.

If I was you I would book a few nights at Saikaow villas and go look for a place that suites you.

There is a couple of resorts in other areas but they are big bucks to stay at.

Samet doesnt really have Resorts like some of the other major islands but the rooms are good for the price and all basicly on the beach.

The rooms are not beach front as most places have a bar or resturant in front of the rooms!

There are still a few beach front cheap huts at the end of the beach next to Saikaow Resort though.

Look up the rooms on Sawadee.com - Thailand tourism portal - Hotel and Resort reservations go to "Rayong"
and Samet will be under Rayong, the hotels are cheaper on sawadee .com than walk in rates in my experience.

Try to do Koh Chang as well if you can, although it wasnt my best place I have stayed at, its still good and you may like it a lot.

I prefered Koh Chang to Samui.

Den