T.I.C.D.: Mu Ko Samet & Ko Mun
Most of the islands of Rayong province, condensed.
Welcome back to the Thai Island & Coastal Directory, a book-in-progress that I expect to be the most complete guide to coastal Thailand ever written in English, covering more than 800 islands. For info on how to use the T.I.C.D. and a working Table of Contents, paddle over here. Thank you for reading!
Entering Rayong province …
Rayong has 14 islands in total, with both Ko Samet and Laem Mae Phim working as bases for day-tripping to Ko Kudi, Ko Thalu and/or the Ko Mun trio.
Mu Ko Samet
The Samet group of islands, or Mu Ko Samet, includes Ko Samet itself along with a handful of others that are part of Khao Laem Ya - Mu Ko Samet National Park. The group has 10 islands in all, not including the Ko Mun trio further east.
Ko Samet is the primary tourism island of Rayong province and a popular spot among Bangkokians who live only two-and-a-half hours away by car. It is also one of Thailand’s 10 primary tourism islands, competing with Ko Chang and Ko Larn for island-bound travelers in Eastern Thailand.
The administration of Ko Samet comes from both the DNP and A. Mueang Rayong. Park rangers have gotten pretty proactive about charging visitors the park entrance fees, unless perhaps they’re staying in the heavily developed northern part of the island around Hat Sai Kaew, Ban Samet and Nadan Pier.
Ko Samet
Alt. sp.: ‘Samed’ | Map shape: Stingray
Size & status: Mid-size island (5 sq. km); Long & slender; Partly NP controlled (Certain areas S of Hat Sai Khao)
Location: Main island of Mu Ko Samet; 7 km S of Ban Phe & 4 km E of Khao Laem Ya
Accessibility: From Ban Phe by passenger ferry (fair degree of wheelchair accessibility) & speedboat
Transport: Ferry pier (Tha Nadan); Songthaew; Vehicle rental (Boat, bicycle, motorbike)
Topography: Good to great beaches (Hat Sai Kaew, Ao Wong Duean, Ao Phrao, Ao Phai, Ao Hin Khok, Ao Cho, Ao Tubtim, Ao Sang Thian, Ao Lung Dum, Ao Wai, Ao Kiu, Ao Nuan); Scenic coves; Some mountainous jungle; Rocky (west coast)
Inhabitation: Mass tourism (Hat Sai Kaew, Ao Phai); Secluded areas (Ao Nuan, Ao Wai, Ao Nui, Laem Pakarang); NP station (Hat Sai Kaew)
Facilities: Lodgings (100+); Some simple bungalows (Ao Nuan, Ao Lung Dam), Camping (Ao Lukyon); Travel agencies & tour companies; Many independent restaurants, bars & shops; Street food (Ban Samet); ATMs
Vibe: Mainstream; Low-key in places; Largely family-friendly; Notably popular with domestic travelers; Nightlife (Ban Samet, Hat Sai Khao, Ao Phai); 7-elevens; Culinary scene; Honeymooning
Activites: Scuba base; Kayaking & SUP base; Jetskis (Hat Sai Kaew); Viewpoints (SW coast); Cycling; Spa & detox; Sightseeing (Wat Ko Kaew Phitsadan)
Look for: A mermaid and other characters from the Thai literary epic, Phra Aphai Mani by Sunthorn Phu
Ko Chan: Islet | 1 km S of Laem Pakarang (far S Ko Samet) | No beaches; Rocky | Uninhabited | Kayaking
Hin Khao: Speck | 1 km E of Ao Wai (SE Ko Samet) | Rocky | Uninhabited | Snorkeling
Ko Kudi group & Ko Thalu
Lying to the east of Ko Samet, the small islands of Ko Kudi and Ko Thalu are most often visited out of Samet but can also be reached from Ban Phe and Laem Mae Phim. While Ko Thalu stands off to the side alone, Ko Kudi comes in a minor group of isles that is fun to explore by kayak.
Ko Kudi (Kut): Small island | 6 km E of Ko Samet | Boat tours; Foot trail | Floating pier | Good wide beach; Rolling forest | NP station | NP lodgings, camping & restaurant | Primarily day visits | Kayaking; Viewpoint
Ko Kham / Ko Platin / Ko Kruai / Ko Klet Chalam / Ko Khang Khao: Islets | Directly N & S (Khang Khao) of Ko Kudi | Good beaches on Kham & Platin; Reef at Klet Chalam Forested; Rocky | Uninhabited | Kayaking; Snorkeling
Ko Thalu: Small island | 12 km E of Ko Samet & 12 km S of Laem Mae Phim | Boat tours; Foot trail | Beach landings only | Brilliant beach; Offshore reef; Forested; Stone arch | Minimal facilities | Day visits only | Diving & snorkeling; Viewpoint
…Leaving Mu Ko Samet
Ko Mun
The three isles known as Ko Mun (alt. sp.: ‘Man’) sit one behind the next a little further east, setting them apart from Ko Samet and putting them more in the orbit of Laem Mae Phim, where boat tours can be arranged.
Ownership of these triplet isles is public / private. The Dept. of Marine & Coastal Resources (DMCR) does research on Ko Mun Nai, and a pair of privately run resorts operate on the outer isles.
Ko Mun Nai: Small island | 6 km S of Tha Laem Mae Phim & 28 km E of Ko Samet | Floating pier; Dirt tracks; Foot trails | Isthmus beach; Offshore reef | DMCR research station | Sea turtle conservation center (open to public) | Day visits only
Ko Mun Klang: Small island | 1 km S of Ko Mun Nai | Foot trail | Great tiny beach; Sandbar; Offshore reef; Rocky; Some forest | Lodgings (1) | Diving & snorkeling; Kayaking
Ko Mun Nok: Small island | 3 km S of Ko Mun Klang | Great beach; Offshore reef; Rocky; Forested | Lodgings (1) | Diving & snorkeling; Kayaking
Other Mu Ko Samet coverage from Thai Island Quest:
Other resources on Mu Ko Samet & Ko Mun:
Ko Samet (Travelfish.org)
Ko Samet Quick Guide (TravelHappy.com)
Ko Samet, the island getaway (InThailand.travel)
Useful contacts in Mu Ko Samet & Ko Mun:
International Clinic Ko Samet: Tha Nadan / 038 644 414
Khao Laem Ya - Mu Ko Samet National Park: 038 653 034 / facebook.com/sametnationalpark
To view all previously published parts of the Thai Island & Coastal Directory and many other in-depth articles on Thai islands and coastal areas, see the welcome page.
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Copyright, David Luekens: All rights reserved.
in my experience, whether island or mainland, Thai destinations favored by domestic tourists have a completely different vibe, thankfully- and better experiences (and prices), especially if one speaks Thai, which fortunately i do w/good degree of fluency...