I did not like Koh Samet

[Spike]

There is no main street or anything, it is set up like a camp ground. Somebody told me that Samet was similar to Chang but its not even close. Koh Chang has a main street with a good little row of beer bars and everything you need.

[wabbits]

Originally Posted by Spike

There is no main street or anything, it is set up like a camp ground. Somebody told me that Samet was similar to Chang but its not even close. Koh Chang has a main street with a good little row of beer bars and everything you need.

I was just asked if i wanted to spend some time there with TG now i know why no compitition 5555

[Werwolf]

I was there about 10 years ago. I did like it. Only small restaurants. Only one tuktuk
Have a look at this post with some pics

[wabbits]

Originally Posted by Werwolf

I was there about 10 years ago. I did like it. Only small restaurants. Only one tuktuk
Have a look at this post with some pics

might be nice for a rest after Patong and Pattaya, those 1st i think.

Its a very chilled looking place.

[Dancypo]

Koh Chang is far better and still really chilled.

If ya heading to Samet make sure its not a Thai bank holiday, or you'll be spending ya time in a tent on the beach

[tao hua ngoo]

I'm with you........ hated Koh Samet. Not a patch on Koh Chang, in my opinion.

[wylos]

havent been to koh chang,but am intrested...I do like Samet and have visited many times.

Samet is a chilled out place that u would take your Gf or choice of the day.
A touch of nightlife up around the north east of the island,but its beach bars and from what i seen its not a place u would monger,but a wee bit of talent knocking about,and a lot of farangs around that area.

I stay on Ao Tian,which is south east,and u sometimes can have the beach to yourself,if its not thai holiday or the weekend.
I like samet for a few days to change it up a bit from the usual,chill and soak up some rays.....then maybe pop over to Ao Vongduen(just over the hill from tien,take a torch) where there is more choice or restaurants and bars,as Tien is more limited to eating at your guesthouse/resort.

From what ive heard koh Samet is not on the same scale as Koh chang
Samet is a lot smaller with dirt tracks and no proper roads,but accesable for quads and pick ups for certain parts of the island,unlike chang from what ive heard.

[bobdickgus]

Originally Posted by Spike

There is no main street or anything, it is set up like a camp ground. Somebody told me that Samet was similar to Chang but its not even close. Koh Chang has a main street with a good little row of beer bars and everything you need.

Does that mean there are no tailor touts or time share scammers?
If so sounds like paradise! 555555555

[Dancypo]

Koh Chang has been developed a bit in recent years but still really nice and chilled, head up to Kai Bey and Lonely Beach and its cracking. 10 years ago there was only a dirt track up one side of the island and only beach bars, now theres a paved road with a few shops and bars. Cracking bar on Kai Bey called Porns, right on the beach all built out of wood and thatched roof, good music, super chilled, holds some good parties and a wicked sunset!!

One of my favorite places in thailand, when i first visited i couldnt leave, ended up in a beach bungalow for about 7 months

[wabbits]

Originally Posted by Dancypo

Koh Chang has been developed a bit in recent years but still really nice and chilled, head up to Kai Bey and Lonely Beach and its cracking. 10 years ago there was only a dirt track up one side of the island and only beach bars, now theres a paved road with a few shops and bars. Cracking bar on Kai Bey called Porns, right on the beach all built out of wood and thatched roof, good music, super chilled, holds some good parties and a wicked sunset!!

One of my favorite places in thailand, when i first visited i couldnt leave, ended up in a beach bungalow for about 7 months

how do you think is the best way to get there from pattaya, bus, ferry, or is there a flight and how long time wise?

[Dancypo]

Best way from pattaya i would say is Private Mini bus to Trat, then ferry.
If i remember correctly i think the bus is around 3 hrs, ferry around half hour.

Think flights to Trat only run from bangkok, and by the time you have sodded about you might as well have got the bus

[wabbits]

Originally Posted by Dancypo

Best way from pattaya i would say is Private Mini bus to Trat, then ferry.
If i remember correctly i think the bus is around 3 hrs, ferry around half hour.

Think flights to Trat only run from bangkok, and by the time you have sodded about you might as well have got the bus

Thanks for that, Mini bus is cool, that is quicker than i thought so i think prob go there instead of koh samet. Quiet is good dead not so good!!

[slojamm]

I might go to Koh Chang in August. Does anyone know if the Wet season is particularly harsh in Koh Chang?

[Dancypo]

Originally Posted by slojamm

I might go to Koh Chang in August. Does anyone know if the Wet season is particularly harsh in Koh Chang?

In my opinion no worse that anywhere else, its never stopped me going

[Dancypo]

Originally Posted by wabbits

Thanks for that, Mini bus is cool, that is quicker than i thought so i think prob go there instead of koh samet. Quiet is good dead not so good!!

Get down there mate, i love it, no traffic dodging and no annoying touts, small bargirl scene if thats ya bag, but by no means in ya face. No McDonalds, No Pizza Hut (Kai Bey anyway) Not sure about Whitesands end of the island, i always skip straight through here, not overly pretty and banged full of huts. 90% rainforest, fresh water swimming in the waterfalls, wreck diving in the south.

Check out Sea View Resort on Kai Bey, relatively cheap nice aircon rooms, small pool right on the beach and you can walk up the beach to Porns bar
Porns Bungalows on Ko Chang in Thailand - the Bungalow Resort
in about 3mins, skip through the photo gallery on the link

[Dupree00]

Originally Posted by slojamm

I might go to Koh Chang in August. Does anyone know if the Wet season is particularly harsh in Koh Chang?

August is the wetest of the year.

[Pad Mc]

I spent 2 weeks on Koh Chang about 2 years ago. I didn't much care for the scene in Kai Bae and lonely beach, it was more suited to backpacker couples, not lone travellers IMO. Each to their own. I stayed down there a few nights (Lonely beach), it was nice to get away and have a really chilled time in a beach hut but it was just too quiet for me at the time. They are some of the most beautiful beaches that I've seen in Thailand though (or anywhere else probably).

White sands to the north of the Island is where I spent most of my time at night. During the day I’d take a Motorbike around all other parts of the Island.

Koh Chang is well worth a visit. It would be easy (for me at least) to spend an extended period of time there. Its proximity to Cambodia is also a big selling point too, its now only a 2 hour plus drive to Sihanookville with the new southern Cambo highway thats opened. Trat is very close to the Cambodian frontier at Had Lek and Koh Kong (Cambodia), Koh Kong is an interesting place, you know you're travelling when you arrive here.

Best way to get there is to get a Thai national bus from Ekamai (eastern) bus station in BKK to Trat. 1st class bus cost not much more that 200B IIRC. A pleasant 3+ hour journey.

I would definitely go back.

[wylos]

Koh chang is on the hit list for sure......always up for someting different..no smart comments please 555555

On the subject of weather i do find Samet on a whole having good weather,and not at all seasonal like other parts of LOS.
Good weather and nice waters a majority of the time.....if thats any benefit 5555

[Dancypo]

Originally Posted by Pad Mc

it was more suited to backpacker couples, not lone travellers IMO.

I was back at christmas just gone and Kai Bey isnt so back packy these days, bungalows are too expensive for a backpacker budget, except for porns, think they were 400 baht, think your right about Lonley beach though.

I prefer to stay in the pretty areas and get a taxi into the more lively spots for nights out....thats just me though

Think these days im starting to prefer the more kick back approach rather than a month long self endurance test 55555

[Pad Mc]

On white sands there were some really cool beach huts that were sort of built into the cliff. Really cheap too, very basic though, no aircon or TV's that’s for sure, just Mosquito nets etc. That’s the northern end of WS beach. Stunning beautiful.

There were no taxis either when I was there. The guys in the baht bus type taxis all stopped working not long after the last ferry from the mainland, the only form of transport was your own motorbike. Again thinking of KC has me wanting to go back. The local peeps there were a lot more genuine and friendly without a doubt...

[Dancypo]

Originally Posted by Pad Mc

The local peeps there were a lot more genuine and friendly without a doubt...

Thats for sure, spent one night in a bar, gave the owner a football shirt, then went down with a fever next day, bumped into the guy next day and he said if i get any worse he will drive me to Bangkok n back to get seen in the proper hospital!!!!! When i recovered a bit he drove us all over the island and wouldnt take a penny!!!!

Yes the actual beach is really pretty in white sands, stayed there 10 years ago but Kai Bey was the one i really liked, became really friendly with the locals there so i guess that makes a big difference.

On the whole though, cracking island, love the place and would go back every month if i could.

[wylos]

just a thought for the mods or posters....maybe a titled thread 'koh chang' with this info in could be handy.

[Pad Mc]

Yeah Wylos, I can post a bit about KC no probs. Have a gander at my old trip report from 07 theres a bit of info in that about it...

[BusyBee123]

thought this was a samui forum, maybe your friends were taking the piss and sent you to samet!

[slojamm]

Originally Posted by Dancypo

In my opinion no worse that anywhere else, its never stopped me going

August is the wetest of the year.

Thanks guys. I guess it's hard to predict. I just have memories from about three years back of going from fine weather in Samui to sitting in a hotel room in Krabi for three days waiting for it to stop pissing down. Eventually gave up and took a bus to Phuket where the weather was beautiful again.

[visa2003]

I went to Koh Samet quite a few years ago (I must admit) and took a girl I met in Pattaya.
I found that good quality guesthouse were a bit expensive (About the same as Patts) but that was with air-con and all.
The only way round the place was Baht bus or shanks pony as there was not even too many MCs for rent
Ended up having a terrific time as the Rent-a-GF and I got on so well that the guesthouse staff thought we were on honeymoon!!
Down to the beach at night for a bite at one of the restaurants and often sat around talking and drinking till dawn!!
Only stayed about 5 nights, as it was all getting a bit old by then!!

[Pad Mc]

Originally Posted by BusyBee123

thought this was a samui forum, maybe your friends were taking the piss and sent you to samet!

I've heard good things about Samet before. I'd like to check it out myself sometime. The coast, Islands, the Sea and beaches, thats the kind of places I like to go to when on Hols...

[Dupree00]

Originally Posted by Pad Mc

I've heard good things about Samet before. I'd like to check it out myself sometime. The coast, Islands, the Sea and beaches, thats the kind of places I like to go to when on Hols...

It's ok if you are in Pattaya and find a girl you want to take away for a couple of lomantic nights. But if want want the most beautiful islands, sea and beaches go to Phi Phi or even farther south to Koh Lipe.

[Dancypo]

Ahhaaa, now ya talkin, Koh Lipe is cracking as well, thailand 10 years ago...if not more!!!

[Pad Mc]

Originally Posted by Dupree00

Phi Phi or even farther south to Koh Lipe.

Been to Phi Phi and Maya bay, very beautiful. Hated the night life out there though. I was probably unlucky when I was there, I ran into a lot of really obnoxious fcukwits. I'd never go back...

Koh Lipe thats the place in your trip report from early last year? That looked like a nice place.

[nelsonone]

Originally Posted by Dancypo

Ahhaaa, now ya talkin, Koh Lipe is cracking as well, thailand 10 years ago...if not more!!!

not anymore..its a busy backpacking euro traveller scene these days....head to Koh Phayam if you wanna see islands like they used to be

Both Chang and Samet have their charms...I prefer Samet as it is quieter and lower key without road systems etc.....Chang will be ruined in another 10 years the way its growing

[Dancypo]

Originally Posted by nelsonone

not anymore..its a busy backpacking euro traveller scene these days....head to Koh Phayam if you wanna see islands like they used to be

Both Chang and Samet have their charms...I prefer Samet as it is quieter and lower key without road systems etc.....Chang will be ruined in another 10 years the way its growing

S*it, was on Lipe 2 years ago and it was empty, few little driftwood bars, thought it was ganna take longer to ruin being so far down!!!

Yeah, went to Chang at Christmas, first time in 8 years, was shocked how much it had changed, BUT, still liked it alot, no crowds, nice people ect. They havent over done it yet but if they carry on its only heading one way!!!!

I really wanna check out Bhurma but as all the tourist money goes to the army i think i'll leave that alone for a while