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Ko Samet Or Ko Chang

christielocke1

By christielocke1
in Thailand Travel Forum

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christielocke1 Newbie

christielocke1

Posted
Posted

Hi there

I am planning a trip to Thailand late Nov/ Dec. I am going first to Chiang Mai, then probably Laos, and then down to the islands. I was going to start with Ko Chang, but then was recommended Ko Samet instead... what do people think?? I'm trying to avoid the very touristy areas, whilst still wanting a bit of activity!

Thanks!

Jockstar Star Member

Jockstar

Posted
Posted

I've been to Koh Chang only once and had a good time. But i still like Samet. Not too touristy ie many farang. Sure theres a few but not too many. Its a beautiful island and have always had a blast there. I even met my gf there last year on the Kings b/day. Many Thais go here for a holiday. If you hevtime. maybe try and do both. If not then go for Samte. you will enjoy it. You can either stay at Tup Tim beach> ver nice and not too busy or Au Pi)spelling) Its a good location. I'd go for Tup Tim as its abit quieter at night and only a short walk to the parties at Au Pi.

christielocke1 Newbie

christielocke1

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I've been to Koh Chang only once and had a good time. But i still like Samet. Not too touristy  ie many farang. Sure theres a few but not too many. Its a beautiful island and have always had a blast there. I even met my gf there last year on the Kings b/day. Many Thais go here for a holiday.  If you hevtime. maybe try and do both. If not then go for Samte. you will enjoy it. You can either stay at Tup Tim beach> ver nice and not too busy or Au Pi)spelling) Its a good location. I'd go for Tup Tim as its abit quieter at night and only a short walk to the parties at Au Pi.

Sully Apprentice Member

Sully

Posted
Posted
Hi there

I am planning a trip to Thailand late Nov/ Dec. I am going first to Chiang Mai, then probably Laos, and then down to the islands. I was going to start with Ko Chang, but then was recommended Ko Samet instead... what do people think?? I'm trying to avoid the very touristy areas, whilst still wanting a bit of activity!

Thanks!

May I recommend Sametville on Koh Samet? Very nice accommodations and a very laid back atmosphere away from the hustle bustle. My advise is to wait until you get to the island and look for a bungalow/room once you get there. Dont rely on booking agents on the mainland...they will sell you anything, even if its not available. Bring plenty of Baht. I couldnt find money exchanges. Perhaps I didnt look hard enough. Take the boat all the way to Sametville. Forget the overland taxi. It'll rattle your teeth. Very uncomfortable. I booked a great little bungalow just meters from the beach and wow what a great time. Having gf with me mad it all the more magical. Good luck and have a blast.

Your pal,

Sully

pluto_manibo Gold Member

pluto_manibo

Posted
Posted

Koh Chang is changing so fast..I would definetely go there before it becomes another Koh Samui...White Sand Beach is a great beach for swimming, The Waterfall at the north of the Island is nice as well...at night go check out OOdies', he is a great guitar player, and you can play pool and listen to live music....

Koh Samed is good if you want a taste of the island life and do not have time to go to Koh Chang.... :o

Totster Star Member

Totster

Posted
Posted
May I recommend Sametville on Koh Samet?  Very nice accommodations and a very laid back atmosphere away from the hustle bustle. 

Also some nice quiet beaches with bungalows a couple of minutes either side of Ao Vong Duan, added attraction is Ao Vong Duan has plenty of choice of places to eat and drink

My advise is to wait until you get to the island and look for a bungalow/room once you get there.  Dont rely on booking agents on the mainland...they will sell you anything, even if its not available.
I agree... wait till you get there. :D

Bring plenty of Baht.  I couldnt find money exchanges.  Perhaps I didnt  look hard enough. 

I know of two places to exchange money on Vong Duan beach and one on Hat Sai Kaew.... Sea Horse on Vong Duan is one ( I even saw a guy get a cash advance on his Visa card here !) , can't remember the others names.

Although expect to get a very poor exchange rate and pay silly commission :o . I would not say take plenty of Baht with you ( for obvious reasons ).. in an emergency you could always hop over to the mainland and use the ATM in Ban Phe (there is one opposite the pier at 7-11 If I remember correctly)

Take the boat all the way to Sametville. 

You can also take the boat direct to Vong Duan and some of the other beaches.

Have a good time...

totster :D

Totster Star Member

Totster

Posted
Posted
Too many backpackers on Samet and nicer acccomodation is too expensive.

(And you can't ride to Samet on a Harley) :D

I agree that there's lots of backpackers there... but they tend to stay up in the North/Northeast of the island.... if you go to other parts you won't find many.. :D

totster :o

fourbaht Advanced Member

fourbaht

Posted
Posted

Lots of the bungalows on samet are being refurbished, Silver sands next door to Samed Villa now have very nice rooms from 500 baht a night right on the beach.

Samed Villa I believe is now 1500 baght a night plus as they have just completely upgraded.

Samet is smaller than Koh Chang and is my favorite however it is very much a personal opinion, try both if you have time.

If you are going on a weekend I would get there before 12.00 and wait for people to check out, afternoons at the weekends now its bery hard to get a room on arrival.

If there are a few of you take a speed boat straight to the beach, you save on the National Park entry fees which just about cover the cost of the boat if there are 5 or more of you.

donna Platinum Member

donna

Posted
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I've stayed at Wong Deuan Resort which was only just OK. The beach is great, there are plenty of places to eat, but it was only OK.

The last time I went there I stayed at Sai Kaew Resort. Lovely. Beautiful rooms, great breakfast, excellent service. Couldn't ask for more.

They are the sister resort to Ao Prao.

Lawnmower Senior Member

Lawnmower

Posted
Posted

Koh Samet is only worth going to if you do not have time to visit better places. Sure it's nice, but doesn't compare to Koh Chang. The beaches and water quality are far higher in koh Chang and you can also spend time exploring the many islands to the south. Samet is far too crowded.

thaihome Platinum Member

thaihome

Posted
Posted
The last time I went there I stayed at Sai Kaew Resort.  Lovely.  Beautiful rooms, great breakfast, excellent service.  Couldn't ask for more. 

We have stayed at Sai Kaew Beach Resort several times. The last time was in May-04. Great place, not cheap, but then, I insist on the beachfront rooms. There is an ATM (cannot remember what bank, but my visa/plus card worked) along the beach.

Take the speed boat, doesn't guarantee you won't pay the park fee, but still worth it in time and convenience. This time of year you will need to book in advance.

Koh Chang is ok, but all things considered we prefer Samet. :o

TH

BoomBoom Senior Member

BoomBoom

Posted
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u need to be paying 4k+ for the nice accomodation in koh samet (le vinarm - pool, private beach, 4* beach bungalow), even 2k will only get u a sh1t hole (no pool, dirty, un-maintained, sea water shower) in peak season..

On Koh Chang however u will get a perfectly nice hotel/bungalow for 2k a night :o

  • 2 weeks later...
ProfessorFart Platinum Member

ProfessorFart

Posted
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Theres good things to be said for both Islands.

Ko Chang is definatly more of a couples place at the time being. Because its spread out it feels a lot more low key than other islands can which is a plus. Even when its busy Ko Chang (especially White Sands Beach) still feels quiet. The drawback to this can be that it can feel a little quiet at nights especially in the low season.

Ko Chang's real bonus is the stunning scenery there and nice gently sloping beach.

Chang now has its own girlie bars but they seem to be staffed by some real munters.

Samet is more packed together and has a better nightlife IMHO and is a better all round choice.

I like to stay on Tub Tim or Ao Phai which is in close proximity to the eurobabes at Naga or Silver Sands when the sun has gone down.

The big minus about Samet is that prices are getting silly and you are looking at 600B for a very basic hut in some places.

All in all theres more to do on Samet and the fishing off the west coast of the island is good!!!

davethailand Ruby Member

davethailand

Posted
Posted

one problem with koh chang is the enterance fee's to the waterfalls etc.

Farang- 200bht

thai - 20bht

I have a work permit and insisted on 20bht :o

Koh Samet is ok

too expensive, i'd rather do the extra journey to koh chang.

meadish_sweetball Star Member

meadish_sweetball

Posted
Posted
one problem with koh chang is the enterance fee's to the waterfalls etc.

Farang- 200bht

thai - 20bht

I have a work permit and insisted on 20bht  :o

Koh Samet is ok

too expensive, i'd rather do the extra journey to koh chang.

Each one to their own. I dont like the traffic and the recent development on White Sand Beach. I don't agree with the above claim that Koh Chang seems quiet even during peak periods either - New Year's on Koh Chang two years ago was a frigging nightmare, and Songkran this year was not much better. Accommodation overpriced and plenty of hookers, both freelancers and otherwise.

I prefer Samet, personally. Not saying that everybody else will, though.

ProfessorFart Platinum Member

ProfessorFart

Posted
Posted

Last Xmas/NY it was busy but still spread out enough that it didn't feel crowded at any time. Rooms were overpriced but compared to paying 1000B for a sweaty room in a rammed Lamai a year before that, 400B for a basic but comfortable beachfront bungalow didn't seem too bad and on the 3rd jan the price dropped to 200B again.

I won't mention what it was like in Ko Pha Ngan one Xmas...........

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