Koh Samet

[tranquillize]

Hi there

I plan to go to Koh Samet for a few days next week. I am wondering if they are still charging an entry fee to the island? I understand they typically charge a few hundred baht to go there due to it being a national park, but the government has recently said they plan to lower or drop these fees for tourists.

Has anyone been there recently? Also, how busy is it right now? I typically don't like to pre-book hotels so i hope i can just show up in the morning and find a decent budget accomodation.

Thanks in advance

[ozfarang81]

Hi there

I plan to go to Koh Samet for a few days next week. I am wondering if they are still charging an entry fee to the island? I understand they typically charge a few hundred baht to go there due to it being a national park, but the government has recently said they plan to lower or drop these fees for tourists.

Has anyone been there recently? Also, how busy is it right now? I typically don't like to pre-book hotels so i hope i can just show up in the morning and find a decent budget accomodation.

Thanks in advance

200 baht last week for farangs. 40 for thai's (or 20, im not sure which now).

it is not busy. you will find accommodation no problem. love Samet.

[SmugFarangBore]

Why are foreigners charged 10 times more than Thais?

[Briggsy]

These are not specific entry fees to Koh Samet but rather because Koh Samet is part of a National Park.

The fees are collected by National Park Rangers and the level is set by the government.

I do find it mildly absurd considering the level of pollution on Koh Samet and also for the fact that any attempt by the rangers to enforce the NP laws on the encroaching bungalow operators would be rebuffed with high level entreaties to get the ranger moved and failing that, shootings.

If you don't want to pay it, simply do not board the songthaews at the main port and wander down the main street by yourself. This is illegal I should add.

[ozfarang81]

anyone walking into the park carrying a big bag or suitcase will be stopped. if u look like u r not carrying much and walk confidently in you will not be stopped. I suggest paying, you only need to pay the 200 once for your entire stay.

as for foreigners being charged more than thai's, that's just the way it is in national parks and lots of thailand. yes its stupid and unfair but thats just the way it is.

[SmugFarangBore]

anyone walking into the park carrying a big bag or suitcase will be stopped. if u look like u r not carrying much and walk confidently in you will not be stopped. I suggest paying, you only need to pay the 200 once for your entire stay.

as for foreigners being charged more than thai's, that's just the way it is in national parks and lots of thailand. yes its stupid and unfair but thats just the way it is.

I suggest not frequenting anywhere that implements a dual pricing policy.

I certainly wouldn't frequent any business; say a restaurant or a bar, that had a similar policy of charging 10 times more to a foreigner. I don't see this as being any different.

It's not as if many of the National Parks are worth visiting anyway, most are strewn with rubbish and unspectacular.

[ozfarang81]

I have been to Samet several times and really enjoy it. i will continue to go. but thanks for the suggestion

[SmugFarangBore]

I have been to Samet several times and really enjoy it. i will continue to go. but thanks for the suggestion

You are welcome, but remember in continuing to visit the island and other places and venues that operate dual pricing you are implicitly condoning and allowing for the continued implementation of this unfair policy.

[Briggsy]

anyone walking into the park carrying a big bag or suitcase will be stopped. if u look like u r not carrying much and walk confidently in you will not be stopped. I suggest paying, you only need to pay the 200 once for your entire stay.

as for foreigners being charged more than thai's, that's just the way it is in national parks and lots of thailand. yes its stupid and unfair but thats just the way it is.

If you turn right just before the checkpoint and as you say look confident and nonchalant, you should get away with it. But as you say if you are carrying a huge bag, you may well get busted.

Deny, deny, deny would be the best advice. Also, if in a group, give all the bags to one 'payer' and then the rest meet the 'payer' at the agreed muster point/bungalow.

[tranquillize]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm not sure i want to try cheating the system, although i do disagree with dual pricing. I hope the government makes good on their plans to lower the price tourists pay.

The worst case of dual pricing that i have experienced: Grand Palace in Bangkok. 350 Baht for tourists, free for Thais :S

[wxpwzrd]

I suggest not frequenting anywhere that implements a dual pricing policy.

I certainly wouldn't frequent any business; say a restaurant or a bar, that had a similar policy of charging 10 times more to a foreigner. I don't see this as being any different.

It's not as if many of the National Parks are worth visiting anyway, most are strewn with rubbish and unspectacular.

If you avoid the dual pricing, I don't imagine you do too much in Thailand then...

[SmugFarangBore]

If you avoid the dual pricing, I don't imagine you do too much in Thailand then...

No national parks, a few other dubious attractions and the unscrupulous and racist businesses.

I can live without them.

[Davo45]

The dual pricing is crazy, I have managed to talk my way down to thai price when i have had the kids with me (half thai) born in aus and high profile thais with me whom agree the dual pricing is wrong.

Getting back to Samet, i too will be travelling there next week and if anyone knows of budjet accomodation around 700B greatly appreciated.

Cheers newbie Davo.

[SussexExpat]

When I visited Koh Samet last year my g/f told the ranger that I lived in Thailand, I flashed the driving license and he said, "OK, no problem" and waved us through after paying the Thai rate.

[SmugFarangBore]

When I visited Koh Samet last year my g/f told the ranger that I lived in Thailand, I flashed the driving license and he said, "OK, no problem" and waved us through after paying the Thai rate.

If you live in Thailand why couldn't you tell him yourself?

[t.s]

take a speed boat directly to the beach you are staying at. no entry fee.

[ozfarang81]

LOL! yeah, save on the 200 baht entry fee, pay an extra 1000 baht for the speed boat vs ferry! great idea

[SussexExpat]

When I visited Koh Samet last year my g/f told the ranger that I lived in Thailand, I flashed the driving license and he said, "OK, no problem" and waved us through after paying the Thai rate.

If you live in Thailand why couldn't you tell him yourself?

Because she was next to him and told him before I could. Jesus, what a dumb arse question.

[Miserere]

Yeah I was going to go somewhere really nice but when I heard you had to pay $1 to get in I said "forget it!" especially as the locals only have to pay $0.23c

DISGUSTING.