koh samet for new year

**jobsworth** · 10-01-2011, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by Bangyai

Nice thread SS. Makes me realise just how much its changed since my last visit, 25 years ago. Then, they flashest place on the Island cost 50 baht and was made of bamboo with only 3 walls !!

At that time I purchased an expensive package tour to Koh Samet from Bangkok
and paid about 300 Baht per night. That same resort is now 3000 Baht per night.
I remember that I was the only guest and dinner was included.
The staff cooked all they had and there were whole fish, lobsters, prawns etc -
enough to cover a whole table. I nibbled a little and when I stopped
the staff, about 10 of them, devoured my 'leftovers'.
The only contact with the mainland was by CB radio.
I remember that there were many fishing boats with bright lights
which entered the bay in the night and rather spoiled my star gazing.

**jobsworth** · 10-01-2011, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by terry57

Nice pics cheers.

I aint been there since 89.

I hear they have a malarial problem ?

Are you not confusing Koh Samet with Koh Mac, which is almost in Cambodia.
There were a lot of mosquitoes in Koh Mac and there I caught
Falsiparum malaria, which is the very worst kind.
I stayed in Lazy Days resort and most of the guests were horrible bitten.
Thanks to the staff at Perth hospital, Australia, for an accurate diagnosis
and cure or I would be dead. Pollution is good. Diesel fumes kill malaria.
Bangkok is built on a malaria swamp.
With all the development on Koh Mac it is probably now safe.

Koh Kong island, which is in Cambodia, the next island along,
is definitely a malaria hot spot now. It is mostly undeveloped
and used as a terminal for the sand which Singapore extracts
from Cambodia to make more land in Singapore.
Singapore used to extract sand from Indonesia but such was
the devastation caused to the coastline of Indonesia that it was stopped.

Somebody told me that there is another island in that area
which has wild elephants or maybe had. Anybody know?

**Butterfly** · 10-01-2011, 10:41 PM

thanks, will need to go back, I haven't been there for 15 years

friends went a few years ago and loved it,

**Andrew Hicks** · 11-01-2011, 01:04 AM

Originally Posted by Bangyai

Nice thread SS. Makes me realise just how much its changed since my last visit, 25 years ago. Then, they flashest place on the Island cost 50 baht and was made of bamboo with only 3 walls !!

A quarter century. Wow!

I remember Samet ten years ago when it was still essentially a backpacker place. I'm always a bit distressed going back as it's always changed too much. Now I have to accept it's an upmarket out of town resort. Even so it's still magic and I still love it and much appreciate all the photos you've posted here.

There's some good books set on Samet, one by Sunthorn Phlu. And there's a novel by a farang too... he wrote it because he loves the place so much.

Wish I were back there now.

**storm1fishing** · 11-01-2011, 02:21 AM

Thanks for the report , I was in Bangers in december and was hoping to get down there , but ended up putting in 2 air cons and a water tank and pump at home. Mind you I've been meaning to get it done for the past three years so could'nt put it off any more.
Just regret not going even more now , but will be on top of my next trip.

thanks again

**nigelandjan** · 11-01-2011, 02:50 AM

Think some people would have better things to do.

As for your Samet post Sunsetter great pics from your little Ixus I love mine to the 130

I think a good tip is to pay a bit extra for a speedboat to take you direct to your resort thus avoiding the chiropractic after the bus ride ,, I have been both routes and next time its the speedboat again for me

**barryofthailand** · 11-01-2011, 10:14 AM

Good report, but really too expensive. Their are some good deals to be had on Samed, but for Xmas, and New Years everyone pays tourist prices.
Barry

**kmart** · 11-01-2011, 11:20 AM

I live in Rayong, so usually spend a long weekend on Samet at least 2x / year. The place is a bit over-developed at least on the Sai Gaew Beach, with some of the new accommodations costing an arm and a leg now.
Best time to visit is out of the holiday / festival times. Still a great weekend away from it all, imo.
Mozzies are bigger than on the mainland, and the bites take a while to heal up (at least on me), but never heard of anyone getting Malaria or Dengue from Samet..

Thanks for the photos, sunsetter.

**Anteak** · 24-01-2011, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by kmart

I live in Rayong, so usually spend a long weekend on Samet at least 2x / year. The place is a bit over-developed at least on the Sai Gaew Beach, with some of the new accommodations costing an arm and a leg now.
Best time to visit is out of the holiday / festival times. Still a great weekend away from it all, imo.
Mozzies are bigger than on the mainland, and the bites take a while to heal up (at least on me), but never heard of anyone getting Malaria or Dengue from Samet..

Thanks for the photos, sunsetter.

It's true about the mozzies and there did used to be a problem with Malaria. I know this as my girlfriends aunt (who brought her up) was a malaria specialist doctor sent to the island 20 odd years ago to help sort the problem out.

Some good photos there sunsetter btw.

**Scottish Gary** · 03-02-2011, 11:23 AM

I was on Samet a couple of weeks ago. Stayed at Ploy Talay beside the disco. We were charged 1200 a night for a new room that was pretty basic and the noise from the disco made sleep before 2am impossible. The place was packed with Russians. In saying that the beach was as nice as ever and the place during the day is still pretty chilled out but at night if you want a peaceful time avoid Ploy Talay.

Usually when im in Samet i get savaged by mossies but luckily this seemed to be less of a problem this time.

**scrapmetalband** · 05-02-2011, 07:47 AM

My wife and I live in Rayong.I'm there about 3 weeks every 3 months.We like going to Samet.The first time I went there was in 2009.Can just imagin what it must of been like 10 or 15 years ago.There are still some 1000 to 1200 bht places to stay though.I bring 98% deet repelent with me.Keeps everything off.Havn't seen any that strong in Thailand.If there is would like to know where to get it.Nice pics,have some good one's myself.

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