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Koh Samet and the minuscule islands
nearby are surrounded by coral formations in shallow water which
make for enjoyable snorkeling. Anyway, scuba divers may not find
them very interesting. Other water sports, including sailing,
parasailing, skiing, and fishing can be arranged at a number of
resorts. A better option would be to venture further and explore the
island of
Koh Man Nai, where a
turtle conservation
station is set up by H.M. Queen Sirikit. This is
followed by island hopping to the virgin islands of Koh Talu and Koh
Kudi well known for their underwater coral reefs and fishes.
The islands surrounding Koh Samet are pretty good for diving with
some sighting of turtles, tiger sharks and manta rays.
You may interested in Ko Man Nai too.
This small island located approximately 5 kilometers off shore from
Laem Mae Phim has been developed into a Sea Turtle Preservation
Sanctuary under the royal initiative of Her Majesty the Queen. The
place is open to the public from Monday to Sunday. Nearby are Ko Man
Klang and Ko Man Nok which are famous for their immaculate white
sandy beaches and hip boutique resorts.
Resorts on Ko Man Klang and Ko Man Nok
offer accommodation packages that include boat transfer from the
Rayong pier and three meals / day. Call to book your place in
advance at 02 860 3025-6. The boat trip takes only 30 minutes from
the pier.
Recommended
Activities:
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sunbathing on the white sandy beaches
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swimming, go snorkeling to see coral reefs & even for scuba diving
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fishing
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making
an inland excursion on foot or by public cars
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camping,
there is the information for campgrounds provided at the park office
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taking a
boat trip around the island or to some nearby islands such as Koh
Tai Kang Kao and Koh Tam Rusi, located near Koh Kudee, Koh Kruoy,
Koh Kham and Koh Plateen, 600 meters north of Koh Kudee, are also
other sites superb for coral reef exploring while Koh Talu is
excellent for trekking, seeing some rare species of bats and
turtles, and deep water diving.
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Where
To Eat ?
There are not many independent
restaurants available instead you will find most come from the
resorts on popular beaches such as Sai Kaew Beach, Ao Phai and Vong
Duern Beach. The choices are quite limited when it comes to
nightlife and dining out but what is available is pretty good.
The Mook
Samed floating restaurant is high on the list for a
unique dining experience. Getting to this rustic restaurant located
in the sea is already half the fun. It's an amusing and somewhat wet
2 minutes ride on a simple raft pulled by a rope tied from the
restaurant to the beach. The restaurant is very simple, modest and
quite a mess but it has unusual bottomless tables where you sit on
Thai cushions and dangle your feet way above the waters (regular
tables are available if this freaks you out). They also run a fish
farm so seafood cooked Thai style is the specialty here. The food is
good but simple, price very affordable and the setting is just
charming.
Ploy Samed
located not too far from the Mooban Talay Resort is a scenic
restaurant by the beach. It's a nice restaurant and the menu is
better but a little pricey (by local standards). More cheap and good
Thai seafood can be found right on Sai Kaew Beach at
Sin Samut.
For something a little more upbeat head over to the outdoor
restaurant of
Jaeb Bungalow
on Ao Phai Beach. Here good food is accompanied by favourite reggae
tunes.
If you have your own transport and would like to go to a fancy place
than the upscale
Le Vimarn Resort
has a nice and intimate restaurant by the beach. The
food is nothing to rave about but the ambiance is one of the best.
The place to be for nightlife is
Silver Sand
on Ao Phai Beach here you can dance all night long on the beach
under the stars and the moon.
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Festivals
Rayong Fruit Fair
Held around May-June, is designed to
promote and market fruits and other products made from fruits and
seafood of the province. Colorful fruit-decorated floats vie for
prizes. There are fruit contests and agricultural exhibitions.
Sunthon Phu Day
Held annually on 26 June, the date of
his birth. Sunthon Phu was the early Rattanakosin Period’s foremost
poet, and his poems are widely acclaimed for their lyrical verse and
pictorial language. The best of his poems is the epic romance Phra
Aphai Mani. In 1986, he used to call Koh Samet as “Koh Kaew” (Kaew =
Glasses in Thai, he want us to know that how wonderful is the white
sands there !). He was listed as a person of international literary
distinction by UNESCO. Activities include a procession of cars
featuring Sunthon Phu’s literary works, competitions on poetry
writing and painting of scenes from Sunthon Phu’s poetry.
The Robing of the Phra Chedi Klang Nam
It is a traditional fair held annually
during the full-moon period of the 12th lunar month, coinciding with
Loi Krathong Festival in November. Held at Wat Pak Nam in Mueang
district, there are religious rites, long boat races, a delightful
Loi Krathong and other pleasant entertainment.
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Local
Products
Shopping is definitely not a pastime
here but the lively beach of Sai Kaew is where you will find most of
the stalls which are more provision shops than trendy boutiques.
There are basic beach items like flip flops, swim suits, beach mats
and may be a few souvenirs.
Along the beach there are also pirated CDs and DVDs for sale and
tattoo parlors.
Anyway you can buy the souvenir at
Baan Phe Pier or in Rayong town, please see the below information to
guide you to the righ stauff.
Fried Durian :
A popular product among Thai and
foreign tourists alike. With its delicious taste, travelers just
can’t help sampling one and buying two packs to take home. Fried
Durian can be purchased at Ban Phe market and the Fruit market at
Tapong.
Fruits :
Fruits are famous in Rayong,
particularly from May until the middle of July, when durian,
rambutans and mangosteen are available.
Seafood Products :
Seafood Products such as shrimp paste,
fish sauce, dried prawns, squid and other dried seafood are
important and well known local products, due to their high quality
and moderate prices. The best places to buy these products are in
Ban Phe market or in any of Rayong' s markets.
Reet
Mats:
Reet mats and other beautiful reed
products, such as purses, handbags and hats, are a local cottage
industry in the villages of Kram and Klaeng Districts (Rayong). One
of the best places to buy this gift is from the women’s charity
group located near the monument of Sunthorn Phu.
Crystal Products :
Handmade products of Thailand that
come with high, internationally accepted quality. Visit Lotus
Crystal Factory in Pluak Daeng District (Rayong) to see how good
they are.
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