“Sunthon Phu” (Thailand all time great poet), had described about Koh Samet as “Koh Kaew Pitsadan” (Koh = island, Kaew = glasses, Pitsadan = magically) in the best of his romance poems “Phra Aphai Mani”. He want us to know how wonderful this white sandy beaches is ! 

“Phra Aphai Mani”is about a lovelorn giant - she is broken-hearted and dies on the crystal sandy beach of the island. Even though you won't see her remains anywhere on Koh Samet, but you're sure to see its crystal white sandy beaches, especially on the Had Sai Kaew or Sai Kaew Beach. 

Koh Samet was named after the Samet Tree or the cajuput tree that grows everywhere on the island. It was declared ‘Khao Lam Ya – Samet Archipelago Maritime National Park’ in 1981. The park encompasses Had Mae Rumpueng-a beach on the coast of Rayong, Lam Ya Mountain and the Samet Archipelago that consists of Koh Samet, Koh Chan, Koh San Chalam, Koh Hin Khao, Koh Kang Kao, Koh Kudee, Koh Kruoy and Koh Plateen. An ecological tour can be conducted through three itineraries on Koh Samed, Koh Kudee and Lam Ya Mountain.