Thailand Guide
The east coast
Arrival
The mainland departure-point for Ko Samet is the small coastal town of Ban Phe, 17km east of Rayong, 80km southeast of Pattaya, and about 200km from Bangkok. It's served by hourly buses from Bangkok's Eastern (Ekamai) Bus Terminal, by pick-ups from the nearby provincial capital of Rayong (which has bus connections to many towns), and by fast but cramped tourist minibuses from Bangkok's Thanon Khao San (about 4hr) and Pattaya (about 90min). A meter-taxi ride from Suvarnabhumi Airport should cost around B2000.
Most boats to Ko Samet run from Ban Phe's main Taruaphe pier (opposite one of the 7-Eleven shops) to Na Dan on Ko Samet's north coast; they depart approximately hourly from 8am to 5pm during high season (Nov– Feb) and on national holidays, and every two hours at other times, take thirty minutes and cost B50. Na Dan is convenient for Hat Sai Kaew, Ao Hin Kok, Ao Phai, Ao Tub Tim and Ao Nuan. Less frequent boat services also run from the Taruaphe pier to Ao Wong Duan, half-way down Samet's east coast (at least 2 daily; 40min; B70), and from the Chokkrisda pier, about 100m west of Taruaphe, to Ao Wong Duan. There are also additional direct services operated by individual resorts and several 24hr speedboat services.