About Koh Samet Island

The Island of the White Beaches

= Short Facts =
In Thai language: เกาะเสม็ด
The name means: Island of the cajeput tree
Distance from Bangkok: About 220 kilometers
Location: Central Thailand, in The Gulf of Thailand
Status: National park
Located in district: Amphoe Muang (เมืองระยอง)
Located in province: Rayong (ระยอง)

= Getting Here - Go to Koh Samet =
From Bangkok, the most common way to get to the island is by regular bus or minibus (plus ferry). The buses leaves from either Ekkamai (Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal), from Suvarnabhumi Airport or from Khao San Road (known "backpacker-street" in Bangkok). Tickets are available at the bus station or in virtually any travel agency in Bangkok.
There are also daily minibuses from Pattaya, Jomtien Trat and Koh Chang. If you're going from other places just buy the tickets at a local travel agency. However you will then usually have to change bus once, or even twice.
The bus will take you to either Rayong, or directly to the ferry pier in the fishing village of Ban Phe. From Ban Phe there are direct boats to Koh Samet. If the ferry ticket isn't included in the price, you are able to purchase a ticket next to the pier.

= General Facts =
Ko Samet (or Koh Samet) is a national park and a place of great natural beauty in the Rayong province. Samet is not that far from Pattaya and Bangkok, but the close distance is probably the only thing this island has in common with the other two destinations.
Ko Samet has fabulous beaches but a minimum of night life, bars and discotheques. The island is located about seven kilometers from main land and the beaches here are among the best in Thailand (together with the ones in Krabi).
The most well-known beaches in Samet are Hat Sai Kaew, Ao Phai, Ao Vong Duan, Ao Wai and Ao Kui Na Nok on the East coast and Ao Prao on the West coast.
Many of these beaches has sand that is so fine and white, so that it almost can be compared with flour. If you have brought your camera, iPod / mp3 player etc. make sure you do not get this fine sand into these devices.

= National Park Fee =
When you arrive at Koh Samet, you will have to pay a small fee to enter the island and the National Park. Tourists pay about 400 Baht and Thai citizens pay about 40 baht. If you arrive with the regular ferry to the pier, and go from there with a taxi or a pick up truck, it will stop at an office where you are able to pay the fee.
But if you travel by a speed-boat and arrive directly at the beach, you will probably meet an officer who will collect the fee. The boat trip from Ban Phe to Koh Samet will last about 30-45 minutes, depending on weather conditions.
When you purchase the boat ticket, the sales persons might try to sell you the entrance fee to Koh Samet. But our advice is to buy it when you are on the island already
= Weather on the Island =
The weather in Koh Samet is normally good the whole year. Also during the rain season, between June and October, people go here because it's not generally raining that much during the rainy monsoon season here. Koh Samet is actually the island in Thailand that has the driest weather during the rain season.
There are many really nice resorts and cozy bungalows in Koh Samet and you can easily book them from this website. It is 100% safe and we are open 24 hours a day.

About Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi is Thailand´s third largest of 76 provinces. It is located 130 km west of Bangkok and covers an area of 19,480 km². About 735,000 inhabitant are living in Kanchanaburi province which borders Myanmar (Burma) at the north-west.

Kanchanaburi town has a population of 54,000 and was originally established by King Rama I as a first line of defence against the Burmese, who might use the old invasion route through the Three Pagodas Pass on the Thai-Myanmar border. It is situated on the River Kwai and the home of the famous Bridge on the River Kwai, immortalized in Pierre Boulle´s same named novel and David Lean's movie. Every year in late November and early December the River Kwai Bridge Festival is held at the bridge with a spectacular Sound & Light Show. This event reminds to the history of the Death Railway and the bombardments during World War II.

Thai Class Dance

Thailand History

Khmer empire

Before any Thai kingdom, there were Khmer kingdoms. Khmer empire was made of actual Cambodia, Laos and a big part of Thailand. Some towns like Lopburi, Phimai still have Khmer ruins. In all northeastern area there are many old Khmer ruins not all in good condition. The major ones are in Phimai (near Nakhon Ratchasima) and Phanom Rung (near Buriram). The most beautiful Khmer ruins outside Cambodia can be seen in Thailand.

Sukothai

In 1238 Sukhotai kingdom was created. It did last until 1438. This period is well known for the Sukhotai Buddha statues that are very beautiful. Some can be seen at the National Museum or "WAT BENCHAMABOPHIT" in Bangkok. Almost all monuments are made of light bricks. So they didn't resist to monsoons over centuries. The ruins in old cities of Sukhotai, Kampeang Phet, Sri Sichanalai are worth visiting.

Old city of Sukhotai has been recognised by UNESCO as a treasure of humanity. The famous King Rama Khampheng was the first to write with the first known representation of Thai writing. He says that Thai people do not starve because they have rice in the fields and fish in the rivers. Sukhotai was absorbed by the rival kingdom of Ayuthaya.

Ayuthaya

Ayuthaya was a great kingdom. Its capital had more than one million of inhabitants, i.e. more than in European capitals at the same time. Kingdom of Ayuthaya had diplomatic relations with European countries such as Portugal and France. Some Thai diplomats went to France in 1687 to the royal court of Louis XIV, the French King who did build Versailles. They arrived by boat in the French town called Brest. Since this time the major avenue of Brest is called rue de Siam which means "Siam street". Kingdom of Ayuthaya was always in war with Burmese, Laotian and Khmer kingdoms.

Suriyothai, Queen of Ayutthaya, is the queen who fought and died to protect her husband and king's life while advancing into battle against the invading Burmese battalion in the 14^th century.
King Naresuan is famous for having a duel on elephants with the Burmese Crown Prince and won against him. King Naresuan regained independence from Burma for the Ayuthaya kingdom.
Nai Khanom Tom was a famous Thai boxer, who, having been captured by the Burmese, regained his freedom by defeating nine of the enemy's gladiators in a contest witnessed by the Burmese king.
Ayuthaya defeated Khmer kingdom and seized the mythic town Angkor in 1431. More than 37 wars opposed Burma and Siam during three centuries. Finally Ayuthaya was defeated in 1767 by Burma. Ayuthaya was complete destroyed, Buddha statues were molten in order to get the gold. Still nowadays the old remaining ruins can be visited.

Chakri dynasty

In 1782 General Taksin succeeded to beat the Burmese Kingdom. He did establish a new capital Thonburi.

After Taksin's death, Rama I became the first king of the Chakri dynasty. He did establish a new capital Bangkok on the other shore of the river Chao Praya.

Rama IV is very famous. His name was Monkgut. Before being king, he was a monk until 45 years old. He was very clever and even calculated the date of an eclipse. Pitiful he caught malaria when observing this eclipse.

Rama V (dead in 1910) is known as the King Chulalongkorn. He is still highly worshipped in Thailand. His statue is at "Ratchadamnoen avenue" near Dusit Throne Hall. Every year, on the 23^th october, there is a huge crowd for his birthday celebration. He is famous because he worked for the improvement of Thailand in the modern world.

Rama V is the one who made school mandatory for all, suppress slavery, transform the administration to match with foreign administration. It was the only way to escape from the invasion of colonial French and English troops. It was to show them that Thailand was a modern country. But he did not succeed to avoid territorial cuts, i.e. France did take Laos and Cambodia west part that were under Thai rules and also southern provinces that were taken by English troops. He is the one which brought many foreign customs (table, chair, fork, spoon, woman with long hairs) in Thailand. He also sent his children abroad in order that they studied foreign methods and then came back in Thailand to support him.

23 October is Rama V 's day ( วันปิยมหาราช) and is a public day to commemorate the Rama V or Chulalongkorn wise reign over Thailand.

The Paknam Incident on July 13, 1893 is remembered as a dispute over a large part of Laotian territory on the banks of the Mekong River and led to a military clash between Siam and France on the Chao Phya River near Bangkok. Siamese troops opened fire on French gunboats sent up the river to Bangkok. The French fired back. The battle ended with the loss of 151 Siamese soldiers and 32 French troops. The Treaty of Peace and Convention between France and Siam was signed in Bangkok on October 3. Under the pact, Siam had to renounce all rights to the territories on the left bank of the Mekong (about 143,800 square kilometres) and to all islands in the river.
Before Thai kings have several wives and queens. There was a rank between all his wives. That is why after 5 generations , all royal status disappear because there will be too many people with a royal status. Nowadays the king acts as normal person and has one wife.

Before Thailand was called kingdom of Siam. It has changed the name in 1933. Actual King is Rama IX who became king in 1946.

Thai revolutions

A bloodless revolution in 1932 put an end to absolute monarchy in Thailand and led to a constitutional monarchy.
October 14, 1973, October 6, 1976, and Black May 1992 are major dates in Thai history for the struggle for democracy. The Thai army has shot on Thai people on these three events. There has never been any formal apology. Each time the Thai army has said it could never happen again.
Between 1963 and 1973 Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn presided over a repressive military regime which was overthrown by pro-democracy students who suffered scores of casualties the 14 October 1973.
FM Thanom is also at the origin of the Thammasat university massacre. His return in 1976 from overseas exile in the robes of a monk provoked the anger of students. This leaded to the 6 october 1976 massacre in Thammasat university where 300 students were killed by soldiers. Military argued that these students were a communist threat for the country. After the massacre many students joined the PLAT (Popular Liberation Army Thai) and fought until the amnesty in the 1980's.
Black May in 1992 happened when pro-democracy protesters were brutally suppressed by military forces under army commander Gen Issarapong Noonpakdi. In the attack on protesters demanding Gen Suchinda Kraprayoon step down as Prime Minister, 48 died and 44 went missing, according to official accounts.
In march 1999 complaints arose due to the appointment of FM Thanom Kittikachorn as a special royal guard. FM Thanom Kittikachorn is remembered as one the men who crushed the 1973 pro-democracy uprising in which 77 people were killed and 800 injured. Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, facing protests against his decision to award a former dictator a military honour, plans to set up a special committee to review the historical record of the October 14, 1973, uprising. Chuan Leekpai has built his political credentials largely on being a dedicated fighter in the battle for democracy. And so it is ironic that it should be he, as defence minister, who appointed FM Thanom Kittikachorn to an honorary position with the army.

Thailand Weather

For interactive information, please refer to our animated Thai weather map -- an interactive map to the weather situation in Thailand with detailed monthly statistics on rainfall, minimum and maximum temperature and number of rainy days in a month. Otherwise, for more detailed information, including climatic charts, please read on.

Thailand can best be described as tropical and humid for the majority of the country during most of the year. The area of Thailand north of Bangkok has a climate determined by three seasons whilst the southern peninsular region of Thailand has only two.
In northern Thailand the seasons are clearly defined. Between November and May the weather is mostly dry, however this is broken up into the periods November to February and March to May. The later of these two periods has the higher relative temperatures as although the northeast monsoon does not directly effect the northern area of Thailand, it does cause cooling breezes from November to February.
The other northern season is from May to November and is dominated by the southwest monsoon, during which time rainfall in the north is at its heaviest.

The southern region of Thailand really has only two seasons -- the wet and the dry. These seasons do not run at the same time on both the east and west side of the peninsular. On the west coast the southwest monsoon brings rain and often heavy storms from April through to October, whilst on the east coast the most rain falls between September and December.
Overall the southern parts of Thailand get by far the most rain with around 2,400 millimetres every year, compared with the central and northern regions of Thailand, both of which get around 1,400 millimetres.

When is the best time to visit Thailand?

Generally speaking,the best time to visit Thailand is from November to February when the northeast monsoon is blowing cool, dry air which serves as a respite from the heat. During this cool season, the temperature ranges from 18ºC to 32ºC in Bangkok, while in northern and northeast Thailand, temperatures can get quite cool with morning temperatures as low as 8º C to 12º C with the occasional 20º C day. Nights can be particularly chilly and at high altitudes the temperatures can and do drop below freezing.
The summer period, or hot and dry season, is from March to June. At this time temperatures in Bangkok average around 34º C, but can often reach 40º C with the humidity levels of 75%.
Try and avoid April, unless you plan to be permanently submerged in the ocean, because this is the hottest month across the country.
From July to October is the monsoonal season when most of Thailand's annual rainfall is accumulated. The humidity averages just under 90%, with temperatures averaging around 29º C in Bangkok.
The monsoons finish when the wind direction changes, bringing dry weather from the northeast. At best this season can be described as unpredictable and not the constant downpour of rain like you would expect. The middle months of this season may hold particularly heavy rains for the north of the country.

Central Thailand: Bangkok

Central Thailand: Ko Chang

Northern Thailand: Chiang Mai

Northeastern Thailand: Udon Thani 

Northeastern Thailand: Buriram

South-east Thailand: Ko Samui

South-west Thailand: Phuket

South-west Thailand: Ko Lanta

South-west Thailand: Trang

Bangkok Maps

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Bangkok Weekend Market - Jatujak

Once only popular among wholesalers and traders, Chatuchak Weekend Market has reached a landmark status as a must-visit place for tourists. Its sheer size and diverse collections of merchandise will bring any seasoned shoppers to their knees – this is where you can literally shop ‘till you drop’.

The 35-acre (68-rai) area of Chatuchak is home to more than 8,000 market stalls. On a typical weekend, more than 200,000 visitors come here to sift through the goods on offer. Veteran shoppers would agree that just about everything is on sale here, although not all at the best bargain rates. But if you have one weekend in Bangkok, squeeze in a day trip to Chatuchak Weekend Market and you will not be disappointed.

= Navigating Chatuchak Weekend Market =

For first-timers, ‘conquering’ Chatuchak may seem like an impossible task, but worry not. There is a system to help you navigate your way through Chatuchak. Inside, one main walkway encircles the entire market, and it branches off into a series of numbered alleyways called Soi 1, Soi 2, Soi 3, and so on.

These alleyways are grouped into sections, with 27 sections in all. You will find more than one category of goods contained in one section, and the same category of goods will appear again in the other sections. In terms of locating your category of goods, this system is rather useless; but it will come in handy when you try to locate your particular stall or where your exact location is on the Chatuchak map.

Another way to find your way around Chatuchak is to find points of reference as you go along. The BTS and MRT stations as well as banks and numbered entrance gates are good points of references, as you will come across them as you turn corners. Then again, use the map to locate these references to find your correct orientation.

= What’s For Sale? =

If you can dream it up, Chatuchak probably has it. Here, you will be amazed at the sheer variety of merchandise, whether a Moroccan lamp, an antique wooden chest, a pair of vintage Levi’s jeans, or, on the exotic side, a python.

Although it’s impossible to name all, the selection of goods being offered at Chatuchak can be roughly divided into 11 categories:

• Clothing & Accessories (sections 2-6, 10-26)
• Handicrafts (sections 8-11)
• Ceramics (sections 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 25)
• Furniture and Home Decoration (sections 1,3,4,7,8)
• Food and Beverage (sections 2, 3, 4, 23, 24, 26, 27)
• Plants and Gardening tools (sections 3, 4)
• Art and Gallery (section 7)
• Pets and Pet Accessories (sections 8, 9, 11, 13)
• Books (sections 1, 27)
• Antiques and Collectibles (sections 1, 26)
• Miscellaneous and Used Clothing (sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 22, 25, 26)

When buying goods at Chatuchak, particularly ‘antiques’, it is wise to exercise a few precautions. Check your goods thoroughly to see whether there is any damage, as many vendors sell factory rejects. For ‘antiques’, don’t trust the vendor when he tells you it is genuine. It’s better to bring along an expert, unless you are happy with what you are paying for.


= Bargaining Tips =

Chatuchak Weekend Market is the perfect place for bargain hunting, although whatever you buy here is probably no longer the best deal you can find. So brush up your negotiation skills and be prepared to walk away when the deal fails to go your way. Then, you’ll either be offered a lower price or simply find the same merchandise at another stall. It also helps to do a few practice runs before you actually start buying. Note that a friendly attitude and big smile are your biggest allies in securing the best possible deal.

 

= How to Enjoy Your Shopping Experience =

Few people go to Chatuchak knowing exactly what they want or which stall to go to. Many expect to be surprised and let the sights of all the goods take them through a journey down the maze of stalls. Most often, shoppers arrive with a rough idea of what they want, then are hypnotised by what they see and end up going home with more than a few extra shopping items.
So, the best advice is, if you are going for the first time, to pick a starting point then just follow your instincts, enjoy the experience and bring home your exciting new finds.


= Before You Go to Chatuchak =

Chances are you will end up spending at least half a day here so it is a good idea to prepare a few things to ensure that your shopping experience at Chatuchak is an enjoyable one.

• Wear light and comfortable clothing, e.g. shorts and a t-shirt/tank-top
• Wear comfortable shoes, e.g. a pair of sneakers or sandals 
• Protect yourself against the sun, by wearing sunglasses, a hat and use sunscreen
• Bring a backpack for storing your new-found treasures. It is recommended that you wear your backpack on the front rather than on your back
• Always have bottled drinking water handy 
• Bring enough cash. Most vendors do not accept credit cards, and it can be a long walk to the next ATM
• Beware of pickpockets and watch your belongings 
• Plan to go in the morning, as it can get very hot and crowded in the afternoon
• Free maps are available from one of the information kiosks

= How to Get to Chatuchak =

Hop on the skytrain (BTS) to Mo Chit station, take exit no. 1 and follow the crowd until you see rows of canvas stalls selling clothes. Turn right while continuing to follow the crowd and you will see a small entrance that leads into the market (clothing section).
Another option is to take the subway (MRT) to Chatuchak Park station (exit no.1), then follow the crowd until you arrive at the small entrance that leads into the market (clothing section). For the plant and flower section, get off at Kampheng Phet MRT station (exit no. 1).
The weekend market is open on Saturdays and Sundays, 09:00 - 18:00, and Fridays 18:00 - 24:00. Plant sections are also open on Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 07:00 - 18:00.