KO SAMED HOTELS | The History of Koh Samet
Sparkling white sand and cliffs rising from an azure sea...the archipelago of Samet Island is the setting that inspired classical Thai poet, Sunthorn Phu, to write his most famous epics: Phra Aphai Manee, a story of princes, sages, mermaids and giants. That was 150 years ago, and today you can still enjoy the magical qualities of Samet and surrounding areas.

In 1981, the Royal Forest Department declared the archipelago of Samet, the headland of Khao Laem Ya, and 11 kilometer Mae Rampeung Beach to be a National Park. Located 200 kilometers southeast of Bangkok in Rayong Province, Khao Laem Ya - Mu Koh Samet National Park covers 131 square kilometers of land and sea, and is an easy destination for Bangkokians and world travelers alike. Most come to relax and enjoy the beaches, but opportunities exist for the more adventurous biking trails and exploring reefs. Natural History The headland of Khao Laem Ya is composed of particularly hard silicates which are resistant to erosion. The resulting cape maintains the extensive Mae Rampeung Beach to the West and protects a smaller secluded beach and sea grass bed to the east. Sea grasses are rapidly disappearing in Thailand and throughout the world.

Until recently they have been vastly under-recognized as an essential coastal ecosystem. Many small coral reefs are available for viewing in the park. The most popular are located near Koh Khudi, Koh Thalu and off the southern shores of Koh Samet. Unfortunately some of these areas have been ravaged by dynamite fishing and anchor damage. Recently they show great signs of recovery. Coral reefs are the underwater equivalent to tropical rainforests in terms of species diversity, complexity and fragility. These factors are supported by an intricate interdependent web of coastal ecology. In addition to their intrinsic value, coral reefs and sea-grass beds provide invaluable habitat for a multitude of organisms including some economically important species.

Exploring this exquisite undersea world is easy to do without have adverse effects on the local environment. Please, if you do plan to visit the reefs, do so responsibly and respectfully. Though much of the park is marine oriented, the vegetation is mixed deciduous and lowland scrub, largely secondary growth. Wildlife includes monitor lizards, long tailed macaques and variable squirrels. Koh Thalu harbors a colony of large fruit eating bats, sometimes referred to as "flying foxes". A variety of birds including several species of nesting terns, herons and hornbills reside seasonally or year-round in the park. Though sea turtles rarely nest on the beaches, they have in the past and still are known to frequent park waters.

Interesting facts

Some Interesting Insight on Koh Samet Once upon a time, Koh Samet was the residence of the Pirates. There were numerous myths that the Pirates' gold and booty were hidden somewhere on the island. This has attracted many adventurers from time to time to hunt for this treasure.

In the past, visitors were not allowed to overnight on the island, but this was long time ago and it is long forgotten. On 1 Oct 1981, the Forestry Department of Thailand declared Koh Samet and its surrounding to be a national park. Officially, it is named Khao Laem Ya - Mu Koh Samet National Park and covers the area of 131 square kilometers of land and sea.

Admission fee to the national park of 200 Baht is to be imposed to every foreign visitor by the authority The peak of the Samed Island (Koh Samet) is 112 meters high covered by thick jungles. On top of the hill, there is a big but mysterious hole of 8 meters deep, surmounted with ruins of a brick wall of over a century old. This hole is known as "Bor Thong" or Gold Pit.

According to the myth, the pirates dug this hole in order to hide their gold, gotten from the sunken Chinese vessel. After being surveyed by the Thai geologists, it was officially announced that this gold pit is merely the water well. The myth believers then argue that it is hard to believe that such hold would ever be dug on top of the hill under the dry stone for a purpose of water well. Up-to-date, treasures have never been found! Nearby this "Bor Thong" sits a metal casting of 100 footprints of the Lord Buddha, a replica of the footprints at Wat Phra Phunhabat in Saraburi Province.

The magical beauty settings of Samed Island inspired the great Thai poet, named Sunthorn Phu, to write the great Thai Epic - Phra Apai Manee (a story of princes, saga, mermaid and giants) over 150 years ago.