Koh Samet Thailand (เกาะเสม็ด ประเทศไทย) information with some Thai Vocabulary for language learners
Koh Samet, name derived from the cajeput tree that grow on the island and sound like ‘samet’ when said in Thai, is a popular holiday island with Thais and foreigners being located just 3 hours from Bangkok, about 200 km Southeast of Bangkok, 5 km off the coast of Rayong province. The close location of the island makes it particularly popular with Bangkokians for weekend breaks party breaks or quiet get aways.
The island weather tends to be good all year round. Being based in the Bay of Thailand it is rare to have rain on the island. Most rain tends to falls on the mainland before reaching the island. This fact can make the island popular in the rainy season also.
The island is located in the Khao Laem Ya National Park sports 14 beautiful powdery white sand beaches and jungle home to monkeys, gibbons, hornbill birds and many varieties of butterflies. The natural beauty, accessibility and the range of night life options bring people back many times.
The beaches in the North East of the Island in particular Hat Sai Kaeo have many beach resorts, bars and restaurants and are the centre of the Koh Samet party scene particularly at the weekend and long weekends when the island is heaving with people. If you are looking for something quieter and more relaxed either the either visit during the week when the Bangkokians have gone home or go further South to Ao Cho, Ao Wong Duean, Ao Thian, Ao Lung Dam, Ao Wai, Ao Kio Na Nok or Ao Pakarang at the Southern tip of the island or go North West to Ao Phrao and enjoy viewing the stunning sunsets in a tranquil location. Generally the further south or west you go the quieter the location.
Accommodation is available at all levels. The North-East tends to have lower cost accommodation the South and West with more upscale resorts more expensive. From grass huts to luxurious 4 and 5 star hotels there is an accommodation to fit everyone’s price point.
Getting there is very simple. From Bangkok there are vans leaving Victory Monument every 2-3 hours or you can catch a bus from Ekkami bus station or even book a taxi if you have a small group at a reasonable price. You can catch the hourly ferry from Ban Phe Pier on the mainland or if you are heading further South or West then check with your Hotel, they will probably have their own boat. Some parts of the island are not accessible by road in the rainy season other than by boat.
Whatever your interests are, party, romantic weekend, family or even retreat Samed has something for you. And being so close Bangkok and offering the white sands and un-spoilt natural beauty normally only associated with the South of Thailand it is really worth a visit.
Vocabulary (คำศัพท์ /kam-sàp/)
Koh Samet = เกาะเสม็ด /gɔ̀ sà-mèt/
cajeput tree = เสม็ดขาว /sà-mèt kǎao/
foreigners = ชาวต่างชาติ /chaao-dtàang-châat/
Bangkok = กรุงเทพ /grung-têep/
Southeast = ตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ /dtà-wan-ɔ̀ɔk-chǐang-dtâi/
Rayong province = จังหวัดระยอง /jang-wàt rá-yɔɔng/
island = เกาะ /gɔ̀/
weather = อากาศ /aa-gàat/
Bay = อ่าว /àao/
rainy season = ฤดูฝน /rʉ́-duu fǒn/
Khao Laem Ya National Park = อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาแหลมหญ้า /ùt-tá-yaan hɛ̀ng-châat kǎo-lɛ̌ɛm-yâa/
white sand beaches = หาดทรายขาว /hàat saai kǎao/
natural = ธรรมชาติ /tam-má-châat/
beaches = ชายหาด /chaai-hàat/, ชายทะเล /chaai tá-lee/
North East = ตะวันออกเฉียงเหนือ /dtà-wan-ɔ̀ɔk-chǐang-nʉ̌a/
Hat Sai Kaeo = หาดทรายแก้ว /hàat saai gɛ̂ɛo/
Ao Cho = อ่าวช่อ /àao chɔ̂ɔ/, อ่าวทานตะวัน /àao taan-dtà-wan/
Ao Wong Duean = อ่าววงเดือน /àao wong-dʉan/
Ao Thian = อ่าวแสงเทียน /àao sǐang tian/
Ao Lung Dam = อ่าวลุงดำ /àao lung dam/
Ao Wai = อ่าวหวาย /àao wǎai/
Ao Kio Na Nok = อ่าวกิ่วหน้านอก /àao gìu nâa nɔ̂ɔk/
Ao Pakarang = อ่าวปะการัง /àao bprà-gaa-rang/
North West = ตะวันตกเฉียงเหนือ /dtà-wan-dtòk chǐang-nʉ̌a/
Ao Phrao = อ่าวพร้าว /àao práao/
sunsets = พระอาทิตย์ตกดิน /prá-aa-tít dtòk-din/
West = ตะวันตก /dtà-wan-dtòk/
Victory Monument = อนุสาวรีย์ชัยสมรภูมิ /à-nút-sǎa-wá-rii-chai-sà-mɔɔ-rá-puum/
Ekkami bus station = สถานีขนส่งเอกมัย /sà-tǎa-nii kǒn-sòng èek-kà-mai/
Ban Phe Pier = ท่าเรือบ้านแพ /tâa-rʉa bâan pɛɛ/
boat = เรือ /rʉa/
South of Thailand = ภาคใต้ของประเทศไทย /pâak-dtâi kɔ̌ɔng bprà-têet tai/
I hope you have learnt something new and that you have enjoyed this lesson.
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By Prae
Thai Language Teacher
