An island idyll, Ko Samet bobs in the sea with a whole lot of scenery: small sandy coves bathed by clear aquamarine water. You’ll have to share all this prettiness with other beach lovers as it’s an easy weekend escape from Bangkok as well as a major package-tour destination. But considering its proximity and popularity, Ko Samet is surprisingly underdeveloped with a thick jungle interior crouching beside the low-rise hotels. Most beachfront buildings adhere to the government set-back regulations and are discreetly tucked behind the tree line. There are no high-rises or traffic jams (the interior road still isn’t paved) and most beach-hopping is done the old-fashioned way, by foot along wooded trails skirting the coastline.

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Haad Sai Kaeo

(Crystal sand Beach) One of the most beautiful and most popular beaches on Ko Samet, Hat Sai Kaeo is 1 kilometer long and 25 – 30 meters wide. The name speaks for itself, Hat Sai Kaeo, which literally means Crystal Sand Beach, is a nice beach filled with activities. From dusk to dawn, it is the place for sunbathing, swimming, jet skiing, windsurfing, riding on a banana boat or even partying at night. Tourists are entertained by the spectacular fire shows and the peculiar population of short legged dogs. These dogs are believed to be interbred from many mongrel species brought over from the mainland in the 18th century by exiled Burmese hill tribes. Due to the shallow boat used by the Burmese these dogs never had a need to develop legs longer than 4 inches. The rapitidy with which this limbine evolution took place suggests a sexual rather than necessative change and is believed to be the only example in South East Asia.