General Information of Rayong/Koh Samet
How To Go to Rayong/Koh Samet
Most of Ko Samet, including all of the good parts, is part of KhaoLaem Ya and Mu Ko Samet National Park and has an entry fee. Thais pay40 baht, foreigners 400 baht - a classic example of Thai dual pricing.If your ferry arrives at the main pier and you take a songthaew to thebeaches, there will be a stop at the main ticket checkpoint. If yourferry arrives at one of the beaches, an officer will collect the fee asyou step out of the surf. Note that there is plenty of foot traffic inand out of the park to the 7-Eleven, ATM or other shops and restaurantsand if you have no bags you can nonchalantly walk into the park withoutanyone checking your ticket. There is a road via the temple whichavoids the checkpoint entirely.
The 1st class bus from Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai) toBan Phe usually takes just over 3 hours, costs 276 baht, and terminatesopposite the ferry piers (there's no direct service to Ban Phe from MohChit - nearest alternative is to Rayong, from there you can take asongthaew to Ban Phe). If you take a regular bus from Pattaya orSattahip, you'll need to take a songthaew or charter a tuk-tuk to theferry piers. Minibus services go straight to the piers.
Ferries from Ban Phe to Ko Samet take around 30 to 45 minutes. Onlybuy a one-way ticket, as there's no discount on round-trip tickets andyou won't have to worry about losing it or finding that your ticketisn't valid for the most convenient return ferry. The ticket sellersmay also offer to sell you the national park ticket - don't bother.
The nearest airport fielding commercial flights is U-Tapao, justeast of Sattahip - about 45km from Ban Phe - however it only hasflights to Ko Samui and Phuket.
There are direct 1st class bus services between Rayong and Suvarnabhumi Airport (the new BKK).
Getting around Koh Samet
There are two methods to get around the island. The first is bysongthaew (usually a rather well-worn pickup truck with two benches inthe back and no roof), which costs 200 baht for a private trip, orbetween 20 and 60 baht per person for a full car, depending on whichbeach you are going to. This is a rather expensive method to get aroundthe island, and the dusty roads can make it an uncomfortable trip. Thesecond way is by renting a motorcycle. Signs advertise 300 baht per dayor 100 baht per hour, but when you go to enquire about renting theywill often say 400 or 500 baht per day. Insist on paying 300 baht. Youwill usually be able to rent it from the hotel you are staying at.Leaving your passport or a deposit is not necessary or advisable.
You can also rent/hire an ATV/Quad/4x4 for 1600 baht/day
Ref:http://wikitravel.org/en/Ko_Samet