Bangkok has become one of the top places visited by tourists every year. It is not only famous for its historical temples and vibrant market but also being one of the places with the most number of parks, museums and palaces. What adds to the beauty of the place is the nearby islands which have beautiful beaches, attractive views and greenery all around. Whether you are on honeymoon, travelling solo or with friends visiting the nearby islands will definitely be a worth it decision you will not regret. Ko Samet, Samae San Island, Ko Lan, Cha-Am Beach, Khram Yai Island, Koh Kood, Ko Chang are some of the islands nearby in the vicinity of Bangkok. Do not think much and add these sites in your list and be ready to create experiences that you will cherish forever.
Ko Samet
It is one of the favourite nearby weekend getaway for the Thai people who want to escape from the city. Just 3 hours away from Bangkok, this island beauty will take your breath away by its scenic beauty. Here you have the crystal clear water, tranquil coral reef and a quiet atmosphere which will match your mood if you want some quiet time. If you get bored you can visit the nearby beaches like the Sai Kaew, Ao Phai, Ao Vong Duen and indulge in watersports like skiing, jet-skiing, banana boating, scuba diving.
To reach Koh Samet you can book a taxi from Bangkok to Ban Phe ferry pier in Rayong. Post that you need to get onto a ferry to reach Ko Samet. The Island is open all day long so you can visit it anytime. As the island is part of the Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park, foreigners need to pay 200 Baht and the locals need to pay 40 Baht.
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Samae San Island
The Island is located in Sattahip district of Chon Buri province, Thailand. The island is not very far away from Bangkok and you will reach the island in 3 hours. It is a very small island and it belongs to the group of islands in the Gulf of Thailand. This island is special because it is a project started by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to protect the different types of plants. It is both an epicentre of learning and an eco-friendly tourist spot managed by the Thai navy. It has a lot of natural beauty in and around its surrounding area.
You can reach Samae San Island directly by taking a bus or van to Sattahip. From Sattahip you can take a ferry to reach the Island. It is open only during the day time and visitors cannot stay overnight in the Island. Also only 500 people can visit this island in a day. There is also an entrance fee for the foreigners of 600 Baht while the locals pay 300 Baht.
Ko Lan
It is a small island located very close to Pattaya about 7 kilometers away which takes 45 minutes via ferry and 15 minutes via speed boat. It has a number of beautiful white sand beaches.
Some of the white sand beaches are Hat Ta Waen, Hat Laem Thian and Hat Thong Long. Apart from the white sand beaches one can choose between snorkeling and viewing the beautiful coral reef.
To reach Koh Lan one needs to take a taxi directly to Pattaya. From Pattaya head to Bali Hai Pier or take the speed boat and you will reach Ko Lan. The island is open generally all day long with ferries operating between 7:00 am – 6:30 pm. There is no entry fee to enter the island, the only cost will be of the ferry or speed boat to the island which will be 20 Baht.
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Cha-Am Beach
Located about 40 kilometers south of Phetchaburi and 20 kilometers north of Hua Hin, it is a serene beach for relaxation. The beach is famous for being long and clean. This beach received its attention when the Maruekhathaiyawan, was built near Hua Hin in the reign of King Rama VI. The royal family and elite people used Hua Hin as a holiday destination. Later when people looked for something similar to Hua Hin, they discovered the Cha-am which today is a popular resort in Cha-am beach. Apart from the major water sports, you can also cycle along the 6 kilometer long sandy white beach.
To reach the Cha-am beach from Bangkok you can directly take a taxi from Bangkok to Chiam. The beach is open all throughout the year, so you can plan your trip accordingly. Also there is no entry charge to the beach. It is a public beach so you can enter the sand whenever you want.
Ko Sichang
It was one of the favourite spots for the three Thailand past kings and also a stopping point for boats carrying goods. Today it is one of the famous islands located on the eastern side of the Tewawong Pier. There are many nearby attractions near the island such as the Phra Chudhadhuj Palace Museum. The museum was the summer residence for King Rama IV. Another important spot near the beach is the the Atsadang Nimit Temple which is influenced by both Thai and western architecture and has a pond, well, pier and lighthouse as well as a sacred Boddhi tree within the grounds.
To reach Ko Sichang one can take a bus to Si Racha. From there board a ferry to the Ko Sichang Island. The island is open all throughout the year and there is no entry fee to the temple. The only cost incurred will be the ferry to and fro cost to the island.
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Khram Yai Island
It is one of the most beautiful islands of Pattaya with a lot of beaches, coves and inlets. The cruise on this island is simply magical. The beaches in this island are blessed with white powdery sand. The island is protected by the Thai royal navy so that it is not very crowded.
The land is home to the little sea turtles and therefore the island is closed at certain times to protect them. The water in the beaches are crystal clear. The area is full of marine life and coral reefs which makes it a perfect spot for snorkelling.
To reach Khram Yai Island you need to travel via road to Pattaya and then take a boat to Khram Yai Island. The island usually opens around 8:30 am and closes at 5:30 pm. There is an entrance fee for the foreigners of 200 Baht and for the locals it is 20 Baht
Ko Kret
It is a small island in the Chao Phraya River in Nonthaburi province, Thailand. It’s a man made island created from the canals dug between two bends in the Chao Phraya River. The temple still retains some of the design of the ayutthaya era. The people living in this area are basically from the Mon hill tribe people. Some of the major attractions include the Wat Poramai Yikawat, an ancient temple and the Wat Poramai Yikawat Museum.
To reach Ko kret one will need to take the Chao Phraya River express boat to reach the location. The island is open from 9:00am – 5:30pm so one needs to plan their trip to the island accordingly. There is no entry fee, so you do not need to worry about the budget.
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Ko Mak
Located in the Marine National Park in Eastern Thailand, it is one of the islands that is not visited by tourists a lot throughout the year. It is a very long island approximately 16km² long, so it is not easy to walk, but one can take a bicycle to go around the place and explore it.
It is a lesser known island and therefore the development in the island is limited to small restaurants, minimarts and a few resorts. It is growing slowly as compared to other islands
To reach Koh mak island you can take a taxi, minivan, bus and then take a ferry to reach the destination. There is no opening or closing time, the island is open all day long, so you can plan your trip accordingly. However there is an entry fee of 100 Baht per person.
Ko Chang
Located in Trat Province, about 300 kilometres east of Bangkok, Koh Chang is 70% covered by rainforest.. It is the second largest island in Thailand and visited by most of the tourists all around the world. Many new luxury homes and spas are coming up to meet the needs of the rich people who are going to the island for the crystal clear water and scenic views. But that does not take away from people who are on budget and want reasonable homes and services. There are a number of activities that one can do on the island like snorkelling, diving, camping, and jungle hiking.
To reach Ko Chang you can take a minivan or a bus to Trat and from there take a ferry to reach Ko Chang. There is no opening and closing time. So you can plan your trip accordingly. However there is an entrance fee of 200 Baht for foreigners and 100 Baht for kids.
Koh Pha Ngan
Located in southeast Thailand, it is a very beautiful Island. It is popular among people who want peace, are water lovers and want to spend time by themselves. It is well known for crystal clear water, beach houses and the full moon party. Some of the well known attractions nearby are the double bay Thong Nai Pan Noi and Thong nai Pan Yai and famous beaches like the Ban Tai Beach, Mae Haad Beach, and the Haad Rin Beach.
To reach Koh Pha Ngan take a flight from Bangkok to Koh Samui. From Koh Samui take a ferry to Koh ha Ngan.There is no opening or closing time for the island so you can plan your trip accordingly. Also there is no entrance fee to the Island.