Ao Phai Beach, Koh Samet
Ao Phai is a resort beach on the east coast of Koh Samet, south of Sai Kaew, with bungalows, restaurants and an easy walk to its neighbour Ao Tubtim. It is busy but not crowded, and tables are set on the sand at night.
| Taxi to the piers of Ban Phe | Standard Sedan, per car | |
|---|---|---|
| Bangkok to Ban Phe | 2,199 THB | Book |
| Suvarnabhumi to Ban Phe | 1,999 THB | Book |
| Don Mueang to Ban Phe | 2,299 THB | Book |
| Pattaya to Ban Phe | 1,099 THB | Book |
| U-Tapao to Ban Phe | 1,099 THB | Book |
The price is the same for every pier. Seven car types, see the price list.
The beach in the evening
The attraction is the choice of seafood restaurants whose tables stand on mats near the water. Lanterns and music make it a good place for dinner. The beach is also a base for the bars further along.
By day it is a place for swimming and for a book. The sea is calmer between November and April.
Getting there
A taxi takes you to the Ban Phe pier, a ferry to the island and a songthaew or a walk to the beach. On the ferry the crossing takes 30 to 40 minutes, tickets are 70 THB one way and 120 THB return per person, and the daily sailings run from 08:00 until 18:00. To reach the pier you can book a private car; the price per car is in the table above.
Which pier? The one on your ticket, as listed in the guide to the piers.
Where it fits
Ao Phai is where many visitors who want a resort beach with an evening choose to stay. If you want more silence, Ao Tubtim is a few minutes' walk away, and the quieter bays of the south are further. Every beach has a page, listed on the Koh Samet page.
Questions and answers
How far is Ao Phai from the pier?
A short songthaew ride, or a walk along the coast.
Is Ao Phai noisy at night?
It is lively in the evening, with restaurants and music.
Can I walk to Ao Tubtim?
Yes, it is a few minutes along the shore.
What is the ferry fare?
70 THB one way, 120 THB return per person.
Book a taxi to Ban Phe pier
Free cancellation. Pay the driver in cash, or by Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, transfer by QR code or bank transfer to a Thai account if you prefer.