Khao Laem Ya-Moo Koh Samet National park covers 131 square kilometers of land and sea. Located 200 kilometers southeast of Bangkok in Rayong province.
In 1981 the Royal Forest Department declared the archipelago of Samet, the headland the Khao Laem Ya and 12 Km of Mae Rumphueng Beach to be a National park. Samet Island group comprises of several islands i.e. Koh Kudee, Koh Kruay, Koh Kham, Koh Phai Tin, Koh Ta Lu and Koh Chan (Koh – means island). Each island has its own uniqueness which visitor should not miss.
Koh Samet is the largest island in this group. Its name came from Samet tree (Melaleuca quinquenervia) that found on swamp near Hat Sai Kaew.
The main attraction has traditionally been a series of sculpted coves on the east shore of koh Samet which offers a variety of privately accommodation on scenic beaches. There are many beaches and bays on the island eg. Hat Sai Kaew, Ao Wai, Ao Pakarang (Ao – means coves).
Sparkling white sand and cliffs rising from an azure sea… The archipelago of Samet Island is the setting that inspired classical Thai poet, Sunthorn Phu, to write his most famous epic: Phra Aphai Manee, a story of princes, sages, mermaids and giants. That was 150 years ago, and today you can still enjoy the magical qualities of Samet Island and surrounding area.
The headland of Khao Laem Ya is composed of particularly hard silicates which are resistant of erosion. The cape maintains the wide Mae Ramphueng beach to the west and protects a smaller secluded beach and seagrass bed to the east. Khao Laem Ya means a mountain with a grass cape. This unique geological feature is clearly seen from the sea.
Many small coral reefs are available for viewing in the park. The most popular reefs are located near Koh Kudee, Koh Ta Lu, and the southern shores of koh Samet. Though sea turtles rarely nest on the beaches.
Wildlife includes monitor lizards, long-tailed macaques and variable squirrels. Koh Tha Lu harbors a colony of large fruit eating bats, sometimes called “flying foxes”. A variety of birds including several species of nesting terns, herons and hornbills inhabit in the park. Hornbills are very sensitive to any pollution of the enviroment. So they live next to eco-ftiendly place.