| Ko Samet: Defending The Destiny of 'The Deep' | |||
| UPDATE : 27 April 2010 | |||
Aside from Hua Hin, my hometown in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, the Thai resort destination I visit most often is the island of Koh Samet. Although I must have visited the island over 20 times since 1990, I never tire of the opportunity to enjoy a few days there, just swimming, sunbathing, or dancing on the beach. On this occasion, however, I did get the chance to visit somewhere different – a fish and turtle farm located at Ao Noina (‘Noina Beach’). This turned out to be a great decision as it gave me the chance to learn more about the importance of the kingdom's fisheries. Preservation efforts Established by the Department of Fisheries, the objective of the Fish Breeding Center is to preserve and breed rare species of marine fish and turtles. Easily accessible by boat, the center was actually much bigger than I had expected it to be, comprising of a large group of floating holding tanks. Our boat decelerated as we approached the floating tanks as there was a queue of vessels waiting to moor, illustrating how popular this activity has become among visitors to the island. Once you've disembarked, you can select from a range of foodstuffs to feed the fish. I bought a pack of breadcrumbs and a pack of shredded mackerel, each costing 10 baht (US$0.31).
The center also has a large number of black kingfish (cobia), which are generally found in warmer waters. This species recently made its debut as a new form of commercially-bred fish for food, and has been lauded for its 'raw' flavor. You'll also see leopard shark at the center, which are commonly found in the Andaman Sea. This graceful creature, which poses little threat to humans, is therefore particularly popular among divers.
As the sun began to set, I figured it was time to think about heading back to the mainland. As I stood up, I must admit that I felt a little dizzy having walked around the floating holding tanks for about one hour. All in all, I would recommend this trip to families since it's not only great fun, but also very informative. Koh Samet is about seven kilometers in length and was declared part of the Khai Laen Ya and Mu Ko Samet National Park along the kingdom's eastern gulf in 1981. Foreigners pay a fee of 200 baht ($12.50) to enter the national park. While several tour agencies run various programs around the island, you may wish to start by calling Samed Boat Trip on Tel: +66 (0)38 644 247 to learn more. This company offers a half-day trip around the island (400 baht [$12.40], children: 200 baht]) by speedboat, which includes fishing, snorkeling, a visit to the Fish Breeding Center, lunch and soft drinks. Transport connections: Boat: The easiest way to reach the island is to head for the ferry pier at Ban Phe, 19 kilometers southeast of Rayong town. Ferries from here connect with Nadarn and Vongduan on Koh Samet. Bus: Buses to Rayong’s Ban Phe depart regularly from Bangkok’s Ekkamai Bus Station. Car: From Bangkok, take the southbound stretch of Highway 7 or Highway 34 in the direction of Chon Buri. Just ahead of Chon Buri, switch to Highway 3, which takes you right around the coast to Rayong. Highway 7 runs parallel to Highway 3, but then merges with Route 36, which provides a short cut to Rayong. Head southeast for 19 km along Highway 3 once you reach Rayong. It is safe to park your vehicle at the parking lot in front of Nuantip Pier, which is opposite Ban Phe Bus Station. Parking here costs just 60 baht ($1.86) per day. | |||
วันจันทร์ที่ 3 พฤษภาคม พ.ศ. 2553
Ko Samet: Defending The Destiny of 'The Deep'
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