Could you please update me on the oil spill that washed up on Samet Island?

As has been extensively reported in the press, some 50,000 litres of crude oil leaked into the gulf of Thailand on July 27 and the slick drifted to the pristine beaches of Koh Samet. The spill is a major disaster for Thailand’s eastern seaboard, as the tourism industry is the leading earner for the area generating revenue not just for hotels and restaurants, but also local fishermen and the seafood trade. With news of the oil spill news spreading, many people cancelled their trips to the island and the loss of income has hit the locals hard. PTT Global Chemical, the petroleum giant responsible for the spill, has already set funds aside to reimburse private enterprises that have lost revenue from this incident. 

Unfortunately, international visitors now have a negative perception of Koh Samet, one of the most popular beach destinations in this area of Thailand. When the Gulf of Mexico was tainted by an oil slick, local tourism operators reported being asked by visitors if there was still oil in the sea more than a year after the incident. No one here wants to wait another year for recovery; so many sectors have launched campaigns and promotions in the hope of maintaining tourist arrivals. It has been a tremendous loss for tourism industry, and even though the situation on the island is improving daily, misperceptions are likely to linger for a long time. With latest reports indicating that the beaches of Koh Samet are clean, the marketing campaign to draw tourists has shifted into high gear. My advice to you would be to keep your eyes open and take advantage of the best rates you can find in the upcoming high tourist season.

 

 

We are planning on spending a week in Koh Chang this October. Is it practical to leave the island in the morning to catch a return flight at 7.20pm? What is the best mode of transport? Thanks! Kim

 

On the assumption that your return flight leaves from Suvarnabhumi Airport, you should be able to make it without rushing too much. Koh Chang ferries leave the island every hour starting from 6am and the travel time is 30-40 minutes. If you are happy to fly back to Bangkok, Bangkok Airways’ flights leave Trat for Suvarnabhumi at 10.15am and 1.15pm, and its flight time is only one hour. 

If you don’t want to pay for a flight, you can travel by van from Koh Chang Ferry Pier to Bangkok’s Victory Monument. The cost is Bt300 per person, and travel time is around five hours.

Suvarnabhumi Burapa also offers a VIP coach service that runs between Koh Chang and the airport. It runs three times daily, at 8am, 1pm and 5pm. The price is Bt400 per person. To catch a flight at 7.20pm, you need to take the 8am bus, which will get you to the airport at 2pm. If you leave at 1pm, you will arrive at 7, which is too late. This is probably the best and cheapest way if you don’t mind spending six hours on the bus. Have a great trip!