• You will pass Pattaya on your way to Sattahip but need to travel beyond Sattahip to Ban Phe catch a ferry to Koh Samet. At Sattahip Station you may be approached by touts/ taxi drivers offering to take you to "Koh Samet", ie Ban Phe. East Coast buses run from Bangkok through Sattahip and on to Rayong, with some continuing to Ban Phe. If you only get as far as Rayong Bus Station you will be offered a taxi to Ban Phe by locals or you could seek help finding the pick up point for the songtaews (trucks that serve as local buses) that go to Ban Phe. There are two jetties at Ban Phe, about a mile or so apart. Tour operators may try to oganise a charter for you or book your accomodation, but you would be better using a scheduled ferry andk on arrival at your chosen beachk booking a bungalow only after seeing it. This give you an opportunity to check that it is of a suitable standard and to perhaps barter the price down if you think you are being overcharged. On arrival at Koh Samet songtaews can take you to the resort of your choice, but ask how much they are going to charge you. If you are fit and energetic you could walk, as the island is not very large. You will also pass a park office after leaving the port, where you will have to pay to enter the National Park.

Jeff Barker

• I travelled to Koh Samet by bus, some of which run to Ban Phe from where you catch a ferry to the island. These buses pass through Sattahip although you may find that touts/taxi drivers will approach you offering to take you to "Koh Samet", ie Ban Phe. More regular buses run only as far as Rayong, where again you are certain to be offered a taxi to Ban Phe, or you could be adventureous and seek help finding the pick up point for the songtaews - trucks used as local buses - to Ban Phe. There are two jetties, about a mile or so apart, where regular ferries run to Koh Samet - although tour operators will try and sell you a charter and/or a bugalow on Koh Samet. Use the regular ferry and book your room only after you have inspected it as it is unlikely to live up to its description if it is paid for in advance.
Jeff Barker

• Best to avoid Koh Samet - the accommodation is poor and expensive and there is still a risk of malaria. If you must go, there are no services from Pattaya or Sattihip to the island. Sattihip is the major Thai Navy base and has many restricted areas. You can only get to Koh Samet from the port of Ban Phe in the Rayong province. The bus from Bangkok stops at the pier - be warned, there are more touts in this area than the rest of Thailand. Ignore them all and go to the ticket office on Nuan Pier, where the staff are very helpful and will issue tickets for all the boat services. However, if you are coming from Bangkok why not get a travel agent to arrange the whole trip?
Tom Johnston

• The answer is, get a bus direct to the island, don't worry about trains.

The buses go from Bangkok Eastern Bus Terminal hourly to Ban Phe Pier and take four hours.

I'd advise leaving Bangkok before midday, as the ferry stops running when there aren't enough people.
Brian Charlesworth