Koh Samet vs Ubon Ratchathani
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A stronger beach offering
Several attractive white-sand bays are easy weekend escapes from Bangkok, though the busiest beaches can be crowded. Another assessed advantage: more island-hopping options.
More cultural experiences
City temples and candle-making traditions provide strong Isaan cultural interest, with the festival adding a seasonal highlight. Another assessed advantage: more scope for a modest-budget stay.
Side by side
What feels different
Our editorial assessments · Select a factor to see how we scored each place.
Why we rate Koh Samet 8/10
Several attractive white-sand bays are easy weekend escapes from Bangkok, though the busiest beaches can be crowded.
Why we rate Ubon Ratchathani 0/10
This inland city has no sea-beach offering; riverfront areas are a different experience.
What we assess
Beach appeal, convenient access and variety during a beach-focused stay, within the destination itself.
Why we rate Koh Samet 7/10
Curving coves, clear Gulf water and coastal forest make a pleasant island setting, without the dramatic cliffs of the Andaman.
Why we rate Ubon Ratchathani 4/10
Riverfront and temple settings add interest, but the dramatic Mekong landscapes require longer provincial journeys.
What we assess
The visual impact of natural surroundings and how central those landscapes are to a typical stay.
Why we rate Koh Samet 2/10
A few local shrines and village details aside, the island’s visitor appeal is mostly beaches and short breaks.
Why we rate Ubon Ratchathani 8/10
City temples and candle-making traditions provide strong Isaan cultural interest, with the festival adding a seasonal highlight.
What we assess
The variety, depth and practical access to historic places, temples, architecture, traditions and cultural experiences during a typical stay.
Why we rate Koh Samet 6/10
Seafood, Thai dishes and resort restaurants are easy to find, though the overall choice is limited by the island’s size.
Why we rate Ubon Ratchathani 8/10
Isaan, Vietnamese-influenced and Chinese-Thai food gives independent city dining strong variety and character.
What we assess
Food quality, variety, distinctive local cooking and how readily visitors can find good places to eat, regardless of price.
Why we rate Koh Samet 5/10
Beach bars and fire shows add lively evenings at the main beaches, with much quieter options elsewhere.
Why we rate Ubon Ratchathani 6/10
Local pubs, clubs and riverside bars provide worthwhile evening choice beyond food markets.
What we assess
The choice, variety and liveliness of evening venues, their opening hours and how easily you can enjoy a typical night out.
Why we rate Koh Samet 5/10
Quiet stays are possible away from the main bays, but weekend crowds and beach entertainment are common.
Why we rate Ubon Ratchathani 5/10
Quieter hotel areas are available, but the normal stay is in a working regional city with busy roads and evening venues.
What we assess
How easily you can enjoy a peaceful stay, considering traffic, nightlife noise, crowds and practical quieter bases.
Why we rate Koh Samet 6/10
Short boat outings reach nearby coves and snorkelling spots, but the excursion choice is more limited than at major island hubs.
Why we rate Ubon Ratchathani 0/10
Ubon is inland and has no practical sea-island excursions.
What we assess
The variety of worthwhile sea-island trips, convenient departures, journey times and flexibility under normal operating conditions.
Why we rate Koh Samet 7/10
Walkable beach areas, songthaews and boat transfers cover many visitor needs, though cross-island trips take coordination.
Why we rate Ubon Ratchathani 7/10
Airport, rail and local rides make a city stay workable without riding; dispersed sights and distant outings need transport.
What we assess
Freedom to explore without renting a scooter, using walking, public transport, taxis, tuk-tuks, ride-hailing or boats; transport price is assessed separately.
Why we rate Koh Samet 6/10
Simple rooms and local food are available, but weekend demand, park fees and boat transfers can raise the total.
Why we rate Ubon Ratchathani 8/10
Simple rooms and local meals suit modest budgets, with private transport for provincial sightseeing the main extra expense.
What we assess
How easily you can enjoy a typical stay on a modest budget, including simple accommodation, food, realistic transport and characteristic activities.
Scores out of 10 · Higher means more of that characteristic About these scores
How to read the scale
Scores run from 0 to 10 and describe how strongly a destination offers each characteristic.
Higher does not always mean better
A higher nightlife score means a livelier scene. A higher quietness score means a calmer atmosphere. The right balance depends on your trip.
Close scores mean similar experiences
Small differences should not decide your trip on their own.
Koh Samet
Choose Koh Samet if...
- You want an island beach break within reach of Bangkok.
- You want a choice of white-sand bays, with livelier beaches and quieter places to stay.
- You like seafood, beach bars and relaxed evenings by the water.
The trade-off
Popular beaches can be busy and stays cost more on weekends and holidays. Choose your beach carefully if quiet evenings matter, and include boat transfers and park fees in your budget.
Ubon Ratchathani
Choose Ubon Ratchathani if...
- Wat Phrathat Nong Bua
- Thung Si Mueang and city cultural life
- Isaan food and seasonal Candle Festival traditions
The trade-off
City sights are dispersed, and the best-known provincial nature attractions are not close to every city hotel.
Plan your trip
When to go
See how temperature, rainfall and travel conditions change through the year. Select a month to focus your comparison.
| Factor | Koh Samet | Ubon Ratchathani |
|---|---|---|
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 29 mm | 3 mm |
| Rainy days | 3 | 0.6 |
| Crowds | High | Unknown |
| Stay prices | High | Unknown |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Not applicable |
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 34°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 32 mm | 11 mm |
| Rainy days | 3.7 | 1.4 |
| Crowds | High | Unknown |
| Stay prices | High | Unknown |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Not applicable |
| Average daytime high | 33°C | 36°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 71 mm | 29 mm |
| Rainy days | 5.6 | 3.7 |
| Crowds | High | Unknown |
| Stay prices | Typical | Unknown |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Not applicable |
| Average daytime high | 34°C | 37°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 85 mm | 83 mm |
| Rainy days | 7 | 6.5 |
| Crowds | Moderate | Unknown |
| Stay prices | Typical | Unknown |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Not applicable |
| Average daytime high | 34°C | 35°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 191 mm | 223 mm |
| Rainy days | 13.6 | 14.8 |
| Crowds | Moderate | Unknown |
| Stay prices | Low | Unknown |
| Sea conditions | Variable | Not applicable |
| Average daytime high | 33°C | 34°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 178 mm | 237 mm |
| Rainy days | 15.3 | 16.7 |
| Crowds | Moderate | Unknown |
| Stay prices | Low | Unknown |
| Sea conditions | Variable | Not applicable |
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 33°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 177 mm | 294 mm |
| Rainy days | 14.6 | 19 |
| Crowds | Moderate | Unknown |
| Stay prices | Low | Unknown |
| Sea conditions | Variable | Not applicable |
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 128 mm | 291 mm |
| Rainy days | 13.7 | 20.6 |
| Crowds | Moderate | Unknown |
| Stay prices | Low | Unknown |
| Sea conditions | Variable | Not applicable |
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 269 mm | 314 mm |
| Rainy days | 18.1 | 19.1 |
| Crowds | Low | Unknown |
| Stay prices | Low | Unknown |
| Sea conditions | Variable | Not applicable |
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 196 mm | 112 mm |
| Rainy days | 17 | 9.9 |
| Crowds | Moderate | Unknown |
| Stay prices | Low | Unknown |
| Sea conditions | Variable | Not applicable |
| Average daytime high | 33°C | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 44 mm | 22 mm |
| Rainy days | 5.5 | 2.9 |
| Crowds | High | Unknown |
| Stay prices | High | Unknown |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Not applicable |
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 31°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 8 mm | 5 mm |
| Rainy days | 1.7 | 0.8 |
| Crowds | High | Unknown |
| Stay prices | High | Unknown |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Not applicable |
| Destination | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average daytime high | ||||||||||||
| Koh Samet |
32°C
|
32°C
|
33°C
|
34°C
|
34°C
|
33°C
|
32°C
|
32°C
|
32°C
|
32°C
|
33°C
|
32°C
|
| Ubon Ratchathani |
32°C
|
34°C
|
36°C
|
37°C
|
35°C
|
34°C
|
33°C
|
32°C
|
32°C
|
32°C
|
32°C
|
31°C
|
| Monthly Rainfall | ||||||||||||
| Koh Samet |
29 mm
|
32 mm
|
71 mm
|
85 mm
|
191 mm
|
178 mm
|
177 mm
|
128 mm
|
269 mm
|
196 mm
|
44 mm
|
8 mm
|
| Ubon Ratchathani |
3 mm
|
11 mm
|
29 mm
|
83 mm
|
223 mm
|
237 mm
|
294 mm
|
291 mm
|
314 mm
|
112 mm
|
22 mm
|
5 mm
|
| Rainy days | ||||||||||||
| Koh Samet | 3 | 3.7 | 5.6 | 7 | 13.6 | 15.3 | 14.6 | 13.7 | 18.1 | 17 | 5.5 | 1.7 |
| Ubon Ratchathani | 0.6 | 1.4 | 3.7 | 6.5 | 14.8 | 16.7 | 19 | 20.6 | 19.1 | 9.9 | 2.9 | 0.8 |
| Crowds | ||||||||||||
| Koh Samet | High | High | High | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Low | Moderate | High | High |
| Ubon Ratchathani | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Stay prices | ||||||||||||
| Koh Samet | High | High | Typical | Typical | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | High | High |
| Ubon Ratchathani | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Sea conditions | ||||||||||||
| Koh Samet | Calm | Calm | Calm | Calm | Variable | Variable | Variable | Variable | Variable | Variable | Calm | Calm |
| Ubon Ratchathani | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Temperatures are historical average daytime highs, not the highest temperatures you might experience. Rainfall and rainy days are monthly averages, not a forecast. A rainy day need not mean rain all day.
Stay prices are relative to each destination’s usual rates. Holidays can bring extra crowds and higher prices. Sea conditions vary by beach and day; check local conditions before boat trips.
Koh Samet: Thai Meteorological Department — RAYONG, 1991–2020.
Ubon Ratchathani: Thai Meteorological Department - UBON RATCHATHANI (48407), 1991-2020.
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Copyright of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
Copyright of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)