Today is the auspicious occasion of my thirtieth birthday. Normally this is a pretty depressing occasion, but Samet Island in Thailand is the ideal place to spend it, and I actually forgot about it.

It’s very close to Bangkok, but is very rustic, with dirt roads. There’s a lot of bungalows, but it’s not too developed. The beach is big enough to lay on, with white sand, is free of garbage, and there are only a few chairs set up. Best of all, even though many places are full due to the holiday, there aren’t that many people around.

So, the secret’s out: Samet Island is the best island in Thailand.