Rayong beach in thailand. Rayong beaches
Rayong is a fairly well-known province and place. It stretches along the coast of the Gulf of Thailand for 110 km and has a total area of \u200b\u200b3500 sq. km. The capital is the city of the same name, located 190 km from and 65 km from. The closest regions to the province are Chantaburi and Chon Buri.
The nature of Rayong is a combination of forested mountains, waterfalls, numerous fruit and rubber plantations and countless beaches. The province is one of the most important agricultural producers in Thailand, with large plantations growing vegetables and fruits all year round. The region is the main supplier of seafood - numerous fishing vessels bring rich catch to Bangkok and the provinces every day. Prices for fruits and seafood in local markets are also not high.
You can get to Rayong from Bangkok by bus, travel time is 2.5 hours.
The main thing that attracts foreigners here is the local Thai flavor, uncrowded beaches, lack of crowds of tourists, developed infrastructure with hotels, shopping centers, shops, markets. In Rayong, the beaches stretch for tens of kilometers, so everyone will find a place to their liking. The most famous are located near the city, these are: Laem Charoen, Saeng Chan, Mae Ramphueng. Phayun and Phala beaches are located a little further.
The development of Rayong began in the late 80s of the last century, when the first tourists appeared here. Since the beginning of the 90s, the city has developed at a tremendous pace, and today this area is a fairly developed industrial center with hotels, supermarkets, shops, banks and restaurants.
But despite this, Rayong is very different from its closest neighbor - Pattaya, with its turbulent, discos and affordable girls. It is a quiet place and is more suitable for couples and those who like a relaxing holiday. However, if you wish, you can have a fun evening here, just the nightlife is not so noticeable, it is not paraded like in Pattaya or Bangkok.
Rayong city on the map of Thailand
Who should go
Going to Rayong is for those who like city rest, but who want to find a middle ground. Those. those who do not want too fast pace and nightlife in Pattaya, but at the same time do not want to live in purely Thai towns that are located in the neighborhood (Siracha, Sattahip, Chonburi) and where the tourist infrastructure is not so developed.
Rayong also offers a fairly large selection of beaches and hotels near them. There are massage parlors, restaurants (including Western food), shopping centers (Tesco Lotus, Central Plaza), shops, markets, attractions (National Park, temples, etc.), entertainment (Aquarium, cinemas). The city has a large selection of fresh seafood and fruits, prices are quite low and are designed for locals, not tourists.
Rayong is worth going to those who do not want to live in a tourist place, where most Thais are trying to cheat you for money. Here people are not spoiled by foreigners and are still very welcoming.
And now about who will not like this resort. First of all, it will be boring for lovers of nightlife, discos, bars and hot spots with affordable girls. Also, the city will not appeal to those who like to swim in the clear sea and generally love bounty. Such people should go to the islands where there is complete relaxation and clear sea (the nearest ones are Ko Lan, Ko Samet and Ko Chang). And in Rayong, there are quite a few factories located right on the coast next to the beaches. Naturally, everything merges into the water and it cannot be as clean as on the islands.
Also in Rayong, public transport is not very developed. Rather, it is, but the routes are laid in the interests of the local population, and not tourists who want to move between beaches. Without your own motorbike or car, it will be difficult to go to markets, shops, beaches and attractions here. And almost all city transport is labeled in Thai, and the drivers hardly speak English.
So, let's summarize. Rayong is worth going to those who like city rest, and not an island one. Who wants to be able to buy inexpensive food, fruits, etc. at Thai prices, not tourist prices.
The resort has enough condominiums in which foreigners buy apartments and live for several months. Some even moved to Thailand, but do not want to live in the noisy Pattaya.
For retirees or couples with children, Rayong is more suitable than Pattaya. The only thing is that there will be less entertainment for the child. But he will not constantly see transvestites, drunk tourists and girls of easy virtue.
In our opinion, the resort is more suitable for a long stay (from a month) than for a short week-long vacation.
How to get to Rayong
You can get to Rayong by air and land. 30 km from the city center is located, where planes arrive daily from Koh Samui, Phuket, Chiang Mai and some others. From there to the hotel you will have to take a taxi or.
Cheap flights to Bangkok
You can buy air tickets to Thailand as profitably as possible with the help of special search engines that collect data from all airlines.
The easiest way to get from Bangkok is by bus, which leaves every half hour from - from 04:00 to 22:00. The fare is about 180 baht, the travel time is 2.5 hours. Buses arrive at the bus station in Rayong, from where you can get to the coast on a public songteo for 15-20 baht.
Directly from Suvarnabhumi International Airport can only be reached by taxi. The fare is from 1,500 baht, the journey time is a little more than 2 hours. You can order a taxi at the Public Taxi counter in the arrivals area or. The return cost is about 2500 baht. Therefore, as an option, you can get to the bus station, from there for 180 baht to Ekkamai, and upon arrival, take a taxi and take the meter to Suvarnabhumi for about 200-250 baht. Or from Ekkamai to Phaya Thai station, and then change to the metro line to the airport (Airport Rail Link) for 45 baht.
Buses from Pattaya go to Rayong, you need to catch those that pass along the Sukhumvit highway from Bangkok. Or contact local travel agencies that organize minivans to Koh Samet. They pass Rayong along the way. The fare is about 200 baht. One of these carriers is 35 Group Pattaya.
Tickets are sold at bus stations, travel agencies in resorts and cities, or you can.
Transport
Urban transport in Rayong is represented by songteo and motorcycle taxis. The songthaew costs 10 baht, but it is not clear which route goes where. everything is written in Thai and the drivers often do not understand English. The author of the article only once saw the inscription in English Mae Ramphueng (this is a beach) on a songteo. But this is more the exception than the rule. Some songteos are near the beaches, but it is also not clear where they go from them.
In short, if you want to live in Rayong or come here for a day, then you should forget about public transport. The best solution would be either a motorbike from where you are going to this resort. There are almost no rentals here, but if you are staying at a hotel, you can ask the reception about renting.
Mototaxis can only be found near popular Thai destinations, such as shopping malls and markets. They are not on the beaches.
Rayong beaches
The common thing that distinguishes the beaches in Rayong is the lack of people. Only in the evenings and on weekends can you see local residents on the beaches closest to the city. They come here not only to swim, but also to sit in one of the coastal cafes.
The coast stretches for several tens of kilometers, there are many places where there are no people at all, or any infrastructure in the form of hotels, restaurants and cafes. Since the place is not very touristy, you will not see vendors with food and trinkets on the beach, as in neighboring Pattaya. Nobody pesters here, and almost no one speaks English outside the territory of the hotels.
But it is worth understanding that the beaches of Rayong, located in the center of the provincial capital and near it, are not very good due to the fact that there are many factories on the coast. Accordingly, the purity of the water also leaves much to be desired. Yes, and they are not removed from the garbage every day.
One of the nearest beaches suitable for swimming is located within the city limits and is called. There are many Thai seafood cafes along the coast. On weekends, it is chosen by the locals who come to rest. There is a wild and dirty one nearby.
The 10-kilometer Mae Ramphueng beach is very beautiful, located 12 km from the city center.
Hat Suan Son attracts with pine trees, in the shade of which you can hide from the sultry rainforest. Located a few kilometers from the town of Ban Pe.
And finally, near Rayong there is a popular one, which is part of the National Reserve. This status guarantees crystal clear water ideal for swimming, diving and snorkeling.
Pillar of the City
Located on Lak Muang Rd. This is a symbol of Rayong, at first the pillar was wooden, and then it was replaced by a brick one. In mid-April, the main celebrations dedicated to.
We propose to choose the coast as the place of your rest Maeramphung beach... There are also options " Mae Rampung Beach", "Maramphung", "Marapung" other.
The most interesting thing is that in transliteration the Thais, apparently, also have no consensus. There are different versions:
And in the documents of one company, the following came across:
I also came across this spelling option: Maeram pubg Beach, moreover, on business cards of two different organizations. So you don't have to think about typos.
It is impossible to reproduce the Thai pronunciation. Given the lack of sound in their language " R", still harder. How they pronounce the words Rayong, king Rama, Suva airport rnabhumi is a mystery. Judging by the fact that in spoken English they sound " R"change to" L "(for example, room is pronounced) - everything is simple. But why Rayong is not transcribed Layong?
Rayong is a promising resort in Thailand
Exotic Thailand occupies one of the most prestigious positions in the popularity rating of tourist destinations. The magical kingdom of coral reefs, Buddhist temples, pristine nature and eternal summer invariably attracts travelers seeking a bright, emotional, unforgettable vacation. Tours to Thailand are in demand all over the world, regardless of the time of year, and one of the interesting goals of independent travelers is Rayong province. But recently, more and more Russian tour operators offer this province to package tourists from Russia. Apparently the saturation of Pattaya with Russian tourists, the high cost of hotels in the high season affects. And as it is well known - Russian tourists love to rest where there are no Russians ...
The proximity of Pattaya, with its developed tourist infrastructure, also attracts a large number of tourists, because Many popular Pattaya excursions can be visited from the quiet and calm Rayong. True, this applies mainly to excursions offered by the tour operator. It is important that such a beautiful island as Ko Samet is within close reach of Rayong and tourists can always relax on its white beaches without spending a lot of time compared to tourists from Pattaya. All this together makes Rayong a very promising resort for organized recreation, but sooner or later it will turn into the second Pattaya ...
Geography
In accordance with the territorial division of the country, this region belongs to the eastern part of Thailand, which stands out for its clear geographic contours and resembles a square, one of the corners boldly crashed into the clear waters of the Gulf of Thailand. The western side of the square is Chonburi province with the tourist Mecca of Pattaya, and the southern coast is occupied by Rayong, a significant part of the area of \u200b\u200bwhich has been declared a national park.
It is not by chance that the province received a special status. Nature has shown a unique and inexplicable generosity to this small piece of terrestrial territory. She created a small paradise, the beauty of which takes the breath away from those who see it for the first time. The landscape of Rayong harmoniously combines mountain ranges and lush meadows, tropical forests and sparkling white sand beaches, dizzying waterfalls and quiet bays, fruit tree plantations and the azure infinity of the sea. The landscapes created shimmer with a rich spectrum of colors, from restrained to the brightest, and sound a bouquet of enchanting melodies. They are so natural that they seem fake, and this mesmerizing imaginary paradox is the main thing that distinguishes Rayong from other regions of Thailand and attracts tourists.
The administrative center of the province of the same name is a small town that is ready to accommodate travelers in comfortable hotels and cozy bungalows. It differs from the eccentric Pattaya by its degree and restraint. Rayong is visited by those who crave vivid impressions of communication with nature, and not endless entertainment shows.
sights
The fashionable resort has something to surprise its guests with. Its beaches are considered some of the best in Thailand and are world famous. The most popular is Hatsaitong Beach, whose sand is compared to precious grains of white gold. In total, the coastline of the province has about 100 km of pristine sandy beaches.
Rayong provides guests with the opportunity to improve their health with the healing power of geothermal mineral springs. This natural resource is not available in other regions of Thailand.
A special touch of local flavor is the numerous fishing villages where you can get acquainted with fishing, enjoy freshly prepared seafood with Nam Pla sauce and buy souvenirs from exotic sea shells.
In the general placer of fishermen's settlements, the leader is the village of Ban Phe. It is famous for, firstly, it supplies Thai delicacies to Europe, and secondly, ferries run from its pier to the island of Ko Samet, which is the most valuable pearl in the collection of Rayong's riches.
On the island, by nature itself, ideal conditions have been created for snorkeling, diving, and boat trips. Quiet lagoons, wondrous beauty of coral reefs, tropical trees and flowers, beaches with light and delicate sand - this is how the tourist attraction of Ko Samet looks like. You can get around the island in a couple of hours, but despite its small area, its territory contains both campgrounds and upscale hotels.
The pride of Rayong is the local aquarium, which introduces guests to the representatives of the marine fauna, and in the Sobha Botanical Garden, travelers enjoy the artsy beauty of a variety of outlandish plants and rare species of birds.
For those who want a thrill, excursions to wildlife sanctuaries are offered, where you can see tigers and leopards, elephants and Malay bears, bantengs and Asiatic buffaloes, white-handed gibbons and langurs.
The province is rich not only in natural attractions, but also in monuments of Thai culture. Majestic religious buildings are located both in the administrative capital and beyond.
Tourists are greatly impressed by the altar of King Thaksin with a statue of the monarch himself and a three-hundred-year-old tree growing nearby, to which, according to legend, he tied his war elephant.
The temple of Wat Pra Pradu is famous for the majestic statue of the reclining Buddha, which is 12 m long and 3.6 m high.This colossus is shrouded in a special mysterious aura, since, unlike similar idols, it lies not on the right, but on the left side.
Two kilometers from the city of Rayong, the 10-meter pagoda of the Wat Pak Nam temple rises. Tourists making an excursion to her on the full moon of the 12th lunar month witness the celebration, which is accompanied by religious ceremonies and sports competitions.
On the island of Ko Samet, there are two objects of interest: the statue of the White Buddha and the sculptural composition dedicated to the work of the Thai poet Sunton Phu, which tells the story of a mermaid and the prince she saved.
The appearance of Rayong is organically completed by several modern touches: a golf club and horse base, shops and cafes, restaurants and nightclubs are at the service of tourists.
(c) Reclamist, St.-Petersburg
Last fall, we spontaneously decided to go on holiday to Thailand for one week. We had enough time to spend a full week at the beach in Thailand with our three children. We thought for a long time where to go and, in the end, decided to go on vacation to Rayong (Thailand), located in the northeast of the country.
The city is located relatively close to and , so you can fly to any of the airports in these cities and get to Rayong. We had our entire budget - 150,000 rubles. for Thailand, the amount is good, but still had to save during a short vacation in Rayong in Thailand.
Rayong: how to get there, ticket selection and flight
Our good friends recently, regularly used search engines such as, thereby saving money on the purchase of air tickets. We have never used such a service and decided to try and buy tickets online. The system turned out to be very easy to use. All you need to do is enter the city of departure Moscow and arrival, dates and number of travelers, including children.
First, we tried the Pattaya option. Utapao Airport is in close proximity to Rayong. Unfortunately, the flight there was carried out with a transfer in Phuket and the cost of the ticket did not suit us at all, about 130,000 rubles.
Therefore, we tried another option with a flight from Moscow to Bangkok. The system gave an excellent option for a direct flight. The cost was 112,000 rubles. Without hesitation, we bought tickets while the offer was valid.
The flight with Aeroflot is very comfortable and pleasant. Long-haul liners look new and tidy, equipped with plasma TVs in the seat in front, so that during the 9 hours of flight you can watch entertainment programs and watch information about the flight. The helpful airline staff were polite and happy to help with any request. The food offered on the flight was not satisfactory.
Drive to Rayong from Bangkok
We took care of the trip to Rayong in advance. So, having arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport, you can immediately take a taxi ... But we chose a different path. First, we took a taxi for 1,764 rubles to the center of Bangkok. A minibus departed from Mochit station every half hour in the direction of Rayong, which took us to Rayong in 3.5 hours.
We took care of not standing in line at the station in advance and purchased tickets . The cost of each ticket is about 370 rubles.
Hotels in Rayong
We thoroughly approached the choice of the hotel in which we intended to stay. It was important for us not only to meet the budget, but also to ensure a decent stay at the resort. To do this, we have implemented the System has looked for many options and we found a wonderful 4-star hotel called.
The hotel is located on the first line practically in the city center. As the name suggests, the establishment offers rooms and serviced apartments. It was the apartment that we got, the cost - 35,000 rubles per week for 5 people. We got a magnificent apartment on the ninth floor, with a balcony overlooking the embankment and the sea. The apartments are equipped with air conditioning, hairdryer, minibar, TV and nice furniture. We had a small kitchen, but we cooked very little. The hotel offers free wi-fi. The hotel has a swimming pool, gym, spa, restaurant, bars, laundry, medical center, bowling, American pool, table tennis, football.
Beach in Rayong
There is a public beach next to the hotel. We read a lot and saw videos on YouTube that the beaches in Rayong in Thailand are not the best. But I must say that in the area of \u200b\u200bRipjayfang Road, where our hotel is located, the beach and coastline are just perfect.
The only thing I would like is that the beach would be wider. There is a wide green area between the beach and the street on the embankment, which makes this place very cozy, and the coastline itself presents small bays, which is very good for swimming for children, since there are practically no waves and the depth is very shallow. There are many local cafes along the coastline, where you can have a bite to eat with local seafood delicacies for relatively little money.
May Ramphueng Beach
We went to Mae Ramfueng Beach a couple of times. It is located about 2-3 kilometers to the east on a small peninsula. The beach is very clean, wide, along the perimeter there are neatly mowed lawns and tall palms. There are also practically no waves here, and the infrastructure is a little richer. There are some water activities, umbrellas and sun loungers. This beach is considered one of the best in Rayong and we really liked it there, but we could not go there often and two days spent there were quite enough.
Holidays in Rayong (Thailand): what to do
If you come here with children, then it is worth visiting the Rayong Aquarium, which is located right in the center of the city. We went there once and that was enough.
If you want an island vacation, then you can go to , it is very close to Rayong. There is a national park on the island.
In the center of Rayong, you won't miss the City pillar Shrine. This very beautiful, although not very large structure, will amaze you with bright colors and painted dragons on its walls. In the morning there are always crowds of people asking for blessings.
Also, don't miss the largest temple complex in Rayong called King Taksin Shrine. The temple was built in honor of the Thai King Thaksin the Great. There is also a large tree to which the king tied an elephant. You can buy a bird for about 50 rubles and set it free. The kids will love it. Be sure to visit Wat Pra Pradu, which is centrally located on Sukhumvit Road.
In general, we liked the rest in Rayong in Thailand. The only thing we did not expect was the influx of a large number of tourists from other cities for the weekend, but there were a lot of people on the beach only in the afternoon. After them, there was a lot of garbage, which was promptly removed by the city's utilities and everything quickly returned to normal. Rayong hotels are suitable for different categories of tourists. Most of all we enjoyed booking tickets and hotel through search engines. Thanks to this, we saved money and were able to maximize our stay in Rayong.
Rayong province, despite its beaches and proximity to Bangkok, has long been unknown to foreigners. The tourism industry did not develop, since agricultural production and fishing are historically concentrated here. The proximity of gigantic Bangkok and the road to Pattaya have led to the province's specialization as the main supplier of food for these parts of Thailand.
In recent years, tourists in search of new places have sometimes come to Rayong, and foreigners have bought real estate. By the standards of Thailand, it is inexpensive here, and has its own attractions.
How to get there
Rayong is conveniently located in eastern Thailand on the shores of the Gulf of Thailand. In the west and north, the province borders on Chonburi, that is, it is located nearby (58 km). Bangkok is also close - 183 km. By car or bus from Rayong, you can easily get to the central cities of Thailand.
There is no airport in Rayong. The closest is (33 km from Rayong). Regular and charter flights from Russia and other countries land in Utapao. Minibuses run from the airport to Rayong.
There is no direct flight from Bangkok to Utapao. With a stopover in Phuket, a flight from Bangkok Airway will cost $ 175. Therefore, it is common to get from the capital to Rayong by bus. They leave from Ekkamai Bus Station every hour or more. The route passes through Pattaya. Travel time - about 3 hours. Ticket price - from $ 10.
The aquarium operates at the Marine Research Center. Yes, Thailand is not only about beaches and entertainment, but also quite serious institutions. The main task of the Center is to study the underwater ecosystem in its natural form. The tourism component exists as a supplement to the research component.
Of particular interest to visitors is the tunnel aquarium. Tropical fish, molluscs, crabs, cuttlefish swim in it. Turtles, starfish live in open reservoirs, marine flora is widely represented.
There is also a museum of the sea, which exhibits not only living, but also extinct, marine life. A separate exposition is dedicated to fishing as a traditional occupation of the Thai people. Location: Ban Phe Fishing Village in Mueang Capital District - 40 km from Rayong City. The aquarium is open: 10.00 - 16.00, except Monday and Tuesday.
Parks
By tradition, natural parks and gardens are the main attractions of Thailand.
Khao Chamao National Park - Khao Wong
The park is located in the eastern part of Rayong and borders Chanthaburi province. It is a mountainous landscape covered with a tropical forest. There are 2 trails in the park: one is two kilometers long, the other is three kilometers long. Both on the one and on the other there are waterfalls, rapids, several dozen limestone caves. It is most interesting here during the rainy season. If you happen to be in Thailand in March or April, then this is a good reason to visit Khao Chamao - Khao Wong.
On the territory of the park there is a camping with tents and bungalows. Accommodation - from $ 6. You can come with your own tents, but you will have to pay almost the same.
How to get there: from Rayong follow Highway 3, then turn onto road 4010, then turn onto 3377 and then follow the sign. The entrance to the park is paid - $ 10.
Administratively, the park includes the territory of all the islands belonging to Rayong and the coastal line of the continental part of the province. On the big land, the hills of Laem Ya Hill and Phet Hill, which offer views of the sea and the island of Samet, are of interest. They are easy to climb along specially laid paths. The length of the route - a little more than 1 km - which can be easily overcome in the fresh sea air. There are several places upstairs where you can grab a bite to eat. The possibility of long-term accommodation in the park is provided. A room with all the amenities will cost $ 40 per night.
The park is located next to Rayong Mae Ram Phung beach. Entry to the territory costs $ 5.
More than 20 thousand plants have been collected in the garden. Almost all of them are used in traditional Thai homeopathy. Visitors are transported around the park on an environmentally friendly bus. Sometimes there are stops, and guests have the opportunity to get acquainted with the representatives of the Thai flora more closely. It is not allowed to enter the lawns and approach directly to the plants. There is a shop at the botanical garden. It presents rare living plants, dried homemade products, vegetable and essential oils, literature on homeopathy, souvenirs.
How to get there: follow Highway 36 from Rayong City towards Pattaya, when crossing with Highway 3191, turn left and continue for 1.5 km. The Botanical Garden is on the right side of the road.
Although the markets are a stretch of sight, the one located in the large fishing village of Ban Phe deserves attention. Anything that swims in the waters of the Gulf of Thailand is sold at this place at prices below which you will not find in Thailand. The market is open all day, but for the freshest it is worth arriving in the morning. In addition to seafood, you can buy spices, vegetables, fruits, handmade souvenirs. Boats depart from the nearest piers. Therefore, it is always crowded here.
The village is located about 40 km from Rayong city center (see above). You can get there by bus, car or - traditionally for Thailand - by bike.
Religious sites
Rayong Province, like other areas of Thailand, is rich in places of worship. True, most of them lack scale. Two religious sites can be recommended to visit.
Khodtimtaram temple
The oldest temple in Rayong. It was erected in the middle of the 15th century. The walls are painted with scenes from the life of a monk very respected by the inhabitants of the city, who lived 500 years ago. Every year on April 13-15, a festive religious festival is held near the temple.
Phra Chedi Klang Nam is considered one of the symbols of Rayong. Belaya chedi rises 10 m in the middle of the river of the same name on a small island. Created in the 18th century, it served as a landmark for passing ships. Today, residents continue to treat this sacred site with respect. Every year, on the December full moon, a traditional holiday is held: the chedi are “decorated” with fabrics, and hundreds of boats ply along the river.
A hundred meters from the chedi is the Mangrove Research Center. A kind of natural botanical garden is arranged here, in which scientists study the ecosystem of mango thickets. Visitors have the opportunity to walk along special paved bridges with a total length of 200 m and get acquainted with the mangrove forest.
On the territory of the research center, a 22-meter observation tower, Sky View Tower, has been erected, from which a good view of the river, Rayong and the Gulf of Thailand opens.
Chedi and related facilities are located near the city center, next to Saeng Chan Beach.
Beaches
The coastline of Rayong is long and there are many beaches. There are few tourists. Reviews are conflicting. Most vacationers in Rayong say that they will hardly be able to swim in the sea: the quality and color of the water leaves much to be desired, and the beach areas are not cleaned at all.
If the sea is not the most important thing for you on vacation, and you do not mind swimming in the hotel pool, then Rayong is a good option: close to Bangkok and inexpensive.
Where to stay - hotels
There are many hotels in Rayong that stretch along the entire coast. The maximum star rating is 4. There are budget options, the night of accommodation in which will cost $ 30 for two. In this case, the hotel will be located on the seashore. There are suites for $ 300. In any case, compared to other coastal areas of Thailand, accommodation in Rayong is one of the most inexpensive. And it is much cheaper than the one offered on the nearest island of Samet.
Rayong is the main city of the province of the same name on the coast in the eastern part of Thailand. Modest beaches are scattered throughout the province and are quiet chambers of paradise for those who want to hide in peace, without driving too far from the capital. The monsoon months allow lush forest vegetation and orchards to grow here, which bear fruit especially abundantly in May, so lovers of durians, rambutans and mangosteen try to time their arrival in Rayong to this time. And when the monsoon season ends, at the end of October, the clear and calm waters off the coast attract lovers of sun-sea relaxation.
Rayong is a 100 km long sandy coastline, many small fishing villages, clear sea, palm groves and rainforests. Coral reefs and many quiet coves attract snorkeling and fishing enthusiasts.
The pearl of Rayong is the island of Ko Samet, which is even depicted on the coat of arms of the province. It is small and not particularly civilized, but it is part of the national park, and the nature here is extremely rich and untouched.
In addition, Rayong is the only resort in Thailand with geothermal and mineral springs.
How to get there
You can take a plane, flying from Koh Samui in 1 hour, and in 1 hour and 20 minutes from Phuket.
You can have a nice snack of fresh seafood in between sunbathing in numerous restaurants on the Laem Charoen beach (5 kilometers from the city).
Rayong maps
Neighboring islands
The most famous attraction of Rayong province is Samet Island or Kaew Phisadan Island, at the mere mention of which a radiant picture of the coastline with perfect white sand, azure water and delicate palm leaves from the advertisement for the Bounty bar rises before your eyes. In addition to splashing in turquoise waters, tourists are actively exploring water sports and coastal coral reefs. From here, the town of Ban Phe is only 6.5 kilometers away.
To the archipelago of the Mun Islands, consisting of the three islands Mun Nai, Mun Klang and Mun Nok, you can take a boat ride from Laem Mae Phim, which will take about 50 minutes, and the round trip will cost THB 500.
Rayong does not indulge in a rich nightlife: its main feature is excellent beaches. However, during the harvest in late May - mid-July, a whole series of colorful festivals and folk holidays take place there.
Popular hotels in Rayong
Rayong entertainment and attractions
Dok Krai Reservoir, the center of development projects under the auspices of His Majesty King Bhumipol Adulyadej in the fields of agriculture, fishing, irrigation, land and animal breeding, is located in Daeng District, 35 kilometers from Rayong City. The amazing nature will be the perfect backdrop for the educational excursions that are offered here.
At the Center for Fisheries Research and Development of the Eastern Seas, in the city of Ban Phe, the Aquarium is popular. A huge number of beautiful fish, cuttlefish, crabs, giant clams and horseshoe crabs are enclosed in glass and steel structures. The open-air aquarium is home to the Bissa turtle, olive turtle and leatherback turtle. In the adjacent hall of the Museum of Fossils and Fossils, the remains of rare animals: the humpback dolphin and the Irrawaddy dolphin will surprise those who are especially curious. Rayong Aquarium is open Wednesday through Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, on weekends from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
The best shots can be taken at Wang Kaew Cape, once at the peak of its tourist fame, but still retaining its picturesque beauty. You will have to overcome 38 kilometers from the city.
Parks and gardens of Rayong
One of the greatest collections of trees and a variety of plants in Thailand can be seen at the Sobha Botanical Garden. Address: st. Phe road in Muang area, 17 kilometers from the city and 3 kilometers from the ferry to Koh Samet. In ancient Thai houses, surrounded by tropical vegetation, there are exhibitions of antiques and various objects of Siamese art.
Coolness and silence await tourists weary of heat and excursions in Suphattra Land, a fruit and botanical garden near the city of Rayong (18 km). Durian, red rambutan and dark purple mangosteen grow here. The garden is opposite Ban Mab Tong School in Bankhai District of Rayong Province.
5 things to do in Rayong
- Have a picnic in Suan Son Park, which is 1 km from Ban Phe and known as the Casuarine (Pine) Gardens.
- Visit the cave temple, where a copy of the Buddha's footprint is kept. To do this, you need to get to the turn on the 288th kilometer on the Sukhumvit road, then another 12 kilometers to the 60 Khao Wong caves.
- During the Chinese New Year celebrations, lean against the huge family tree at Lum Mahachai Chumpon Temple, built to commemorate King Taksin the Great's short stay in Rayong Province.
- On June 26, on the birthday of the poet Sunthon Phu, go to a colorful performance based on his works, and during the Phra Chedi Klang fair, take part in colorful religious processions and sports.
- In the fishing village of Ban Phe, enjoy unusual seafood and unique Thai fish sauce.
Rayong temples
As for religious sites, the Pa Pradu Temple is unique, which houses a huge statue of the leaning Buddha. The main difference is the image of the Buddha leaning to the left side. Another grandiose Temple Saranat Thammaram is located near the market of the city of Klaeng and is interesting for one of the most beautiful ordination halls in the eastern part of the country.
In honor of the "Father of the Royal Thai Naval Forces", the Somdet Krommaluang Shrine was built near the Prasair Delta in the Klaeng area. Turn on the 278th kilometer, driving along the Sukhumvit road, then another 9 km - and you are there. Another quiet original Buddhist temple, fanned by the sea winds from all sides, will awaken amazing sensations. It is located in the fishing village of Ban Kon Ao, 22 kilometers from the city.
Interesting is the Pra-Chedi-Klang-Nam Pagoda, located on the island of the Rayong River, as well as the Hao-Wong cave of 80 separate chambers full of stalactites and stalagmites.
Rayong does not indulge in a rich nightlife: its main feature is excellent beaches. However, during the harvest season, which falls in late May - mid-July, a whole series of bright festivals and folk holidays take place there.
