East Coast
Rayong
Rayong, about 220km (138mi) from Bangkok on Highway 3 or just 185km (116mi) on the new Highway 36, is the capital of Rayong Province which is known for its fine beaches and delectable Durians.
Places of Interest in Town
King Taksin Shrine
The King Taksin Shrine, at Wat Lum Mahachai Chumphon, is highly revered by the people, particularly those of Chinese ancestry, and draws large crowds for worship during the Chinese New Year celebrations. Along the east coast from Rayong to Trat, King Taksin rallied Thai men to liberate the country from Burmese occupation after the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767. He is the pride of Thai Chinese as he was born of a Chinese father and a Thai mother. Taksin’s name at birth was Hai Hong. The name Taksin, he received after serving as governor of Tak Province during the last decades of Ayutthaya Siam.
Wat Pa Pradu
A large reclining Buddha, 11.95m (39ft) long and 3.60m (12ft) high, is in the main shrine hall (Bot) of Wat Pa Pradu. The image reclines on its left side instead of the traditional right.
Phra Chedi Klang Nam
Phra Chedi Klang Nam, on an islet in the Rayong River about 2km (1.25mi) south of the town center at the end of Taksin Maharaj Road, is a pagoda, about 10m (33ft) tall. It is not known who constructed the pagoda and when, but it has been there for countless years. An annual festival to celebrate the Phra Chedi Klang Nam is held in November, with boat races, other folk plays and performances.
Rayong City Pillar
The pillar on Lak Muang Road was originally housed in a shrine made of wood. The current structure is built of bricks.
Phra Buddha Angkirot
This principal Buddha image of Rayong is enshrined in a pavilion at Suan Si Muang behind the city hall.
Outside the Town of Rayong
Golden Beach
Hat Sai Thong, the Golden Beach, 5km (3mi) west of the town of Rayong, is quiet and clean with some bungalow-style accommodation. Reservations under Tel (038) 61-1025, 61-1918
Ko Saket
This is a small offshore island opposite the Golden Beach. To go there, one can hire boats or take a boat operating as ferry at the Golden Beach. The trip takes about 15 minutes. The scenery is beautiful, with long white beaches. Crystal clear water allows a good view of the coral. A few bungalows are available for rent and fresh water is transported to the island for drinking and washing. There is also a modest restaurant. The ferry which can accommodate up to 30 persons starts operating at 9:00, the last return trip is at 17:00.
Ko Saket Phet
Opp. Hat Sai Thong, Tel 61-1042
15 bungalows, 10 houses 300-1,500
Bkk Resv Tel 271-2750
Sobha Botanical Gardens
The gardens on the road from Rayong to Ban Phe have, according to the management (Bkk Tel 224-1373, 224-1388), the largest variety of trees and plants in Thailand. On the compound one can also see a group of three classical Thai houses, each of which is more than a hundred years old. The houses are completely furnished with utensils traditionally used by Thais. There are also a number of antique objects and pieces of art on display. [13] on Rayong Beaches map.
Ban Khram
The village of Ban Khram, some 50km (31mi) east of the town of Rayong, is the birthplace of the famous Thai poet Sunthon Phu. There is a beautifully kept memorial park at the place where his house was located.
Ko Thale
The offshore isle of Ko Thale which is popular for camping, skin-diving and underwater exploits is managed from Suan Wang Kaeo village, some 40km (25mi) east of the town of Rayong. Information can be obtained under Bkk Tel 251-0836 and 252-5053.
Wat Saranart Thamaram
The Wat, some 55km (34mi) east of Rayong on the Sukhumvit Highway to Klaeng, was built in 1944. It has as its principal image a replica of the highly venerated Phra Buddha Chinarat of Phitsanulok. At the four corners of the temple are replicas of four other major Buddhist monuments, namely, Phra Pathom Chedi, Phra That Phanom, Buddhagaya and Phra That Chaiya.
Khao Chamao National Park
The park, some 70km (44mi) east of the town of Rayong, abounds with various types of trees and other plants and includes an 8-level waterfall. Bungalows can be reserved under Bkk Tel 579-0529, 579-4842.
Khao Wong Cave
The cave, 90km (56mi) east of the town of Rayong, has about 80 large and small connecting chambers, all of which are adorned with stalactites and stalagmites. The area is not suited for visits in the rainy season.
Transportation
Bangkok - Rayong
Buses from Bangkok’s Eastern Bus Terminal on Sukhumvit Road; 206km, non-aircon new route 38 Baht, 4:30 and every 30min until 20:00, 182km old route 38 Baht, 5:45 and every hour until 15:45; aircon 69 Baht, 5:00, 6:30, 8:00 and every hour until 19:00, 22:00
Mini-buses run between the clock tower of Rayong and Ban Phe every half an hour from 7:00 until 19:00; fare is 10 Baht one way.
Ban Kon Ao / Ban Phe
Ban Kon Ao and Ban Phe are two villages immediately east of the town of Rayong, both with excellent beaches and a good selection of accommodations. To preserve the beauty of Ban Kon Ao, the area is developed by the Forestry Department into another national park. The main importance of Ban Phe, some 15km east of the town of Rayong, is its function as jump-off point for Ko Samet. Local products such as fish sauce, cuttlefish, dried shrimp and shrimp paste are on sale at many stalls. The Suan Son Piue Park, 5km (3mi) from Ban Phe on the beach road, is a popular picnic place, with shady areas and a number of seafood eateries. Places are listed from west to east.
Laem Mae Phim
Laem (Cape) Mae Phim, some 15km (9mi) east of Ban Phe, is suitable for swimming as waves are not too rough and the sea is clean and clear. To the north of the cape is a small offshore isle, Ko Khee Pla, which can be reached on some days by walking at low tide as the water goes down to such an extent that a "road" appears. Listings are from west to east.
Ko Man
Ko Man is a small islet off Laem Mae Phim.
Ko Samet
Samet Island has beautiful beaches and fascinating spots for skin divers. Accommodation on the island are mostly huts and small cottages which are mainly on Hat Sai Kaeo, Ao Cho, Ao Wongduan and Ao Wai. Camping is possible if one has a tent and other necessary equipment. Ko Samet is only 6.5km (4mi) from Ban Phe, about 30min by boat. The island is where Sunthon Phu, Thailand’s great poet of the early 19th century, based his famous story of Phra Apaimanee.
October 1, 1981, the Forestry Department proclaimed the Khao Laem Ya / Samet Island Group a national park which also includes the islands of Kudi, Kruai, Kham and Plai Tin.
Transportation
From Ban Phe, boats leave for Ko Samet every day, on Saturdays and Sundays more frequently than on other days. Fare is around 30 Baht per person. If travelling in a group, one can charter a fishing boat for 600 to 1,000 Baht.
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