According to Wholevehicles, Rayong is the main city of the province of the same name on the coast in eastern Thailand. Modest beaches are scattered throughout the province and are intimate, quiet pieces 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 flourish here, which bear fruit especially abundantly in May, so lovers of durians, rambutans and mangosteens try to time their arrival in Rayong at this time. And when the monsoon season ends, at the end of October, the clear and calm waters off the coast attract lovers of solar-sea relaxation.
Rayong is a 100-kilometer sandy coastline, many small fishing villages, clear sea, palm groves and tropical forests. Coral reefs and many quiet coves attract snorkellers and fishermen.
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 use the plane, flying from Koh Samui in 1 hour, and 1 hour 20 minutes from Phuket.
It will take about 3 hours to drive from Bangkok on the main highway No. 3 or Sukhumvit highway. Taxi will cost about 2500-3000 THB.
Regular buses also run through Rayong: from Ekkamai Station in Bangkok from 04:00 to 22:00, every 30-40 minutes. Travel time 2 hours 45 minutes. Buses to Bangkok from Rayong depart from the central bus station from 03:30 to 21:00, every 40 minutes. The trip lasts 2 hours 45 minutes.
The prices on the page are for December 2021.
Rayong beaches
A huge number of amazing lagoons, beaches and bays frame this resort area, which attracts masses of tourists with its picturesqueness. The beaches of Hat Phayun and Hat Phala are ideal for swimming, located in the area of Koh Chang, at a distance of about 33 and 36 kilometers from the city. Stunningly beautiful is the 10-kilometer Mae Ramphueng beach, which is between the villages of Ban Tapong and Ban Kon Ao, at a distance of 11 kilometers from the city. By the way, this place is included in the national park of the Samet group of islands.
You can have a nice bite of fresh seafood in between sunbathing in the numerous restaurants on Laem Charoen beach (5 kilometers from the city).
Neighboring islands
The most famous landmark of Rayong province is Samet Island or Kaew Phisadan Island, at the mere mention of which, a radiant picture of the coast with perfect white sand, azure water and openwork palm leaves from the advertisement of the Bounty bar appears before your eyes. In addition to splashing in the turquoise waters, here tourists are actively mastering water sports and coastal coral reefs. From here, the city of Ban Phe is only 6.5 kilometers away.
The Mun Islands archipelago, which consists of the three islands of Mun Nai, Mun Klang and Mun Nok, can be taken by boat from the village of Laem Mae Phim, which takes about 50 minutes.
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 bright festivals and folk holidays take place there.
Entertainment and attractions in Rayong
Daeng District, 35 kilometers from Rayong City, is Dok Krai Reservoir, the center of development projects under the auspices of His Majesty King Bhumipol Adulyadej in the areas of agriculture, fishing, irrigation, land and animal husbandry. Amazing nature will be the perfect backdrop for the educational excursions that are offered here.
The Eastern Seas Fisheries Research and Development Center in Ban Phe has a popular Aquarium. 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 hawksbill 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 especially inquisitive people. Rayong Aquarium is open Wednesday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:00, weekends from 10:00 to 17:00.
Excellent shopping promises the town of Ban Phe, which is 19 kilometers from Rayong, where seafood is sold the freshest.
The best photo shots can be taken at Cape Wang Kaew, once at the peak of its tourist fame, but still picturesque. You will have to overcome 38 kilometers from the city.
Rayong parks and gardens
The Sobha Botanical Garden has one of the greatest collections of trees and diverse plants in Thailand. Address: st. Phe road in the Muang area, 17 kilometers from the city and 3 kilometers from the ferry to Koh Samet. In the ancient Thai houses, buried among tropical vegetation, there are exhibitions of antiques and various Siamese art objects.
Coolness and silence await tourists tired of the heat and excursions in Suphattra Land, an orchard 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, Rayong Province.
5 things to do in Rayong
- Have a picnic in Suan Son Park, which is located 1 km from the city of Ban Phe and is known as Casuarina (pine) gardens.
- Visit a cave temple where a copy of the footprint of the Buddha is kept. To do this, you need to drive to the turn at the 288th kilometer on the Sukhumvit road, then another 12 kilometers to 60 Khao Wong caves.
- During Chinese New Year celebrations, lean against the huge ancestral tree at Lum Mahachai Chumpon Temple, built to commemorate King Taksin the Great’s short stay in Rayong Province.
- June 26, 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 competitions.
- In the fishing village of Ban Phe, enjoy unusual sea delicacies and unique Thai fish sauce.
Temples of Rayong
As for religious sites, the Pa Pradu Temple is unique, which houses a huge statue of a leaning Buddha. The main difference is the image of the Buddha, leaning to the left side. Another grandiose Saranat Thammaram Temple 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 Navy” near the delta of the Prasair River, in the Klaeng area, the Shrine Somdet Krommaluang was built. Turn at km 278 on the Sukhumvit road, then another 9 km and you are there. Another quiet original Buddhist temple, covered with 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.
Of interest is the Phra Chedi Klang Nam Pagoda, located on the island of the Rayong River, as well as the Khao 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, which falls at the end of May – mid-July, a whole series of bright festivals and folk holidays take place there.