Rayong Thailand Travel Information Guide and Hotels

Explore beyond Pattaya and discover the quieter shores of the East Coast. From a traditional provincial capital to the charm of beaches, coves and offshore islands.

Explore beyond Pattaya and discover the quieter shores of the East Coast. From a traditional provincial capital to the charm of beaches, coves and offshore islands. The province of Rayong, covering 3,552 sq. km., is situated on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand, the provincial capital located 179 km. from Bangkok. Less developed than the Pattaya area, it combines an attractive 100-km. coastline, with beaches and offshore islands, and a green fertile interior. Rayong town has a few attractions, while the most famous destination is the island of Ko Samet, although beaches along the mainland coastline are becoming increasingly popular.

Phra Chao Taksin Shrine
Located in the grounds of Wat Lum Mahachai Chumphon, the Shrine marks the spot where General, later King, Taksin and his followers once made camp after the fall of Ayutthaya in the late 18th century. Within the Shrine is a standing statue of the great monarch, while the 300-year-old Satue tree is believed to be the very tree to which Taksin once tethered his elephant.

Wat Pa Pradu
The temple, located on Sukhumvit Road, enshrines a 12-metrelong image of the reclining Buddha, unusual in that the figure is depicting lying on the left side instead of the more usual right.

City Pillar Shrine
Rayong’s City Pillar, on Lak Mueang Road, comprises two buildings constructed in, respectively, Thai and Chinese architectural styles.

Wat Pak Nam
Also known as Wat Samut Khongkha, the temple lies about 2 km. south of town and is notable for its ancient 10-metre-high white pagoda on an island in the Rayong River. Celebrations are held here on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month with ceremonies, boat races and other forms of entertainment.

Suan Si Mueang
This public park, in the town centre behind the city pillar, houses the highly revered Phra Phuttha Angkhirot image, the town’s principal statue.

Rayong Aquarium
This aquarium consists of three parts, which are the aquatic marine life hall, shell museum, and exhibition hall. Open from Wednesday to Friday 10.00 a.m.- 4.00 p.m. and 10.00 a.m.- 5.00 p.m. on weekends. Tel: 0 3865 3741

Hat Laem Charoen
Located 5 km. from Rayong town, the beach is noted for its seafood restaurants.

Hat Mae Ramphueng
This 10-km. stretch of sand, located 12 km. from town on the way to Ban Kon Ao, is good for swimming.

Ban Phe
One of the provinces major fishing communities, about 19 km. from town, this is also the main embarkation point for the ferry to Ko Samet. Visitors can also find fresh and dried food to buy here.

Ko Samet
Located within the Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park and 6.5 km. off the mainland, the island of Ko Samet, covering 6.72 sq. km., is Rayong’s most popular destination. Blessed with lovely scenery and beaches, it is easily accessible, while there is a considerable range of accommodation available. Triangular- shaped, most of the land area is forested with beaches dotting intermittently on the north and east sides of the island. The south side tapers into the sea with small isles of rocky formations offshore serving as a habitat and egg-laying grounds for seagulls. There are daily ferries to Ko Samet from 6.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and the trip takes about 30 minutes.

Suan Son
Here, about 4 km. from Ban Phe and 29 km. from Rayong town, are white sandy beaches and picnic areas. Take Highway No. 3145 along the beach road of Laem Mae Phim.

Suan Wang Kaeo
Some 11 km. beyond Suan Son are more beaches with bungalows.

Laem Mae Phim
A little over 11 km. from Suan Wang Kaeo and 45 km. from Rayong town, this is a pleasant location for swimming and relaxation. Five kilometres further on from Laem Mae Phim along the beach road is the Sunthon Phu Memorial, which honours Thailand’s leading poet in the early part of the Rattanakosin Era.

Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park
The National Park in Amphoe Klaeng, reached by a left turn at the 274-km. marker on Highway No. 3, covers just under 85 sq. km. and is noted for its almost pristine forest, along with limestone mountains, caves and waterfalls. There are food shops, bungalows and a campsite within the park. At the entrance is the Somdet Krommaluang Chumphon Shrine where locals pay homage to the ‘Father of the Royal Thai Navy’.

Tham Khao Wong
These limestone caves containing stalagmites and stalactites are part of the Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park, and lie about 40 km. before Chanthaburi town on Highway No. 3
at the 286-km. marker. Tham Khao Wong is distinguished with 86 caves connected to one other.

The Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Herbal Garden
Located within the grounds of the Petroleum Authority of Thailand, about 25 km. from town in King Amphoe Nikhom- Phatthana, this is a centre of various herbal plants and herbal research. Open everyday from 8.00 a.m.- 5.00 p.m. (except Sunday).

Horse Riding
Available at the Orchard Park Riding Club, some 7 km. off Highway No.3 after a left turn at the 260-km. marker, and Slo Bunny Horse Riding Training Centre at Hat Mae Ramphueng. Tel: 0 3889 8623

Golf
Top golf courses in Rayong include:
- Century Country Club
Tel: 0 3860 2889
- Eastern Star Golf Course
Tel: 0 3863 0410-5
- Great Lake Golf Course
Tel: 0 3862 2630
- Rayong Green Valley Country Club
Tel: 0 3889 3838-40