Koh Samet (เกาะเสม็ด)
Definitely an all-time favorite get-away destination for Bangkok residents and well as tourists,
Koh Samet offers extensive pristine beaches with clean white sand.
A haven for relaxation, this T-shaped island is a perfect retreat for those looking for sun, sand and sea.
The island is very popular for divers due its easy access from Bangkok and clear water, colorful coral and diversity of marine life such as:
turtles, tiger sharks and manta rays.
A wide range of accommodations on the island is available with from the budget conscious bungalow with basic amenities to the mid- and top range hotels
and resorts mostly located around the Hat Sai Kaew area. Advance reservation is highly recommended as the island can get quite crowded.
Rayong (ระยอง),
Rayong Town is located approx. 220 kms from Bangkok.
Despite being a bit a late comer on the tourism scene,
the province is well known for its pristine beaches stretching along a 100-kilometer coastline and scenic waterfalls amidst exotic surroundings.
Aside from this, Rayong is blessed with an abundance of popular seafood restaurants as well as byproducts products such as shrimp paste,
fish sauce and dried seafood, and lastly home to a range of tropical fruits orchards of which rambutan, mangosteen and durian are the most famous.
Rayong Province borders
Chonburi Province on the north and the west
and
Chantaburi Province on the east.
Boasting indispensable sea- life resources, Rayong is one of the country's major agricultural and industrial provinces.
Ban Chang (บ้านฉาง)
is the westernmost district of Rayong Province, eastern Thailand.
Riginally developed along the closeby located U-Tapao airport it features the beautiful Phayun Beach,
which is about 32 kms West from Rayong town, as well as Pala Beach,
only 3 kms from Payoon Beach,
both are very quiet beaches with a shady sea pine forest, ideal for a family get-away.
Accommodation is available on both destinations albeit they are not too developed
commercially and one may find the choice of restaurants and shops quite limited if available at all.
Saeng Chan Beach (หาดแสงจันทร์)
Saeng Chan Beach is located about 7 kms from Rayong Town,
this beach is connected to Laem Charoen beach and is also suitable for swimming.
Saeng Chan Beach is a very popular place to stay as it is in easy reach of the Rayong Town and the many luxurious hotels
and residences offer very nice views of the beach and commanding horizon.
Behind the Beach Road is a street packed with great restaurants and bars,
while the adjoining Laem Chareon is a large fishing village with numerous seafood restaurants.
Paknam (ปากน้ำ) / Laem Charoen Beach (หาดแหลมเจริญ)
Laem Charoen Beach is located about 5 kms from town at Tambon Pak Nam.
Laem Charoen Beach is a very popular seaside area with townspeople who come to enjoy the scene and the seafood.
Saeng Chan Beach, 7 kms from town at Tambon Pak Nam, is connected to Laem Charoen beach and also suitable for swimming.
Food shops and accommodation facilities are available.
Mae Ram Phung Beach (หาดแม่รำพึง)
is a 12-kilometre long stretch of white sandy beach.
It is part of the Laemya-Samet Islands National Park, and is perfect to enjoy the scenery while swimming.
The beach trails along the way to meet Ban Kon Ao, where a small fishing community can be found.
While visiting this eastern coastal area, Suan Wang Kaeo, an old private plantation, is a must.
The beach there is serene and beautiful with comfortable accommodation.
Food here is varied, both along the beach and in town.
A wide choice of Thai, Chinese, Western, Japanese, and seafood is available in a range of both simple and more elaborate restaurants.
Laem Tarn (แหลมตาล)
Laem Tarn is located on the east coast in Rayong Province and is two and a half hours from Bangkok.
Laem Tarn is a palm-fringed private beach and offers panoramic views of the seas and beautiful islands.
Laem Tarn Hotels offer exclusive leisure amenities that ensure a great vacation in Rayong.
The beach side resort in Rayong Laem Tarn offer excellent accommodation along with luxury spa, fresh sea food, and several sports.
Laem Maephim (แหลมแม่พิมพ์)
located about 20 kilometers east of Rayong town and is a very nice area with a number of delicious restaurants overlooking the sea are dotting the beach.
As much as there are a couple of Sea canoes, banana boats and jet-ski for rent you can have a nice peaceful day at the seaside.
The 3 Islands off of Laem Mae Phim Beach are called, Koh Mun Nai, Koh Mun Klang and Koh Mun Nok,
They are about 5 kms from the beach and have lovely white sandy beaches and very clear seas, some of which have been developed basic bungalow accommodations.
Ao Prao (อ่าวพร้าว)
is one of the quietest beaches of Koh Samet. It is located on the North West Coast, quite far away from the lively nightlife of Sai Kaew Beach.
Ao Prao is preferred by a bit more upscale travelers who relax and enjoy the privacy of the area and appreciate the deep blue sea and white sand in the sunshine.
Ao Prao has a long white sandy shallow beach which is ideal for swimming.
Despite the recent development of more luxurious resorts,
Ao Prao remains a great beach to visit on a daytrip or in the late afternoon and evening to watch the spectacular sunset and follow it up
with a splash-out meal.
Ao Noi Na (อ่าวน้อยหน่า)
Ao Noi Na or Noi Na Bay, while located near Sai Kaew Beach, has a very different feel than Sai Kaew Beach, while being quite close to the action.
The bay is much quieter and therefore more suitable for those looking to sit back and relax on the white sandy beach, in a more quiet environment.
Saikaew Beach (หาดทรายแก้ว)
One of the most beautiful and most popular beaches on Koh Samet, Sai Kaew Beach is about 1 kilometer long.
The name, which literally means Crystal Sand Beach, is a nice beach filled with activities.
From dusk to dawn, visitors can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, jet skiing, windsurfing, riding on a banana boat or even partying at night.
There are local bars at virtually every beach, and nearly all of them on Sai Kaew Beach have hostesses.
Besides bars there isn't much else but restaurants selling alcohol. An all-time favorite is the popular sand bucket full of your favorite drink.
Vongduen Beach (หาดวงเดือน)
The large sweeping and well protected Vongduen Beach is one of the most popular beaches to stay at on Koh Samet.
It is the is the second largest beach on the island after Sai Kaew Beach.
Vongduen beach attracts number of tourist groups and day trippers during both the high and low seasons due to its beach and good accommodation.
On top of this, seafood restaurants with nice views are also available.
As well Scuba diving as well as boating excursions can be arranged at Vongduen Beach to reach either of the two of
the most popular locations for diving around Koh Samet, Koh Talu and Koh Kood.
As well, Tourists can take a tour around the island and go snorkeling off the rocky uninhabited western shore, or around the reefs at the southern tip.
Ao Wai (อ่าวหวาย)
Ao Wai, in the Southern East Coast, is conveniently located within a short walking distance of Candlelight Beach.
Away from the masses of visitors, the well protected shady coconut trees, is a quite, very scenic and serene spot for sea lovers.
The distance to Saikaew Beach contributes to the quite atmosphere while a bit a of a challenge for those looking for nightlife
and entertainment as it is very minimal in this area of the island.
Ao Kew (อ่าวกิ่ว)
This bay is a perfect secluded area for travelers looking to keep their distance from the busy, crowded beaches and vibrant nightlife.
From Ao Kew Nok, visitors can actually walk to Ao Kew Nai which is the ideal spot to see the spectacular sunrise and sunset.
Ao Pakarang (อ่าวปะการัง)
Ao Prakarang, or Prakarang Bay, is the probably the most popular place on Koh Samet to experience the traditional lifestyle of the island's residents,
where can also be found a number of delicious seafood restaurants providing local seafood at very reasonable prices.
On the beach there are number of masseurs offering their Thai massage service as well as many massage shops can be found on the main road.
List of Rayong hotels
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A Guide to Rayong and Koh Samet
