- Map
- General Information
- How To Get There
- Festivals
- Travel Guide
- Accommodations
Located approximately 220 kilometers from Bangkok is another delightful resort on Thailandโ€�s eastern coast โ€“ Rayong province. A late bloomer, 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 seafood products such as shrimp paste, fish sauce and dried seafood, and tropical fruits of which rambutan, mangosteen and durian are the most famous.
Covering a total area of 3,552 square kilometers, Rayong borders Chonburi Province on the north and the west, the Gulf of Thailand on the south, and Chantaburi Province on the east. Most of the land is marked by a series of mountains interspersed by flat plains and large tracts of forest and fruit plantations. Administratively, the province is divided into Mueang Rayong, Klaeng, Ban Khai, Bang Chang, Pluak Daeng and Wang Chan districts and Khao Chamao and Nikhom Phatthana Sub-districts.
Boasting indispensable sea-life resources, Rayong is one of the countryโ€�s major agricultural and industrial provinces. On the other hand, the province has maintained its traditions and customs in the daily lifestyle of the locals. The best months to visit Rayong are from November to February.
The Past
During the late Ayutthaya period, when the former capital was being razed to the ground by the invading Burmese, Phaya Tak led a troop of patriots, broke through the cordon of besieging troops and marched to Rayong in order to build up his navy before proceeding on to Chanthaburi. Because of his courage and bravery, the soldiers and local population anointed him as "King" in Rayong. Once he had built up sufficient troop strength, Phaya Tak who later became King Taksin of the Kingdom of Thonburi returned to Ayutthaya, routed the Burmese and set up a new capital in Thonburi.
Muang District:
Map Ta Phut
Sang Chan Beach
Hat Mae Ramphueng
Ban Kon Ao/Kao Laem Ya
The Sobha Botanical Gardens
Suan Son Park
Klaeng District :
Suan Wang Kaew
Hat Laem Mae Phim
Statue of Sunthorn Phu
Khao Chamao Waterfall
Khao Wong Cave
Ban Phe District
Ban Khai District
Pattaya
Chon Buri
Chanthaburi Province
Trat Province
U Taphao Airport
Ban Chang District
There are 3 ways to travel to Rayong
Air
- 1 Hour from Samui Airport to U-tapao Airport and 1 hour 20 minute from Phuket International Airport to U-tapao Airport by Bangkok Airways.
Car/Taxi
- From Bangkok by main road No.3 or Sukhumvit road in 3 Hours.
- You can hire a taxi from the Bangkok area to Rayong province for about 3,500 - 4,000 Baht.
Bus (Air conditioned)
Bus time table
Bangkok - Rayong city
- From Bangkok, The bus leaves from Ekkamai station, trips start from 04.00 until 22.00 every 30 - 40 minutes in 2.45 hours.
Rayong city - Bangkok
- From Rayong, The bus leave from Main station, trips start from 03.30 until 21.00, every 40 minutes in 2.45 hours.
Bangkok - Banpae (If you want to go to Koh Samet directly.)
- From Bangkok, the bus leave from Ekkamai station, trips start from 07.00 until 20.30 every 30 minutes in 3.50 hours.
- From Banpae, the bus leave from Banpae station, trips start from 04.00 until 18.30 every 30 minutes in 3.50 hours.
- Check time table Bangkok: (66) 23912237, Banpae: (66) 86150782
- The bus fee is 178 Baht/Trip
By Boat (to Ko Samet)
Ferry Timetables (from Ban Phe) :
Destination: Nadarn Pier (Saikaeo / Ao Phai / Ao Thapthim)
Departure from Ban Phe : Every hour
Fare/Trip : 50 baht
Departure from Destination : Every hour
Destination: Ao Wong Duen (Ao Nuan / Ao Saengthian)
Departure from Ban Phe : 9.00 a.m., 12.00 p.m., 1.30 p.m., 5.00 p.m.
Fare/Trip : 60 baht
Departure from Destination : 8.30 a.m., 12.00 p.m., 3.30 p.m., 4.00 p.m.
Destination: Ao Wai
Departure from Ban Phe : 11.30 a.m., 2.00 p.m.
Fare/Trip : 100 baht
Departure from Destination : 2.00 p.m.
Destination: Ao Kui
Departure from Ban Phe : 10.00 a.m.
Fare/Trip : 120 baht
Departure from Destination : 10.00 a.m., 12.30 p.m., 3.00 p.m., 5.00 p.m.
Rayong Fruit Fair
Rayong Fruit Fair, held around May-June, is designed to promote and market fruits and other products made from fruits and seafood of the province. Colorful fruit-decorated floats vie for prizes. There are fruit contests and agricultural exhibitions.
Sunthon Phu Day
Sunthon Phu Day is held annually on 26 June, the date of his birth. Sunthon Phu was the early Rattanakosin Periodโ€�s foremost poet, and his poems are widely acclaimed for their lyrical verse and pictorial language. The best of his poems is the epic romance Phra Aphai Mani. In 1986, he was listed as a person of international literary distinction by UNESCO. Activities include a procession of cars featuring Sunthon Phuโ€�s literary works, competitions on poetry writing and painting of scenes from Sunthon Phuโ€�s poetry.
The Robing of the Phra Chedi Klang Nam
The Robing of the Phra Chedi Klang Nam is a traditional fair held annually during the full-moon period of the 12th lunar month, coinciding with Loi Krathong Festival in November. Held at Wat Pak Nam in Mueang district, there are religious rites, long boat races, a delightful Loi Krathong and other pleasant entertainment.
Payoon and Pala Beach
Located in Ban Chang district about 33 and 36 kilometers respectively from Rayong Town. Both beaches are connected, peaceful and eminently suitable for swimming. Here visitors have choice of accommodation from luxurious hotel to economy bungalows.
Dok Krai Reservoir
Located in Pluak Daeng district, 35 kilometers from Rayong Town. This is the center of development projects under the advice of H.M.King Bhumipol Adulyadej on agriculture, fishery, irrigation, land and farm animals. The reservoir covers 20,000 rais of land, is surrounded by the natural beauty ideal for relaxing, camping and educational tour.
Mae Rumphueng Beach
The beach, some 10 kilometers long, is located between Ban Tapong and Ban Kon Ao,11 kilometers from town, and sited within the Khao Laem Yah - Ko Samet Group National Park. This is a particularly beautiful spot with a headland forming a magnificent backdrop to a crescent shaped bay with broad sandy beaches which are ideal for swimming.
Ban Kon Ao
This is a typical fishing village, some 22 kilometers from town, which is dominated by a temple with seats a top hill overlooking the shoreline. The area is subject to wind and sea erasing. The palm trees appear to be standing on sand pedestals, which appear to be help together only by the roots of the trees.
Khao Laem Ya - Ko Samet Group National Park
In 1981 the area known as Khao Laem Ya and the island of Ko Samet was designated as a nature reserve. It is an area of great natural beauty which is enhanced by the tranquility of the surroundings.
Khao Laem Ya is located about 6.4 kilometers from the fishing village of Ban Phe. Ko Samet, on which Sunthorn Phu, Thailand' greatest poet based his most famous work, the story of Pra Apaimanee, lies about 40 minutes boat journey offshore. The park also covers Mae Rumphueng Beach, Ban Kon Ao and some islands near Ko Samet such as Ko Kudee, Ko Kruai, Ko Khangkhao and Ko Platin.
Ban Phe
Ban Phe, 22 kilometers from town, is a busy fishing port and the center of local marine produce. The town of Ban Phe is characterized by narrow streets of shops and houses, It is a stopping off points for tourists en route to the island of Ko Samet. Boats leave regularly for the island from the piers. Shop in the main street stock a wide variety of marine produce and many souvenirs and trinkets fashioned from shells of different shades and sizes.
Ko Samet or Ko Kaew Phisadan
It is the most well-known attraction of Rayong offers beautiful beaches with charming white sand, strange-shape rocks, suitable relaxation, water sporting, exploring the coral reefs beneath the sea. Ko Samet is located some 6.5 kilometers from Ban Phe. There are boat services available all day and many kinds of accommodation there.
Ko Kudee
It lies approximately 6 kilometers offshore. Besides Ko Kudee there are two smaller islands, one is Ko Khangkhao and another is Ko Ruesee Cave. All three islands lie a little to the east of Ko Samet. The islands have beautiful natural landscapes and ringed by fine beaches which are ideal for swimming and camping on.
Wang Kaew
This is agreeably one of the most picturesque part of the east coast and used to be the most famous tourist spot. Wang Kaew is a beautifully landscaped headland with a fine beach and accommodation available in cottages and bungalows. It is 38 kilometers from town
Suan Son Park
It is 1 kilometer from Ban Phe and also know as the Casuarinas (pine) gardens. These splendid tress line both verges of the road for a distance of 1 kilometer. It is a popular picnic place with ahady areas.
Laem Mae Phim
At KM. 26 on the coastal road between Ban Phe and Klaeng, 48 kilometers from town, is Laem Mae Phim. This is a popular beach attracts Thai tourists. There are many bungalows for rent at the site and along the roadside there are vendors selling a wide range of product. Such as fruits, coconuts, fried squid and skeweres oysters, Boats can be hired to visit the nearby Ko Mun island group.
Mun Islands
Lying off the coast near Kram is the Ko Mun island group which consists of three islands, namely Ko Mun Nai, Ko Mun Klang and Ko Mun Nok which mean inner, middle and outer Mun islands. These islands are located about 5 kilometers off Laem Mae Phim and take about 50 minutes to reach by boat. The cost is about 500 baht per round trip. The islands are worth while exploring, each one having fine sandy beaches which offer secluded sports for sunbathing or swimming.
The Khao Chamao - Khao Wong National Park It is about 17 kilometers off the main highway at KM. 274, 76 kilometers from Rayong and
abounds with various types of trees and plants, as well as species highly valued as decorative plants. The Khao Chamao waterfall has eight levels. It is not too difficult to reach the top.
There are 20 caves and 4 waterfalls in this area which are opened for tourists. The biggest waterfall is Chamao waterfall ,with 8 layers of falls.
- Wang nung (First empire)
- Wang macha (Fish empire)
- Wang morakod (Emerald empire)
- Wang sai-ngam
- Pah Klueymai (Orchid cliff)
- Chong Cab (Narrow)
- Hok Sai (Six lines)
- Pah soong (Highest cliff)
Khao Wong Caves
To reach Khao Wong take the turning at KM. 288 on the Sukhumvit Road and travel a distance of 12 kilometers to find the caves. At Khao Wong, there are about 60 caves around the base of the mountain, many of the cave are occupied by Buddhist monks, and one has been turned into a shrine with a replica of the Buddha's footprint
The biggest Cave in Vong mountain is Rongbon Cave. There are around 20 caves in Vong area open for tourists and more then 50 caves are still not exploring.
