Rayong

RAYONG
Another delightful resort on the eastern coast, Rayong is just beginning to gain popularity. With a 100 kilometre-long coastline, it boasts several beautiful beaches and scenic waterfalls amid natural surroundings. Rayong is also rich in sea-life resources and considered a major agricultural and industrial province.

Rayong is 180 kilometres from Bangkok and covers a total area of 3,552 square kilometres.

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Administrative, it is divided into Muang Rayong, Klaeng, Ban Khai, Bang Chang, Pluak Daeng and Wang Chan districts and Khao Chamao and Nikhom Phatthana sub-districts.

Ko Samet


A favorite get-away island for Bangkokians, Ko Samet offers extensive pristine beaches with clean white sand and strangely shaped rocks. A haven for relaxation, this T-shaped island is a perfect retreat for those looking for sun, sand and sea. The climate is always pleasantly cool with an abundance of rain in August and windy monsoons in May.

Ao Kai-Laem Tan
This little cape located beyond Laem Mae Phim in Klaeng District is located near a small fishing village, where the main occupation is to pickle jellyfish. Set in tranquil ambience the place is marvelous for seafood lovers with seafood restaurants providing reasonably priced seafood dishes of good quality. Traveling to Ko Man Klang can be done by taking a speedboat from here.

Ko Man Nai
This small island located approximately 5 kilometers off shore from Laem Mae Phim has been developed into a Sea Turtle Preservation Sanctuary under the royal initiative of Her Majesty the Queen. The place is open to the public from Monday to Sunday. Nearby are Ko Man Klang and Ko Man Nok which are famous for their immaculate white sandy beaches and hip boutique resorts.

Sunthorn Phu Memorial

Five kilometres further on from Laem Mae Phim on the beach road (Highway No. 3145) is the Sunthorn Phu Memorial commemorating one of Thailand's top poets. The bard, native of Rayong by birth, produced his literary works during the early part of Rattanakosin Era some two hundred years ago, Phra Aphai Mani being his most well-known work.

Ko Kudi
Some 6 kilometres off-shore is Ko Kudi which is to the east of Samet. To the northeast are white, sandy beaches and popular viewing points. Off its northern tip are several coral rich small islets.

Hat Mae Ramphung


About 12 kilometers from town with a right turn Km. 229 of Sukhumwit Road is Hat Mae Ramphung, a 12 kilometers long beach on the way to Ban Kon Ao, a small fishing village. The beach is clean with gentle slopes suitable for swimming. On the shore are several bungalows.

Hat Saeng Chan
seven kilometers from town at Tambon Paknam, is connected to Laem Charoen beach and also suitable for swimming. Food shops and accommodation facilities available.

Hat Laem Charoen
Five kilometers from town at Tambon Paknam, Hat Laem Charoen is a seaside area popular with townspeople who come to enjoy the scene and the seafood.

The City Pillar Shrine
on Lak Muang Road in town consists of two buildings of Thai and Chinese styles.

Ban Phe

A turn at between Km. 231 and Km. 238 leads to Ban Phe which is about 19 kilometers from the township. A major fishing community of the province, it is also the main embarkation point for the ferry to Ko Samet. On sale are popular fresh and dried seafood as well as other local products.

Khao Laem Ya
A little further from Ban Kon Oa on the beach road to Khao Laem Ya covered with small shrubs and with a cape jutting into the the sea. Along one side of the hill is along stretch of beach where the headquarters of the Khao Laem Ya Samet islands national Park is located.

Wat Pa Pradu


The ancient Wat Pa Pradu on Sukhumwit road houses a 12 metre long Reclining Buddha. Unlike other reclining statues, it lies on the left instead of the usual right. Originally unsheltered, a Wihan was built over it in 1981.

The King Taksin Shrine
Located at Wat Lum Mahachai Chumpon on Taksin Road, the shrine was built to commemorate King Taksin the Great's brief stopover in Rayong to mobilize his troops and liberate the Kingdom of Ayutthaya from the Burmese. Legend has it that King Taksin the Great’s elephant was believed to be stabled at a large Parkia tree (in front of the shrine). A well-regarded place by the locals, especially the Sino-Thais, the shrine attracts big crowds during Chinese New Year and on December 28th.

Suan Si Muang
is a public park in town centre behind the city pillar. It houses the highly revered Phra Phuttha Angkhirot, the town's principal statue.

Rayong Aquarium
Located in the Eastern Marine Fisheries Research and Development Centre, Ban Phe, the aquarium keeps various kinds of beautiful fish and sea plants. The centre conducts study, research and testing regarding marine biology and behaviors of marine life. A large aquarium with a tunnel allows visitors to see various beautiful fish as well as economic-related creatures living in the mangrove forest such as cuttlefish, crab, giant clam, and horseshoe crab.

Wat Ban Don Shadow Play Museum
The museum is located in Wat Ban Don, exhibiting a hundred Nang Yai shadow play characters. The Shadow Play character, or Nang Yai, is a large piece of leather carved and painted into different characters. Aged over 200 years, these characters were brought from Phatthalung in 1988. For the Nang Yai performance, please contact 3 days in advance. Tel. 0 5087 0235, 0 9831 6053.

Namtok Klong Pla Kang
The last piece of virgin forest in Rayong, the park is located in Klaeng District, 71 kilometers from the city. Declared as a National Park in December 31, 1975, Khao Chamao – Khao Wong covers an area of 83.6 square meters, which is home to tigers, wild elephants and bears. The park is famous for its limestone mountains, caves, high cliffs, verdant forests and waterfalls. Khao Chamao –Khao Wong National Park offers the following attractions:

Wat Samut Khongkha or Wat Pak Nam
At the end of Taksin Maharat Road and with a right turn into Samut Khongkha Road, Wat Samut Khongkha or Wat Pak Nam is about two kilometres south of town. It features an ancient - metre-high white Chedi on an isle in mid-Rayong River. No one knows who built it but during the olden days when waterway was the main mode of transportation, the chedi served as a symbol of Rayong signifying to the boatmen that they had arrived at the town. Celebrations are held in the full-moon day of the 12th lunar month with ceremonies, boat races and other entertainment.

Somdet Kromluang Chumphon Shrine
This shrine, which was built to honor Somdej Krommaluang Chumphon, "Father of the Royal Thai Navy”, who is highly revered by the locals is situated near the Prasair River in Klaeng District.

The Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhon Herbal Garden
is located within the grounds of the Petroleum Authority of Thailand, about 25 kilometres from town on Highways No. 36 and No. 3191 in Nikhom Phatthana sub-district. It is a center of various herbal research. Open daily form 8.30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m. Tel: (038) 6818147-30.