Rayong’s top attractions are based around the bounty of natural scenery found along its coastline and jungle interior. There are a number of pleasant beaches with a distinctly Thai vibe, as well as more touristy but beautiful islands that service the vacation needs of Bangkok residents and visiting foreigners. Two nearby national parks provide a more earthy experience, with waterfalls, wildlife and walking trails. If it’s culture you’re after, Rayong offers only the most basic elements yet it does have several important monuments, Buddhist temples and a great local market. Most visitors linger just long enough to catch a bus to Koh Samet, overlooking the charming fishing villages just along the coast from Rayong.
Ban Phe This bustling fishing port is the gateway to popular Koh Samet and the regional hub for Rayong’s seafood industry. Although most travellers breeze through Ban Phe on their way to the islands, this traditional Thai coastal town is worth a day or two of exploration. The streets are narrow and lined with classic fisherman houses, many of which sell trinkets and handicrafts. Besides watching life pass by, the highlight in Ban Phe is indulging in the wonderfully fresh seafood found in its many seaside restaurants.
Koh Samet
This beautiful and well developed little island is the most popular destination in Rayong province and the main reason most travellers visit this area. Its proximity to Bangkok makes it a favourite weekend getaway for Thais, providing a more local beach experience than some of the country’s more touristy islands. Koh Samet 's extensive white sandy beaches are lined with bungalows in all budgets. Water sports, scuba diving and swimming are top-notch here, but be prepared for huge crowds if you visit during any Thai holiday.
Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Herbal Park This unusual and interesting botanical park is dedicated to the many native herbs of Thailand. More than 260 medicinal herbs from some 20,000 trees and plants make up the garden. Visitors can learn about their healthy properties while enjoying the relaxing natural surroundings of this expansive park. There is also an exhibition hall onsite featuring various ecofriendly energy ideas, the cultural roles of traditional village doctors and displays of herbs from around the globe. If you are a fan of plants or alternative medicine, this park is one of the best of its kind. Phone: +66 3891 5213.
Phra Chedi Klang Nam
Rayong’s most impressive Buddhist temple can be found on an island in the middle of the Rayong River. It has traditionally served as a landmark for approaching sailors, but also features prominently in local Buddhist ritual. The temple’s main chedi is quite old and its builders remain unknown. The unique location of this temple makes it worth visiting, especially during Loi Krathong, when the chedi undergoes its annual robe changing.
These impressive gardens contain one of Thailand’s most extensive and diverse selections of trees and flowering plants. In addition to a bounty of nature this park also has a cultural side. Three traditional Thai houses more than a century old have been reconstructed and now serve as small museums. Inside, visitors can check out various ceramics from the historical eras of Thailand, including some amazing prehistoric pieces from the Ban Chiang UNESCO World Heritage site. Phone: +66 3865 1688.
Supattra Land Rayong is renowned for its tropical fruit, and the best way to see where it comes from is to visit this large orchard that is open to the public. The surroundings are extremely pleasant, featuring mature trees of durian, mangosteen, star fruit, longan, rambutan and many other fruits. May through July is the best time for a visit, as many of the fruits come into season. After touring the gardens, visitors can sample as much of the fruit as they want. Phone: +66 3889 2048.
Enjoy the laid-back lifestyle of a traditional Thai fishing village. There are a couple of charismatic fishing villages near Rayong that seem to have been passed over by tourism. Ban Kon Ao is an ideal place to experience how locals depend on the sea for their livelihood. After watching them catch and process their seafood you can head over to one of the modest restaurants to eat your fill at shockingly low prices. As the village is connected to lovely Mae Rumpeung beach, you can make a great day-long adventure out of your visit.
Explore the underwater beauty of the islands off Rayong’s coast. Some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling along the eastern region of the Gulf of Thailand can be found near Rayong. There are several small islands a short boat ride from the shore that are surrounded by healthy coral reefs. Due to their size, remoteness and lack of development these islands have retained much of their native marine life. Koh Kudi and Koh Kut have some of the nicest coral gardens, followed by Koh Thalu, Koh Kruai and Koh Pla Tin. Dive shops in Rayong, Ban Phe and Koh Samet can handle all your diving needs.
Spend the day at the beach, Thai-style. The highlight of any trip to Rayong is its beaches. Virtually devoid of foreign tourists, these spots provide a great chance to see how Thais enjoy their time along the sea. Although beach quality varies, nearly all of the beaches have seafood restaurants and some accommodation. The closest beaches to Rayong town are Hat Laem Charoen and Hat Saeng Chan. Mae Rumpheung beach is particularly beautiful with its crescent bay and trails leading to Ban Kon Ao fishing village. Khao Laem Ya is a great spot to watch the sunset, while Payoon and Pala beaches are fantastic getaways with upscale bungalow options.
Unwind for a few days on a deserted tropical island. Rayong’s mainland beaches aren’t bad, but if you really want to experience the full splendor of Thailand’s sea and sand grab a boat to one of the tiny islands off its shores. Among the most scenic are the Man islands, a group of three sandy specks near Laem Mae Phim. Koh Man Klang and Koh Man Nok have exclusive boutique resorts and ideal conditions for water sports. Koh Man Nai is a protected sea turtle habitat, but can be visited as a daytrip.
Wander into the last tract of virgin forest in Rayong at Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park. This massive park is best known for its many waterfalls, towering cave-riddled limestone cliffs, and exotic wildlife. The park has built trails to four of the waterfalls and 20 of the caves, all of which are open to the public. The largest waterfall is Chamao, with its eight tiers and deep swimming pools. Visitors can easily reach the top of this fall by trail. For exquisite views head to Pha Sawan, known as Heaven Cliff, where the panoramic scenery is filled with limestone karst formations and thick jungle. Phone: +66 3889 4378.
Watch the ancient art of Nang Yai, or Shadow Play, at Wat Ban Don. One of the cultural arts in which Rayong excels is the traditional craft of shadow puppets. Characters are cut from large pieces of leather, then maneuvered behind a screen using light to create shadows. The plays tell traditional Thai stories and are interesting to watch. The museum at Wat Ban Don not only displays 100 antique characters, but it also hosts performances for visitors. Phone: +66 5087 0235.
first: the hotel is a safe and secure area,but there is little public transport,shops and entertainement.Except there is a hotel van . They can bring you everywhere you want to go ,ofcourse for not t...
