The Charming Koh Samed Rayong

The Charming Koh Samed, Rayong

Rayong is also a destination for weekend getaway. It is approximately 2-hour drive from Bangkok. The province of Rayong has an area of 3,552 square kilometers. Located on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand, Rayong is located 179 kilometres far from Bangkok. Less developed than the Pattaya area, it is more peaceful with an attractive 100-kilometres coastline. Rayong is blessed with beaches and offshore islands, and a green fertile rainforest. Rayong town offers a few tourist attractions, while the most remarkable destination is the island of Koh Samed, although beaches along the mainland coastline are rising in popularity. Website: www.rayong.go.th.

Ao Phrao, Koh Samed

City Attractions

The Shrine of King Taksin the Great (Phra Chao Taksin)
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. Inside the Shrine houses the statue of the great monarch, while the 300-year-old Satue tree is believed to be the tree to which King Taksin The Great once tied his elephant.

Wat Pa Pradu
Located on Sukhumvit Road, the temple enshrines a large image of the reclining Buddha, which measures 12 metres long by 3.60 metres high. Differently, the Buddha image is lying on the left side instead of the more usual right.

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

Wat Pak Nam
Also known as Wat Samut Khongkha, the temple is located approximately 2 kilometres south of town and is remarkable for its ancient 10-metre-high white pagoda on an island in the Rayong River. On the full moon night of the 12th lunar month, celebrations are held at this temple with ceremonies, boat races and other forms of entertainment.

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

Rayong Aquarium
Located in the Eastern Marine Fisheries Research and Development Centre, this aquarium has divided into three parts, which are the aquatic marine life hall, shell museum, and exhibition hall. It displays various kinds of marine lives and sea plants. The aquarium also conducts study, research, as well as testing regarding marine biology and behaviors of marine life. It operates from Wednesday to Friday, at 10.00 a.m.- 4.00 p.m. and 10.00 a.m.- 5.00 p.m. on weekends. Tel: 0 3865 3741.

Beaches & Islands

Haad Laem Charoen

Located 5 kilometres from Rayong town, the beach is well-known for its seafood restaurants.

Haad Mae Ramphueng

This 10-kilometres stretch of sandy beach is located 12 kilometres from town on the way to Ban Kon Ao, it is a good area for swimming.

Ban Phe

Located approximately 19 kilometres from town, it is one of the major fishing communities in the province of Rayong. Ban Phe is also the local port for ferries departing to Koh Samed. Fresh and dried foods can be purchased here.

Koh Samed

Ao Wong Duean, Koh Samed Located within the Khao Laem Ya-Mu Koh Samed National Park, it is 6.5 kilometres off the mainland. The island of Koh Samed covers an area of 6.72 square kilometres, it is the most popular tourist attraction in the province of Rayong. Declared Mu Koh Samed National Park in 1981 by the Royal Forest Department, the park also covers nine other isles, the headland of Khao Laem Ya, and the 11-kilometre Mae Rampeung Beach. Koh Samed is under the protection of the National Parks Division of the Thai Government.

Easily reached by boat, the island is blessed with pleasant scenery and beaches. There is an abundant range of accommodation available from luxurious five-star hotels and resorts to budget bungalows.

This triangular-shaped island is mainly covered in forests, there are nice beaches along the north and east sides of the island. Ferries depart to Koh Samed daily from 6.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. It is a 30-minute boat trip. Contact the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department Tel: 0 2562 0760. Website: www.dnp.go.th.

Suan Son

It is approximately 4 kilometres from Ban Phe and 29 kilometres from Rayong town. It offers white sandy beaches, and picnic areas. Take Highway No. 3145 along the beach road of Laem Mae Phim.

Suan Wang Kaeo

Situated around 11 kilometres beyond Suan Son, there are more beaches with bungalows.

Laem Mae Phim

Situated around 11 kilometres from Suan Wang Kaeo and 45 kilometres from Rayong town, this is a delightful area 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.

Sunthon Phu Monument

Inland Attractions

Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park

The National Park in Amphoe Klaeng, it is reached by a left turn at the 274-kilometre marker on Highway No. 3. The park covers nearly 85 square kilometres and is remarked for its almost virgin forest, along with limestone mountains, caves and waterfalls. There are eateries, 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’. Contact the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department Tel: 0 2562 0760. Website: www.dnp.go.th

Tham Khao Wong

These limestone caves feature stalagmites and stalactites; they are part of the Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park. The caves are located approximately 40 kilometres ahead of Chanthaburi town on Highway No. 3 at the 286-kilometre marker. Tham Khao Wong is remarkable with 86 caves connected to one another.

The Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Herbal Garden

The garden is located within the grounds of the Petroleum Authority of Thailand, approximately 25 kilometres 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). Tel: 0 3869 2507-14, 0 3868 1828 both Ext. 4018-9.

Koh Samed

Sporting Opportunities

Horse Riding

This facility is available at the Orchard Park Riding Club. It is about 7 kilometres off Highway No.3 after a left turn at the 260-kilometre marker. Alternatively, Slo Bunny Horse Riding Training Centre is at Haad 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
Website: www.easternstargolf.com.
Great Lake Golf Course
Tel: 0 3862 2630
Rayong Green Valley Country Club
Tel: 0 3889 3838-40
Website: www.standrews2000golf.com.

Special Events

Rayong Fruit Fair

This event is held in May-June around the Tapong Fruit Market, Amphoe Mueang, the Fair focuses on promoting local fruits and other products with colourful fruit-decorated floats, fruit contests as well as agricultural exhibitions.

Sunthon Phu Day

The celebration is held annually on 26 June, the birthday of Sunthon Phu, Thailand’s most famous and internationally recognised poet in the early Rattanakosin period. Activities cover a procession featuring Sunthon Phu’s literary works, and poetry and painting competitions.

The Robing of Phra Chedi Klang Nam

The event is held during the full-moon period of the 12th lunar month. The venue is located in Wat Pak Nam, Amphoe Mueang. The fair is held simultaneously with the Loy Krathong Festival and features religious ceremonies, long-tail boat races, and other forms of entertainment.

Thai Fruits

Getting There

By Car

It is a two-hour drive from Bangkok, take Highway No. 34 (Bang Na-Trat) or expressway to Pattaya, and then Highway No. 36 to Rayong. Alternatively, from Bangkok, take Highway No. 34 to Chon Buri, and from there Highway No. 344 (Ban Bueng-Klaeng), then turn into Highway No. 3 to Rayong, a total distance of 179 kilometres.

By Bus

The three-hour journey from Bangkok can be made on regular buses leaving from Bangkok’s Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai). Air-conditioned buses depart Ekamai every 30 minutes from 4.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. Tel: 0 2391 2504. There are also air-conditioned buses departing Mo Chit II Bus Terminal every hour from 4.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. Tel. 0 2936 2852-66.