Rayong in the eastern coast of Thailand and is popular for its beaches and scenic waterfalls. The town is located 220 kilometers from Bangkok and is renowned for the Khao Laem Ya - Mu Ko Samet National marine Park. Neighboring provinces are (from west clockwise) Chon Buri and Chanthaburi. To the south is the Gulf of Thailand.

The province is divided in 8 districts (Amphoe) Mueang Rayong, Ban Chang, Klaeng, Wang Chan, Ban Khai, Pluak Daeng, Khao Chamao and Nikhom Phatthana. These are further divided into sub districts (Tambon) and villages (Muban).

Although the north is hilly the province consists mostly of low coastal plains. Several islands in the Gulf of Thailand belong to the province, including the popular tourist destinations, Koh Samet, Koh Mun and Koh Kodi.

Wat Pa Pradu The ancient temple dates back to the Ayutthaya period. The wihan houses a large reclining Buddha image, 11.95 meters long and 3.60 meters High. Unusually, the reclining Buddha image lies on its left hand side.

Wat Ban Don Shadow Play Museum exhibits a hundred Nang Yai shadow play characters, or Nang Yai, which is a large piece of leather carved and painted into different characters.

Wat Saranat Thammaram houses a main Buddha image imitated from the famous Phra Phuttha Chinnarat in Phitsanulok province. Four major pagodas surround the Ubosot. They include Phra Pathom Chedi, Phrathat Phanom, replica of Bodh Gaya, and Phrathat Chaiya.

The Shrine of King Taksin the Great Folklore says that King Taksin the Great tied his elephant to the tree while leading the troops to Chanthaburi for retrieving the Kingdom of Siam from Burmese occupation. The shrine houses a statue of King Taksin the Great.

Phra Chedi Klang Nam is in the middle of the Rayong River, two kilometers south of downtown near the mouth of the river, is located a pagoda on an island. It’s a landmark for the crew to indicate that they are reaching Rayong province.

Sunthon Phu Monument was built to commemorate Sunthon Phu, a leading poet in the early Rattanakosin era, two centuries ago. The statues of Sunthon Phu are characters from his famous literature.

Rayong Aquarium is located in the Eastern Marine Fisheries Research and Development Centre. The center keeps various kinds of beautiful fish and sea plants. The centre conducts study, research and testing regarding marine biology and behaviors of marine life.

Hat Laem Charoen is near the mouth of the Rayong River. Just 5 kilometers south of downtown, is the nearest beach to Rayong.

Hat Saeng Chan is 7 kilometers from Rayong town. Its connecting to Laem Charoen Beach, the Saeng Chan Beach is a nice sandy beach.

Khao Laem Ya from this sunset viewpoint, comprising scrub forest and cape, it is possible to see Mae Ramphueng Beach and Koh Samet.

Suan Son beach is just 4 kilometers from Ban Phe, 29 kilometers from Rayong town, and many kinds of pine along with local trees line the beach road making it shady.

Laem Mae Phim beach is nice for swimming. Restaurants and bungalows are available along the beach. Laem Mae Phim is 48 kilometers from Rayong town.

Hat Phayun and Hat Phla the beautiful beaches are 32 kilometers from Rayong town. Phla Beach is only 3 kilometers from Phayun Beach, they both are quiet beaches shaded by sea pine forests.

Khao Laem Ya - Mu Ko Samet National Park totals an area of 81,875 Rai comprising land, sea and islands. Its major attractions include Mae Ramphueng Beach, Khao Laem Ya and the Samet Archipelago.

Koh Samet is the famous island attraction of Rayong. One of the beaches is Ao Wong Duean in the middle of the eastern side. This beach stretches in the shape of an almost complete circle.

Koh Kruai, Koh Kham, and Koh Pla Tin are some 600 meters north of Koh Kudi or Koh Kut. The beach and coral reefs make it a nice place for a hideaway. Nearby islands are Koh Thai Khangkhao and Koh Tham Ruesi.

Koh Thalu the island is a great scuba diving site among coral reefs. The island totals an area of 69 Rai, most remains lush forest. While high cliffs occupy the west, white sandy beaches occupy the east and south of the island.

Mu Koh Man comprises three islands, Man Nai, Man Klang, and Man Nok. Koh Man Nai is the location of the turtle conservation station initiated by Her Majesty the Queen. The project conserves the breeding of hawksbill turtle and olive turtle.

Khao Chamao - Khao Wong National Park is lush forest with a great variety of flora and fauna is the watershed of the Prasae River. Namtok Khao Chamao or Namtok Khlong Nam Sai waterfall comprises seven levels, stretching for three kilometers. The large pond called Wang Matcha, is a habitat of brook carp. The viewpoint is 1.5 kilometers from the parks headquarters.

Namtok Khlong Pla Kang waterfall is 3 kilometers from the parks headquarters. Ferns and orchids grow well in this lush forest. Namtok Khlong Hin Phoeng is a small waterfall which is actually in Chanthaburi province. 10 kilometers from the parks headquarters the water runs all year round.

Khao Wong has many limestone mountains surrounded by a flat plain in the middle. The amazing mountains have a total of 80 caves inside.

National Parks Thailand

By car, taxi or minibus the journey from Bangkok to Ban Phe takes about 3 hours. First class bus services the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai) Bangkok to Ban Phe usually takes just over 3 hours.

Air conditioned buses depart from Ekamai Bus Terminal, Sukhumvit Road Bangkok every hour starting from 5:00 am. to 20:30 pm. The journey to Rayong takes from 3.5-4 hours. For more details and Tel: +66 (0) 2 391 2804 or visit website.

Getting around Rayong. Public urban transport within Rayong is in the form of minibuses (Songthaews). Local buses leave the bus station at Rayong Trade Centre for various destinations throughout the day.

Air Rail and Bus Time Tables

Rayong Fruit Festival is held in May each year, Rayong's fruit reaches its peak season. The venue for celebration is always changed between Mueang and Klaeng districts.

Sunthon Phu Day is on June 26 of each year at Sunthon Phu Monument, Klaeng district, to honor the great poet. Changing the robe for Phra Chedi Klang Nam the annual traditional event is held during the full moon night of the 12th lunar month, or in November.

The robe blanketing around the pagoda in the middle of the Rayong River, in Mueang district, will be changed. The local Thai people celebrate the event along with the Loi Krathong Festival by boat racing and many kinds of local entertainment.

Thot Pha Pa Klang Nam (Waterborne Robe Offering Ceremony) during the Loi Krathong Festival each year, or on the full moon night of November. People living near the mouth of the Prasae River will prepare a monk's robe at the pier.

After completing the ceremony on the boat, a monk will come to get it. Normally, the robe offering ceremony is held at the temple. This special tradition has been inherited for over a century.

Rayong don't have much in the way of shopping the town. Its home to the usual shopping centers such as Big C, Makro and Tesco Lotus which is convirnent for western fast food. Such as Dairy Queen, Dunking Donuts, KFC, McDonald’s. MK Restaurants and The Pizza Company. Markets and street stalls can be found around the town. The later is good for tasty Thai snacks.

There are many good Thai sea food restaurants to be found in the town and along the beach resorts. Major hotels have western food and buffet lunches, some also have coffee shops. The usual format of Thai karaoke is available in some hotels and around the town. There is also a strip of bars and restaurants in downtown Ban Chang.

Rayong province has plenty to offer in leisure and sporting activities. Most major hotel have fitness centers, Thai massage, swimming pools and some have tennis courts. Fishing trips are available from a number of piers on the beaches.

There is also two good golf courses within 20 minutes of the town. Boats depart for Koh Samet throughout the day from Ban Phe. starting from 6:00 am. until 5:00 pm. one way fair is 40 Baht. The trip takes about 40 minutes and is an interesting day out.

Hotels in Rayong are plentyful, The thing to remember is Rayong is very much a working town not a tourist city. Many of the hotels are of international standards catering for the needs of everyday business travelers and tourists alike.

At the top of the luxury range. Spa resorts like The Rayong Orchid are available for those who requier the full treatment in leisure and relaxation.

Koh Samet is just 40 minutes away by ferry as much to offer in luxury at afordable prices. at the bottom end of the market basic fan cooled rooms are available in the town for as little as 200 Baht a night island beach huts on Koh Samet start from 400-500 Baht a night.