Boasting alluring seafood restaurants, the lively city of Rayong hugs the Gulf of Thailand and is the gateway to the idyllic island of Koh Samet. It’s surrounded by beautiful beaches and hosts its own floating market.
Things to do in Rayong
Check out one of Rayong’s many beaches, from the lively sands at Hat Sai Kaew to the peaceful shoreline of Hat Praow beach. Soak up the spectacular coastal views from the Mae Pim lookout or kick back on the casuarina-fringed beach at Had Suan Son.
The fishing village of Ban Phe is the gateway to Koh Samet, which forms part of Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park. Ringed by turquoise waters, Koh Samet is a beach-lover’s paradise where you can enjoy the serenity of Ao Phrao or the pulsing nightlife and restaurants of Sai Kaew Beach.
If you’re interested in traditional Thai herbal remedies, visit the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Herb Garden. It boasts more than 250 herbs in its scenic gardens, together with explanations about their medicinal properties, and a small shop where you can purchase herbal tonics, soaps and aromatics.
Don’t miss the Ko Kloy Floating Market, a newly developed vintage-style shopping hub. Shop for decorative homewares, handmade accessories and classic souvenirs, then sample traditional Thai snacks and drinks from the old-style pushcarts.
Getting around Rayong
Rayong is around two hours’ drive from Bangkok and one hour from Pattaya City. It’s a 45-minute ferry ride from Ban Phe to Koh Samet, and there are plenty of rickshaws and songthaews available for getting around Rayong.