Destination Guide
Rayong
The Beaches on Koh Samet
The Beaches on Koh Samet
By Richard Barrow
I recently spent some time exploring the beaches along the coastline of Rayong. This area is only two-three hours from Bangkok and counts as some of the most beautiful and exotic locations in Thailand. I spent the first two days on the mainland and you will find that the beautiful beaches there are often deserted during the week. However, if you want the white sand and crystal clear water then you need to take a boat to nearby Koh Samet. The island is only 40 minutes away and is a popular tourist destination for both Thais and foreigners.
We caught a ferry from Ban Phe on the mainland to the main pier on the island at Na Darn Pier. The pier is at the top of the northeast corner. Most of the beaches are then situated down the east coast. From the pier you can either catch a songtaew for about 10 baht to the nearest beach or walk. The walking option will take you only 10 minutes and is worth it to stretch your legs and to see what some of the facilities are on offer.
The first beach we reached was Hat Sai Kaew. It is about 800 metres long and is the most popular. The top of the beach has white powdery sand that was so bright that you had to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. It was already hot by the time we arrived so that the only people in the water were foreigners and other sunbathers.
Hat Sai Kaew has the advantage of everything you would need and better prices for food and water. However, it suffers from over-population. To get some more peace and quiet you only have to walk 10 minutes or so to neighbouring beaches such as Ao Hin Kok and Ao Phai. The border between these beaches is an outcrop of rocks. We clambered over the first group of rocks and that was when we spotted a group of topless ladies walking up the beach after a swim in the sea. There are a few bungalows here which are closer to the beach. On our beach, the hotel rooms are behind the restaurants.
A short walk up this beach and we soon found us at Ao Phai. This is as good as Hat Sai Kaew but doesn’t have so many people only a couple of boats in the water. If you don’t want to use jet skis and don’t need a wide choice of restaurants then I would suggest that you should choose one of these quiter beaches
By the time we had walked back, we had a quick lunch and then planned what we would do for the next two days. Our options included boat rides, trips into the interior and of course swimming. I will tell you about activities you can do on the island in the final part of this series.
are located on Tha Luang Road in front of the Taksin Military Barracks within town limit. Opposite stands an old building erected during the reign of King Rama VI which was formerly the town hall. The Taksin barracks are situated in an area where the old town once stood. There are ancient temples in town such as Wat Bot Muang and Wat Klang. Located in the public park near the town hall on Liap Noen Road, is the Taksin Maharat Memorial. The equestrian statue is guarded by statues of his four royal guards. the expression on the king's face clearly shows the resoluteness and determination to carry out the task of restoring the national independence. The large pond in the park serves as a popular recreation area and is stocked with a large variety of fish. 
is the commercial area and center of gem business. Even though actual gem-mining in the province is not as extensively as it used to be, Chanthaburi remains a major center for gem dealings with stones from neighboring countries and abroad being bought and sold. The Gems Market during the mornings of Friday, Saturday and Sunday attracts large crowd of gem dealers and visitors alike.
at Tambon Bang Kacha to the southwest of town was the site of an old community during the late Ayutthaya period. Special features are two ancient pagodas of different styles and an old Thai wooden pavilion.
are all peaceful beaches in 
is about 20 kilometers north of town. Built in 1966, it houses a large collection of religious items and valuable antiques donated by the public. On display are wax sculptures of over twenty Buddhist monks highly revered by the public. The temple can be reached through three accesses:- at Km. 305 (Ban Huai Sathon); at the Ban Noen Sung intersection; or at Km. 324 (Khao Rai Ya intersection)
has its head quarters at a site which can be reached by taking a turning at Km. 324 (Khao Rai Ya intersection) on Highway No. 3 and proceed on for a further 21 kilometers.
is an adventure travel during the season of July-January. Enthusiasts will thrill to the exciting passage through streams and rapids, an exercise of 2-4 level of difficulty. The two-hour trip passes through verdant forestland and fruit orchards. Contact tour agents or resorts in Pong Nam Ron district.
or Leng Hua Yi, is a temple in Chinese architectural style. Located on Sukhumvit Highway, it is at Km. 345 some 12 kilometers from town.
is about 30 kilometers from town and can be reached via Sukhumvit Road on the way to Trat with a right turn at Km. 347, a further distance of 16 kilometers to the beach. The beach itself is shaded with pine trees lining the entire shore and cooled by constant gentle breezes. There are food shops and boats for rent to visit two nearby isles, Ko Chula and 
The notorious 
near Khuk Khi Kai is the site of the Phikhat Patchamit Fort built in the reign of King Rama III. It was subsequently turned into living quarters and military command post by the French. A single storey, red-tiled roof building, today it serves as the Laem Sing district public library.
Just before Laem Sing beach is the 
This shrine is located on the west bank of The Suphan River (Tha Chin River) half a kilometer from the bridges. The shrine was originally of typical wooden Thai design housing two Vihanu God statues carved out of green stone. It is now in the Chinese pavilion design. This Chao Pho Lak Muang Shrine is highly revered by the inhabitants. chanting hall ; and a beautiful crematorium.
This is avery old monastery located on the west bank of The Suphan River, 2 kilometers from the bank. It is generally called by the villagers as "Wat Pa". The Wihan houses a Buddha image in the attitude of leading a jungle life named "Luang Pho To" The image, highly revered by the people, was formerly in the attitude of giving the first reaching sermon but was changed to be in the present attitude when it was renovated. Every year there are 2 worshipping fairs falling on the 5th to the 9th waxing moon days of April and November.
An abandomed monastery located at Mu 5 Tambon Sanam Chai. Amphoe Muang is 15 Kilometer from the bank of the Suphan Rever to the east. Only ruins of the northern side of a large pagoda are by searching outstanding archaeological materials. Nothing was found probably because they might have been taken away by smuggling searchers many years ago. Some human relics were found and it was assumed that they should belong to warriors who died on the battle field in ancient times, so the name of 'Unknown Warrior Chedi' is giver to this pagoda.
To find the location one can travel along the road leading through the Highway Division Intersection; then left turn is made to go over a bridge and straight on to Tambon Tha Sadet where a right turn is made for a distance of 12 kilometers to arrive at the unit. Some bird can be viewed during the day time while a tremendous number of birds such as open-billed stork, herson stork, cormorants, painted storks , night heron, and white ibises, etc., can be seen in the evening when they return home
This monastery is located in the vicinity of Tambon Tua Yai, Amphoe Muang on the bank of the Suphan River 200-300 meters from the bridge crossing the river. It is locally called Wat Phrathat and is over 600 years old. The main attraction is a large prang housing the Lord Buddha's relic. It was probably built either during the reign of King U Thong (A.D 1350-1369) or the reign of King Raamathibodi II (A.D. 1424-1448).
The monastery called by the villagers as Wat Mai is located opposite to the City Hall. The main attraction is Pun Punnasiri Museum which stores very interesting artifacts and archaeological materials such as bowls and cups, vases, Buddha images of various periods, clocks, weapons, etc.
This monument is locate4d in the vicinity of Tambon Don Chedi, Amphoe Si Prachan, 31 kilometers from the township area. The pagoda was constructed by the royal command of King Naresuan the Great to command his victory against The Crown Prince of Burma (King Mahauparacha) in single hand elephant back combat. Found in 1913 in ruined condition, only the base part can be seen. It was renovated having a new pagoda covered the original one in the year 1952 by the government. A cast status of King Naresuan the Great mounting the elephant's neck was placed in front of the pagoda. An annual fair celebrating the monument for seven days and seven nights commences on the 25th of January which is regarded as Royal Thai Armed Forces Day. The celebrations include historic shows, folk entertainment and shops selling all kinds of merchandise and service.
The museum in front of Town Hall displays rice farming development in Thailand from past till now. Pictures and ploughing equipments which once the Crown Prince used in rice fields at Bueng Phai Khaek in1986 are also on display.
This city currently located at Amphoe U Thong is a very old town found in the legend of Ayutthaya. King U Thong led a migration of his subjects running away from cholera at U Thong City to establish a new capital at Krung Si Ayutthaya in the year 1347. Later on the search for evidence at U Thong City revealed many factors which indicate that this is an old town and established a long time before Ayutthaya. It had been abandoned for some centuries before King U Thong established Ayutthaya as the capital so it is now believed that King U Thong did not run away from the cholera there as aforementioned. The main attraction of U Thong is the U Thong National Museum which store artifacts and archaeological materials found from excavations, such as, tools, utensils and Buddha images displaying human development in the different ages when those people used to reside in this area of Suphan Buri
This museum at U-Thong stores artifacts and archaeological materials found from excavations, such as tools, utensils and Buddha images displaying human development in different ages of Suphan Buri. Culture and tradition of "Thai Song Dum" tribe people are also on display in trive house nearby.
70 kilometers from the provincial town, Dan Chang is prosperous of beautiful natural surroundings, plentiful green forest, beautiful waterfalls such as, Ta Poen Kee Yai, That Yai and Pu Krating. It is the only place (in Central Region) where pine trees grow in Phu Toei Sanctury National Park. Visitors can feel of tradition life styles of tribe people "Karen" who live in these villages for a long time. It's such an interesting trip for eco-travelers.
The highly reserved Reclining Buddha image is housed. It is located 3 kms. from township. The Buddha image itself is almost 46 meters long and is open daily to the public.
is located in the vicinity of Khai Bang Rachan, a Vihara housing the statue of Phra Archan Tammachot, a Buddhist monk who was an outstanding leader of Bang Rachan Villagers at that time.
The figures on the monument refer to the villagers of Bang Rachan who performed a unique performance in Thai history during the reign of King Ekkathat in 1765 through fighting against the Burmese enemy part of whose around forces passed by Bang Rachan. Despite being many more troops than the villagers, the Burmese troops had to make eight attacks against the village before it was defeated due to its shortage of weapons. Such heroic performance has been currently appraised among the Thai. 
located in Bang Rachan District, some 17 kms. from Sing Buri. It contains within its precincts a Prang assumed to be constructed during the reign of King Narai the Great. There is a hill topped with a reproduced Buddha's footprint within the prang, in addition, traces of 3-4 ancient kilns dating back to Ayutthaya period had been found in a nearby area. 
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