Thailand East Coast
Thailand East CoastThailand East Coast offers you a whole host of exciting opportunities for your enjoyment from the truly stunning palm-fringed beaches around Pattaya to the romantic surroundings on the island of Koh Chang. Your journey begins unravelling from the estuary of the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok as you travel along the Gulf of Thailand in a south easterly direction right on trough to the Cambodian border. Chonburi town would be your first port of call as well as being ideally positioned approximately 75 kilometers or 40 odd miles from Bangkok. Chonburi is also the nearest beach destination along the east coast of Thailand and although there are some excellent beaches here, this town is mostly a weekend getaway for Bangkok's city dwellers. One of the main attractions other than the wonderful beaches is the Chonburi water buffalo races held during the month of October.
Pattaya Beach Road
Thailand East CoastPattaya is a seaside resort situated approximately 160 kilometers or 100 odd miles from Bangkok. Originally this seaside resort was once just a quiet fishing village before the out-break of the Vietnam War when US forces started arriving from as early as 1961 for some rest and recuperation. Recreation came later. From then onwards, Pattaya became an extremely popular beach resort which now attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Huts once belonging to local fishermen have now been replaced by high-rise resort hotels and shopping malls. Most of the fishing boats are now adapted for the tourist industry. The main attractions centered around this coastal resort town other than those seeking hot sun, hot sand and hot sea is probably the hot sex that is constantly on tap everywhere. The most noticeable characteristics amidst the popular tourist areas of Pattaya are the numerous go-go bars and night clubs. Although an all out effort to provide a broad spectrum of entertainment for all who venture here, you cannot help but notice the lively atmosphere that prevails from a once sleepy village. After spending time on the beach or shopping for curios amongst the many diversified stalls or visiting architectural wonders such as The Sanctuary of Truth, a night of pure cabaret extravaganza at world famous Tiffany's, the best lady-boy show in Thailand, should not to be missed. If you can find the energy to drag yourself away from all the fun and excitement of Pattaya, then there are a few quieter places of interest further along the east coast as you travel further towards the Cambodian border.
Looking across North Beach Pattaya
Thailand East CoastRayong is a coastal town along the east coast situated some 220 kilometers or 130 miles from Bangkok. This quiet town is much less developed than it's near neighbour, Pattaya but the 100 kilometer or 60 mile coastline is well known for it's pristine beaches and breath-taking waterfalls set amidst extraordinary surroundings. Rayong also serves as one of Thailand's agricultural and industrial areas. Not a real tourist hot spot but well worth the visit should you decide to travel by road to Cambodia as I did in 2006.
Fishing Village at Chanthaburi
Thailand East CoastChanthaburi is a quaint and quiet fishing village situated approximately 250 or 150 miles from Bangkok along the east coast towards Cambodia. A river by the same name runs through the center of the town. This peaceful village was once occupied by the french due to it's close proximity to Cambodia which had been part of a french colony. Numerous architecture structures here still bear resemblance to this period of history as seen in the largest Catholic cathedral in Thailand. The village is now home to a large Christian population. Chanthaburi was also once famous for it's gem stones but now most of the gem stones found here come from neighbouring Cambodia. Although the village has a few quiet beaches and rich verdant forests with scenic waterfalls, few tourist venture out to this part of Thailand.
Trat is a small town situated approximately 320 kilometers or 200 miles from Bangkok. This town is Thailand’s south eastern-most province with the sheer beauty of the Khao Banthat mountain range forming a natural boundary between Thailand and Cambodia. Trat offers all visitors the chance to experience true nature through it's enchanting scenic beauty. Offshore there are 52 various size islands with pure white sandy beaches and unspoiled coral reefs. Trat is also your gateway to the idyllic island resort of Ko Chang. As with Chanthaburi, Trat is a very important ruby-mining province, with the most famous gem market located in Bo Rai District, some 50 kilometers or 30 miles north of the Cambodian border.
Diamond Beach on Koh Samet Island
Thailand East CoastKoh Samet Island is an enchanting island situated approximately 200 kilometers south-east of Bangkok and just 6 kilometers or 1 mile off the coast of Rayong province. Koh Samet was originally a weekend getaway for local travellers but as word spread, tourists soon discovered this perfect piece of paradise. With it's lush natural beauty, the island became part of the Khao Laem Ya National Park in 1981 and home to a vast diversity of wildlife including monkeys and gibbons. While Koh Samet is famous for it's stunning squeaky white beaches along the more developed north-east coast at Hat Sai Kaeo or Diamond Beach, Ao Pai, and Vong Deuan beach for sailing, snorkeling and windsurfing, it also offers a variety of of excellent accommodation including the luxurious
Paradee Resort & Spa
Klong Prao Beach on Koh Chang Island
Koh Chang Island is another enchanting island situated approximately 300 kilometers or 180 miles miles south-east from Bangkok. This island was also originally a weekend getaway for local travellers as was Koh Samet the island's near neighbour. Serene beaches, impressive waterfall and lush tropical woodland make this island paradise a true gem. Koh Chang also offers many superb and luxurious boutique resorts and spas for total relaxation. Discover the popular Klong Prao beach and White Sand beach for their soft white shores and cool crystal clear waters. With their stunning coral reefs, the island has become a popular scuba diving destination.
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