Thailand Business Directory

Rayong Thailand

Rayong is located on the Gulf coast of Thailand approximately 220 kilometers southeast of Bangkok.  Rayong is a rapidly growing city with a busy fishing port known for the high-quality fish sauce, nam pla, which is produced in many small local factories and sold throughout Thailand. 

Rayong now is the location of the East Coast Development Program and the major industrial development with new major road development to make Rayong more accessible from other parts of Thailand.  Rayong has all the big department stores for city life’s conveniences:  Tesco-Lotus, Makro, BigC, Carrefour, Robinson, Index etc.   Rayong province actually has over 100 kilometers of coastline and several scenic waterfalls in exotic tropical forest, but the lack of tourist development and transport infrastructure in the past meant that most of these beautiful beaches have slipped under the tourism spyglass.  Mass tourism has used Rayong as a jumping point to other small nearby islands.  If sun and sand are what you have come to Rayong for, waste no more time and head straight to Ban Phe, a sea side fishing village around 25 kilometers south-east of Rayong.  (Ban Phe has ferry monopoly, and this is the departure point for Ko Samet).  Either pick out a beach or get on a boat bound for Ko Samet. 

Ko Samet is a small island that lies about 45 minutes by boat off Ban Phe.  It is a T-shaped island with the area of 13.1 kilometers.  Ko Samet’s small size makes it a great place to explore by foot.  A net work of rough terrain dirt roads connects the western beach and most of the southern bays, while walking trails meander over the rocks and headlands that separate beaches.  Since 1981, it has been part of a marine national park, and there is an entry fee of 400 Baht for adult, if you arrive by boat at Na Dan, the island only village.  If you are looking for a getaway island (KO means island) for peace and quiet, Ko Samet is not it.  Ko Samet’s status as an “it” weekend getaway holiday for Bangkok tourists means the island can be very crowded during Thai public holidays.  Most of the actions take place along the northern part of the eastern shore.  This island features whitest, sun-bleached coastline bordered by beige sand dunes.  Statistically, it has most days of sunshine out of any beach retreats in the kingdom.  There are plenty of water sports around the island; snorkeling, diving, sea kayaking, or 4-6 hour boat tour of the neighboring islets.  For those looking for a more sociable gatherings, it is not difficult to find places on the beach that host weekend parties. There are numerous resorts and bungalows to choose from for your vacation stay.

Rayong province is an excellent location for living abroad.  Only 2 hours  travel on the new express way from Bangkok’s international airport lies the unexplored beach paradise that has for a long time been known only locally.  You can relax and enjoy the coastal living among the unhurried and friendly Thais with all life’s comforts.  There are many things to see, to do, and to experience in Rayong.  Other than the dreamy tropical coastlines, head inland and check out golfing, waterfalls, caves, horse riding, agricultural tours, hiking in natural forests, and be pampered with traditional Thai herbal spa.  Discover a genuine Thai environment that gives good value for the money.