Central Coastal
Pattaya
Pattaya is 147 km south-east of Bangkok, and faces the Gulf of Siam. It is located within easy access of the Bangkok Airport and has excellent accommodation and restaurants and entertainment for all tastes. Because of its easy accessibility from Bangkok, Pattaya remains one of Thailand’s most popular weekend getaways for Bangkok’s city-dwellers.
Accommodation ranges from luxuriously appointed beachside hotels with superb convention facilities to simple guesthouses.
Sporting opportunities abound both on land and water, and include some of the finest golfing, game-fishing, and scuba diving anywhere in Asia.
Theme and amusement parks, offbeat museums and lush botanical gardens offer numerous forms of leisure activities and cultural entertainment for all family members. And after dark, Pattaya offers the allure of a truly vibrant nightlife with a great variety of restaurants, nightclubs, bars, discotheques, and cabarets.
Tourism is Pattaya’s main source of income. It attracts thousands of pleasure-seeking tourists from all over the world. There is much on offer - good beaches, offshore islands, diving, sailing and its many golf courses are just a few of the activities visitors can enjoy.
More than 30 offshore islands stretch around Pattaya within a radius of some 48km, from around Si Racha in the north, to Sattahip in the south. A few islands are off-limits as they are under the control of the Royal Thai Navy. Most others have fascinating dive sites. The waters are rich in various coral species and tropical fish.
Koh Chang
Located in the eastern part of Thailand, Koh Chang is close to the border of Cambodia. Around 85 percent of Koh Chang along with 50 smaller islands, is part of the Koh Chang Marine National Park. Clear waters of various blue shades surround the island while a terrain of high peaks and steep cliffs provide magnificent scenic points.
In a matter of years, Koh Chang has undergone a huge change. Back then, only the simplest accommodation was offered. But now, Koh Chang is a boom island where the range has extended from economically priced bungalows to luxury resorts. To maintain the landscape of Koh Chang as unspoiled possible, a law has been enforced to limit the height of buildings on the island at 3 storeys. Water treatment system is required for new construction projects whereas island residents are discouraged for cutting down trees.
In 2003, Koh Chang was able to get a special status that meant less bureaucratic management while the government would finance infrastructure like waste water treatment facilities, garbage treatment sites and piers. While it is a place that faces more rapid growth, the community tries its best to maintain an ecologically sound environment.
Majority of the resorts in Koh Chang are thatched roof bungalows sitting on spacious land and long beaches. At the same time, plush hotels and resorts providing luxury services with modern architecture and amenities are fast becoming more numerous.
The beaches of Koh Chang are like characters from a fiction story which have their own trait. The most notable, White Sand Beach, is where most people get together. Restaurants, resorts, bars and pubs scatter the area making it the place to go to for night-time entertainment. Klong Prao Beach (Haad Khlong Prao) is distinct because of its more serene environment. Good for those who seek a calm and quiet vacation. The most popular area for those on a tight budget is Kai Bae Beach. Many backpacker-type accommodation are strewn on the area, but are nevertheless of good quality.
Fishing villages, such as Bang Bao and Salak Phet, incorporate visitors into their daily scene. Homes are built on stilts that sit on the waters and the village itself has a pier that serves as a gateway to satellite islands. Accommodation and small restaurants along the water take effort to blend in smoothly with the local lifestyle.
While the western side of the island has undergone a transformation, the eastern side prefers to retain its traditional face, wherein fruit trees and orchard plantation are generally seen.
In order to get around the island, there are pick up trucks called songtaew that have drop off points on the sole main road. Motorbikes and cars are also available for rent for those who would opt to get on the wheel by themselves.
A wide variety of activities are available on the island. A boat trip to smaller satellite islands of the national park is the most common way of spending free time. The beach is only one of the many places to take a dip into. Trek into the interior of the island, and take a plunge in the cool waterfalls. Aside from getting a tan and a massage, a tattoo is just one of the several things that you can take home with you as a souvenir of your vacation.
To get to Koh Chang by air is a 50 minute flight from Bangkok to Trat and then it is just a local taxi to one of three ferries that will take you to Koh Chang. Car ferries operate and if travelling by car from Bangkok this takes some 4 hours and if you take the bus this is just 5 hours to Trat.
Koh Samet
Koh Samet is essentially an island for relaxing and enjoying the quiet life close to nature. As more tourists arrive, more facilities and outdoor pursuits are being offered, particularly along the more developed north-east coast at Haad Sai Kaeo (Diamond Beach) Ao Pai, and Vong Deuan. Sailing, snorkelling, boats for hire and windsurfing can all be arranged through most of the resorts. Windsurfing is particularly good north of Haad Sai Kaeo and the rocky north coast where strong currents and offshore winds offer a challenge. Windsurfers are available at most guesthouses for around 100B to 200B per hour) You can also rent jet-skis at Haad Sai Kaeo.
For around 300B per person, you can book a speedboat at the main beaches. Take a tour around the island and/or go snorkelling off the rocky uninhabited western side, or around the reefs at the southern tip. They'll be happy to do a morning drop-off and afternoon pickup if you want to relax at one the secluded bays along the island's east coast. Or negotiate a price and explore the islands of Kudi, Kruai, Kham and Plai Tin which lie a little to the east of Koh Samet. The islands are fringed by lovely beaches - ideal for swimming and camping. Scuba diving excursions can be arranged at Vong Duang.
The beaches on the south-east coast are the least developed and least visited. The west coast is rocky but does have one very secluded beach Ao Prao (Paradise Beach) which has a comfortable bungalow resort and a alternative health centre offering courses in yoga, painting, dance, meditation and Reiki healing among others. Courses are conducted in English.
Generally walking and "Songtaews" (local open air taxis) are the main modes of transport. As the island is tiny it's really not a problem. Samet Island has only one road going from north to south with tracks running from it. You can catch a songtaew anywhere along the road and at all the main beaches. Transfer from beach to beach costs around 30-40 Baht per person per trip, depending on distance and negotiating skills. Or, hire a taxi for a group for the day.
Many of the resorts and guesthouses around Hat Sai Kaeo (Diamond Beach) - the most developed beach on the north-east cape, are linked by a local path. Diamond Beach is also only a 10-minute walk from the ferry port at Na Dan. You can also hike the shoreline path between beaches.
This tiny island (about 7 km long and 5 km wide) lies about 6 km off Thailand's East Coast in the province of Rayong. Ferries leave the small fishing village of Ban Phe (about 20 km east of Rayong town) to Koh Samet daily from 06.00 - 17.00 hrs. The trip takes about 30 to 45 minutes depending on which part of the island it goes to. It's possible to hire a local "long-tail" boat which makes the trip in about half the time. There is also a 20 baht entry fee to the National Park.
To get to the ferry terminal at Ban Phe takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes by bus from Bangkok. Travelling by car takes about 3 hours.
Hua Hin
Hua Hin is located 190km south of Bangkok and is a well-known resort town, set on the West Coast of the Gulf of Thailand. Hua Hin has a population of around 60,000 people, the King of Thailand has his summer palace Klai Kang Won adjoining the beach.
Hua Hin has one of the lowest rain falls in Thailand and being a coastal town gets that lovely sea breeze, so can be visited all year round. There are three seasons, the dry season (March-September), the rainy season (October - November) and the warm season (November-February). One of the lowest rainfalls of any beach area. Weather is hot but refreshed by a cooling sea breeze. Most days offer clear blue skies and sometimes billowing white clouds. Hua Hin was chosen as the Royal resort due to the excellent weather and climate.
Among the most important landmark is the Klai Kang Won Palace, a Royal summer residence built by King Rama VII. The major nightlife attraction which is very popular with both Thai and foreign tourists is the night market. A wide choice of cuisine’s naturally with many fine Thai restaurants.
Hua Hin has night markets, stylish shops and boutiques. There are many old style and art shops close to the fishing piers, art and crafts shops.
The main beach area fronts the town itself where many fine resorts are found. Beaches to the north and south. The beaches at Khao Takiab (Chopsticks Hill) and Takiab Bay (Chopsticks Bay) are just to the south of the town centre. Hua Hin beaches stretch along the coast both north and south. For out door fun and adventure you can enjoy watersports, elephant rides, all terrain vehicle rides, fishing and boat trips. Khao Takiab Bay is a popular beach with clear clean water and gentle waves, beach loungers and beach umbrellas for shade. Palm trees and Casuarana trees line the long beach at Takiab Bay. These beach areas are also popular for jogging and beach cycling. The area also offers the opportunity to visit the temples of Khao Takiab, feed the monkeys, and climb to the viewpoint. The Khao Takiab area has many historic temples. Snorkelling is available a few hours south. The River Kwai is just 3 hours from Hua Hin. The National Park at Sam Roi Yot (Three Hundred Peaks) is just 30 minutes south of town.
To get to Hua Hin by train from Bangkok takes just 3 hours and 15 minutes. By bus the journey is four hours and by private car is just 3 hours.
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