BEACH
A real surprise is Ao Khai, a small bay just 2 kilometers from Mae Phim. Tucked away from the main road and the busier tourist area, it has fine pearly sand, blue water and palm trees. For us, it is one of the nicest small bays on the mainland of Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard and a lovely place to spend a relaxed day by the sea.
Ao Khai has a friendly and social atmosphere, with several restaurants right on the beach. It can get lively, especially at weekends, but without losing its tropical charm. That combination of a beautiful beach, a relaxed atmosphere and places to eat and drink is why we have listed Ao Khai as one of our social beaches.
WHERE TO STAY
There are two stays directly on the beach. Centara Q Resort Rayong consists of two buildings. The main building is about 100 meters from the beach, while the beautifully designed annex is closer to the sea and offers luxurious poolside rooms.
A good alternative is Ban Suan Ao Khai, with mid-range bungalows and rooms directly on the beach in a green setting. There are also a couple of alternative stays about 200 meters from the beach.
Several restaurants are located along Ao Khai Beach, making it easy to spend most of the day here. For even more choice, lively Mae Phim is only 2 kilometers away and offers plenty of additional restaurants, cafés and bars.
