- Four TreasureBeaches
- Close to Suvarnabhumi Airport
- Tung Prong Thong is a beautiful mangrove area
- About a 2.5 to 3-hour drive from Bangkok by car or taxi
- Favorite stays:
Krathin Tepa ***
Bandara On Sea **
Camping *
Rim Pae
Hidden Bays
Mae Phim
Ao Kai
PLACE
The mainland east of Rayong is a great place to start or end your trip through Thailand. The beaches are relatively close to Bangkok’s international airports, about a 2-hour taxi ride away, and the area offers a good combination of beaches, local towns and countryside to explore.
We find most of the beaches between Bangkok and Rayong a little too touristy for the TreasureBeaches feeling. East of Ban Phe, however, the coastline becomes quieter and there are still some relaxed beaches where you can escape the crowds.
WHAT TO DO
Ban Phe is a steadily growing fishing town in Rayong Province and is best known as the main starting point for Ko Samet. The town itself is worth exploring, especially on Mondays and Thursdays when there is a lively local market selling a bit of everything. Other attractions in the area include Khao Laem Ya Cape and the aquarium in Rayong, about 25 kilometers from Ban Phe.
About 30 kilometers east of Ban Phe, Tung Prong Thong is a beautiful protected mangrove area and well worth a visit. A one-kilometer-long wooden walkway takes you through and above the mangrove forest, offering beautiful views along the way. You can also take a 20-minute boat trip and look for some of the many bird species in the area. The scenery is especially beautiful in the soft morning or late-afternoon light.
TRANSPORT
From the airport, a taxi to the beaches east of Ban Phe takes about 2 hours and costs around 2,000–2,500 baht. From Bangkok, expect to pay around 2,500 baht by taxi, including the highway toll. From Bangkok, buses and minibuses also travel towards Ban Phe for around 250 baht. The journey takes approximately 3 to 3.5 hours.
From Ban Phe, you can take a shared taxi towards Hat Mae Phim for around 20 baht. Depending on your destination, the beaches are about 10 to 25 kilometers east of Ban Phe, and the shared taxi can drop you off near your stay. Alternatively, you can arrange a private taxi for the final part of your journey.
In Ban Phe, it is also possible to rent a scooter near the 7-Eleven by the pier. Having your own scooter is a convenient way to explore the beaches and countryside east of Ban Phe at your own pace.
