Breeze of the Eastern Beach

Golden sandy beaches and warm sunlight are the inseparable memories associated with the eastern seacoast. No matter what you want your holiday to be like, from sunbathing along the shore of the clear blue sea, to exploring the colorful lives underneath, playing a round of golf, or going out for a night on the town, you can find what you’re looking for on the eastern coast of Thailand.

Pattaya and Bangsaen, two popular seaside resorts in Chonburi, might be the first beach seen by many Thai children, since they are located not far from Bangkok. Bang Saen is a small town by the sea, and is a town of happiness as its name means in Thai. Pattaya is something different. The beach of Pattaya is warm and sunny during the day, but when night falls, its streets are painted with the colors of an exuberant nightlife.

Just a bit further than Chonburi, Mae Ramphung Beach lies quietly on the coast of Rayong Province. If you want to see even more of the sea, an island made famous in Thai literature called Koh Samet is not too far. Today it is just as splendid as it was when first described by the great poet, Sunthon Phu. The island is also surrounded by hot spots for diving. Koh Man (Man Islands) is another destination of Rayong if you are seeking white sand beaches and a peaceful environment.

Koh Chang and Koh Kood, two sisters of Trat’s sea, the second and forth largest islands of the country, are located in Thailand’s easternmost waters near the Cambodian border. Besides beautiful beaches and coral reefs, both islands also have other fascinating natural attractions like Than Mayom Waterfall on Koh Chang and Khlong Chao Waterfall on Koh Kood.

Another eastern province that cannot be forgotten is Chanthaburi. Besides the unbeatable beaches of Chao Lao Beach and Sing Cape (Laem Sing), Chanthaburi is also famous for Pliue Waterfall, tasty fruits and herbs, and above all, the beauty of Chanthaburi’s rubies that created a name for Chathaburi Province as the center of the gemstone industry of Thailand.

The charms of the Eastern Region are hence not only about the beauty of the sea, but they encompass all you need for a perfect holiday. It’s no surprise that this region is one of the major destinations that draws tremendous numbers of tourists to visit Thailand each year.

Foods
One thing you cannot skip is enjoying fresh seafood from the eastern sea. Moreover, the warm tropical climate is not just good for humans, but also for various tropical fruits. Many fruit farms and orchards are rooted in Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat Provinces.

Souvenirs
Fresh and dried seafood, fresh fruits and preserved products, Chanthaburi’s gems and jewelry

Transportation
Transportation between Bangkok and Chonburi is convenient with 2 expressways: the Motorway (Highway No.7) and Buraphawithi Expressway (above Highway No.36), and 2 alternatives of normal highways – Sukhumvit Road (Highway No.3), and Bangna-Trat Road (Highway No.36), both well constructed roads that stretch to the end of Trat Province. The distance is not too far, so transportation from Bangkok to the eastern provinces only takes a short time no matter if you drive a private car or take a bus. Buses leaving for eastern provinces depart at the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai), but some routes also alternatively depart from Mo Chit (The Northern Bus Terminal), with many departures a day. The rail passes Chachoeng Sao, Chonburi, and ends in Rayong, while the airports in Trat and Koh Chang provide another good and convenient choice to get to the sea.

Useful Information
Trat Airport Tel. 0-3952-5767 (-8)

Chonburi Railway Station Tel. 0-3828-5262
Chonburi Bus Terminal Tel. 0-3828-5262
Pattaya Bus Terminal Tel. 0-3842-9285, 0-3842-9877 (air-conditioned)
Rayong Bus Terminal Tel. 0-3861-4502
Chanthaburi Bus Terminal Tel. 0-3931-1082
Trat Bus Terminal Tel. 0-3951-1986

Car Rental Service
Avis Rent A Car Tel. 0-3836-1627 (-8)
Budget Pattaya Tel. 0-3871-0717
Budget Rayong Tel. 0-3895-4352

Chonburi Police Station Tel. 0-3827-5021 (-2)
Pattaya Police Station Tel. 0-3842-0825, 0-3842-8223
Rayong Police Station Tel. 0-3861-1111
Chanthaburi Police Station Tel. 0-3931-1111
Trat Police Station Tel. 0-3952-0209
Koh Chang Police Station Tel. 0-3952-1657

Chonburi Hospital Tel. 0-3893-1000
Bangkok Pattaya Hospital Tel. 0-382-7777
Rayong Hospital Tel. 0-3861-1104
Phra Pokklao Hospital, Chanthaburi Tel. 0-3249-7584
Trat Hospital Tel. 0-3951-1284-5
Koh Chang Hospital Tel. 0-3958-6131