Only two hours from Bangkok by car, Rayong City is a popular getaway destination amongst urban holidaymakers who prefer a more peaceful beach atmosphere than the nearby touristy Pattaya. Separated from Koh Samet by a minute ferry ride, the city area feels like a world apart. It retains a pleasantly localised atmosphere, where you are more likely to bump into Thai families or groups of young university students than foreign tourists or backpackers.
Young urbanites from Bangkok often drive out here to enjoy a great seafood meal or dig their toes into the soft white sand, before heading back with a lung full of clean fresh air. A launching point for land and sea explorations with long distance bus terminals, ferry piers, food stalls and a lively handicrafts and seafood market, Baan Pae is a hive of activity.
Laem Mae Pim, perhaps the second most popular destinations after Baan Pae, is an ideal spot for relaxation, with a lineup of beachside eateries and calm, inviting waters. Rayong is never short of mouthwatering seafood.
In fact, dining is as much an experience for the eyes and ears as the palate, as many restaurants are situated by the beach, with an outdoor deck that juts right into the water. So, dining at these venues almost guarantees a great view. With a bustling seafood market, Baan Pae is one of the best places to go get a serving of freshly caught steamed crab, prawns and the all time favourite sea bass with lime ginger sauce.
Finish off a satisfying meal the local style β with a plate of fresh tropical fruits. Rayong is more famous for its causarina-shaded beaches and translucent blue sea than as a nightlife hotspot. Baan Pae also has a number of pubs, bars and karaoke lounges. With a vast expanse of land devoted to fruit farming, Rayong is one of the best places from which to bring home tropical fruits, both fresh and otherwise, such as deep-fried durian chips, dried mangoes and preserved fruit candy.
