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Cookie Monster

I'm looking for a relaxing area to spend a little time away from all the "craziness" of Pattaya. I like being on the beach and have usually opted to stay in Jomtien instead of Pattaya, much more relaxing but I can't stand the filthy beach even though it's a step up from Pattaya beach. Last year the water in Jomtien was at its worst, so filthy with everything you can imagine floating in the water. Reluctantly I gave in to my better judgement went in the water a few times and I paid the price with some skin rashes and such.

So I heard that the beaches down past Rayong are much cleaner and that several small towns on that coastline are worth paying a visit to. Someone mentioned Laem Mae Pim to me but had no details to share. I'm not looking for places with a ton of bars and such. A nice little hotel or bungalows on the beach, some good seafood places to eat, a quiet beach to kick back on.... and I'm set. I've done Koh Chang and enjoyed that very much but don't want the long trip. I considered Koh Samet but I get the impression that it's overpriced.. but I haven't completely discounted it yet.

So, if any board members have some suggestions for the Rayong coastline and hotels, I would be most appreciative. Look forward to your input.

CM

jarne

buy the travelguide/// beaches in thailand... something
or
surf lonely planet

Panda

Why not hire a car and driver for the day and do some exploring yourself?
Should be able to find a car and driver for 1 to 2 k baht a day plus fuel. Everyone works on commission in Thailand so just ask any Thai in a tourist area from a motorcycle taxi guy to a baht bus driver to a bar girl and they will comer back with a contact for you.

Its been a few years since I have been down along that road, but I recall there are some lovely little spots. I dont remember the beach at Laem Mai Phim being anything special though. Some of the other areas along the way were lovely with wide clean sandy beaches and she-oak trees (Australian name) lining the shore.
I believe the nicer beaches are frequented pretty heavily by Thai tourist families on weekends, but pretty quiet mid week. Lots of Thai food eating places all along there too.
As I said, its been a few years since I was there, but there were virtually no farangs there back then, -- probably would be a few there now though. Could be a little bit of a language barrier there sometimes if you dont speak Thai.

No idea what accommodation prices are, but I imagine you would be paying Thai prices for Thai style accommodation.

somtamslap

Pop into Pattaya on the way down and pick yourself up a translator/companion/slaaaaag. She'll see to it you get your Green Curry not too sapicy.

Good luck with it Cookie. How long u over here for this time? Panda's suggestion of renting a car is definetly the best if your willing to travel about (which is great fun, specially down the coastlines) and provided you have a decent amount of time over here.

dirtydog

Sattahip, Ban Chang and Bang Saray are all within 60kms of Pattaya and Jomtien, or going a bit past Rayong you have Chanthaburi, thats about 20 beaches in total so should keep you busy

robuzo

Bear in mind that this is the rainy season, so the runoff from towns, rivers, and fields is going to be far worse than during the dry season, so beaches that might be marginally swimmable other times of year (like Hua Hin on the other side of the Gulf) will be especially vile now.

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露武蔵

Bexar County Stud

I've lived in the area since 2002, and the area east of Ban Phe, including Laem Mae Phim is one of my favorites.

There's always been a good range of accomodation here, from the usual Thai joints, small boutique hotels, and even a Novotel. Now there's quite a bit of development going on, including a massive Marriot complex set to open next year, I believe.

However, it's still a pretty large area (Ban Phe to Lae Mae Phim), with a lot to offer. Nice range of beaches, from small little coves to long wide sandies. Certainly better than anything you'll find in Ban Chang or Sattahip IMO.

I agree that renting a car is a good idea, or rent a motorbike for a cheaper (and more fun) option. Should be easy to find both in Ban Phe.

Like I said, don't just limit yourself to Laem Mae Phim, the area has a lot to offer, from racuous Thai beaches to quiet (sometimes unbelievably so) little getaways.

JohnTB

OK, Mr Bexar County (San Antonio TX) has given you the best advice - Ban Phe is about 22 kms east of Rayong City and there are Baht buses available (parked along the side Soi, off Sukumvit [Rt #3/Rayong Main Street and not fdar from the bus station) to and from Rayong City/Ban Phe - but they don't run too late in the evening.
The road along the beach at Ban Phe is straight and few kilos long; the beach, is beautiful and generally clean (the water, with all the local shipping to/from Rayoang oil refinery and storage depot and Sattahip? - not so sure). Visually it is a beach in paradise.

There is a band of trees for shade running parallel to the beach - between the road and the water. Great place to relax - eating areas - or sleep out of the sun; there are many, open air seafood shops/restaurants - with fresh catch [even samll shark] available at curbside [make your pick and they cook to order/speak very little English but you'll manage - no problem].

Across the street you will fing Guesthouse - some ethnic, i.e., German, some bungalows, and some 3-5 star hotels as well.

Know this is a Thai holiday area so, while you will have the whole place to yourself Mon am - to Friday noon - brace for a large influx of Thais for the weekend - similar to Cha-am. But it is no problem.

Rayong has a visually beautiful beach, 12 kilos long - BUT - there ia an oil refinery at one end and a storage depot of some sort at the other end. We used to take the children there and sometimes had to wipe the oil off their skin - no joke. The Thais don't seem to care. On Sundays you can count 12 - 18 tankers just off shore, at anchor, waiting for the refinery / depot to open on Monday. No telling what they're dumping.

There is one Guesthouse here with a swimming pool - faces the beach (just across the road - and you can hear the surf from your room) and the backside faces the Rayong River. I stayed here; a beautiful place; nice owner (a Swiss guy and his Thai wife) - good food etc. I don't swim just enjoy walking the beaches and sleeping with the surf sound... The name escapes me but it means lightning and there are ligntning bolts on the sign - easy to find: turn right, off Rt 3/Rayong Main street, just before you enter the town, at the PNY Resort sign. Go about 2 kms and at 'T' intersection, turn left (PNY resort is to the right) - you will see it on your left about 1/2 kilo.

ENJOY Rayong.

Panda

Thanks for that update there Bex.

Cookie Monster

Thanks guys for all your input. Bexar, thanks for the great photos. I am reassured that the area is what I'm looking for. I'll spend some time looking online for hotels and such to see what I can come up with. Right on a beach and walking distance to good food would be great - and I'm sure I'll find something.

I had thought about the car/bike rental and probably will do that when I'm actually down there. But I would prefer to line something up in advance. I have a friend who will be joining me from the States and he's the type that doesn't travel unless he has a reservation confirmation in hand. But I get to play Tour Organizer.

We're looking at doing this in November and probably will spend 2 weeks in that area. Prior to that we're also looking to go to Seam Reap (Angkor Wat) 3-4 days, and the obligatory time in Pattaya as well.

I'll keep posting back here with more questions.
Appreciate all your help,
CM

Cookie Monster

Bexar,

Are your photos from one location or multiple? Can you share the location(s) and hotel name(s) please.

CM

Bexar County Stud

Most of the places I know in this area don't really do online booking. And it's not really necessary except for the peak season when most places are booked solid with Scandinavians. The area is very popular with these folks. Kinda of a family feel to the area, and I hope it stays that way.

Really, your best bet is renting transportation, or hiring a cab in Ban Phe to take you around until you find something to your liking. It's that easy around here. You ain't gonna be stuck without a place to stay, if that's what your worried about. I know the Novotel does advanced online booking, but it's very overpriced and not very good IMO.

Many places along the way, and if you go all the way down the coast to Lae Mae Phim town, there's several hotels in the city, and a nice stip of seaside food joints right on the beach. And a place called Phish bar that's pretty cool:

pounderbloodlust

I stayed one night in Laem Mae Phim.
It's a popular location for BKK Thais, families on the beach and a 1/2 a mile of beach side fish cafes.
Rustic old buildings.
Was going to stay longer until a morning walk on the beach discovered the high tide mark was like a garbage dump, so moved onto Ko Chang.
The further you get around the corner from BKK, but remember you won't find pristine anywhere in the World. Whole Oceans are polluted.
[I don't see the sense of hiring an interpreter, as suggested!?]
Most of my time in Thailand has been in places that seldom see farangs and I have never had problems with language. Even in the remotest places there always seems to be someone in a shop next door, or the high school kid in back who is more than helpful that.

pounderbloodlust

Bexar has given the best advice IF your friend and you any spirit going with the flow.
"But I would prefer to line something up in advance. I have a friend who will be joining me from the States and he's the type that doesn't travel unless he has a reservation confirmation in hand. But I get to play Tour Organizer."
The BEST advice for your American friend is Ko Samet. No worries about ending up in 'strange' places and doing walk in bookings.
[I do walk in booking 95% of the time, myself, and HATE reserving ahead so we are all different.]
From Ko Samet you can book a trip to Angor Wat and back, everything nicely taken care of.

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November could be the best bet for sort of clean beaches. The rainy season has flushed out and IF you get a week of sunny weather, there is no silt, so you can snorkel. But remember, Thor Hydal could navigate across the Atlantic just using garbage, flotsam and jetsam as reference points.
They are doing a study on the toxity of the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
I don't think there is a 'pristine' beach anywhere in the World.
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Perhaps the east side of Samet will be cleaner? than the west because it around the corner from the BKK sewage stream.

navynine

Take a look at Talay Deaw Resort, Chao Lao Beach near Chanthaburi

the dogcatcher

If you stay in Novatel which is 2300 baht a night at weekends you will find the beach pristine, because they clean it. Swimming area is bouyed off so safe from speed boats. Hotel has European clean pools and good service. Hotel is on coast road between Ban Phe and the Phim place. You'll find me there most Saturdays from September onwards.

rickda

I can recommend Lima Coco on Koh Samet and also Hau Hin is ok

Sparky

my girl friend's has an aunty owns a small motel in liam mae pim literally the other side of the road to the beach nice clean rooms with AC cost 1,000 baht a night may be cheaper two weeks or more . best cook in town for sea food nice quiet place . if you want contact details PM me .

Cookie Monster

Sparky,

Tried to PM you but I don't have enough messages to my count to allow PMing. So, could you please PM me with some contact details for the above. It sounds very promising.

Thanks,
CM

the dogcatcher

Sparky, what's it called.