Is Bang Saen ok for a short family holiday?

[benbaaa]

Mum and dad are coming over soon, both 74 years old, both been to Thailand about 10 times, so you could say they're fans. They prefer places a bit off the beaten track, but within shouting distance of a bit of civilization. For instance, they didn't like Hua Hin, Phuket or Krabi much - too many tourists, too many price-gougers. They liked Songkhla/Hat Yai and Cha-am a lot - plenty of locals on holiday, cheap spicy seafood on the beach.

I'd like to take them to somewhere near the sea for 4-5 days where we can chill out a bit and not have to watch parades of scumbag westerners chasing tarts. Does anyone think Bang Saen might fit the bill?

Cheers. bb

[dirtydog]

Bangsaen is alright although maybe a bit too boring, also the beach isn't that great.
TeakDoor.com - The Thailand Forum Bangsaen
Ban Chang has better beaches so maybe a better idea.
TeakDoor.com - The Thailand Forum Ban Chang

[crazy dog]

Damn site better than shitty Pattaya, how they can promote that place as a family destination I don't know. BS gets crowded with Thais at the weekend, last time I was there I only saw one other falang, and no whores.

[aging one]

I for one would say no. Its a complete Thai resort. Row upon row of beach chairs and umbrellas. Most kids rent inner tubes and play in the sea. Good seafood on the beach but very very Thai, and can be quite crowded compared to western standards.

[benbaaa]

^ I don't mind Thai resorts at all, AO. Mum and dad are very much into Thai seafood, but from the photos I've seen, Bang Saen doesn't look very picturesque. Guess it's too near BKK for that.

What about Prachuap? I've seen Marmite's got an album of pictures. Looks pretty good. But now I'm in the wrong part of the forum.

Why don't you take them to all of the places that you used to go to?

Er, because they've been there.

[12Call]

Koh Chang

[Marmite the Dog]

What about Prachuap? I've seen Marmite's got an album of pictures.

Should be a thread lurking somewhere, too.

That would be a good place to take them.

Another option if they don't mind traveling, is Koh Lanta.

[taxexile]

Have you ever thought of changing your poor attitude ( Skumbag westerners chasing tarts)

Why would anyone want to help you when you have this type of approach to asking for help. Take them to a nice , very expensive hotel, where they only look at what you would call upper class Thais, tourists, etc. Why don't you take them to all of the places that you used to go to before you started calling everyone "Skumbag Westerners?"

hes not calling everyone skumbag westerners, only the skumbags.

why would any 70 year old tourists want to travel thousands of miles and spend their time watching boozed up westerners partying with thai tarts.

its not about shutting yourself away in 5 star resorts either, its about travelling to asia and not feeling like the plane landed in ibiza, majorca, or southend.

chantaburi and trat are interesting places to visit with nearby beaches that are not too polluted with too many scumbag westerners.

[benbaaa]

^ and ^^ been to Koh Lanta with the parents, it was good, but a long way south and we'd like to try somewhere new. Just seen your Prachuap thread, Marmers, and it looks like exactly what I'm after. Even Smeg approved in a thread of his own.

Don't know anything about chantaburi or trat. Will do some digging.

[aging one]

Benbaa they might enjoy it for a day or two, then what about heading down to some of the nice beaches in Rayon. Bexar had a nice thread of two on them.

[benbaaa]

Thanks AO, I'll check that out too.

[Bogon]

Would do Cha-Am over Bang Saen for a quite getaway.
Bang Saen is an absolute shithole beach-wise in my opinion. The beach is strewn with rubbish and the Thai crowd are usually the Bangkok lot geting away for the day with an icebox, bottle of cheap whiskey and a guitar. The actual beach itself is about 2 meters wide and you only have the choice of sitting on the cheap itchy deckchairs.
Cha-Am isn't a 5 star place, but am sure it has a lot more to offer than Bang Saen and from Bangkok it is just as easy to reach.

[Loy Toy]

Chantaburi is nice and there are plenty of nice cheap beachside bungalows on the coastline on the right when you are driving from Bangkok towards Chantaburi. You can't miss the resorts and if you follow the sign posts that are on the main road driving from Bangkok between Rayong and Trad.

Take the family on a bit of an adventure mate with no bookings and just move along the Eastern Seaboard coast as you like. You can also slip on to Koh Chang for a day trip and if you make it to Trad.

I have done that before with the family and it was a lot of fun.

[phomsanuk]

Why go so far when clean Koh Larn is an inexpensive ferry trip away.

[Norton]

Bang Saphan is very good. I've stayed many times. Think your parents would enjoy but about 4 and half hour drive from BKK.

Bangsaphan Guide :: Bang Saphan information, Koh Talu, accommodation, restaurants, nightlife and activities in Bangsapan and Ban Krut

[benbaaa]

Would do Cha-Am over Bang Saen for a quite getaway.

We did Cha-am last year and liked it, but want somewhere else this year. Bang Saen is sinking fast as a possible.

[Loy Toy]

Why go so far when clean Koh Larn is an inexpensive ferry trip away.

It is about a 90 minute leisurely drive past Pattaya and the road is fantastic.

You get exactly what the OP is looking for, without the tourists crowds and the beaches are very clean, Restaurants on the beach with great seafood and the accommodation is very good and extremely cheap.

[brian3673]

try bang sare south of jomtien nice beach and seafood restruant's,nut much else or down rayong,,then you could allway's jump on a boat to koh samet...
hire a car or mini bus just travel down the coast..

[Bogon]

Done what Loy Toy is on about a month or so ago.
Agree with what his saying.
Remember that it pisses down with rain everyday at the moment, so a back-up plan might be needed to kill an hour or two if beachlife is what your looking for?

[S Landreth]

Bang Saen is fine this time of year. The water is nice and the shore is clean. I was just there last Monday (water was clear that day). They have attached/mended the floating barrier about 750 feet off-shore that keeps most of all the floating trash off the beach.

I have been going to that beach for the past few years at least once a week while I was staying in BKK. Sometimes the girlfriend and I will go for a long weekend and we’ll stay at the Tides Resort, which makes the stay nicer (breakfast there is fan-f’in-tastic). Your 74 year old parents will enjoy a short stay there. But I will agree with DD,….it can get a bit dull after a few days. Make sure they bring a couple of books and a camera.

There are cheaper places to stay (than the Tides) within a block of the beach (even with a balcony, where you’ll be able to see the beach) for about 500 baht a night (I don't know if that's a balcony room),..and I was quoted 9,000.00 baht a month (TV, A/C). If you would like for me to explain where it is I will try,…but I don’t know the name of the place.

Here’s a thread I did on Koh Larn,.if you’re thinking about the island. The beaches are beautiful.

https://teakdoor.com/thailand-hotels-resorts-and-guest-houses/62631-lareena-resort-on-koh-larn-thailand.html

[Loy Toy]

Done what Loy Toy is on about a month or so ago.

A really nice way to kill a few days mate innit.

The fruit stalls on the way are amazing and you hardly see another farang with the locals being really nice.

We never booked accommodation in advance and always found something nice to stay over-night.

Yes, the rainfall in that area is a consideration but we have always been fortunate to dodge the heavy down-pours.

[Bogon]

^Had a very nice time.
The fruit (and seafood) were probally the highlight for the missus and the other halves that attended.
The boys enjoyed the beach and free-flowing beer!

[Loy Toy]

^ We found a great little bungalow resort with a connecting seafood restaurant on the beach. The beach sand was pure white and the water was crystal clear.

I can't remember the name of the Resort but there was quite a few along that beach that looked nice.

[aging one]

good to see you posting again Loy, always look forward to your input.

[Loy Toy]

^ Thanks mate.

I love it here and have made many good friends including member's opinions I respect such as yourself.

Such a shame to see such a meltdown last week and Iam glad to see some order has been restored.