The main tourist destination in Rayong is the small island of Koh Samet, off of the coast of Ban Phe, this is a designated Thai national park so there is a charge to get in, it has many nice beaches such as Saikeaw Beach (White Sands Beach), Vongduern Bay, Noi-Nha Beach and Ao Phai Beach to name a few, it also has crystal clear waters.
Also in Rayong Province is Ban Chang, this has 3 great beaches, Had Nam Rin Beach, Had Phayun Beach and Had Phala Beach, Ban Chang also has a small street section of sex orientated bars aimed at foreign tourists.
Rayong Province shares borders with Chon Buri, Chanthaburi and to the south is the Gulf of Thailand.
Laem Mae Pim Beach is slowly being developed, a few nice hotels and quite a selection of restaurants on the beach including Thai seafood and farang food.
Known to most people as Koh Samet or Koh Samed it is a small island and national park off of the coast of Ban Phe, you can learn more about Koh Samet on our Koh Samet page.
The Rayong Aquarium is open from Wednesday to Friday during 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. and on weekends from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Group visitors should call in advance. Tel. 0 3865 3741, Fax. 0 3865 1763
Sopha Botanical Park
A 32-rai park with many kinds of trees, particularly Thai flora. In the compound there are three traditional Thai houses on stilts, which are around 100 years old, also exhibits of ceramics from various periods as well as prehistoric pottery from the Ban Chiang World Heritage Site.
Wat Ban Don Shadow Play Museum
The museum is located in Wat Ban Don, exhibiting a hundred Nang Yai shadow play characters. The Shadow Play character, or Nang Yai, is a large piece of leather carved and painted into different characters. Aged over 200 years, these characters were brought from Phatthalung in 1988. For the Nang Yai performance, please contact 3 days in advance. Tel. 08 5087 0235, 08 9831 6053.
Ban Kon Ao (The Fisherman's village)
The best place in town to discover the traditional way of life is from a small but typical fisherman’s village located at the end of Hat Mae Ramphueng. Visitors can also see how they catch fish and process seafood. An additional attraction worth visiting is the Catholic Church established near the village over 100 years ago.
Suan Si Mueang
Dubbed as "Ko Klang" by the locals, Suan Sri Muang is a public park and health center. Located behind the former city hall, the park is well known for its landmark – the Phra Buddha Angkhirot (Buddhist Shrine) housed in a traditional Thai style shrine.
The Sopha Arboretum
The extensive grounds located near the entrance to Ban Phe, just about 200 meters off Highway No.3 at Km. marker 238 are home to various flowering plants. A 100-year-old Thai-style wooden structure houses porcelain ware from various periods, in particular the Ban Chiang style. The place is open daily except Thursdays from 8.00 a.m. until 5.00 p.m. Contact Tel: 0-3865-1688 for more information.
Ticket Fee: 50 Baht /person.
Wang Kaeo
A recreational park and resort located approximately 11 kilometers from Suan Son on the beach road, Wang Kaew provides accommodations and other tourist facilities. For more information, call 0-3863-8067-8 or 0-2259-4150-1 (Bangkok).
Suphattraland
Thirty kilometres from town is Suphattraland, an extensive orchard open to the public. It grows succulent mangosteen, durian and rambutan. They generally mature in late April-June. Visitors can enjoy not only the pleasant surroundings but also taste for themselves freshly-picked fruits from the trees.
Open daily from 08.00-18.00 hrs. Admission is 200 baht per person. Admission including a meal is 350 baht. Ask for more information at Supattraland Office Tel : 0 3889 2048-9 Fax : 0 3889 2255.
PTT Public Company Limited (PTT) has planted and established the first herb garden in Thailand in 1984 on the 60-rai area with the objective to conserve and develop the natural resources for people in the next generation. Various kinds of herbs are gathered and planted in the garden, which was later presented to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on 18 April 1985. The landscape was developed and more herbs were planted and the 50th Birthday Anniversary in honor to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Building was built on the auspicious occasion of the Princess 50th Birthday Anniversary in 2006.
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Herbs Garden comprises of 2 parts:
1. The Herb Garden
The garden of more than 260 medicinal herbs of about 20,000 herb trees which can be divided into 20 groups according to their medical properities. The garden serves as the source of Thai Herbal knowledge and the place for recreation.
2. The 50th Birthday Anniversary in honor to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Building
It has an exibition hall where visitors can learn interesting knowledge about Thai herbs shown through various multimedia, exciting and encouraging the desire to learn more. The exhibition hall consists of:
- The Adventure of the Whirling Rubber Seed Room
- Thai Energy Save the World Room
- 4 essential elements of a person body room
- The Conservationist Princess Room
- House of the Village Doctor
- World of Herb Room
The Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhon Herbal Garden is located within the grounds of the Petroleum Authority of Thailand, about 25 kilometers from town on Highways No. 36 and No. 3191 in Nikhom Phatthana sub-district. It is not only a center where various herbal plants are put on display it also engages in herbal research. Open daily except Monday from 9.00 a.m.- 4.00 p.m. Tel: 0 3891 5213-5 Fax. 0 3891 5216.