Rayong Province

BackGround
Rayong is located in the east coast of Thailand on the northern shoreline of the Gulf of Thailand, some 185 kilometres from Bangkok.
Rayong has an extensive coastline stretching for approximately 100 kilometres, is some 3,552 square kilometres in area, and is divided into 6 administrative districts. To the north and west it is bordered by the province of Chonburi, east by Chanthaburi Province and south by the Gulf of Thailand. The total population of the province is about 430,000 persons.
In general the geography of Rayong is marked by a series of mountains interspersed by flat plains and large tracts of land under forest, rubber and fruit plantations. Offshore there are nsany islands which are well-known by the tourists, such as Ko Samct and Ko Man.
Rayong was mentioned in Thai history during the late Ayutthaya period, when the fortner capital was razed to the ground by invading Burmese. At this tinge Phraya Tak, later to become King Taksin of Thonburi, lcd a band of patriots and broke out through the cordon of besieging troops who had surrounded the capital. He then tnadc his way towards the cast, stopping in Rayong to build up his navy before proceeding on to Chantaburi. Because of his courage and bravery, the soldiers and local population anointed him as "King" in Rayong. Once he had built up sufficient troop strength, Phaya Taksin returned to Ayutthaya and routed the Burmese and set up a new capital in Thonburi.
Rayong now is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty. It has a well deserved peputation for producing seafood products such as shrimp paste, fish sauce and dried seafoods , and tropical fruits of which Rambutan, Mangosteen and Durian are the most famous.
The climate is tropical , generally warm and humid with abundant rainfall. Average temperature is around 28 C. The best months are November through February.

How to get there

By Bus
Rayong is connected by regular bus services with Bangkok and other towns and provinces such as Pattaya, Chonburi, Ch;intkiaLiuri, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Nong Khai, Surin and Ubon Ratchathani.
Aircondittioned and regular buses leave Bangkok to Rayong from the Eastern Bus Terminal on Sukhumvit Road, Soi Ekamai, (63), Tel: 3914900 (air) and Tel: 3912504 (non-air). Airconditioned buses leave Bangkok every 30-40 minutes from 05.00 hrs. until 22.00 hrs. One way fare is 85 baht. Non-airconditioned buses leave Bangkok every 30 minutes from 04.30 hrs. until 20.00 hrs. One way fare is 47 baht. The trip takes about 3 hours.
Airconditioned buses leave Bangkok for Ban Phe every 1 hour from 07.00 hrs. until 20.30 hrs. and non-airconditioned buses every 1 hour from 05.15 hrs. until 18.30 hrs. One way fare is 90 baht for airconditioned bus and 50 baht for non-airconditioned bus.
Airconditioncd buses leave Pattaya for Ban Phc from 06.00 hrs. until 17.30 hrs. One way fare is 42 baht. Contact Choke Wattana Tours, Pattaya, Tel:(038) 422607

By Air
Silkair of Singapore Airlines operates regular scheduled flights between Singapore and Rayong. For information contact Silkair in Pattaya Tel: (038) 426651-2

Local Transportation
Public urban transportation within Rayong is in the form of minibuses. Local buses leave the Rayong Bus Terminal at the Rayong Trade Centre for various destinations throughout the day. Fares are about 5-15 baht, depending on the distances.

Boat to Ko Samet
Ko Samct can be rcachcd by boat from Ban Phc. Boats leave Ban Phe for Ko Samet through the day from 06.00 hrs. until 17.00 hrs. Fare is 30 baht for one wryly trip. Thc trip takes about 40 minutes.

Attractions and Places of Interest

CITY ATTRACTIONS

The King Taksin Shrine
The shrine is located at Wat Lum Mahachai Chumpon which commemorates King Taksin the Great's brief sojourn in Rayong. In front of the shrine is a large tree of the gcnusParkia, where, according to local legend, his elephant was believed stabled. It is highly revered by people, particularly those of Chinese ancestry, and attracts large crowds during Chinese New Year celebrations

Wat Pa Pradu
This temple was constructed during the Ayutthaya period. Enshrined in the temple is a large reclining Buddha, measuring 11.95 metres long by 3.60 metres high. This differs from other similar images in that it reclines on its left side.

City Pillar Shrine
Located in Lak Muang Road. Originally it was made from wood, but was later restored, using mortar, as a Chinese-style pavilion.

Phra Chedi Klang Nam
The Chedi (Pagoda) is located about 2 kilometres from the town centre and is sited on an islet at the mouth of the Rayong River. The Chedi, stands about 10 metres high, and is an ancient structure, though there is no evidence of when it was built and by whom. An annual celebration is held during the twelfth lunar month (November) featuring exciting boat races.

Sri Muang Park
The park is located in the centre of town behind the city hall. Thc most prominent feature is a Buddhist shrine called Ho Phra Phut Tha Ang Khee Rot which is built over an artificial lake, and in traditional Thai architectural style.


OUT-OF-CITY ATTRACTIONS

Sai Thong Beach
This peaceful secluded settings' h;ts, as the name irnplics, a fine sandy beach. Along the beachfront there are bungalows for rent as well;is a restaurant serving fresh seafood. To reach Hat Sai Thong drive about 12 kilomctres along Highway 3 in the direction of Sattahip and turn off between kilometrc posts 207-208 opposite the Maptaphut Market. Approximately 3.5 km' along this road is the beach.

Ko Saket
A small island about 10 minutes journey from Sai Thong Beach. The watc:r around the island is clear and allows a fascinating view of underwater coral formations. There are bungalows for rent on the island.

Payoon and Pala Beach
Located in Ban Chang District about 33 and 36 kilometres respectively from Rayong town, both beaches are connected, peaceful and eminently suitable for swimming. Here visitors have choice of accommodation, from a luxury hotel to economy bungalows.

Dok Krai Reservior
Located in Pluak Daeng District, 3S kilometres from Rayong town. This is the centre of development projects under he advice of H. M. King Bhumipol Adulyadej on agriculture, fisery, irrigation, land and farm animals. The rcscrvoir covers 20,000 ais of land, is suroundcd by natural beauty ideal for relaxing, camping and educational tours.

Mac Ramphung Beach
The beach, some 10 kilometres long, is located between Ban Tapong and Ban Kon Aow, l l kilometres from town, and sited within the Khao Lacm Yah Nature Reserve. This is a particularly beautiful s~t with a headland forming a magnificent backdrop to a crescent shaped bay with broad sandy beaches which are ideal for swimming.

Ban Kon Aow
This is a typical fishing village, some 22 kilometres from town, which is dominated by a temple with seats atop a hill overlooking the shoreline. The area is subject to wind and sea erosion. The palm trees appear to bc standing on sand pedestals, which appear to bc held together only by the roots of the trees.

The Sopha Botanical Gardens
These possess one of the greatest varietics of trees and plants in Thailand. Located on the Phe road, Muang district. Rayong, 17 kilometres from town, the Gardens are only 3 kilometres from the ferry to Samet island. In the Gardens, one aces also a Thai Sala and a group of three classical Thai houses, each of which is more than a hundred years old. The houses are completely furnished and have utensils traditionally used by the Thai people. There are also a number of antique objects and other oh jets d'arton display in the houses.

Khao Laem Ya -- Ko Samet Group National Park
In 1981 the area known as Khao Laem Yah and the island of Ko Samet was designated as a nature reserve. It is an area of great natural beauty which is enhanced by the tranquility of the surroundings.
Khao Laem Yah is located about 6.4 kms from the fishing village of Ban Phc. Ko Samet , on which Sunthorn Phu, Thailand's greatest poet based his most famous work, the story of Pra Apaimance,lies about 40 minute; bost journey offshore The park also covers Mae Ramphung Beach, Ban Kon Aow and some islands near Ko Samet such as Ko Kudee, Ko Kruai, Ko Khangkhao and Ko Platin.

Ban Phe
Ban Phc, 22 kilomctres from town, is a busy fishing port and the provincial centre of local marine produce. The port is characterised by narrow streets of two storey timber houses, and has become a stopping off point for tourists en route to the island of Ko Samet.
Boats leave regularly for the island from the somewhat ancient looking pier. Shops in the main street stock a wide variety of marine produce and many souvenirs and trinkets fashioned from shells of different shades and sizes.

Ko Samet or Ko Kaew Phitsadan
Well-known attractions include beautiful beaches with charming white sand, strange-shaped rocks, suitable relaxation, water skiing, exploring the coral reefs beneath the sea. Ko Samet is located some 6.5 kilometres from Ban Phe. There are boat services available all day and many kinds of accommodation there.

Ko Kudi
It lies approximately 6 kilometres offshore. Besides Ko Kudee there are two smaller islands, one is Ko Khangkhao and another is Ko Rusee Cave. All three islands lie a little to the east of Ko Samct, which are ideal for swimming and camping on.

Suan Son Park
It is 1 kilometre from Ban Phe and also known as the Casuarina (pine) gardens. These splendid trees line both verges of the road for a distance of 4 kilomctrcs. It is a popular picnic place with shady areas.

Wang Kaew
This is agreeably one of the most picturcsquc part of the East coast and used to be the inost famous tourist spot. Wang Kaew is a beautifully landscaped headland with a fine beach
,ind;iccommodation available in cottages and bungalows. It is 38 kilomctres from town.

Laem Mae Phim
At km 26 on the coastal road between Ban Phc and Klaeng, 48 kilometres from town, is Litem Mae Phim. This popular beach attracts Thai tourists. There are many bungalows for rent at the site and along the roadside there are vendors selling a wide range of produce, such as fruits, coconuts, fried squid and skewered oysters. Boats can bc hired to visit the nearby Ko Man island group.

Man Islands
Lying off the coast near Kram is the Ko Man island group which consists of three islands, nainely Ko Man Nai, Ko Mun Klang and Ko Man Nok which mean inner, middle and outer Man islands. These islands are located about 5 kilometres off Laem Mae Phim and take about 50 minutes to reach by boat. The cost is about 500 baht per round trip. The islands are worthwhile exploring, each one having fine sandy beaches which offer secluded sports for sunbathing or swimming. Accommodation is available on the islands.

The Statue of Sunthorn Phu
Being further down the beautiful road going towards Klaeng district, S3 kilometres from town,the great pact of the Rattanakosin Era has been designated by UNESCO as an eminent classical poet. Thc statue is located in the village of Ban Krum, the birthplace of Sunthorn Phu's father. There is a well-kept memorial park at the house site. A statue of the poet in a seated position is placed on a hilllock overlooking an ornamental pond. Characters from his most famous work can be seen below him. His beloved hero, Phra Aphaimanec, is playing a flute at the foot of the hill. The graceful mermaid rests on a rock in the pond as a giant ogress rises from the water.

Wat Saranat Thammaram
This temple is located at the market in Klaeng Town and was constructed in 1945. This very imposing structure boasts one of the most beautiful Ubosots in the East (a glass wall). Replicas of many well-known Buddhist chedis are erected around the compound.

Somdet krommaluang Chumphon Shrine
Near the mouth of the River Prasair in the district of Klaeng is the Somdet Krommaluang Chumphon shrine, which honours the 'Father of the Royal Thai Navy". To reach the site turn off Sukhumvit Highway at km. 278 and travel a distance of 9 km'.

The Khao Chamao -- khao Wong National Park
This is about 17 kilomctres off the main highway at km. 274, 76 kilometres from Rayong and abounds with various types of trees and plants, as well as species highly valued as decorative plants. The Khao Chamao waterfall has eight levels. It is not too difficult to reach the top.

information of this page come from Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Provinces in Thailand

	Thailand Travel Wallpaper
	Central : Bangkok | Angthong | Ayutthaya | Chachoengsao | Chainat   Kanchanaburi | Lopburi | Nakhonnayok |  Nakhonpathom | Nonthaburi | Pathumthani | Phetchaburi | Prachuapkhirikhan | Ratchburi | Samutprakan | Samutsakhon | Samutsongkhram | Saraburi | Singburi | Suphanburi
	Northern : Chiangmai | Chiangrai | Kamphaengphet | Lampang |  Lamphun | Maehongson | Nakhonsawan | Nan | Phayao | Phetchabun | Phichit | Phitsanulok | Phrae | Sukhothai | Tak | Uthaithani | Uttaradit
	Northeast : Amnatcharoen | Buriram | Chaiyaphum | Kalasin |  Khonkaen | Loei | Mahasarakham | Mukdahan | Nakhonphanom | Nakhonratchasima | Nongbualamphu | Nongkhai | Roi Et | Sakonnakhon | Si Sa Ket | Surin | Ubonratchathani | Udonthani | Yasothon
	Eastern : Chanthaburi | Chonburi | Prachinburi | Rayong | SraKaeo |  Trat
	Southern : Chumphon | Krabi | Nakhonsithammarat | Narathiwat | Pattani | Phang Nga | Phatthalung | Phuket | Ranong | Satun | Songkhla | Suratthani | Trang | Yala