RAYONG TOUR

Khao Laem Ya

From this sunset viewpoint, comprising scrub forest and cape, it is possible to see Mae Ramphueng Beach and Ko Samet. The 670 rai area is headquarters of the Khao Laem Ya – Mu Ko Samet National Park. Administration is 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children. Accomodation is available. Camping is allowed. Tents are available for rent at 300-400 baht per person/night. Pitching a private tent requires paying a fee of 20 baht per person/night. Admission is Adult 200 baht Child 100 baht. For more information, call the National Parks Headquarters at Tel. 0 3865 3034, the National Park Department at Tel. 0 2562 0760

This national park was established in 1975, covering an area of 52,300 rai. This lush forest with a great variety of flora and fauna is the watershed of the Prasae River. The national park has two nature trails for tourists to explore herbs and animal behaviour. The trails are two kilometres and three kilometres long, respectively. To explore the trail, registration at the tourist centre is required in advance. Amission is 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children. Houses and tents are available for tourists. Pitching a private tent costs 30 baht per person/night. For more information, please call the park at Tel. 0 3889 4378 or National Park Department in Bangkok at Tel. 0 2562 0760 or www.dup.go.th

How to get there:

The national park is 71 kilometres from Rayong town. Follow Sukhumvit Road and turn right at the Khao Din Intersection, kilometre 274. The national park is 17 kilometres away.

Attractions in the national park

Namtok Khao Chamao or Namtok Khlong Nam Sai  This crystal clear waterfall is one kilometre before the national park. The waterfall comprises seven levels, stretching for three kilometres. The large pond called Wang Matcha, is a habitat of brook carp.

Pha Sawan The viewpoint is 1.5 kilometres from the national park headquarters. On the way, visitors can explore nature. Contact the national park staff first.

Namtok Khlong Pla Kang The waterfalls is three kilometres from the headquarters. Ferns and orchids grow well in this lush forest.

Namtok Khlong Hin Phoeng The small waterfall is actually in Chanthaburi province, ten kilometers from the headquarters. Water runs all year round. Nature lovers can enjoy wild flowers around the waterfall. Khao Wong (เขาวง) Many limestone mountains surround a flat plain in the middle. The amazing mountains have a total of 80 caves inside. This is also a habitat of mountain goat.

Krommaluang Chumphon Shrine The shrine houses the statue of Krommaluang Chumphonkhetudomsak, founder of Thailand’s modern navy. He is much honoured by the people of Rayong. Turn right at kilometre 274 off Sukhumvit Road, the shrine is 10 kilometres away.

The last piece of virgin forest in Rayong, the park is located in Klaeng District, 71 kilometers from the city. Declared as a National Park in December 31, 1975, Khao Chamao – Khao Wong covers an area of 83.6 square meters, which is home to tigers, wild elephants and bears. The park is famous for its limestone mountains, caves, high cliffs, verdant forests and waterfalls. Khao Chamao –Khao Wong National Park offers the following attractions:

Namtok Khao Chamao

Namtok Khao Chamao is situated approximately 17 kilometers off of the main highway at Km. marker 274. The main attraction and landmark of the 8-tiered waterfall is “Wang Mutcha” a large pond on the second level which is the habitat of Pluang fish. Reaching the top is easy and visitors can enjoy the refreshing scenery all the way up to the highest level of the waterfall.

Namtok Klong Pla Kang

Located some 3 kilometers from the National Park Office is this 7-tiered waterfall. Reaching the top of the waterfall is not quite an easy task as visitors have to walk through the verdant forest and also climb up the mountains. Plant lovers should not miss this opportunity to see several kinds of plants such as ferns, orchids, mushrooms, etc., while walking along the trails.

Pha Sawan (Heaven Cliff)

Pha Sawan is situated about 1,500 meters from the Park’s Office. The cliff is famous for its scenic lookout point which offers an intriguing panoramic view of the pristine forests. Various types of plants can be found along the way up to the cliff and are ideal for nature studies.

Camping sites are available at the price of 10 baht to pitch personal tents. Bungalows are also available (8 all together), at the cost of 800 baht/bungalow and have to be reserved well in advance. For more information, call 038 894378.

This beach is located 5 kilometers from the city and is a popular area among the locals and tourists as it is the location of many great seafood restaurants.

Situated approximately 7 kilometers from the city, this beach is connected to Laem Charoen beach and is also suitable for swimming. Accommodations and restaurants are available.

This small island located approximately 5 kilometers off shore from Laem Mae Phim has been developed into a Sea Turtle Preservation Sanctuary under the royal initiative of Her Majesty the Queen. The place is open to the public from Monday to Sunday. Nearby are Ko Man Klang and Ko Man Nok which are famous for their immaculate white sandy beaches and hip boutique resorts.

Resorts on Ko Man Klang and Ko Man Nok offer accommodation packages that include boat transfer from the Rayong pier and three meals / day. Call to book your place in advance at 02 860 3025-6. The boat trip takes only 30 minutes from the pier.

Hat Phayun and Hat Phala are located approximately 32 and 34 kilometers respectively from the town of Rayong. Shaded by pine trees, the beaches offer unique opportunities for tourists to unwind in tranquility. Hotels and bungalows are available as perfect hideaways.

This little cape located beyond Laem Mae Phim in Klaeng District is located near a small fishing village, where the main occupation is to pickle jellyfish. Set in tranquil ambience the place is marvelous for seafood lovers with seafood restaurants providing reasonably priced seafood dishes of good quality. Traveling to Ko Man Klang can be done by taking a speedboat from here.

This 12-kilometre stretch of white sandy beach is a perfect place to enjoy the scenery while swimming.

How to get there

By OTHER

make a right turn on Sukhumvit Road at kilometre 229 and head for Mae Ramphueng Beach which stretches for 12 kilometres.

This cape can be reach either from Sukhumvit Road by taking a right turn at km.

A seaside town located approximately 19 kilometers southeast of the city, Ban Phe is the best place to enjoy relaxing on a long white sandy beach while sampling sumptuous seafood. Ban Phe is a major fishing community in the province, hence, the wide range of fresh and preserved seafood products or other local products. In addition, Ban Phe is also the departure point for Ko Samet.

How to get there

By OTHER

Turn right off Sukhumvit Road at kilometre 231 and keep going for 5 kilometres or turn right at kilometre 238 and keep going for 3 kilometres

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.

A large aquarium with a tunnel allows visitors to see various beautiful fish as well as economic-related creatures living in the mangrove forest such as cuttlefish, crab, giant clam, and horseshoe crab.

The outdoor aquarium also houses various marine life.  The turtle pond houses hawksbill turtles, olive turtles, and leatherback turtles. The fish pond houses large species of fish.  Visitors can witness the real underwater world in a special pond that houses starfish, anemone and sea cucumber. Various fishery tools in miniature are also displayed. The Fossil Museum exhibits stuffed and extinct animals as well as a display of rare animals such as humpback dolphin and Irrawaddy Dolphin.  Seafood products are available on sale outside the building.

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

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.

This beach is located approximately 4 kilometers from Ban Phe. Travel along the beach-front road and visitors will find a place that offers true relaxation under the shade of pine trees. The scenic beach is eminently suited to relaxation and swimming. Accommodations and food shops are also available.

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.

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).

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 of Thailand since 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 is the exibition hall where visitors can enjoy 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 the place as well 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.