Rayong

Rayong (ระยอง) is a city on the Eastern Gulf Coast of Thailand. Modest beaches dotted around Rayong Province are tranquil paradises for sea lovers who seek hideaways near the capital. Mind the oil refinery.

Understand

This city of 64,000 people (2016) sits 179 kilometres (111 mi) from Bangkok.

Much of Rayong sits on the low coastal plain. The province has two national parks. The province is part [Eastern Economic Corridor], which plays an important role in Thailand's economy. There are many industries in Rayong, one of which is The Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, the country's largest industrial estate.

Rayong has a tropical savannah climate type as classified in the Köppen climate classification. The city experiences seasonal monsoons from May to October. Various fruits including tropical fruits, particularly durian, rambutan, and mangosteen, as well as rubber farms are commonly cultivated and sold here.

Get in

By bus

Buses leave the Eastern Bus Terminal at Ekamai to Rayong and its districts via many routes. You can select to go to Rayong, Ban Phe, Klaeng, Laem Mae Phim, Map Ta Phut, or Prasae. For more information, Tel. 0 2391 2504, Rayong Bus Terminal, Tel. 0 3861 1379. Rayong Tour Co,Ltd., a privately-owned bus, operates a faster bus service via Hwy 7. For more information, Tel. 0 2712 3662 or Rayong branch at Tel. 0 3886 1354 – 5, Cherdchai Tour Co.,Ltd., Bangkok, Tel. 0 2391 2237, Rayong branch, Tel. 0 3867 4144. Buses serving Rayong are also available from the Northern Bus Terminal Tel. 0 2936 1216, 0 2936 0199

Rayong is the gateway from the east to the north and northeast of Thailand. As such, there are many regular bus services connecting Rayong, Bangkok, and other provinces such as Chiang Mai, Nong Khai, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Ubon Ratchathani.

Suvarnabhumi Airport is east of Bangkok, 150 kilometres (93 mi) from Rayong. Transport by car/taxi or bus takes about 2 hours. To get to Rayong from Suvarnabhumi Airport, take a shuttle bus from Suvarnabhumi Airport at Level 2 or 4, Entrances 3, 6, and 9 to the Public Transportation Center. Then, go to the Intercity Bus Counter and buy a ticket to Rayong. The bus runs from 06:00 - 21:00 (9:00 pm).

There is also a minibus that leaves from Victory Monument. It arrives approximately every 45 minutes. The ticket is available in the basement of the mall, and the minivans are parked at the Century Mall. The minivan ends at the Clock Tower in Rayong.

By car or taxi

Driving from Bangkok to Rayong

1. By Sukhumvit Rd, Hwy 3. This route goes through Bang Pu, Bang Pakong, Bang Saen, Si Racha, Pattaya, Sattahip, and Ban Chang before arriving at Rayong. This route is 220 kilometres (140 mi) long.
2. By Motorway Route 7. There is direct access from Suvarnabhumi Airport. From there, take Hwy 7 West heading toward Chon Buri. Then, take a Hwy 36 interchange (Pong interchange) toward Rayong. The road will directly lead to Rayong. This route is 175 kilometres (109 mi) long. Keep in mind that this is a toll-freeway.
3. By Bang Na-Trat Rd, Hwy 34. This route goes through Bang Phli and Bang Bo districts of Samut Prakan province before entering Hwy 3 at km70 marking in Bang Pakong. Then, continue in the same direction as the first route. The route is 220 kilometres (140 mi) long.

Other highways to Rayong

1. Hwy 3 goes through the heart of Rayong. Highway 3 starts in Bangkok and ends at Trat-Cambodia Border.
2. Hwy 36 diverges out of Hwy 3 near IRPC company in Eastern Rayong and ends north of Pattaya City. This route is often used to get to Hwy 7 motorway and to Pattaya City.
3. Hwy 344. This route starts in Chon Buri and ends Klaeng district of Rayong. This route is 180 km in distance and suits those who are going to visit attractions in Klaeng or continue their journey to Chanthaburi and Trat provinces. From the end of route 344 in Klaeng, Rayong city is {Convert|42|km|mile}} away.

Alternatively, a taxi from the Bangkok area to Rayong is also an option. The price usually costs about 3,000 baht.

By plane

1 U-Tapao-Rayong-Pattaya International Airport (UTP ^IATA, often known somewhat inaccurately as "Pattaya Airport"), Western Rayong (just off the main Sattahip-Chanthaburi (Sukhumvit) Highway, 30 km south of Pattaya), ☏ +66 38 245295. Primarily a military facility, it's the closest airport fielding commercial passenger flights, but only to a handful of destinations. There are no commercial passenger flights connecting U-Tapao directly with Bangkok. Flights to U-Tapao are covered in Pattaya Get in by plane section. 

See

• 1 City Pillar Shrine (ศาลหลักเมือง). This shrine was first built of wood. Then it was replaced by a concrete building with Chinese characteristics. The old city pillar used to be in front of the shrine. A new one has been set up with a four-porched shelter. (updated Mar 2015)
• The Shrine of King Taksin the Great (ศาลสมเด็จพระเจ้าตากสิน). Folklore says that King Taksin tied his elephant to a tree while leading the troops to Chanthaburi to retrieve the Kingdom of Siam from Burmese occupation. The shrine houses a statue of the king. 
• 2 Wat Pa Pradu (วัดป่าประดู่). This ancient temple dates back to the Ayutthaya period. The wihan houses a large reclining Buddha image, 11.95 metres long and 3.6 metres high. Unusually, the reclining Buddha image lies on its left-hand side.  
• Dhammarachanusornsatan (ธรรมราชานุสรณ์สถาน). At Kaochamao Rayong, shrine buildings house statues such as a statue of Somdej Phra Putthajarn Tho Phromrangsi, the famous Buddhist priest of the Rattanakosin Age, and King Rama V. There is a coin and antiques museum. 
• Wat Ban Don Shadow Play Museum (พิพิธภัณฑ์หนังใหญ่วัดบ้านดอน). exhibits 100 Nang Yai shadow-play characters, or Nang Yai, which is a large piece of leather carved and painted into different characters. 
• Phra Chedi Klang Nam (พระเจดีย์กลางน้ำ). In the middle of the Rayong River, two km south of downtown near the mouth of the river, there is a pagoda on an island. It is a landmark for the crews sailing in the river to indicate that they are reaching Rayong Province. On the full moon day of the twelfth lunar month, a celebration is held to change the robe covering the pagoda. 
• 3 Si Mueang Park (สวนศรีเมือง). This place was once used for the execution of prisoners. Now it has been rebuilt as a public park. At the front of the park is a famous Buddha image of Rayong, Phra Phuttha Angkhirot.  
• Sopha Botanical Park (สวนพฤกษชาติโสภา). This 32-rai park is lush with many kinds of trees, particularly Thai. In the compound, three traditional Thai houses on stilts, nearly 100 years old, exhibit ceramics from various periods as well as prehistoric pottery from Ban Chiang World Heritage Site. 
• 4 Ko Samet (เกาะเสม็ด) (Departures from Moo 1, Pak Nam, about 8 km from Chumphon. To get there, first, take a bus along Hwy 4119 (Chumphon-Pak Nam), about 17 km. Then take the boat for 30 min to get there). Some people believe that this is the miracle island in Thai classical literature by Sunthon Phu. Ko Samet is a famous beach attraction of Rayong. One of the beaches is Ao Wong Duean in the middle of the east side. This beach forms an almost-complete circle.  
• Ko Thalu (เกาะทะลุ). The island is a scuba diving site among coral reefs. The island totals an area of 69 rai, and most remains lush forest. While high cliffs occupy the west, white sandy beaches occupy the east and south of the island. 
• Laem Mae Phim (แหลมแม่พิมพ์). Without large waves, the beach is nice for swimming. Restaurants and bungalows dot the beach. Laem Mae Phim is 48 km from Rayong town. 
• 5 Sunthon Phu Monument (อนุสาวรีย์สุนทรภู่). The monument was built to commemorate Sunthon Phu, a leading poet in the early Rattanakosin era, two centuries ago. There are statues of Sunthon Phu and characters from his famous literature.  
• 6 Wat Saranat Thammaram (วัดสารนารถธรรมาราม). houses a Buddha image imitating the Phra Phuttha Chinnarat in Phitsanulok Province. Four major pagodas surround the ubosot. They include Phra Pathom Chedi, Phrathat Phanom, a replica of Bodh Gaya, and Phrathat Chaiya.  
• 7 Ko Man Nai (เกาะมันใน). This island is the location of the turtle conservation station initiated by the queen, protecting the breeding of hawksbill and olive turtles.  
• Supattra Land Orchard (สวนสุภัทรา). The orchard is open for the public to view its fruit, durian, rambutan, mango, grape, star fruit, and longan. 
• 8 Khao Chamao - Khao Wong National Park: (อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาชะเมา – เขาวง). This lush forest with a great variety of flora and fauna is the watershed of the Prasae River.  
  • Namtok Khao Chamao or Namtok Khlong Nam Sai (น้ำตกเขาชะเมา หรือน้ำตกคลองน้ำใส). The waterfall cascades down seven levels, stretching for three km. The large pond called Wang Matcha, is a habitat of brook carp. 
  • Pha Sawan (ผาสวรรค์). The viewpoint is 1.5 km from the national park headquarters. 
  • Namtok Khlong Pla Kang (น้ำตกคลองปลาก้าง). The waterfall is three km from the headquarters. Ferns and orchids grow well in this lush forest. 
  • Namtok Khlong Hin Phoeng (น้ำตกคลองหินเพิง). The small waterfall is in Chantaburi Province, ten km from the headquarters. Water runs all year round. 
• Khao Wong (เขาวง). Many limestone mountains surround a flat plain. The mountains have a total of 80 caves inside. 
• Krommaluang Chumphon Shrine (ศาลสมเด็จกรมหลวงชุมพร). The shrine houses the statue of Krommaluang Chumphonkhetudomsak, founder of Thailand's modern navy. 
• Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Herbal Park (สวนสมุนไพรสมเด็จพระเทพรัตนราชสุดาฯ สยามบรมราชกุมารี). The park grows various kinds of herbs and also conducts research. 
• 9 Suphattra Land, Nong Lalok, Ban Khai, ☏ +66 3866 4585. M-Sa 09:00-16:00. Suphattra Land is an 800-acre orchard where fruit lovers can pick durian, rambutan, mangosteen, starfruit, dragonfruit, etc., off the trees, or just enjoy the pleasant surroundings. Fruits are generally full-grown late April to June. A sightseeing train winds its way through the orchards as well. 50-150 baht/day. 
• Kru Kung Museum (ครุกุ้ง) : A private museum collection of bygones and antiques by Mr. Kung, situated in the Kram Klaeng district of Rayong.

Do

Festivals

• Rayong Fruit Festival (งานเทศกาลผลไม้และของดีเมืองระยอง) In May of each year Rayong's fruit reaches its peak season. The venue changes between Mueang and Klaeng Districts. This festival occurs at Tapong market area in Mueang District in May–July for about one week. Rayong Fruit festival has a lot of activities such as musical performances, fruit eating competitions, poetry readings and heritage exhibitions. Vendors sell OTOP products from Rayong and popular fruits such as durian, rambutan, and mangosteen. This festival has special shows such as the fruit parade and The Miss Fruit Gardener contest.
• Sunthon Phu Day (งานวันสุนทรภู่) This is held on 26 June of each year at Sunthon Phu Monument, Klaeng District, to honour the great poet.
• Changing the robe for Phra Chedi Klang Nam (งานห่มผ้าพระเจดีย์กลางน้ำ) The annual event is held during the full moon night of the 12th lunar month, or in November. The robe blanketing the pagoda in the middle of the Rayong River, in Mueang District, will be changed. People celebrate the event along with the Loi Krathong Festival with boat racing and local entertainment.
• Thot Pha Pa Klang Nam (Waterborne Robe Offering Ceremony) (งานทอดผ้าป่ากลางน้ำ) During the Loi Krathong Festival each year, or on the full moon night of November, people living near the mouth of the Prasae River prepare a monk's robe at the pier. After completing the ceremony on the boat, a monk will come to get it. Normally, the robe-offering ceremony is held at the temple. This special tradition has been celebrated for over a century.

Buy

• Wat Don (Traditional Thai massage). Good value authentic Thai massage by fully trained, qualified masseuses. About 150 baht for 1.5 hours. 
• Fruit (ผลไม้) During May and June, orchards in Rayong produce durian, rambutan, mangosteen, etc.
• Products from sedge mat (ผลิตภัณฑ์เสื่อกก) The in-house industry of Tambon Kram, Klaen District has quality products.
• Crystal products (ผลิตภัณฑ์เครื่องแก้วคริสตัล) The crystal factory in Pluak Daeng District, produces export-quality crystal works.

Eat

• Laem Charoen Restaurant (Central Rayong). Seafood. 

Drink

• The Love Club. A stage full of Thai girls dancing in short-shorts and bikini tops alternate with live bands. Whisky and other alcoholic drinks available by the bottle with mixers of your choice. They also have hookah pipes. 

Sleep

• Purimas Beach Hotel and Spa, 34 Payoon-Namrin Rd, ☏ +66 38 630382-90. Rooms equipped with air conditioning, balcony/lanai, Internet, and minibar. The Spice Garden Restaurant, fitness room/gym, beauty parlour, swimming pool, room service, airport and city transfers. 2,300+ baht. 

Go next

There are two bus stations: No. 1 (centre of town) and No. 2 (out of town). Bus 9904 goes from Rayong Bus Station to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) (starts from No. 1 bus station and calls at No. 2, ends up at Mo Chit). Cost to airport is about 150 baht, time to airport 3.5 hr. Minivans go to BKK from Ban Phe. Songthaews to Ban Phe from Rayong Bus Station cost 25 baht and take about 20 min.

Routes through Rayong

Bangkok ← Sattahip ←	W  E	→ Ban Phe → Trat
Pattaya ← Jct N S ←	W  E	→ END