Eastern Thailand (region). Eastern Thailand (region) All the joys under the sun

A. The coast of Eastern Thailand is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Thailand. It stretches from the mouth of the Menam Chao Phraya River to the border with Cambodia (cm. Cambodia); It is distinguished by many coves hidden in the coastal cliffs and beautiful beaches fringed with palm trees. This region is very rich in natural resources. The production of rice and rubber, fishing and gardening, and the mining of precious stones are developed here.
Here is located one of the largest trading ports in Southeast Asia - Laem Chabang, and a number of “export production zones” - free economic zones in which such industry giants as Michelin, Mitsubishi, etc. have located their production facilities. Ford, General Motors, etc. Oil refineries are also located here, receiving oil from the port through pipelines from terminals that receive oil tankers. All these enterprises were built taking into account environmental requirements, and such proximity practically does not affect the resort area. The nature of the coast of the Gulf of Thailand is very picturesque. There are several national parks with tropical forests and waterfalls, and uninhabited islands in the quiet waters of the Gulf of Thailand. There are fishing villages on the coast.
The east coast is home to most of the beach resorts, including Thailand's most famous resort, Pattaya. (cm. Pattaya). The resorts here are very different and for every taste. Rayong - with calm beaches and relaxed relaxation. Samet Island, with its coral reefs and clear waters, is an ideal place for snorkeling and fishing enthusiasts.
Bangsaen is a city 100 km southeast of Bangkok. The closest resort to the capital. Cool palm-lined avenues separate Bangsaen's crescent-shaped beach from bungalow complexes and modern hotels. Trat is a city near the border with Cambodia. The administrative center of the province of Trat.
Koh Chang National Marine Park is a group of 52 islands located along the Cambodian-Thai border, about 340 km east of Bangkok. The park is famous for its coral reefs, waterfalls and beaches. The largest island - Koh Chang (about 30 km long and 18 wide) is the second largest island in Thailand (after Phuket). The highest point of the island is Khao Jom Pisat (744 m above sea level). The waters surrounding the island have a wide variety of hard and soft corals and fish. There are many large and clean beaches along the west coast of the island. The island itself is covered by 60% tropical forest and offers active recreation, hiking in the mountains, to waterfalls, swimming in rivers and the sea. Koh Chang Island is a new developing resort in Thailand.
The tiny island of Koh Samet, only 6 km long, is located southwest of Rayong. Fresh water is delivered to the island by sea. This is one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand. This tiny islet is fringed by 15 coves with stunning beaches, dazzling coral reefs and calm waters ideal for snorkeling and diving. Hat Sai Kaew Beach is especially famous: white sand and the rustle of shady palm trees. It is especially lively here on weekends, when a lot of young people arrive, and all hotels, as a rule, are filled to capacity. In 1981, Samet Island was declared a national park, then closed and reopened in 1992. Long-tailed macaques, iguanas and more than 20 species of birds can be seen in the park. The local gecko is called tokay, it can reach 35 cm. The distance to the village of Samet on the island is 6.5 km by sea. Here the province is deep and the local population does not welcome women in bikinis and nudists. There is a constant threat of malaria on Koh Samet. At the slightest suspicion, you should contact a special malaria clinic (Malaria Clinic).
Not far from Pattaya is the fishing village of Si Racha, famous for preparing some of the most delicious seafood dishes according to old Thai recipes. Here is the unique Si Racha Tiger Zoo, home to about 100 tigers. Here you can hold newborn tiger cubs in your hands and feed them milk, see tigers in the playground, and watch how tiger cubs born at the zoo are nursed by pigs. It is also home to one of the largest crocodile farms. Between May and August, tourists are shown the fantastic spectacle of crocodiles being born. You can open an egg with a newborn crocodile with your own hands. Bang Cape (Bang Sare) is a small fishing village south of Pattaya. A very convenient place for hunting sharks, marlin, king mackerel, tuna and other inhabitants of the Gulf of Thailand.
Not far from the coast of Pattaya are the coral islands of Lan, famous for their clear water and amazing coral reefs. From Pattaya you can get here by boat. Small, mostly uninhabited islands are an ideal place for boat robinsonades. Lahn, the largest of the three, is 8 km from the city promenade. There are simple hotels on the main island of this ridge. You just need to take more water and provisions with you. White sand and crystal clear water, through which coral reefs are visible, which it seems you can touch with your hand, since the sense of depth is lost - all this will provide an opportunity to have a wonderful rest and get an unforgettable experience.

Encyclopedia of tourism Cyril and Methodius. 2008 .

The Thai Kingdom is one of the most hospitable countries in the world. Having been here once, you want to come back again and again. Eastern Thailand is considered one of the smallest regions of the country. In addition to being rich in natural resources, it also offers good conditions for tourism. Within its borders are the best bays and beaches where you can safely spend a single day.

Within eastern Thailand There are many resorts that can be considered even for a long holiday. Each of them has certain features, some will be an excellent option for youth recreation, while others are suitable for a secluded pastime. Let's take a closer look at the resorts on the east coast.

Pattaya

The most famous resort is Pattaya, which is 150 kilometers away from Bangkok. Many people dream of coming here. In Pattaya you can find beaches, hotels to suit every taste and budget, a wide variety of entertainment, excellent shopping centers for shopping, interesting places and attractions that can diversify any vacation. The resort will also be appreciated by lovers of active pastime; almost all types of water sports are represented here. Nightlife is also rich and varied. Fishing connoisseurs will be able to visit the village of Bang Sare, where hunting for various inhabitants of the Gulf of Thailand is organized.

Rayong

Rayong Resort is also located close to Bangkok, making it quick and inexpensive to get to. The entire province consists of 7 districts, the capital in the city of the same name - Rayong. In terms of tourism, the resort has been developing since the 80s of the twentieth century. The province is proud of its sandy beaches, which stretch for 100 kilometers along the Gulf of Thailand.

Within Rayong there are valuable thermal springs, the waters of which are used for spa treatments. Due to the fact that there is a coral reef near the coast, the resort is considered an excellent place for diving.

Koh Chang Island

Koh Chang is one of the largest islands in Thailand, where untouched nature is still preserved. The name of the island translates as “elephant,” which in turn is considered the country’s sacred animal. Most of Koh Chang is covered by tropical jungle, and some of the beaches remain wild. Only 20% of the entire island area has been developed. There are quite comfortable hotels, excellent restaurants, bars and discos. Despite this, Koh Chang is great for a relaxing family holiday.

Samet Island

Also, the Rayong resort is not deprived of attractions, but there are much fewer of them here than in Pattaya and its environs. Read about it in my separate article.

Of the islands in the eastern part of the Thai Kingdom, only Koh Chang has attractions. There are not very many of them there, but there is something to see. I described it in a separate article. The remaining islands are more suitable for a beach holiday; there are practically no interesting places there.

Sea and beaches

The eastern part of Thailand is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Thailand, which in turn belongs to the South China Sea. As for the beaches, they differ significantly depending on the resort. The coastline of Pattaya is long, but the sea is not very transparent and clean.

If you want to find azure seas and white beaches, then you should go to the islands. The most famous in this part are Ko Samet, Ko Chang, Ko Kood and Ko Mak. They are ready to offer you best beaches.

The water temperature in the Gulf of Thailand allows you to swim in it throughout the year. During the high season, the sea often warms up to +30 degrees Celsius. During the rainy season, the temperature drops slightly and the sea waves rise. Water clarity also varies depending on seasonality. During the rainy season, the water in the bay becomes cloudy due to constant waves and winds.

Airports

There are only two airports in the eastern part of Thailand. U-Tapao is located on a naval base between Pattaya and Rayong. It has international status and works with airlines such as Bangkok Airways and Air Asia. From the airport you can fly to China, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam. Among the domestic destinations, Phuket, Samui, and Chiang Mai are especially popular. During the high season, the airport receives flights from some Russian cities, in particular from Siberia. The infrastructure of the complex is not very developed, however, there are cafes, shops, and a duty-free shopping area on its territory.

The second airport in the east of the country is located near the city of Trat. It is small and began operating only in 2002. It works with the airline Bangkok Airways, which operates flights to the capital. The flight is no more than one hour. The airport is convenient for those planning to visit islands such as Koh Chang, Kood, Mak or Wai. Next to it there is a pier, from where ferries depart in the desired direction.

Eastern Thailand on the map

On this map I have marked the main resorts in the eastern part of the Kingdom.

Eastern Thailand is an interesting place in terms of tourism. Due to the abundance of different resorts, absolutely everyone will find something to their liking here. The most important advantage is that all the tourist spots are located relatively close to Bangkok. Prices for tourist services in the eastern part of the country are much lower, especially when compared with the south of the Kingdom.

The resorts and islands of Thailand's East Coast, within easy reach of Bangkok, attract a diverse crowd of weekenders, adventure seekers and pampered tourists. Transport links are good, prices tend to be more reasonable than the southern resorts, and if you're heading to Cambodia overland, the eastern beaches provide a great opportunity to indulge yourself on the way there before venturing into the more challenging conditions of the border area.

You will find the whitest sand on those islands that are located at some distance from the mainland; its 500-kilometer strip looks sadly gray. The hotels here cater more to groups of Thai tourists than to single foreigners admiring the skyline. In addition, the discovery of oil and natural gas deposits in coastal waters has turned the first 100 kilometers of coastline into an unsightly industrial area with landscape features such as oil refineries and warehouses, sometimes called the "Eastern Coast".

However, things are different away from the coast, and the islands' beaches are just as stunning as the famous southern resorts. The first place to stop is a city 100 kilometers from Bangkok called Si Racha, from where you can get to the small island of Koh Si Chang. Its picturesque rugged coastline and tranquil atmosphere make the island a great holiday destination. The complete opposite is (Pattaya), located just half an hour south.

A prime destination for package tours, visitors here are predominantly middle-aged Chinese and Western men lured by the resort's unconventional industry. They are not embarrassed by unattractive beaches. The situation improves when the coast turns east and reveals the island of Koh Samet. This is one of the most beautiful resorts in Thailand, which can be easily reached from Bangkok.

East of Ban Phe the landscape becomes more mountainous and the vegetation thicker as you approach Chanthaburi, the center of the gem trade and one of the two regional centers worth visiting. Another good island is Trat, located 68 kilometers along the highway. From here you can get to Koh Chang - a large, tourist-oriented island with excellent long beaches and wonderful hotels.

A cluster of smaller islands with less developed infrastructure forms (Koh Chang), where there are the beautiful islands of Koh Whai, Koh Mak and Koh Kood. Located east of Koh Chang, the Cambodian border post at Hat Lek is one of two main points in the area (the other being Aranyaprathet, slightly further north) where you can officially cross the Cambodian land border.

Highway 3 runs along almost the entire East Coast of Thailand, starting in Bangkok on Thanon Sukhumvit Street and known by the same name in the cities it cuts through. Hundreds of buses ply along the road, connecting all major settlements on the mainland. You can travel between the East Coast and the Northeast without having to return to the capital. Most direct flights to Isan depart from Pattaya, Rayong and .

There are two airports on the East Coast. U-Tapao Naval Base, halfway between Pattaya and Rayong, hosts Bangkok Airways flights to and from Phuket. From an airport near Trat, Bangkok Airways flies to and from Koh Samui. Although Bangkok is connected by train to Si Racha and Pattaya, the line only carries a very slow train once a day. The train runs twice a day to Aranyaprathet near the Cambodian border.

Top attractions on the East Coast

1). (Koh Si Chang) – A small, exclusively tourist-inhabited island with rocky shores, stunning scenery and an attractive, relaxing atmosphere;

From the mouth of the Chao Phraya River to the Thai-Cambodian border stretches East Coast with many bays and beautiful beaches. Most of the seaside resorts are located here, including Asia's most famous resort, Pattaya, which stretches along the coast and has many beautiful cliff-hidden coves and palm-fringed beaches, fishing villages and beautiful islands in the calm waters of the Gulf of Thailand. This region is very rich in natural resources. The production of rice and rubber, fishing and gardening, and the mining of precious stones are developed here. The nature is very picturesque, there are several national parks, which have waterfalls, untouched forests and uninhabited islands.

Bangsaen(Bangsaen), located 100 kilometers southeast of Bangkok, is the closest resort to the capital. Cool palm-lined avenues separate Bangsaen's crescent-shaped beach from bungalow complexes and modern hotels.

Khao Khiao Open Air Zoo(Khao Khiao Open Zoo), located 15 kilometers from Bang Phra inland, covers an area of ​​1,200 acres. Animals from Asia, Africa and Europe are collected in special enclosures. The most interesting bird aviary at the zoo displays the nests of rare Asian birds.

Si Racha(Si Racha), a fishing village 15 minutes drive from Bang Phra. It is famous for preparing the most delicious seafood dishes here.

Pattaya(Pattaya), located 147 kilometers southeast of Bangkok, is rightly called the “Riviera of Thailand”. It is a world famous international seaside resort. Here you can practice all kinds of water sports, have excellent accommodation in luxury hotels, and spend the evening in noisy nightclubs.

Bang Cape(Bang Sare), a small fishing village located 30 minutes south of Pattaya. Here you can organize a hunt for sharks, marlin, king mackerel, tuna and other inhabitants of the Gulf of Thailand.

Rayong(Rayong) is famous for the fishing village of Bang Phe and its narrow, 6-kilometer-long island Samet(Ko Samet). Samet Island is surrounded by 15 bays with beautiful beaches. Coral reefs and clear waters are ideal for swimming, snorkeling and fishing.

Chanthaburi(Chanthaburi) is a city famous for its historical attractions. Here is the largest Christian church in Thailand, sapphires are mined in local mines, and there are many beautiful gardens around the city.

In national parks Khao Khitchakut(Khao Khitchakut) and Namtok Phlui(Namtok Phlui) there are beautiful waterfalls.

Trat(Trat), a province on the border with Cambodia, is famous for the Koh Chang National Marine Park, which contains 52 islands.