Khao Laem Ya
National Park: In 1981 the area known as
Khao Laem Ya and the island of Koh Samet was
designated as a nature reserve. It is an area of
great natural beauty which is enganced by the
tranquillity of the surroundings. Khao Laem Ya is
located about 6.4 kilometers from the fishing
village of Ban Phe. Koh Samet, on which Sunthorn Phu,
Thailand'greatest poet based his most famous work,
the story of Pra Apaimanee, lies about 40 minutes
boat journey offshore. The park also covers Mae
Rumphueng Beach, Ban Kon Ao and some islands near
Koh Samet such as Koh Kudee, Koh Kruai, Koh
Khangkhao and Koh Platin.
Mae Rumphueng
Beach: The beach, some 10 kilometers
long, is located between Ban Tapong and Ban Kon
Ao,11 kilometers from town, and sited within the
Khao Laem Yah - Koh Samet Group National Park. This
is a particularly beautiful spot with a headland
forming a magnificent backdrop to a crescent shaped
bay with broad sandy beaches which are ideal for
swimming.
Ban Phe,
Rayong: 22 kilometers from town, is a
busy fishing port and the center of local marine
produce. The town of Ban Phe is characterised by
narrow streets of shops and houses, It is a stopping
off points for tourists en route to the island of
Koh Samet. Boats leave regularly for the island from
the piers. Shop in the main street stock a wide
variety of marine produce and many souvenirs and
trinkets fashioned from shells of different shades
and sizes.
Suan Son
Park: It is 1 kilometer from Ban Phe and
also know as the Casuarina (pine) gardens. These
splendid tress line both verges of the road for a
distance of 1 kilometer. It is a popular picnic
place with ahady areas.
Ban Kon Ao
This is a typical fishing
village, some 22 kilometers from town, which is dominated by
a temple with seats a top hill overlooking the shoreline.
The area is subject to wind and sea erosing. The palm trees
appear to be standing on sand pedestals, which appear to be
help together only by the roots of the trees
Dok Krai Reservoir
Located in Pluak Daeng
district, 35 kilometers from Rayong Town. This is the center
of development projects under the advice of H.M.King
Bhumipol Adulyadej on agriculture, fishery, irrigation, land
and farm animals. The reservoir covers 20,000 rais of land,
is surrounded by the natural beauty ideal for relaxing,
camping and educational tour.
Sopha Botanical Park
Sopha Botanical Park: This
32-rai park is lush with many kinds of trees, particularly
Thai flora mentioned in literature. In the compound, three
traditional Thai houses on stilts of nearly 100 year old
exhibit ceramics from various periods as well as prehistoric
pottery from Ban Chiang World Heritage Site. The park is
open daily from 9 a.m. till 4.30 p.m. except on Thursday.
Admission costs 50 baht. Tel. 0 3865 1688 for more
information. How to get there: The park is located close to
the road to Ban Phe, 17 kilometres from Rayong town. Turn
right from Sukhumvit Road at kilometre 238 and keep going
for 200 metres. The park will be on your right.
Koh Kudee
It lies approximately 6
kilometers offshore. Besides Koh Kudee there are two smaller
islands, one is Koh Khangkhao and another is Koh Ruesee
Cave. All three islands lie a little to the east of Koh
Samet. The islands have beautiful natural landscapes and
ringed by fine beaches which are ideal for swimming and
camping on.
Rayong Aquarium
Located in the Eastern Marine
Fisheries Research and Development Centre , Ao Ban Phe, the
aquarium keeps various kinds of beautiful fish and sea
plants. The centre conducts study, research and testing
regarding marine biology and behaviors of marine life. 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 lives. 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
Hat Laem Charoen
Near the mouth of the Rayong
River, five kilometres south of downtown, is the nearest
beach from Rayong. Tourists love to enjoy the sea and
seafood for dinner at Laem Charoen Beach, which is also a
famous place for its fish sauce. Hat Saeng Chan Some seven
kilometres from Rayong town, connecting to Laem Charoen
Beach, the Saeng Chan Beach is a nice sandy beach where
tourists can enjoy swimming and dining. Lots of restaurants
are available for selection
Khao Wong Caves
To reach Khao Wong take the
turning at KM. 288 on the Sukhumvit Road and travel a
distance of 12 kilometers to find the caves. At Khao Wong,
there are about 60 caves around the base of the mountain,
many of the cave are occupied by Buddhist monks, and one has
been turned into a shrine with a replica of the Buddha's
footprint.
The Shire of King Taksin
Located in Wat Lum Mahachai
Chumphon, Taksin Road, with a huge tree of 300 years old at
the front. Folklore says that King Taksin the Great tied his
elephant to the tree while leading the troops to Chanthaburi
for retrieving the Kingdom of Siam from Burmese occupation.
The shrine houses a statue of King Taksin the Great. How to
get there: From Mueang distirct, take Sukhumvit Road for 200
metres and turn right at the Taksin intersection into Taksin
Maharat Road.
Wat Pa Pradu
Located on
Sukhumvit Road in Mueang municipality, this ancient temple
dates back to the Ayutthaya period. The temple was honoured
as a royal temple in the year 1990. The wihan houses a large
reclining Buddha image, 11.95 metres long and 3.60 metres
High. Unusually, the reclining Buddha image lies on its
left-hand side. The image was first built outdoor and the
Wihan was built later in 1981. How to get there: The temple
is accessible by two routes. The first route: From Mueang
district, take Sukhumvit Road via Rayong Hospital and Wat Pa
Pradu School, then turn left into Pa Pradu Road to reach the
temple. The second route: From Highway 36, bypass road, turn
right to Chantha Udom Road at Ko Loi Intersection. Through
Mueang district, turn right into Sukhumvit Road and follow
the first route to the temple
Wat Ban Don Shadow Play Museum
Located in Wat Ban Don,
exhibiting a hundred Nang Yai shadow play characters, or
Nang Yai, which 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. 0 5087 0235, 0 9831 6053.
Phra Chedi Klang Nam
Phra Chedi Klang Nam: In the
middle of the Rayong River, two kilometres south of downtown
near the mouth of the river, is located a pagoda on an
island. It is a landmark for the crew to indicate that they
are reaching Rayong province. On the full moon day of the
twelfth lunar month, a celebration will be held to change
the robe covering the pagoda. Boat races and the Loi
Krathong Festival will be celebrated here
Si Mueang Park
Si Mueang Park, Rayong: Called
Ko Klang by the people of Rayong , this park totalling an
area of 70 rai is located behind the city hall. This place
was once used for the execution of prisoners and now it has
been rebuilt as a park for people to enjoy. At the front of
the park is a famous Buddha image of Rayong, Phra Phuttha
Angkhirot
]
