Thailand
East Coast

Thailand's east coast, with its island-studded sea is one of the most popular resort areas in Asia. However, spectacular beaches and delicious tropical fruits are not all that the region offers. Inland, you will discover magnificent mountains, waterfalls and lush tropical vegetation.

Pattaya in the province of Chonburi, on the Gulf of Thailand, is 150 kilometres east from Bangkok and is probably Thailand's best known beach resort. Nestled in a bay scattered with islands below soft green hills this truly vibrant city has it all.

As well as the beautiful strip of sandy beach, you will find nightclubs, lavish cabarets and cultural shows, succulent seafood, open-air bars, an interactive Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum and discos. There is even a Mini Siam with more than 100 exhibits showing Thailand's history and culture. You can play soccer with elephants at Pattaya Elephant Village, go pistol shooting, try your hand at archery, golf, tennis and squash, or go deep-sea fishing off Bang Sare.

Diving is the favourite sport and there are numerous dive sites and a flotilla of wrecks to explore. Other diversions include motor racing at the Bira International Circuit, meditation at Wat Yansangwararam and a walk through coconut and mango plantations, orchid nurseries and botanical gardens.

Other interesting attractions in Chonburi include the seaside village of Ang Sila with its excellent seafood restaurants. If you want to get away from it all, hire a boat and go offshore for the day to one of the many beaches that fringe tiny islands such as Ko Sichang.

Khao Khieo Open Zoo stretches over 1,200 acres with accommodation available and close by is a wildlife conservation area with a lovely waterfall. Buffalo racing is held in October each year, along with a fair and even a water buffalo beauty contest.

Two kilometres south of Pattaya, Jomtien offers a fine swimming beach, numerous water sports and an abundance of accommodation options.
Chanthaburi, about 190 kilometres from Bangkok, is renowned for Gem Road where lively trading of cut gems occurs from Friday through Sunday. Outside of town, bungalow accommodation is available in 42,000 acre Namtok Phliu National Park and also beside the caves and waterfalls of Khao Khitchakut National Park, which is about 30 kilometres from town.

Rayong, about 220 kilometres from Bangkok, has recently expanded with growing numbers of international hotels and resorts. Aside from magnificent beaches and fine food, attractions include numerous offshore islands such as Ko Saket with its superb coral and a restaurant.

Trat, near the border of Cambodia, has a gem market in Chanthaburi and there is a multitude of offshore islands to explore, more than 50 of them part of Mu Ko Chang National Park. Ko Chiang is Thailand's second largest island and offers stunning beaches and cheap bungalow accommodation.