Welcome to Rayong

Rayong province is located on the east coast of Thailand, on the northern shoreline of the Gulf of Thailand, some 180km from Bangkok.  The province has an extensive coastline stretching approximately 100km, with an overall area of 3,552 sqare km.  It is divided into seven administrative districts and one sub-district.  To the north and west it is bordered by the Province of Chonburi, to the east by Chantaburi Province and to the south by the Gulf of Thailand.  The towns of Ban Chang and Map Ta Phut and the city of Rayong are located in the province.

Rayong features prominently in Thai history during the late Ayutthaya period, when the former capital was razed to the ground by the invading Burmese.  Phaya Tak, later to become King Taksin of Thonburi, led a band of patriots and broke through the cordon of besieging troops who surrounded the capital.  He then made his way towards the coast, stopping in Rayong to build up his navy before proceeding on to Chantaburi.  Because of his courage and bravery, the soldiers and local population anointed him as ‘King’ in Rayong.  Once he built up sufficient troop strength, Phaya Taksin returned to Ayutthaya and rousted the Burmese and set up a new capital in Thonburi.

In general the geography is marked by a series of low mountains interspersed by flat plains and large tracts of land.  The province is famous for its fruit production of which pineapple, rambutan, mangosteen and durian are the best known.  Offshore there are many islands with lovely beaches and tourist attractions.  The province is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty and has a well-deserved reputation for producing seafood products such as shrimp paste, fish sauce and dried seafood.

Although the road signage on most major roads in Rayong province is now generally provided in both English and Thai, few business signs are in English.  The names given below are often phonetic transcriptions only.

As Rayong is a growing area, some services or activities may not yet be available.  If you do not find what you are looking for in Rayong, please check the previous sections for listings of services/activities in the Pattaya area.

 

MAJOR TOWNS / CITIES

BAN CHANG

Ban Chang is a small township, located approximately 180km from Bangkok and 40km from Pattaya.  The main highway, Sukhumvit Road, runs through the centre of Ban Chang.  About 10km east along Sukhumvit Road from Ban Chang are the Map Ta Phut, Eastern and Padaeng Industrial Estates.  These industrial estates have dramatically increased the population in this area.  New housing estates and condominiums have been constructed to accommodate the influx of both expatriates and Thais moving into the area.

Little English is spoken here, but many local Thais, especially children and youths, understand at least some English.  Some restaurants now offer international cuisine and convenience stores are available to meet basic expat needs.  The local market provides fresh fruits and vegetables.  The Ban Chang agricultural area is best known for its pineapple and mango groves, Papaya, tapioca and many vegetables are grown here as well.

MAP TA PHUT

Map Ta Phut is a small township that has become the centre of a new industrial region.  Three large industrial estates have been built around the deep-sea port.  There is also an underwater natural gas pipeline that originates in the Gulf of Thailand.  Map Ta Phut, Eastern and Padaeng Industrial Estates are located in this area, just off Sukhumvit Road, between the town of Ban Chang and the city of Rayong.

RAYONG

Being a provincial capital, Rayong city has the usual local services such as car registration, immigration and air-conditioned bus service.  Rayong is also proud of its public amenities including schools, colleges, temples and parks, as well as the sculpture park on the tip of the Rayong River at Laem Charoen.  This particular park features a 15 foot high fearsome looking female devil character, Pesersamut.  Enjoy a meal at the Fisherman’s Restaurant on the pier with the colourful backdrop of the Rayong fishing fleet moored behind you.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of life in Rayong is the proximity to the clean beaches and resorts stretching over 50km to the east.  A 20-minute drive east takes you to Ban Phe, the jumping off point for Koh Samet Island.  This National Park tropical island makes for either an easy day trip or overnight stay.  A Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office, about 9km out of Rayong City on Sukhumvit Road, offers maps and friendly advice on how to reach the large number of resorts, islands and national parks in the Rayong and Chantaburi areas.

 

Please excuse our mess.  This page is currently under construction.  Please check this space again soon for valuable information.  Thank you.