Thailand Eastern Seaboard

The seaside belt southeast of Bangkok: Pattaya's city beaches, nearby Koh Samet, and the rainforest and beaches of Koh Chang.

Thailand's Eastern Seaboard is the coastline southeast of Bangkok along the eastern Gulf of Thailand, across Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat provinces, and is the area most visited by Bangkok residents for weekend getaways and by package tourists. Pattaya is the earliest-developed seaside city, with beaches, the Sanctuary of Truth, floating markets and all kinds of shows, and you can take a boat to Koh Larn. Koh Samet, off Rayong, is only about 3 hours from Bangkok, with fine white sand and national park status, making it well suited to a short island trip. Farther southeast, Koh Chang is Thailand's second-largest island, with rainforest waterfalls and long beaches, and the surrounding islands (Koh Kood, Koh Mak) are more unspoiled. Chanthaburi is known for its fruit season in May–June and its gem market. Allow 1–2 days for Pattaya, 2 days for Koh Samet and 3–4 days for Koh Chang; it can be an extension of a Bangkok trip or link up with Cambodia overland. There are direct buses from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport and eastern bus terminals, and for Koh Chang you take a ferry from the Laem Ngop pier in Trat. Pattaya's nightlife areas are noisy, so choose where to stay with care.

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