Rayong Thailand

1.    Rayong GeographyRayong provine in Map of Thailand
Rayong is a province located at eastern of Thailand, it takes about 2.5 hours to get Rayong by car.  With 3.552 square kilometers and 100 kilometers of beach, Rayong contains several islands in the Gulf of Thailand, including the popular tourist destinations such as: Ko Samet, Ko Mun and Ko Kodi. The best months to visit Rayong are from November to February.
 
2.    Rayong Administrative Divisions
The Rayong province is subdivided in 8 districts (amphoe). These are further subdivided into 58 subdistricts (tambon) and 388 villages (muban).
 Sliced map of Rayong, rayong city and travelling locations

Districs of Rayong Thailand (Rayong map):
1.    Mueang Rayong
2.    Ban Chang
3.    Klaeng
4.    Wang Chan
5.    Ban Khai
6.    Pluak Daeng
7.    Khao Chamao
8.    Nikhom Phatthana

 

3.    History

  • After the fall of Ayutthaya  empire, the King Taksin (of Thailand) came to Rayong. Aalthough he stayed in Rayong for a short time, he built a navy, and then went on to Chantaburi to collect his arms to fight back against the Burmese. Because of his courage and bravery, the soldiers and local population in Rayong Thailand anointed him as "King" in Rayong. Once he had built up sufficient troop strength, Phaya Tak who later became King Taksin of the Kingdom of Thonburi left Rayong and returned to Ayutthaya, routed the Burmese and set up a new capital in Thonburi.


4.    Getting to Rayong and go around

  • Various means of reaching Rayong are mentioned below:


Getting to Rayong by Air

  • Nearest airport (35 kilometers) to Rayong is U-Tapao international airport which has international connections with Singapore and Siem Reap (Cambodia) as well as daily flights from Rayong to Samui and Pattaya.


Getting to Rayong by Road

  • Buses leave Eastern Bus Terminal of Bangkok for Rayong town every 30 minutes. The journey time is around four hours. You can also hire car for Rayong as well. All the roads to Rayong are almost straight and wide.

Local Transportation of Rayong

  • Public urban transportation within Rayong is in the form of minibuses. Local buses leave the Rayong Bus Terminal at Rayong Trade Centre for various destinations throughout the day. depend on the distances. Fares are about 5-15 baht to go from places to places inside Rayong depend on the distances


5.    Rayong Tourism

  • In the Gulf just south of the province are several groups of beautiful tropical islands, including the ten islands of the Samet Marine National Park. The main island of the group, Ko Samet, is a favorite destination of tourists seeking crystal clear waters and peaceful, unspoiled beaches of Rayong. You can find various kinds of Hotels, Beach Hotel and Spa & Resort places. A lot of services in rayong thailand such as: hotels in rayong thailand, rayong thailand map, rayong resort thailand, rayong beach thailand, rent cars and motobikes for thailand travel trip can be found easily.

6.    Activities

  •     There are alot of activities in Rayong such as: Taphong bike route (เส้นทางจักรยานท่องเที่ยวตะพง) Golf Driving Rang Amphoe Mueang Horse Riding Thai Massage Spa

  • Sights:

    The Shrine of King Taksin the Great (ศาลสมเด็จพระเจ้าตากสิน) in Rayong Thailand  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 in Rayong.


    Wat Pa Pradu (วัดป่าประดู่) in Rayong Thailand This ancient temple dates back to the Ayutthaya period. The wihan houses a large reclining Buddha image of Rayong, 11.95 metres long and 3.60 metres High. Unusually, the reclining Buddha image lies on its left-hand side.


    City Pillar Shrine (ศาลหลักเมือง) in Rayong Thailand This shrine was first built of wood of Rayong forests. Then it was replaced by a concrete construction with Chinese characteristics got into Thailand. The old city pillar was formerly in front of the shrine. A new one was later set up with a four-porched shelter.

    Wat Ban Don Shadow Play Museum (พิพิธภัณฑ์หนังใหญ่วัดบ้านดอน) in Rayong Thailand exhibits a hundred Nang Yai shadow play characters, or Nang Yai, which is a large piece of leather carved and painted into different characters in Rayong.

    Phra Chedi Klang Nam (พระเจดีย์กลางน้ำ) in Rayong Thailand 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 of Rayong. 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 in Rayong.

    Si Mueang Park (สวนศรีเมือง) in Rayong Thailand This place was once used for the execution of prisoners and now it has been rebuilt as a park for people in and out of Rayong province to enjoy. At the front of the park is a famous Buddha image of Rayong, Phra Phuttha Angkhirot.

    Hat Laem Charoen (หาดแหลมเจริญ) in Rayong Thailand Near the mouth of the Rayong River, five kilometres south of downtown, is the nearest beach from Rayong.

    Hat Saeng Chan (หาดแสงจันทร์) in Rayong Thailand Some seven kilometres from Rayong town, connecting to Laem Charoen Beach, the Saeng Chan Beach is a nice sandy beach can be found in Rayong.

    Hat Mae Ramphueng - Ban Kon Ao (หาดแม่รำพึง – บ้านก้นอ่าว) in Rayong Thailand Some 11 kilometres from Rayong town.

    Khao Laem Ya (เขาแหลมหญ้า) in Rayong Thailandd From this sunset viewpoint, comprising scrub forest and cape, it is possible to see Mae Ramphueng Beach and Ko Samet, the most popular beach of Rayong Thailand.

    Rayong Aquarium (สถานแสดงพันธ์สัตว์น้ำระยอง) in Rayong Thailand, Located in the Eastern Marine Fisheries Research and Development Centre (ศูนย์วิจัยและพัฒนาประมงไทยฝั่งตะวันออก), keeps various kinds of beautiful fish and sea plants of Rayong. The centre conducts study, research and testing regarding marine biology and behaviors of marine life in Rayong.


    Sopha Botanical Park (สวนพฤกษชาติโสภา) in Rayong Thailand 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 located in Rayong.


    Suan Son (สวนสน) in Rayong Thailand Just four kilometres from Ban Phe, 29 kilometres from Rayong town, many kinds of pine along with local trees make this nice beach road of Rayong shady.

    Khao Laem Ya - Mu Ko Samet National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาแหลมหญ้า-หมู่เกาะเสม็ด) in Rayong Thailand The park totals an area of 81,875 rai comprising land, sea and islands. Its major attractions of Rayong include Mae Ramphueng Beach, Khao Laem Ya, and Samet Archipelago.


    Ko Samet (เกาะเสม็ด) People believe that this is the miracle island in Thai classical literature by Sunthon Phu. Ko Samet is quite a famous beach attraction of Rayong. One of the famous beaches in Ko-Samet in Rayong is Ao Wong Duean in the middle of the eastern side. This beach stretches in the shape of an almost complete circle.

    Ko Kruai, Ko Kham, and Ko Pla Tin (เกาะกรวย เกาะขาม และเกาะปลาตีน) in Rayong Thailand These islands are some 600 metres north of Ko Kudi.

    Ko Kudi or Ko Kut (เกาะกุฎี หรือเกาะกุด) in Rayong Thailand A nice beach and coral reefs make it a nice place for a hideaway. Nearby islands are Ko Thai Khangkhao and Ko Tham Ruesi.

    Ko Thalu (เกาะทะลุ) in Rayong Thailand The island is another scuba diving site among coral reefs. The island located in Rayong sea with totals an area of 69 rai, most remains lush forest. While high cliffs occupy the west, white sandy beaches occupy the east and south of the island.


    Suan Wang Kaeo (สวนวังแก้ว) in Rayong Thailand Forest and garden, beach and beautiful bay characterize the park.

    Laem Mae Phim (แหลมแม่พิมพ์) in Rayong Thailand Without large waves, the beach is nice for swimming. Restaurants and bungalows are available along the beach. Laem Mae Phim is 48 kilometres from Rayong town.

    Sunthon Phu Monument (อนุสาวรีย์สุนทรภู่) in Rayong Thailand The monument was built to commemorate Sunthon Phu, a leading poet in the early Rattanakosin era, two centuries ago. There are statues of Sunthon Phu and characters from his famous literature.

    Wat Saranat Thammaram (วัดสารนารถธรรมาราม) in Rayong Thailand houses a main Buddha image imitated from the famous Phra Phuttha Chinnarat in Phitsanulok province. Get to Rayong, you can see four major pagodas surround the Ubosot. They include Phra Pathom Chedi, Phrathat Phanom, replica of Bodh Gaya, and Phrathat Chaiya. Mu Ko Man (หมู่เกาะมัน) Rayong Thailand: Mu Ko Man comprises three islands: Man Nai, Man Klang, and Man Nok. Ko Man Nai (เกาะมันใน), Rayong: This island is the location of the turtle conservation station initiated by Her Majesty the Queen. The project conserves the breeding of hawksbill turtle and olive turtle.

    Hat Phayun and Hat Phla (หาดพยูนและหาดพลา) in Rayong Thailand The beautiful Phayun Beach is 32 kilometres from Rayong town. Phla Beach, only three kilometres from Phayun Beach, is a quiet beach with a shady sea pine forest.

    Supattra Land Orchard (สวนสุภัทรา) in Rayong Thailand The orchard is open for the public to witness its fruit variety in Rayong such as durian, rambutan, mango, grape, star fruit and longan.

    Khao Chamao - Khao Wong National Park: (อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาชะเมา – เขาวง) in Rayong Thailand This lush forest with a great variety of flora and fauna is the watershed of the Prasae River. Attractions in the national park in Rayong

    Namtok Khao Chamao or Namtok Khlong Nam Sai (น้ำตกเขาชะเมา หรือน้ำตกคลองน้ำใส) in Rayong Thailand The waterfall comprises seven levels, stretching for three kilometres can be seen in Rayong. The large pond called Wang Matcha, is a habitat of brook carp.

    Pha Sawan (ผาสวรรค์) in Rayong Thailand The viewpoint is 1.5 kilometres from the national park headquarters.

    Namtok Khlong Pla Kang (น้ำตกคลองปลาก้าง) in Rayong Thailand The waterfalls are three kilometres from the headquarters. Ferns and orchids grow well in this lush forest.

    Namtok Khlong Hin Phoeng (น้ำตกคลองหินเพิง) in Rayong Thailand The small waterfall is actually in Chanthaburi province, ten kilometers from the headquarters. Water runs all year round. Khao Wong (เขาวง) Many limestone mountains surround a flat plain in the middle. The amazing mountains have a total of 80 caves inside.

    Krommaluang Chumphon Shrine (ศาลสมเด็จกรมหลวงชุมพร) in Rayong Thailand The shrine houses the statue of Krommaluang Chumphonkhetudomsak, founder of Thailand's modern navy. He is much honoured by the people of Rayong.

    Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Herbal Park (สวนสมุนไพรสมเด็จพระเทพรัตนราชสุดาฯ สยามบรมราชกุมารี) in Rayong Thailand The park grows various kinds of herbs as well as conducts research.


7.    Local Products of Rayong

  •     Preserved seafood (ผลิตภัณฑ์อาหารทะเล) Seafood from Rayong has been quite a famous souvenir.
  •     Fruit (ผลไม้) During May and June, orchards in Rayong are ready to show off their proud products: durian, rambutan, mangosteen, etc.
  •     Products from sedge mat (ผลิตภัณฑ์เสื่อกก) The in-house industry of Tambon Kram, Amphoe Klaen in Rayong has quality products.
  •     Crystal products (ผลิตภัณฑ์เครื่องแก้วคริสตัล) in Rayong: The crystal factory in Amphoe Pluak Daeng, produces export-quality crystal works by Thai skilled labour.

8.    Culture and  Festivals

  • Rayong Fruit Festival (งานเทศกาลผลไม้และของดีเมืองระยอง) In May of each year, Rayong's fruit reaches its peak season. The venue for celebration is always changed between Mueang and Klaeng districts.
  • Sunthon Phu Day (งานวันสุนทรภู่) Organised on June 26 of each year at Sunthon Phu Monument, Klaeng district - Rayong, to honour the great poet. Changing the robe for Phra Chedi Klang Nam (งานห่มผ้าพระเจดีย์กลางน้ำ) The annual traditional event is held during the full moon night of the 12th lunar month, or in November. The robe blanketing around the pagoda in the middle of the Rayong River, in Mueang district, will be changed. Meanwhile, the people in Rayong will celebrate the event along with the Loi Krathong Festival by boat racing and many kinds of local entertainment, which are most attractive festival of Rayong Thailand.
  • Thot Pha Pa Klang Nam (Waterborne Robe Offering Ceremony) (งานทอดผ้าป่ากลางน้ำ) During the Loi Krathong Festival of each year, or on the full moon night of November, people living near the mouth of the Prasae River in Rayong Thailand will prepare a monk's robe at the pier. After completing the ceremony on the boat, a monk will come to get it. Normally, the robe offering ceremony is held at the temple. This special tradition has been inherited for over a century in Rayong Thailand.