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The East - Overview
 Winding
around the east coast from Bangkok's satellite towns towards the Thai-Cambodian
border, the eastern region unfolds in a series of cliffs, bays, palm-fringed beaches,
fishing harbours and islands. The east coast has several national parks, waterfalls,
forest and remote islands, and is also rich in natural resources - rubber, rice,
fishing and fruit. Just a couple of hours drive from Bangkok, lies Pattaya,
Thailand's first international resort. Famous in a previous era for its hedonistic
night life Pattaya now has now broadened its appeal with excellent facilities
to lure both families, partygoers and water sports enthusiasts. Heading
further east, around the coast in Rayong province, lies Ko
Samet island. Part of a marine National Park, it's been a favourite with young
Thais and international travellers for many years. Small coves and deserted beaches
- close to nature, camping on secluded beaches or bungalows. Busy at weekends.
Several new upmarket resorts in Rayong Province have recently opened along the
coast. Not as easily accessible from Bangkok but away from the main tourist route.
The provincial capital of Chanthaburi is a commercial hub for the east coast,
and a centre for the gems trade. Ko Chang - Thailand's
second largest island is close to the Cambodian border and quietly developing
its tourist potential. The eastern region also extends west towards Pattaya
 Just
over 2 hours from Bangkok, the once quiet fishing village of Pattaya is now a
cosmopolitan beach resort offering just about everything. Excellent accommodation,
a 4 kilometre beach, water sports, affordable golf courses, a night market for
bargain hunters, and great food. Famous for its hedonistic nightlife aimed at
singles, Pattaya is now becoming a family oriented destination, with a huge variety
of things to do, in and around the area. Local offshore islands fringed by coral
reefs make great snorkelling, trips while further out in the Gulf, there's excellent
diving and deep sea fishing. Charter a sailing boat by the hour or for day, from
a 14 foot dinghy to a 53 foot catamaran. Or simply relax....... Where
to Stay? Check out our location guide.
Where to Go?
See our suggestions...
Ko
Samet
An idyllic island about 200km south-east of Bangkok, the whole island is part
of a wider National Park. Already known to the locals, Ko Samet is beginning to
attract overseas visitors to its white sandy beaches and lush green rainforest
- home of hornbills, gibbons and spectacular butterflies... Accommodation ranges
from tents (bring your own to guarantee your "room") to air-conditioned
bungalow resorts. (Electricity is now available 24 hours a day in most resorts)
Ko Samet is more developed than some of the other east coast islands but still
pretty close to nature. There are long sandy beaches and small, secluded bays,
lots of privacy. Evening entertainment is provided by the stars...
Ko Chang
 The
second largest island of Thailand after Phuket, Ko Chang is located close to the
Cambodian border. Its long sandy beaches, waterfalls, unique mangrove forests
and coral reefs are major attractions. Tropical rain forest covers about 75 %
of the area and contains some of the best preserved in South-east Asia. The island
is home to a wide variety of different animals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.
The Rana Kochang (Ko-Chang-frog) lives exclusively here. Promotion by the Tourism
Authority of Thailand (TAT) over the last few years has resulted in better infrastructure
with better roads and many villages now connected to mains electricity. Accommodation,
previously simple bungalows, is gradually being replaced by more sophisticated
resorts and bungalows on the beachfront areas.
Trat
Trat Province has a dramatic, wooded landscape which separates Thailand from
neighboring Cambodia. The region thrives on agriculture (primarily rubber and
chili plantations), fish farming, fruit and fishing. Its also the gateway to Ko
Chang and the islands which make up the unspoilt Mu Ko Chang National Park.
Trat - the provincial capital of the same name has around 20,000 residents and
is mostly used as a stop-off point for visitors to Ko Chang or one of the other
islands. Its also a departure point for visits to Sihanoukville (via Ko Kong)
Cambodia. Visitors and Thai tourists are advised not to travel south of
the capital, Muang Trat, especially after dark, because of potential security
problems. | 
