| How to get there Being only 3.5 hours from Bangkok (1 hour from Pattaya.), not so far from Rayong you can get to Baan Phe (busy fishing port and center of local marineproduce). It is a stopping off points for tourists en route to the island of Koh Samet. Shops in the main street stock a wide variety of local products such as fish souse, cuttle-fish, dried shrimp and shrimp paste. 30 minutes by shuttle boat from Baan Phe you are in Koh Samet which offer beautiful beaches with charming white sand and strange-shaped rocks, suitable for relaxation. By Car From Bangkok, take Highway No. 34 (Bang Na-Trat) or Motorway to Pattaya, and use Highway No. 36 to Rayong. Or take Highway No. 34 (Bang Na-Trat) or Motorway to Chonburi, and use Highway No. 344 (Ban Bung-Klaeng), then turn into Highways No. 331 and No. 36 to Rayong. Route No.1 Sukhumvit Road (Highway No.3): Starting from Bangkok passes Bangpu District, Chonburi town, Bangsaen, Sri Racha District, Pattaya, Hat Jomtien, Sattahip District, Ban Chang District to arrive in the center of Rayong Province. The total distance is 220 kilometers. Route No.2 The most popular route, starting from Bangna-Trat Road (Highway No.34) via Bang Phli and Bang Bo District (Samut Prakan Province) and Highway No.3 at km. 70. The total distance is 220. Route No.3 Drive along Highway No.3 to Bang Lamung, then turn off of Highway No.3 at Km.140 and continue on Highway No.36 to Rayong. Total distance is 210 kilometers. Route No.4 Taking Highway No.344 (Ban Bung-Klaeng) at Chonburi town, passing Ban Bung, Nong Yai, Wang Chan and finishing at Klaeng District, Rayong Province. The total distance is 100 kilometers. (Bangkok-Chonburi is 80 kilometers) This route is suitable for those who like to go sightseeing in Klaeng District and Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park or passing through Chanthaburi Province. Route No.5 Use the Motorway, starting from Phatthanakarn Road, Prawet District, Bangkok and drive all the way up to Pattaya (120 kilometers), then switch to use Highway No.36 and proceed for another 50 kilometers to Rayong. By Air Bangkok Airways operates one flight everyday from Phuket via Ko Samui to Rayong-U Ta Pao International Airport. For more information contact Bangkok Airways in Bangkok, Tel : +66 2265 5555 or travel agencies in Rayong. By Bus Rayong is the gateway from the east to the north and northeast. As such, there are many regular bus services connecting Rayong and Bangkok and other province such as Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima and Nong Khai. Tourist should contact Cherd Chai Tour (Public Bus Provider) by tel to +66 2392 9227, +66 2391 4164, +66 3865 1528 for updated information. Normally bus runs every hour since 5.00 a.m. to 19.00 p.m. from Bangkok to Baan Phe public bus station which located opposite of Nuan Thip Pier (the famous pier to Koh Samet). You can also contact Nuan Thip Pier by tel at +66 3865 1508, +66 3865 1514, +66 3865 1513 to check ferry Timetables. The other ferries provider is Sri Ban Phe Pier, you can reach them at Tel: +66 3865 1902. The ferry leaves from Baan Phe Pier everyday. In the day time boat will departure nearly every hour, but in the night time and for some route, boat have to wait until there are at least 7 passengers before leave the pier. It’ll normally arrive at 3 piers on Samet Island. The most popular pier on Koh Samet is locally called "Na Dan"which is approx 25 mins from Baan Phe Pier, Ao Praw (30 mins) & Ao Vong Duen (45 mins). Price of boat ticket is approx 100 - 200 Thai Bath per person per 1 roundtrip (2 ways), upon your destination. You can also hire a speed boat from Baan Phe Pier to Samet, which costs around 1,000 Baht/Trip. Tourist Information Office : Upon arrival in Koh Samet there is a Tourist Information Center at the pier. It's more a travel agent than anything else where you get mainly tour and accommodation brochures. For starters a good map is all you need and you'll get better information from hotels or local taxis. Alternatively if you have time in Rayong there is a Regional Tourism Authority of Thailand office near the Tapong Fruit Market (about 30 minutes from the pier in Ban Phe). Don't expect too much but you're likely to end up with better maps and some nice and colorful travel guides. Internet services are available along the popular beaches of Sai Kaew Beach, Vongduern Beach and Ao Phai. They are purely functional and are not fancy internet cafes but the dial up speed is tolerable and it’s cheap. ( Speed Boat Service Price to Samet Island ) Call 02-2119654
Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand. (TAT) |