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A favorite get-away island for
Bangkokians, Ko Samet offers extensive pristine beaches with clean
white sand and strangely shaped rocks. A haven for relaxation, this
T-shaped island is a perfect retreat for those looking for sun, sand
and sea. The climate is always pleasantly cool with an abundance of
rain in August and windy monsoons in May.
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This little cape located beyond Laem Mae Phim in
Klaeng District is located near a small fishing village, where the main
occupation is to pickle jellyfish. Set in tranquil ambience the place
is marvelous for seafood lovers with seafood restaurants providing
reasonably priced seafood dishes of good quality. Traveling to Ko Man
Klang can be done by taking a speedboat from here.
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This small island located approximately 5
kilometers off shore from Laem Mae Phim has been developed into a Sea
Turtle Preservation Sanctuary under the royal initiative of Her Majesty
the Queen. The place is open to the public from Monday to Sunday.
Nearby are Ko Man Klang and Ko Man Nok which are famous for their
immaculate white sandy beaches and hip boutique resorts.
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Five kilometres
further on from Laem Mae Phim on the beach road (Highway
No. 3145) is the Sunthorn Phu Memorial commemorating
one of Thailand's top poets. The bard, native of Rayong
by birth, produced his literary works during the early part
of Rattanakosin Era some two hundred years ago, Phra Aphai
Mani being his most well-known work.
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Some 6 kilometres
off-shore is Ko Kudi which is to the east of Samet.
To the northeast are white, sandy beaches and popular viewing
points. Off its northern tip are several coral rich small
islets.
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About 12 kilometers from town with a right turn Km. 229
of Sukhumwit Road is Hat Mae Ramphung, a 12 kilometers
long beach on the way to Ban Kon Ao, a small fishing village.
The beach is clean with gentle slopes suitable for swimming.
On the shore are several bungalows.
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seven kilometers from town at Tambon
Paknam, is connected to Laem Charoen beach and also suitable
for swimming. Food shops and accommodation facilities available.
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Five kilometers from town at Tambon Paknam, Hat Laem
Charoen is a seaside area popular with townspeople who
come to enjoy the scene and the seafood.
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on Lak Muang Road in town
consists of two buildings of Thai and Chinese styles.
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A turn at between Km. 231 and Km. 238 leads to Ban Phe
which is about 19 kilometers from the township. A major
fishing community of the province, it is also the main embarkation
point for the ferry to Ko Samet. On sale are popular fresh
and dried seafood as well as other local products.
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A little further from Ban Kon Oa on the beach road to Khao
Laem Ya covered with small shrubs and with a cape jutting
into the the sea. Along one side of the hill is along stretch
of beach where the headquarters of the Khao Laem Ya Samet
islands national Park is located.
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The ancient Wat Pa Pradu on Sukhumwit road houses
a 12 metre long Reclining Buddha. Unlike other reclining
statues, it lies on the left instead of the usual right.
Originally unsheltered, a Wihan was built over it in 1981.
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Located at Wat Lum Mahachai Chumpon on Taksin Road,
the shrine was built to commemorate King Taksin the Great's brief
stopover in Rayong to mobilize his troops and liberate the Kingdom of
Ayutthaya from the Burmese. Legend has it that King Taksin the Great’s
elephant was believed to be stabled at a large Parkia tree (in front of
the shrine). A well-regarded place by the locals, especially the
Sino-Thais, the shrine attracts big crowds during Chinese New Year and
on December 28th.
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is a public park in town centre behind
the city pillar. It houses the highly revered Phra Phuttha
Angkhirot, the town's principal statue.
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Located in the Eastern Marine Fisheries Research and Development
Centre, Ban Phe, the aquarium keeps various kinds of beautiful fish
and sea plants. The centre conducts study, research and testing
regarding marine biology and behaviors of marine life. A large aquarium
with a tunnel allows visitors to see various beautiful fish as well as
economic-related creatures living in the mangrove forest such as
cuttlefish, crab, giant clam, and horseshoe crab.
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The museum is located in Wat Ban Don, exhibiting a hundred Nang Yai
shadow play characters. The Shadow Play character, or Nang Yai, is a
large piece of leather carved and painted into different characters.
Aged over 200 years, these characters were brought from Phatthalung in
1988. For the Nang Yai performance, please contact 3 days in advance.
Tel. 0 5087 0235, 0 9831 6053.
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The last piece of virgin forest in Rayong, the park
is located in Klaeng District, 71 kilometers from the city. Declared as
a National Park in December 31, 1975, Khao Chamao – Khao Wong covers an
area of 83.6 square meters, which is home to tigers, wild elephants and
bears. The park is famous for its limestone mountains, caves, high
cliffs, verdant forests and waterfalls. Khao Chamao –Khao Wong National
Park offers the following attractions:
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At the end of Taksin Maharat Road and with a right turn
into Samut Khongkha Road, Wat Samut Khongkha or Wat
Pak Nam is about two kilometres south of town. It features
an ancient - metre-high white Chedi on an isle in mid-Rayong
River. No one knows who built it but during the olden days
when waterway was the main mode of transportation, the chedi
served as a symbol of Rayong signifying to the boatmen that
they had arrived at the town. Celebrations are held in the
full-moon day of the 12th lunar month with ceremonies, boat
races and other entertainment.
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This shrine, which was built to honor Somdej
Krommaluang Chumphon, "Father of the Royal Thai Navy”, who is highly
revered by the locals is situated near the Prasair River in Klaeng
District.
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is located within
the grounds of the Petroleum Authority of Thailand, about
25 kilometres from town on Highways No. 36 and No. 3191
in Nikhom Phatthana sub-district. It is a center of various
herbal research. Open daily form 8.30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m. Tel:
(038) 6818147-30.
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