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Thailand
East Coast
Beyond Bangkok, from the estuary of the Chao Phraya River,
the East Coast unfolds in a series of bays and beaches to the Thai-Kampuchean
border. Many popular resorts, including Pattaya, Asia's premier
beach resort, occupy a coast characterised by cliff-hidden bays,
palm-fringed beaches, innumerable fishing villages, lovely islands
and largely tranquil Gulf waters.
Major places of interest include Bangsaen,
some 100 kilometres southeast of Bangkok, the capital's nearest
resort; Bang Phra Golf Course, a self-contained holiday complex
some 20 minutes further south; the 1200-acre Khao Khiao Open Zoo,
15 kilometres inland from Bang Phra; Si Racha, a fishing community
famed for a delicious sauce and excellent seafood; Pattaya, 147
kilometres southeast of Bangkok, Thailand's "Riviera" and internationally
famed beach resort where all manner of watersports, motor-racing,
coral islands, luxury accommodation and a vibrant nightlife comprise
major attractions; Bang Sare fishing village from where game fishermen
seek marlin, sharks, king mackerel and other Gulf denizens; Rayong's
Ban Phe fishing village and lovely Samet Island where some 15 bays
and superb beaches are fringed by limpd waters and dazzling coral
reefs; Chantaburi, site of Thailand's largest Christian church,
the Khao Khltchakut and Namtok Phiui national parks which contain
attractive waterfalls, and several shops selling locally mined star
sapphires; and Trat, the province bordering Kampuchea, best known
for its 52-island Ko Chang Marine National Park which is dominated
by Thailand's third largest island.
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Major Regional Events |
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APRIL
Annual Pattaya Festival....................................... Pattaya
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JUNE
Fruits Fair...................................... Chanthaburi &
Rayong |
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OCTOBER
Annual Buffalo Races......................................... Chonburi
Post-Rains Retreat celebrations......................... Bang Phli
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Suggested Itinerary
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Day
1
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Morning
departure for Bangsaen. Visit Chachaengsao's Wat Sothon, Angsila fishing
village before checking in to Bangsaen bungalow/hotel. Overnight stay. |
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Day
2
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Morning:
leisure/golf at Bang Phra/Khao Khiao Open Zoo. Lunch at Si Racha.
Proceed to Pattaya. Check-in hotel Evening: leisure/nightlife |
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Day
3
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Morning:
watersports/tennis/golf/riding, etc. Afternoon: visit Pattaya's Elephant
Kraal for entertaining show. Evening: leisure/nightlife. |
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Day
4
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Full-day
trip to offshore islands/swimming/snorkelling/island exploration.
Evening: leisure/nightlife. |
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Day
5
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Morning:
explore Chomthian Beach/windsurfing/sailing/relaxation. Afternoon:
visit Nong Nooch Village for cultural show. Evening: leisure/nightlife. |
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Day
6
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Explore
beaches south of Pattaya, Bang Sare, Sattahip, Samae San islands,
Ban Phe fishing village. Overnight stay in Rayong. |
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Day
7
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Full-day
trip to Samet island. Overnight stay at nearby Suan Wang Kaew resort. |
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Day
8
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Morning
departure for Chanthaburi. Visit Khao Khitchakut National Park, historic
sites, Thailand's largest Christian church. Overnight stay. |
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Day 9
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Full-day
return journey Trat, visiting Namtok Phliu National Park and Laem
Sing CApe. Evening: shopping for gemstones in Chanthaburi. Overnight
stay. |
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Day
10
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Return
to Bankok, via Klaeng and Chon Buri/or retrace coast road to Pattaya
to enjoy a further stay at Asia's prenmier beach resort. |
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