🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Rayong is the closest beach for anyone in Bangkok who wants a quick escape to clear water. The main destination is Koh Samet, a short ferry ride from Ban Phe pier, with fine white sand, blue-green water, and places to stay that range from budget rooms to upscale resorts. This plan is built to fit a 2-day 1-night window, with plenty of swimming, one night on the island to catch the quieter evening and morning atmosphere, then a trip back to the mainland for seafood at Ban Phe before the drive home.
Before you go: what you need to know
- Catch the ferry at Sri Ban Phe pier — the passenger ferry (the public boat) runs about ฿100–120 per person round trip. The first boat is around 08:00 and the last leaves in the evening; the crossing to Sai Kaew Beach takes about 40 minutes.
- Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet National Park fee — ฿40 for Thai adults, ฿20 for children (฿200 for foreigners), collected when you land on the island. Keep your ticket safe.
- Parking at Ban Phe — private lots around the pier run about ฿60–100 per night, both open-air and covered.
- Best time for clear water — roughly November to May, with open skies and light winds. The rainy season still works, but check the forecast first.
- Cash — many shops on the island and the longtail boats mostly take cash, so bring small bills.
Leave Ban Phe, reach the island, swim, watch the sunset
Tips on where to stay
If you want quiet and privacy, pick the Ao Prao or Ao Nuan side, where there are only a handful of resorts. If you'd rather walk easily to restaurants and a lively beach, stay near Sai Kaew Beach. Room rates on the island rise and fall with the season, so book ahead for long weekends.
Quiet morning by the sea, back to the mainland, seafood, souvenirs
Book the activities in your Rayong trip ahead
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Rough budget (per person)
These figures assume two people sharing accommodation and fuel costs. Treat it as a rough guide; the real price depends on the season and the level of accommodation you choose.
- Round-trip ferry ฿100–120
- National park fee (Thai) ฿40
- Parking for 1 night ฿60–100 (split between you)
- Accommodation, 1 night from about ฿500–1,500 per person, depending on the resort
- Food, 4 meals roughly ฿600–1,000
- Rough total starting around ฿1,500–3,000 per person, not counting fuel
Can you do it without your own car?
Yes. There are vans and buses from Bangkok (Ekkamai) that run straight to Ban Phe pier, taking about 3–3.5 hours. Once you arrive, you can buy a ferry ticket and cross over right away. On the island you can walk to the main beaches, take a songthaew, or rent a motorbike to explore — you don't need your own car.
What's actually worth knowing
During high season and long weekends, the ferries and Sai Kaew Beach get very crowded. To avoid the crush, go on a weekday or catch an early-morning boat, and book your room ahead. In the rainy season the water can turn murky and the waves can pick up, so check the forecast every time before you set off.
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