The East Coast of Thailand
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The first worthwhile stop comes 100km east of Bangkok at the less than scintillating town of Si Racha, which is the point of access for tiny Ko Si Chang, whose dramatically rugged coastlines and low-key atmosphere make it a restful haven. In complete contrast, Pattaya, just half and hour south, is Thailand's number-one package-tour destination, its customers predominantly middle-aged Western and Chinese males enticed by the resort's sex-market reputation and undeterred by its notoriety as the country's most polluted beach. Things soon look up, though, as the coast veers sharply eastwards towards Ban Phe, revealing the island of Ko Samet, the prettiest of all the beach resorts within comfortable bus-ride range of Bangkok.
East of Ban Phe, the landscape starts to get more lush and hilly as the coastal highway nears Chanthaburi, the dynamo of Thailand's gem trade and one of only two provincial capitals in the region wor

Highway 3 extends almost the entire length of the east coast ? beginning in Bangkok as Thanon Sukhumvit, and known as such when it cuts through towns ? and hundreds of buses ply the route, connecting all major mainland destinations. Buses from Bangkok's Eastern (Ekamai) Bus Terminal serve all the provincial capitals and tourist spots; there are a few services here from Bangkok's Northern (Mo Chit) Bus Terminal as well, and tourist minibuses run direct from Banglumphu in Bangkok to the ferry piers for Ko Samet and Ko Chang. One Eastern Line train a day runs in each direction between Bangkok, Si Racha and Pattaya. There's and airport at U-Tapao naval base, midway between Pattaya and Rayong, served by Bangkok Airways flights to and form Ko Samui and Phnom Penh in Cambodia.
Highlights
Ko Si Chang ? Tiny, barely touristed island with craggy coastlines and appealingly laidback ambience. more ?
Pattaya ? Away from the girlie bars and high-rise hotels, there's rewarding year-round wreck and reef diving nearby. more ?
Ko Samet ? Pretty (and popular) little island fringed with dazzlingly white beaches. more ...
Ko Chang ? Large, sparsely populated island, with several good beaches and lots of accommodation. more ...
Ko Mak ? Stay in a teepee-hut on this diminutive island with fine white-sand beaches. more ...
reference info. by The Rough Guide
TAG
Samet Island
Pattaya
Eastern Bus Terminal(Ekamai)
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