Rayong: Thailand’s most overlooked beach town.

Vol. 18 - Jan 2025

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This week we’re in Rayong. A place we’ve driven past many times, always on the way somewhere else, and finally decided to stop for.

It turned out to be a good decision.

Enjoy this weeks List!
Ploy & Jochem

A travel story

Rayong doesn’t make an impression all at once. It grows on you as you move through it.

From our hotel Mercure Rayong Lomtalay Villas & Resort, the beach was immediate. Not something you plan an outing around, just part of the day. Moana liked the walk before breakfast, as she could scout the beach for sea shells.

From there Saengchan Beach became our default. It’s wide and practical, but existing of little ‘cup’ shaped beaches that give you the feeling of being on a private beach. Locals exercise, fishermen sort nets, and families arrive later in the day. It feels like a beach that belongs to the town, not one built to impress visitors.

We drove inland for coffee at Lawon Canal Cafe. Set along a quiet canal, the cafe has a Mediterranean inspired interior with natural wood, soft light, and plenty of greenery. It’s clearly trending, but still relaxed. People stay longer than planned, and so did we!

In Rayong things are well within driving distance. Which is convenient and keeps the energy of the ‘holiday’ flowing. Head north and the road tightens toward Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet National Park. Forest on one side, open water on the other.

Great food is easily found (as in most of Thailand, hihi). Seafood cooked simply, eaten when we were hungry. No reservations, no long waits. Fruit bought by the bag and finished quickly (we’re a big fan of crispy fresh ‘Mamuang’ Green Mango, and Moana’s favorite, bright orange Cantaloupe).

Later that afternoon we ended up near the pier for Ko Samet. Boats were loading, people deciding whether to cross. We stayed on the mainland. Watching departures felt like enough movement, and it kept the rest of the day intact.

What makes Rayong appealing is how complete the days feel without being packed. You can walk, drive a little, see something different, eat well, and still return to the same stretch of coast again. Nothing feels repeated, even when it is.

By the end of our stay, Rayong felt reliable in the best way. A place that gives you good days, one after another, without asking you to organise them too much (this is what makes travel feel tiring in our experience).

Take the days as they come. A fitting description of life in Rayong.

Songs for discovering Thailand: from scenic drives to hidden escapes. New vibes added every week .

Click on any of the tracks below to get in the travel mood.

If you liked this week’s edition, here’s how we’d spend one good day in Rayong.

• 7:30 am : Morning by the water

Start the day close to the sea at Mercure Rayong. Coffee outside if you can. A short walk along the shoreline before the day fills up.

• 9:00 am : Saengchan Beach walk

Head to Saengchan Beach. Wide sand, open space, and locals already into their routines. Walk as far as feels right, enjoy the wind through your hair!

• 11:00 am : Coastal drive north

Follow the road toward Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet National Park. Stop when the view opens up.

• 12:45 pm : Lunch, no plan

Find a local place back toward town. Seafood, rice, something grilled, something spicy. Eat until you’re done, not until you’re full (we’re working on this ourselves ;)

• 2:00 pm : Quiet afternoon choice

Either visit the Rayong Botanical Garden for shade and walking paths, or head back to the hotel for a swim and a book.

• 4:30 pm : Back to the beach

Return to the same stretch of coast near the hotel. It looks different later in the day. Sit, walk, or do nothing in particular.

• 6:30 pm : Dinner nearby

Keep dinner close. Beachside stalls or a simple restaurant within walking distance. Fresh food, quick service, cold drinks.

• 8:30 pm : End the day early

A short walk outside. Pack a little. Sit for a moment before bed. Rayong days don’t ask to be stretched.

• แกงส้มระยอง (Gaeng sôm Rayong) : Rayong’s version of sour curry, sharp and bright, usually with local fish and vegetables.

• ปลาหมึกย่าง (Pla meuk yàng) : Grilled squid, often sold near the beach or markets. Light char, tender inside, served with a simple spicy dipping sauce.

• หอยแครงลวก (Hoi khraeng lûak): Boiled cockles, served warm with seafood sauce. Fresh, briny, and very local.

• Saengchan Beach : A working beach that locals actually use. Best early in the morning or late in the day.

• Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet National Park : A stretch of coast where forest meets open sea. Short walks, wide views, and enough quiet space to sit and look without needing a plan.

• Rayong Botanical Garden : Shaded paths, native plants, and calm corners that invite wandering. An easy place to spend an hour when the day needs a pause.

• Mae Ramphueng Market : A local market near the beach with fruit, snacks, and everyday essentials.

• Prasae Estuary : Where the Prasae River meets the sea, lined with mangroves and fishing boats. Come in the morning to see boats unloading, nets drying, and daily life moving at an unhurried, working pace.

• Suan Son Beach : A long stretch of sand backed by pine trees, popular with locals but rarely busy. Easy to spend hours here without doing anything specific.

• Ban Kon Ao : A small coastal fishing community south of town. Wooden houses, simple piers, and seafood straight from the boats.

Every week we drop new pins onto our Local Secrets Maps - special spots you won’t always find in the guidebooks. Street stalls tucked down alleys, rooftop bars only locals know, temples that feel like they belong to you alone.

This map is just for Insiders, and it grows with every edition - a living guide that keeps unlocking Thailand, piece by piece.

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Each week we uncover local secrets, hidden escapes, and the best food and drinks Thailand has to offer.

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Wishing you save travels,

The Thai List - Your weekly postcard from Thailand 🇹🇭