The
first Day's drive follows the Sukhumvit Road divided
highway (H3) past Rayong's industrial area to Key
Point 12 and the pleasant coastline from Ban Phe to
Laem Mae Phim. Stay overnight on Ko Samet or visit
the island for a day trip (ferry time approx. 45 minutes),
returning to stay at a resort east of Ban Phe along
H3145.
The
inland route (H36) via Key Points 3, 8 and 11 is direct,
but has slow, heavy traffic. Places to visit along
H3, a divided highway, include Sattahip (continue
south at Key Point 9), a market town serving the extensive
naval facilities nearby, and Hat Phayun beach near
the industrial area of Map Ta Phut (just before Ban
Chang turn south near KM. 192).
Go
to Ban Phe on H3140 from Key Point 12 (or go via Hat
Mae Ram Phung, turning off H3 after KM. 229), passing
a small museum before reaching the bustling market
in the old part of town. The port has several piers
which serve Samet island and provide parking with
overnight security.
DAY
1: SIDE TRIPS
BAN
AMPHOE - ST 1
Good
seafood restaurants are located at Ban Amphoe (West
turn towards beach off H3 at KM.158) and Ban Sarae
(Turn towards coast off H3 at KM.165)
WAT
YANG SANG WARARAM - ST2
Wat
Yang Sang Wararam (KM. 160 left turn. 5 kms.) A first
class royal temple, Wat Yang has large grounds containing
unusual structures that include a Chinese-style vihara
housing Tang dynasty bronzes (Vihara Sien), a hill-top
mondop with Buddha foot-prints (Khao Din), and a huge
Buddha image fashioned on a cliff (Khao Chi Chan).
LAEM
CHAROEN - ST 3
Go
to Laem Charoen (KM. 220 south turn in middle of Rayong
City. 3 kms) to look at a modern fishing community
and to eat at Laem Charoen Seafood.
KO
SAMET
Hat
Sai Kaew is the finest of white sand beaches. Like
those of Ao Wong Duan 
Beach, these resorts get crowded at week-ends. The sunset
beach of Ao Phrao and the beaches south of Ao Wong
Duan are more tranquil.
Resorts
on Sa-met generate their own electricity and import
water from the mainland. Local pick-ups ply the island's
unsealed tracks.
Piers
on Ban Phe offer safe overnight parking, arranging
boat transport directly to the beach you plan to stay
(take what you need and lock possessions out of sight).
Corporate
Housing
