Destinations

These are the very best seashores close to Bangkok

While most guests to Thailand embody some island time of their itineraries, normally flying or taking the practice or bus down south to move to famed islands like Ko Phi Phi, Samui, or Phuket, those that’ve come for a Bangkok keep can nonetheless slot in a seashore go to a bit nearer to the capital. Here are among the higher selections.

Most Bangkok Thais head to Hua Hin for a combo of fast escape, good resorts, and good meals, however for one thing much less found and with a a lot nicer seashore, head an hour or two additional south to Prachuap Khiri Khan, one of many nation’s higher saved secrets and techniques. Also off the radar is the incredible seashore in Khao Sam Roi Yod National Park. Near to right here additionally, you will discover Pranburi, one other sleepier seashore resort frequented by Thais. Ko Samet will get very busy on the weekends, however it’s the closest factor to an actual island paradise corresponding to what you may discover additional south round Phuket and Koh Samui.

 If you want a fast dose of solar, Ko Larn, which lies simply offshore of Pattaya, is a superb guess (and whole distinction to the soiled overcrowded seashore in Pattaya), with loads of white sand and delightful water, whereas Bang Saen is Bangkok’s nearest seashore, widespread with Thais. Koh Si Chang can also be a cool native escape, as it’s extra widespread for its temples and seafood, however does characteristic one good white sand cove on its west facet, and you will not see too many vacationers right here. 

Cha-am is one other close by resort, in all probability extra famous for its seafood and annual kite competition together with kite-surfing choices as it’s normally windy right here, versus white sand and solar tanning, however if you would like a tropical paradise with squeaky white sand, you are higher off investing extra time and making the jaunt eastward out to Ko Kood, actually certainly one of Thailand’s nicest island escapes.



For years Ko Kood was often called the Bangkok island, because the resorts have been costly, getting right here was exhausting if one did not fly and take a personal boat, and the tropical escape was the house of the Bangkok higher crust. More ferry choices, fairly priced resorts, and the phrase getting out amongst foreigners has modified all that, and Ko Kood not solely is inside hanging distance of Bangkok, however its empty white sand seashores and turquoise water are way more pristine and postcard-worthy than any island you may discover down south. It’s properly definitely worth the effort of getting right here to have a little bit of paradise all to your self.

Recommended for Beaches as a result of: For certainly one of Thailand’s most spectacular paradises, Ko Kood stands alone.

Dave’s skilled tip: You can fly Bangkok Air to Trat after which take a speedboat to Ko Kood in case you are actually trying to get right here quick.

Read more about Ko Kood →


Cha-Am

One of Bangkok’s quickest seashore getaways, Cha-am is filled with Thais on the weekends, as hordes of Bangkokians come right down to eat the recent seafood and escape the town warmth and smog. While the principle seashore right here is nothing particular, additional north you may discover few folks and even some good stretches of white sand. Often lumped along with neighboring Hua Hin, Cha-am is a little more subdued, and there is a superb selection right here of posh personal resorts, such because the taking place BaBa Beach Club, to select from. The seafood right here is excellent, and in case you like kite boarding, or simply typically flying kites, you may like it right here, because the sturdy winds that sweep the area make it a great place to fly. There’s even an annual kite competition held right here yearly, certainly one of Thailand’s extra distinctive native fiestas.

Recommended for Beaches as a result of: For cheap seafood and a fast seashore escape, Cha-am is value a visit.

Dave’s skilled tip: You can get right here by way of minivan from Bangkok, and even constitution a complete personal taxi for round 2,000 baht.

Read more about Cha-Am →


Koh Si Chang

Sleepy Koh Si Chang sees few overseas vacationers. Set within the Bight of Bangkok, it receives quite a lot of delivery barges docked in its port, and for probably the most half, solely will get busy on weekends, when Bangkokians wanting a little bit of a metropolis escape make the fast drive down. There is just one seashore right here, Hat Tham Phang, over on the west facet of the island, which does provide some good white sand and swimming. It’s additionally value coming right here although simply to discover across the small island and its quirky temples, clifftop sundown views, and there may be even an previous colonial palace of King Rama V to take a look at. There is loads of good seafood, and costs are cheap, with none of the hassles of the extra widespread islands. On Si Chang, locals simply stick with their day by day lives, with tourism being a really small a part of it.

Recommended for Beaches as a result of: For the sleepiest seashore escape close to Bangkok, Ko Si Chang is it.

Dave’s skilled tip: To get right here, take a bus from Bangkok’s Ekkamai Eastern bus station for 2 hours to Sri Racha. From the station, take a tuk tuk or bike taxi to the Si Chang pier, from the place it is a 40 minute ferry journey over to the island.

Read more about Koh Si Chang →


Bang Saen

While the seashore itself won’t win any awards, that is the primary seashore you attain on the japanese seaboard from Bangkok, so in case you are searching for a quick, hassle-free escape, that is it. You may even get right here in below an hour from the airport! It’s cheaper than each Pattaya and Hua Hin, nearer than each, and also you get the bonus of getting far much less overseas vacationers. Most of Bang Saen’s guests are Bangkok Thais, and in case you come out throughout the week, you may discover nice resort offers, quiet seafront eating places, and a mellow vibe. Come Friday and Saturday evening although be ready to get together a lot of the evening or carry your earplugs.

Recommended for Beaches as a result of: For Bangkok’s quickest seashore escape, Bang Saen is pretty much as good because it will get.

Dave’s skilled tip: Pattaya certain buses that run from Ekamai Bus Terminal cease at Nong Mon, from the place you possibly can take a shared songthaew. Alternatively, there are minivans from the Victory Market space that go on to Bang Saen each half-hour or so.

Read more about Bang Saen →


Ko Larn

Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis

It is wonderful to suppose that one can discover such clear water simply off the coast of Pattaya and so close to to Bangkok, however right here it’s. Ko Larn is a small isle, reached by a brief ferry or pace boat journey from the pier in Pattaya. It will get very crowded throughout the day with day trippers from Pattaya, however in case you select to spend the evening right here, you’ll have it principally to your self, one million miles from the raucous nightlife throughout the bay.

There are a number of good white sand seashores on Ko Larn, the largest of which is Tawaen on the east facet, a brief bike taxi journey from the port city of Naban. Samae Beach on the west facet can also be very inviting and fewer crowded.Parasailing, banana boat rides, jet skis, and all the opposite water sport actions can be found right here, and there are many locations to eat and sleep must you be tempted to increase your keep.

Recommended for Beaches as a result of: For white sand seashores and a nice Pattaya shock, Ko Larn is tremendous.

Dave’s skilled tip: Ferries run each hour or two to totally different areas on Ko Larn from the Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya, with probably the most frequent departures going to Naban Port. From Naban, bike taxis await passengers to whisk them off to the seashores, or you may as well rent you personal if you wish to software across the island.

Read more about Ko Larn →


Pranburi

It’s solely 30 kilometers south of Hua Hin, however sleepy Pranburi feels worlds away. Bangkokians refill the resorts right here on the weekends, however even then Pranburi stays a nature lover’s dream, with a number of quiet bays that boast fairly seashores in addition to these of Sam Roi Yod National Park in the direction of Pranburi’s southern finish. During the winter, commerce winds make Pranburi a wonderful kite-surfing vacation spot, the recent seafood right here will preserve travellers connoisseur wants sated, and with loads of small family-friendly eco-resorts just like the Aleenta Hua Hin, everybody can get pleasure from this peaceable seashore escape.

Recommended for Beaches as a result of: For a sleepy seashore escape, Pranburi is among the high selections close to Bangkok.

Dave’s skilled tip: You would possibly wish to take into account renting a automobile out of Hua Hin to come back right here, in any other case you may be on the mercy of expensive taxis, as except you’re staying within the small city, a lot of the resorts, nicer bays, and pure sights are a good methods away, all requiring transport.

Read more about Pranburi →


Hua Hin

Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis

Famed for its historical past as a royal residence, Hua Hin stays Bangkok’s hottest weekend seaside getaway. While the 5 kilometer seashore is not something overwhelmingly particular, to not point out fairly crowded with households at its heart, the city nonetheless retains a really native village really feel, with wonderful meals, particularly at its bustling evening market, the place recent fish is served to each desk.

Hua Hin additionally has a wonderful selection of resorts of each value, and is well accessible by rail, bus, and automobile from Bangkok in only a few hours time. To get a extra secluded really feel, keep exterior of city at one of many fancier, hip, and self-contained resorts like Baba Beach Club for an actual escape. Golf programs are additionally in abundance, bringing down scores of Tiger Woods wannabees each weekend, and the city additionally hosts loads of festivals all year long, such because the International Jazz Festival, which pulls high acts from all over the world.

Recommended for Beaches as a result of: For being Bangkok’s nearest good seashore, get pleasure from Hua Hin.

Dave’s skilled tip: The quickest option to get right here by way of public transport is to take the BTS Skytrain in Bangkok to the Victory Monument station, after which seize a minivan from right here. The vans go away all through the day as quickly as they get 10 passengers, and solely price 120 baht, and get to Hua Hin in lower than 2 hours.

Read more about Hua Hin →


Koh Samet

Koh Samet is the closest factor resembling the island paradises you may discover additional south (comparable to Koh Samui or Phuket) with out having to journey removed from Bangkok. While its previous hippie days and sleepy island days are lengthy gone, the island nonetheless boasts good white sand seashores, and the water right here is much cleaner than in locations like Hua Hin or Pattaya. You do must pay a ridiculous “national park” payment of 400 baht, regardless of the island being filled with 7-11s, infinite growth, and nothing suggesting nationwide park standing (aside from in identify), however in case you come throughout the week, you may discover among the seashores fairly quiet, particularly the additional south down the island you go. Sai Kaew seashore will get filled with Thai partiers on weekends, and you will have to share the surf with jet skis and banana boats, however south of Ao Wong Deuan, issues get fairly tranquil.

Recommended for Beaches as a result of: For Bangkok’s quickest actual island escape, Koh Samet is the one.

Dave’s skilled tip: Don’t be mislead by the touts on the Ban Phe boat pier telling you that it’s a must to purchase a return ticket upfront. They are the identical value from the opposite facet.

Read more about Koh Samet →


Khao Sam Roi Yod National Park

Khao Sam Roi Yod is among the higher day journeys a household could make from Bangkok. The National Park has one thing for everybody, from some good seashores to wonderful climbing, sea views, and a magical royal throne positioned inside a mountainside cave. Additionally, the park is residence to a whole bunch of migratory birds which name in right here throughout the winter season.

Besides the quiet seashores, the superb climbing and views, and the over 300 species of birds, a lot of them migrating from Siberia and Europe, probably the most astounding sight right here is the Phraya Nakhorn Cave and its eerie royal thronel pavilion with a 4 gabled roof sitting in the midst of it, Getting to the cave entails a 20 minute climb up over a mountain, from the place one descends into an enormous cavern. In the early morning, mild filters in from the openings and creates a dramatic and surreal impact on the environment.

Recommended for Beaches as a result of: For a mixture of birdlife, surroundings, climbing, seashores, and a surreal cave, Khao Sam Roi Yod is a should go to nationwide park.

Dave’s skilled tip: It’s finest to have your personal transport to get right here, though you possibly can organize a taxi or motorcycle from Pranburi city.

Read more about Khao Sam Roi Yod National Park →


Prachuap Khiri Khan

Prachuap Khiri Khan is certainly one of Thailand’s least found locations. The further hour or two it takes previous Hua Hin to get right here retains the Bangkok weekend escapists at bay. While the principle city seashore is not something particular, you possibly can head to Ao Manao seashore positioned on the Wing 5 Airforce Base property (it’s good to present ID and sign up on the checkpost to entry it) simply exterior of city, which is among the most pristine strips of pure white sand round. During vacation intervals, the Air Force additionally open up entry to climb Khao Lommuak mountain, a steep rock scramble which has been made accessible by way of ropes, giving beautiful panoramas from the highest. There are a lot of cute dusky langur monkeys on the base of the climb, so tame they’re going to even perch in your shoulders for images. Seafood in Prachuap is a few of Thailand’s freshest and most cheap, and there is a pretty evening market alongside the seashore with tons of easy eateries to select from.

Recommended for Beaches as a result of: For Thailand’s most cheap and sleepy seashore escape, Prachuap Khiri Khan is on the high of the record.

Dave’s skilled tip: You can take a bus from Bangkok’s southern bus terminal to get right here, however the morning categorical practice is a sooner and higher choice.

Read more about Prachuap Khiri Khan →


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