Top Beaches The West of the Gulf

Cha-am (Petchburi)
Cha-am beach is located 41 km from Petchburi Province. It comprises the longest sandy beach and is well known as much as Hua Hin that is situated only 20 km from here. It used to be a fisherman's village before it became famous with the royal family. King Rama Vl liked the place so much that he built a summer palace called Phra Ratchaniwet Marukhathayawan, which is now a tourist spot.





Hua Hin (Prachuab Khirikhan)
The tourist destination for many years also the first Thai beach resort,today it is still famous amongst local and international tourists. It is easily accessible from Bangkok with modern infrastructure. The place has an old fisherman's establishment. It is only 200 km from Bangkok, just a two and half hours drive. An ideal place for a weekend retreat.



Pranburi (Prachuab Khirikhan)
Pranburi is the coastline that continues after Cha-am and Hua Hin, it is only 30 km from Hua Hin and part of Prachuab Khirikhan Province. It does not have the most spectacular beach side but it is known for its secluded beach and peaceful environment. Pranburi is a good spot to travel to places nearby such as the Pranburi Park, Park Nam village and Naresuan beach known for its golden beach.



Koh Samui (Surat Thani)
Koh Samui is a famous island well-known around the world, located in the Gulf of THailand. The island is 84 km off coast from Surat Thani Province. The island covers an area of 247 sq km with a 52 km long road built around it. One-third of the area is a plain and surrounded by hills. The best time to enjoy the sea is from January until May. The most well-known beaches are Chawaeng, Na Thien, Lamai and Taling Ngam. The island has many lazy beaches dotted with coconut trees overlooking the pristine blue sea. Most tourists are attracted to visit the island many times. Koh Samui has also become a sea food haven and spa resort for tourists.





Koh Phangan (Surat Thani)
Koh Phangan is located 20 km north of Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. It comprises a white sandy beach,pristine blue sea and natural lush tropical jungle on its green hills. The island is well-known amongst backpackers and tourists for its Full Moon Parties,on the full moon night. However, the island has more to offer other than being a party hub with its scenic Phaeng waterfall sanctuary and other islands accessible from the main island dotting the sea.



Koh Tao (Surat Thani)
A tiny island in the middle of the Gulf of Thailand,off the coast of Surat Thani Province and Chumporn Province. It used to be an island where political prisoners were incarcerated along with Taru Tao Island. However, this island now attracts a large number of tourists for scuba diving and coral reef viewing. It has a coastline and palm fringed beach overlooking the sea. The white sandy beaches are a pheasure to visit with the island hosting the largest number of diving schools. It is suitable for deep sea divers to set a base from where they can go diving. The island has Chaloke Baan Kao Bay,Luek Bay and Tanoad Bay and many other attraction. The island is home to two stone structures laid by King Rama V neary 100 years ago.



From Suvarnabumi vol1 no6

Top Beaches The East of the Gulf

Pattaya (Chonburi)
Located only 150 km from Bangkok, contraining a 15 km sandy beach, Pattaya is known for its beach-side sun andentertainment centers. Today,it is easily accessible and modren in setting providing tourists with all that they need.It has been a major tourist attraction for the last three decades.
Pattaya can be divided into 3 main areas:
1. The northern part is the quietest part of pattaya city. It is the area around thr Dolphin round-about. The Dolphin round-about is the starting point of the northern part of Pattaya. The area consists of residential apartments,restaurants and hotels.
2.The central part of pattaya mainly comprises mainly of smaller shop houses and open air bars. It is also dotted with lines of go-go bars and clothes shops.
3.The southern part of Pattaya is the last turning point of Pattaya province known as the Walking Street lined with shops, Beer bars and sea food restaurants. It has malls and shop houses. Most shop houses are open till late at night.



Bang Saen Beach(Chonburi)
Bang Saen is located only 14 km from Chonburi. It used to be one of the most popular beaches for the local people. It is maked with a road that runs parallel to the beach. The beach is full of shops, makeshift food vendors and sitting areas for rent. The beach is very lively and comprises several water sports activities such as Banana boat and boat trips. Many bicycle rental shops are also found near the beach. It is possible to do a day trip to the beach so ideal for a day's outing.



Koh Chang (Trad)
Located in eastern part of Thailand,Koh Chang is the second largest of the Koh Chang Marine National Park,second only to Phuket. It is maked foe its stony cliffs, lush nature and wild area. The island is full of waterfalls due to its water catchments wild areas. The island flaunts some beautiful waterfalls along with its white sandy beach and pristine blue sea located on its eastern side.



Koh Man Nok (Rayong)
Koh Man Nok is one of the group of three islands called Koh Man islands. The other two are Koh Man Nai and Koh Man Klang. These islands are known for stony cliffs and blue sea and excellent diving sights. However, there is only one resort on the island and it is suitable only for nature lovers.



Koh Samet (Rayong)
Koh Samet is the miracle glass island, made famous by thr legendary Thai poet-Sunthorn Pu. It is the island of great natural beauty of Rayong province. It is famous with both local and foreign tourists and is comprised of 2-3 hillsthat are arranged in an interesting maner onthe northern and western parts of the island. It is known as Koh Samet because of the 'Samet' specie of plant that bears red and white seeds. Previously, villagers would ese them to light fires for living. The island does not have any water source with 80% of the island covered with stony hills and deciduous forest. The rainy season starts in May to September. The island faces some rough weather in May and rains mainly in
August.



From Suvarnabumi Vol1 No6

Different beauty of Andaman/Gulf of Thailand

Seas, wherever they are noted for their beauty. But in the eyes of Dr.Torn, a marine expert who has paid many visits to
Thailand's seas, there is a difference in the coastal areas in the Andaman and the Gulf of Thailand.

He compares the two sides to two women. The Andaman Sea is comparable to a well-dressed outgoing woman who instantly charms onlookers. The Gulf of Thailand is an elegant and reserved woman who gradually reveals the beauty
inside.

"First of all, we need to understand that the sea has its own life. Like humans, sea is diverse. Some women are outgoing and favor colorful clothes,others may be the opposite. We need to ask ourselves what is our type".

"If you want to cherish the blue sky,blue water, white sand and beautiful corals, you should head to the Andaman Sea. The Gulf awaits those who are fascinated with the local ways of life. It's a leisurly destination while the Andaman Sea is for
active person".

"Once getting to the Andaman Sea, you have to be active, going here and there. But in the Gulf, you can sit idly under coconut trees, taking in the view. It's kind of relaxing and that's why it's a good destination for families".

Dr. Torn concluded that in over 30 years of traveling, Thailand's seas have remained charming.
"My first sea tour was when Iwas 6 and I'm still a regular visitor. I have visited seas and islands all over the world, but Thailand's
seas never stop mesmerizing me. Importantly their best charms lie in food and service".

Local ways of life...Thailand's attractions

Thailand's advantages do not end there. Dr.Torn who has traveled to every sea in the world said that adding to the attractiveness
of Thailand's sea are the local ways of life.
"The Maldives offers sea and sand. But here, greeting tourists are also sea people who are ready to show their culture particularly
their food. I can say that our Thai seafood is the best in the world. I have tried seafood all over the world. It's all fresh, but the
difference lies in the sauce. Our fish dish is done in a pan. This is the local wisdom that has been inherited for generations.
Moreover, Thai's smiles and warm gestures as well as the sevice mind are the unique attraction.
"Seas everywhere are beautiful, but making them impressive is details-food, services, diving activities, greetings and accommodations.
Thailand is the best in these regards. Each year,300,000-400,000 foreign tourists visit our beaches, not because of the beauty
but because of our services. Thai beaches are drawing visitors because of a combination of beautiful seas,safety with first- class
medical service, sea rescue units and modern boat technology, as well as superb services. It's the perfect comination".

Thai sea, all-year-round destinations

Thai sea, all-year-round destinations
The second highlight line in the location of the sea which allow tourists to visit in all seasons. While the Andaman Sea
(covering Ranong to Satun) is in the monsoon season from may to november,tourists can enjoy the west of the Gulf of
Thailand(from Prachuab Khiri Khan to Narathiwat). During this period, east of the Gulf (Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi
and Trad) also suffers from storms.
"When the monsoon in the Andaman Sea come to pass, from December and May, it is open for all when the west of the
Gulf will be hit by storms. Our sea is thus open all year round, particularly Hua Hin, Pattaya and Bang Sean. We offers more
choices than other countries".
"Some misunderstand that there are no high waves in Thailand. We're now in fact attracting wind surfers,particularly foreigners
who usually go to sea, particularly to the Andaman Sea,near Phuket, during the rainy season. Yet,wind serfing here may not be
as popular as in Hawii".

Thailand ....where ocean meet

Thailand ....where ocean meet
Dr.Torn Tumrongnawasawat, marine biologist of Kasetsart Univercity,Advisor to Ministry of Natural
Resources and Environment and Advisor to the Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, is known
as a guru of the Thai sea. From his data, Thailand's coastal areas cover 428,000squre kilometers.
There are 900 islands,90,000 rai of coral reef areas, 750,000 rai of mangrove forests, and 2,000 kilometers
of coastal length. Compared to the world,Thailand's sea is small but it portrays the uniqueness that is
rarely found anywhere else.
"Thailand's coastal areas are split between the areas along the Gulf of Thailand (east and west) as part
of the Pacific Ocean's South China Sea and the Andaman Sea which is part of the Indian Ocean.
Thailand is where two oceans meet : one,the Pacific,is the world's biggest ocean and the other,
the Indian Ocean, is the world's smallest and

Amazing Seaside Thailand

Amazing Seaside Thailand
When the summer heat is is replacing the winter,it is the time that Thailand's high season returns.
And there is no better place to go than to'the sea'. Seventy percent of 13 million tourists coming to
Thailand said the sea is the first that draws them to the country. Thailand has 17 coastalprovinces;
4 in the east of the Gulf of Thailand, 6 in the west of the Gulf, and 6 along the Andaman coast.
What has the sea in these provinces to offer? How does it differ from other seas around the world?
What are the specail features of Thailand's sea? Find the answer in this issue of Suvarnabumi Magazine,
as we are indulging in incomparable inspirations for Thai-styled summer breaks.