Rural Life in Rayong
Rural Life in Rayong
Our destination is Rayong province on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand. This is an idyllic location with a 100-km-long coastline. The provincial capital of the same name is a major centre for excellent seafood and tropical fruits grown in the surrounding fertile terrain. Easily accessible from the capital through an average two-hour drive, this is a popular escape for city slickers eager to soak in a more peaceful beach atmosphere, compared to party resorts such as Pattaya. An inherent theme of this excursion is immersion in local communities. This is achieved through participation in various sustainable projects, such as activities that benefit local villages. This journey is also a perfect choice for those who desire a sojourn in blissful Koh Samet. This island is situated 2.6 km off the southern coast of Rayong and it features a lengthy coastline with rustic resorts directly on the sand.
Awards
This programme received the 2023 Thailand Tourism Gold Award
in recognition of its contribution to responsible and sustainable tourism.
Itinerary
Guests are warmly welcomed upon their arrival at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport, or at a Bangkok hotel, depending on individual travel itineraries and taken on a three-hour drive to a serene beach in Rayong province. The first stop is lunch at Laem Charoen Seafood Restaurant, one of the oldest Thai restaurants on the beach near Rayong city. We then head to the selected hotel to check-in. After freshening up, it is time to meet the guide in the lobby and start our sustainable activities at Centre Pra Chedi Klangnam. We will participate in beneficial pursuits such as creating a crab condominium, a structure that helps this important species to thrive. Other possible activities are building a refuse trap in a river, or planting saplings in a mangrove forest. We then transfer back to our respective hotels for dinner and overnight.
Today’s excursion offers a blend of rural tranquillity in Rayong province, followed by the lively atmosphere of Pattaya, a renowned resort city. We discover Rayong from a unique perspective and immerse ourselves in local traditions and activities. We enjoy authentic home-cooked dishes and gain insights into the wisdom and customs of Baan Talay Noi, a small community nestled beside the Prasae River. We explore the community on a tram tour, visit Wat Ratchabarang to learn about King Taksin’s legend and pay homage to Thailand’s last remaining rattan-structured Buddha sculpture. We also experience a traditional hat-making demonstration where community members craft chak woven hats used in their daily agricultural activities and celebrated as their signature product under the OTOP (One Tambon One Product) initiative. Later, we learn about and enjoy Bai Khu tea, a local specialty of the community. Lunch is served at a local restaurant before we continue on our journey to Pattaya. After checking into the hotel, we visit the Sanctuary of Truth, an iconic local structure entirely constructed from teak. This awe-inspiring 105-meter-tall edifice combines elements of a temple and a palace, with intricate carvings of animals, people and mythological scenes, all created with exceptional detail. In the evening, we enjoy a Thai-style seafood dinner at Glass House Silver Restaurant.
After a delicious breakfast, we check-out from the hotel and set off on a leisurely journey. We will gain immersion into eco-tourism at Baan Takian Tia Community in Bang Lamung district in Chonburi, a 40-minute drive from Pattaya. This experience will give us the opportunity to learn about coconut cultivation and how the community has united to preserve a green sanctuary in a rapidly industrialised area. A local villager will give us an insight into efforts to maintain a small slice of the countryside in the rapidly advancing concrete jungle, as this location’s close proximity to Bangkok has made it a prime area for development. We then get hands-on during a floral embroidery bag workshop and get to keep our creation as a perfect souvenir. After lunch with community members, we continue on our way to Bangkok where this tour concludes.
- We reserve the right to make necessary changes to the tour in case of unfavourable weather conditions or situations where we are forced to make alterations to guarantee the safety of our guests;
- Natural elements of any kind have a destructive effect on electronic equipment. It the customer’s own responsibility to ensure that any camera, mobile telephone or other device is properly wrapped and protected against these elements. We cannot be held responsible in any way for negligence and/or not following suggestions for any damage related to this;
- Tours and excursions often include obstacles of various kinds that may not make this excursion suitable for wheelchair users or guests with limited mobility;
- The protection of the country’s flora, fauna and its historical and cultural treasures is of immense importance for us. We will not pursue any activities that are not in line with our animal, wildlife and environment protection principles;
- Please ensure that you bring sunglasses, a hat /cap and sunblock with a high SPF factor when traveling with us. Even when it is cloudy, the sun still has an immense power;
- All mentioned times, durations and stops are based on approximations and may change due to unforeseen circumstances, weather and traffic conditions beyond our control.
- Tours and transfers with licensed English/German-speaking guiding services / assistance. Other languages are on request and are subject to availability;
- Accommodation in sharing twin / double room with air-conditioning;
- Transportation for tour and transfers by air-conditioned vehicle, unless otherwise stated;
- All entrance fees for visits as mentioned in the programme;
- All applicable taxes and service charges;
- All meals as indicated in the programme (food only).
- Voluntary Carbon Offset Compensation: THB 50 per person per day;
- Personal expenses such as other meals, drinks, tips and gratuities, shopping, portage fees and optional tours/ visits, unless otherwise stated;
- Hotel accommodation in the destination of commencement;
- Any domestic / international airline tickets, airport taxes, visa fees, specific camera / video fees, additional transportation cost from and to the general pick-up / drop-off regions (such as airports, out-of-town resorts, ports, harbours and accommodation in surrounding towns);
- Any accommodation expenses of a personal nature. This includes (compulsory festive) meals and drinks, mini-bar consumption, laundry, room service, any telephone or other communication cost not mentioned in the programme;
- International travel and medical insurance coverage for customers.
This is one of our Sustainable Trails, an excursion that maximizes positive impacts on local communities and minimizes negative impacts on the environment in the following ways:
- Eat locally – Enjoy local dishes with authentic flavours, cooked using locally sourced ingredients;
- Stay eco-friendly – Stay overnight in a traditional homestay for a truly Thai experience;
- Experience meaningfully – Learn how to prepare and cook northern-style food from a local expert.
