Rayong
ระยอง · Rayong Province
Population
60K
Budget / Month
$410
Internet
60 Mbps
Best Season
November to February (dry); May-July (fruit season)
About Rayong
Rayong balances Thailand's industrial heartland with genuinely beautiful beaches, lush fruit orchards, and a laid-back coastal lifestyle. While Map Ta Phut hosts one of Southeast Asia's largest petrochemical complexes, just down the road Mae Ramphueng Beach stretches for 12 kilometers of soft sand largely ignored by international tourists.
Rayong is Thailand's fruit capital — durian, rambutan, mangosteen, and longkong orchards carpet the inland hills and the annual fruit festival is a major event. The province also serves as the jumping-off point for Koh Samet.
Rayong city itself is a pleasant, walkable Thai town with excellent seafood markets and a welcoming local atmosphere. The province produces Thailand's best fish sauce, and the signature Nam Pla Wan sweet dipping sauce is a local culinary icon.
Historical Note
Rayong has been a coastal trading and fishing community for centuries. Modern industrial development brought the Map Ta Phut petrochemical complex, while the eastern seaboard remains important for agriculture and fishing.
Best time to visit: November to February (dry); May-July (fruit season)
At a Glance
Thai Name
ระยอง
Province
Rayong
Region
Eastern
Population
60,000
Area
3,552 km²
Elevation
10 m
Postal Code
21000
Local Language
Thai
Cost of Living
budget
/month14,500 THB
~$410 USD
comfortable
/month27,500 THB
~$770 USD
luxury
/month47,500 THB
~$1,340 USD
food
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Street food meal | 40 | 70 |
| Seafood restaurant meal | 150 | 400 |
| Coffee (cafe) | 50 | 100 |
| Beer (bar) | 55 | 80 |
| Water 1.5L | 12 | 18 |
accommodation
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget guesthouse per night | 250 | 600 |
| Beach hotel per night | 600 | 2,000 |
| Beachfront resort per night | 2,000 | 5,000 |
| Monthly apartment | 4,000 | 15,000 |
transport
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Motorbike rental per day | 200 | 300 |
| Bus from Bangkok | 150 | 200 |
entertainment
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Fruit orchard all-you-can-eat | 200 | 400 |
| Thai massage (1 hour) | 200 | 300 |
Internet & Connectivity
Speed Test Averages
vs Bangkok Average (200 Mbps)
30% of Bangkok speed
Providers
Coworking Spaces
1
Weather & Climate
November to February for dry beach weather. May to July for peak fruit season with all-you-can-eat orchard visits. The two seasons offer completely different experiences.
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain (mm) | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32 | 22 | 10 | 65% |
| Feb | 33 | 23 | 20 | 65% |
| Mar | 34 | 24 | 40 | 68% |
| Apr | 35 | 25 | 60 | 70% |
| May | 34 | 25 | 130 | 75% |
| Jun | 33 | 25 | 140 | 75% |
| Jul | 33 | 25 | 150 | 76% |
| Aug | 33 | 25 | 160 | 78% |
| Sep | 32 | 24 | 200 | 80% |
| Oct | 32 | 24 | 180 | 78% |
| Nov | 32 | 23 | 50 | 70% |
| Dec | 31 | 22 | 15 | 65% |
Things to Do
Mae Ramphueng Beach
12 km of mostly empty golden sand — the longest beach in eastern Thailand.
Rayong Fruit Orchards
Visit durian, rambutan, mangosteen, and longkong farms with all-you-can-eat fruit buffets.
Ban Phe Fishing Village
Colorful working fishing port with fresh seafood market and Koh Samet ferry departure.
Tung Prong Thong (Golden Mangrove)
Boardwalk through mangrove forest that turns golden in certain light. Popular photography spot.
Rayong Old Town Walking Street
Weekend night market in the old commercial district with local food and crafts.
Food & Dining
น้ำปลาหวาน
Nam Pla Wan
Rayong's most famous product — sweet fish sauce dip with shrimp paste, palm sugar, and dried shrimp eaten with fruits.
30-60
Market stalls and seafood restaurants
ปลาทูทอด
Pla Too Tod (Fried Mackerel)
Rayong's legendary short mackerel fried crispy with nam prik chili paste.
40-80
Market stalls and local restaurants
กุ้งแช่น้ำปลา
Kung Chae Nam Pla
Fresh Gulf prawns marinated in fish sauce with garlic and chili.
100-200
Seafood restaurants
ผลไม้ตามฤดูกาล
Seasonal Tropical Fruits
Thailand's finest durian, mangosteen, rambutan, and longkong from local orchards.
30-80
Fruit markets and orchards (May-July)
Night Markets
- Rayong Old Town Walking Street
Food Streets
- Ban Phe Seafood Market
Accommodation
Hostel Dorm
200 - 400
THB / night
Budget Hotel
250 - 600
THB / night
Mid-Range
600 - 2,000
THB / night
Luxury
2,000 - 5,000
THB / night
Studio /mo
4,000 - 8,000
THB / night
1BR /mo
5,000 - 15,000
THB / night
Best Areas for Tourists
Best Areas for Long Stay
Booking Tip
Beach hotels are best value on weekdays. Ban Phe guesthouses are basic but convenient for Koh Samet ferries.
Getting There from Bangkok
Bus from Ekkamai
3 hours
150-200 THB
Drive via Motorway 7
2.5-3 hours
Fuel + tolls ~500 THB
Getting Around
Songthaew
LimitedNetwork of shared routes
10-20
Motorbike rental
LimitedEssential for beaches and orchards
200-300/day
Grab
LimitedAvailable but limited
50-120
Neighborhoods
Rayong City Center
Authentic Thai townCompact walkable town with morning markets, shophouses, and local restaurants.
Best for: Local food and culture
Mae Ramphueng Beach Area
Quiet seasideMain beach strip 15 km south. Mix of seafood restaurants and small resorts.
Best for: Beach and relaxation
Ban Phe
Working waterfrontFishing village and Koh Samet ferry port with bustling seafood market.
Best for: Seafood and ferry access
Festivals & Events
Rayong Fruit Festival
The province's biggest event celebrating fruit harvest with parades, contests, and all-you-can-eat orchards.
Songkran
สงกรานต์
Water festival celebrations along the beach road and in town.
Loy Krathong
ลอยกระทง
Floating offerings along the waterfront.
Practical Info
Hospital
Rayong Hospital
Best SIM Provider
AIS
ATM Availability
Common
Language Tip
Very little English spoken. Basic Thai phrases extremely helpful.
Drinking Water
Do not drink tap water.
Tipping Culture
Not expected
7-Eleven Density
Common
Emergency Numbers
Tourist police 1155, Emergency 191
Day Trips
Koh Samet
White sand beaches and clear water. 45-minute ferry from Ban Phe.
Chanthaburi
Gem market, historic waterfront, Vietnamese-influenced cathedral and cuisine.
Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park
Waterfalls, caves, and hiking in tropical forest.
Nearby Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rayong worth visiting or just a transit to Koh Samet?
Definitely worth visiting. Mae Ramphueng Beach is beautiful and empty, fruit orchards are unique, and local food is excellent.
When is fruit season?
Peak May to July. Durian peaks May-June. Mangosteen, rambutan, and longkong follow.
Is Rayong industrial and polluted?
The Map Ta Phut industrial zone is separate. Beaches, orchards, and city center are clean and pleasant.