Nice Places To Visit On The Eastern Coast?

[sushi5734]

I live in Korat and was wondering where would be a nice place to go for a few days on the Eastern Coast. I don't want to offend anyone who lives there but Pattaya just isn't really my cup of tea, I've been a few times and had a laugh, its fine for a P!$$ up with the lads but not really the best place for couples or families!!

What I am really looking for are some nice beaches, good snorkeling and a few laid back beers in the evening.

I've been to Koh Samet and Koh Chang a few times before and was just wondering if there any hidden gems down there?

Thanks

[longball53098]

Two places come to m ind.

1. Koh Samet just a short boat ride from Ban Phe and just down the beach highway another 10 or so clicks is-

2. Mae Phim beach, a small beach community that has nice beaches, no crowds, decent food and places to stay.

[sushi5734]

Two places come to m ind.

1. Koh Samet just a short boat ride from Ban Phe and just down the beach highway another 10 or so clicks is-

2. Mae Phim beach, a small beach community that has nice beaches, no crowds, decent food and places to stay.

Thanks for the info longball I've went to Koh Samet with a few mates when I was backpacking a couple of years ago and I quite liked the island, it was really nice, unfortunatley it was covered in rubbish you would have thought with the 400 baht park entrance fee that they would have a few rubbish bins or paid some guy a few hundred baht to pick up the rubbish on the beaches

I really like the sound of Mae Phim Beach just checking it out on google maps now =]

Sam

[Changian]

Also have a look at the beaches around Chantaburi just a little further along the coast. Laem Sing in particular, several cheap resorts, lots of seafood places and empty beaches - hardly sees any farang tourists.

Google Map Link

[thaigecko]

Longball, I'd have to partly disagree with you on Mae Phim as far as the crowds go, Saturdays and Sundays can be pretty dam_n crowded with the thais coming down on the weekend, but I've found on the weekdays there's almost no one. But yeah, a good mix of various thai and western restaurants.

I like Chao Lao beach/cape area and a couple of the other areas around there, before you get to the town of Chanthaburi. Has a good mix of restaurants/resorts/beaches with some scenic hillsides scattered along the coast.

[longball53098]

Longball, I'd have to partly disagree with you on Mae Phim as far as the crowds go, Saturdays and Sundays can be pretty dam_n crowded with the thais coming down on the weekend, but I've found on the weekdays there's almost no one. But yeah, a good mix of various thai and western restaurants.

I like Chao Lao beach/cape area and a couple of the other areas around there, before you get to the town of Chanthaburi. Has a good mix of restaurants/resorts/beaches with some scenic hillsides scattered along the coast.

Sorry I have never been there on the weekend only during the week.

[Birdman]

Really nice islands can be found in the Koh Chang Archipelago, Koh Kood, Koh Maak and others.

http://www.kohkood.com/weather.html

[suiging]

I think the Rayong Resort Hotel is underated. Beaches just round the corner and a civilized place to use as a base for touring round them.

[KhunDave]

I'll be staying near Mae Phim shortly, and seem to remember having some very good seafood last time I was there - quite a few years ago. Does anyone have any current recommendations? I like the basic, straight off the boat, Cha Am harbour sort of experience.

Thanks for any tips

[sushi5734]

Thanks to everyone for thier suggestions will bare them in mind before I decide where to go =]

how about Koh Si Chang I had presumed that it would be full of farangs due to its proximity to Pattaya but from I've read (albiet in a travel book thats 5 years old) its would seem to be fairly quiet.

Sam

[KhunDave]

I'll be staying near Mae Phim shortly, and seem to remember having some very good seafood last time I was there - quite a few years ago. Does anyone have any current recommendations? I like the basic, straight off the boat, Cha Am harbour sort of experience.

Thanks for any tips

Bit of post-trip feedback that might be of use to someone in the future. I tried several seafood places at Mae Phim beach, the winner by far was Rainbow (English sign). I had the freshest, meatiest Poo Nim I have ever tasted, and I've tasted plenty! Very reasonable prices too.

[Mossfinn]

Thanks for the feedback, did you get anywhere near MaeRamPheung Beach?

[KhunDave]

I did drive through, very quiet, lots of places closed up - it was mid-week though.

[phutoie2]

We go to Mae Phim about twice a year, take my 100L cool box and bring back loads of squid & fish for our neighbours.

Usually stay at the Villa Bali as they do not mind dogs, if well trained!.

Went New Year 07/08, never seen a beach in Thailand so crowded!, good fun though.