Bangsaen And Sri Racha Area.

[BKK90210]

Hi

I need info on Chonburi and specifically…..Bangsaen and Sri Racha area.

Would you live there? Why or why not? And which specific area(s) do you recommend?

I’m married to a thai, not into the nightlife, drinking, or smoking. I also enjoy eating thai foods very much and this is the number one reason why I want to move to Thailand from the US, beside the warmer weather. Both of us are young professional yuppies, no kid yet, under 50, and will be working from home via internet for our oversea clients ....so good/reliable internet access is a must, in a nice/decent area and having a seaview is a big plus for our future home.

We had thought about Rayong or Bangsare originally, but both places seem to be too far from the airport which we will be going there quite often.

Any honest opinion out there?

Thanks in advance

BKK family

Edited September 29, 2006 by BKK90210

[wilko]

Hi

I need info on Chonburi and specifically…..Bangsaen and Sri Racha area.

Would you live there? Why or why not? And which specific area(s) do you recommend?

I’m married to a thai, not into the nightlife, drinking, or smoking. I also enjoy eating thai foods very much and this is the number one reason why I want to move to Thailand from the US, beside the warmer weather. Both of us are young professional yuppies, no kid yet, under 50, and will be working from home via internet for our oversea clients ....so good/reliable internet access is a must, in a nice/decent area and having a seaview is a big plus for our future home.

We had thought about Rayong or Bangsare originally, but both places seem to be too far from the airport which we will be going there quite often.

Any honest opinion out there?

Thanks in advance

BKK family

Yes ...I would and I do.

If you send me a PM with some details I'll give you some info.

THey are both places where property is relatively expensive....Sri Racha has many Japanese businessmen and their families and Bang Saen is a popular Thai resort.

[Mobi]

I used to own a 4 bed house in a very large spacious 'village' (estate) on the outskirts of Bang Saen, about 5 mins drive from the beach.

I spent quite a bit of time there with my family, off and on, and grew to like Bang Saen a lot. It changed considerably during my time there, and I know it has changed more since - for starters there is now a large, up market hotel by the beach, that wasn’t there in my days.

Bang Saen is a university town, and there is a large transient student pollution. The area around the university iis awash with food markets, street markets etc. The "Saveland" supermarket, and cinema complex is also in that area.

If you are into Thai food, you will be spoilt for choice, from traditional noodle/ rice shop houses, to proper restaurants, and a vast array of delicious. reasonably priced sea food establishments. Not much choice in the farang food line, but no doubt that is/has changed, as I suspect they attract a growing number of farang tourists/residents to the area.

At last count there were 3 massage parlours, masses of open air and covered Thai night clubs, including a massive 4 story affair, plenty of Thai pubs and other live music establishments.

The beach is similar to Pattaya - very long, with a road running along side it, but much cleaner. The food vendors etc take great pride in keeping the beach clean, and when I used to take my early morning runs, there was a veritable hive of activity, cleaning up from the previous day's visitors. 99% of the holiday makers are Thai, and they mainly come at weekends - especially long weekends and during school holidays. On normal weekdays, the beach area is very quiet. A majority of holiday makers are day trippers and are usually gone by mid afternoon. On special occasions, like new Year, or Chinese New year, you need to stay indoors, as things get pretty chaotic, and traffic is gridlocked.

If you go past Bang Saen beach to Wannapa beach, it is pretty quiet, and very pleasant and clean as most Thais seem to prefer the hustle and bustle of the main beach.

There are also many little beach coves, and coast with public beach access, along the Sukhumvit road, between Bang Saen and Sri Racha, and also some lovely little Thai resorts.

The Thais are much less used to farangs, generally speak little or no English, but are very friendly and don't automatically assume you are a "mark" to be taken advantage of, or ripped off. That may change as the place opens up more. Crime used to be very low, and there is verty little poverty.

Access to Bangkok is very good and getting better - the Motorway, or elevated Bang Na Expressway, is not far, and it's about 20 minutes drive to Sri Racha, where they have a large Robinson's department store, with a Tops supermarket, and multi cinema complex. We used to go there maybe twice a week, for our big shopping, and just to mooch around the store and take in a movie.

Pattaya is about 40 minutes away.

Ang Sila is just around the coast, and is still a relatively unspoilt fishing village, with some charming sea food places, as well as a large fresh market.

Tesco's is about 15 minutes drive towards, Chon Buri town, together with Macro and a few other large stores.

Obviously there are a number of fresh food and fish/seafood markets.

I think inland housing is still pretty cheap, but you will pay a large premium for a sea view. You will need to check that out.

The above info is probably a bit out of date as I haven't been there for about 4 years. Anyone who lives there can no doubt up date it.

I wouldn't live in Sri Racha - but no doubt others would have a different viewpoint.

[bangsaenguy]

I used to own a 4 bed house in a very large spacious 'village' (estate) on the outskirts of Bang Saen, about 5 mins drive from the beach.

I spent quite a bit of time there with my family, off and on, and grew to like Bang Saen a lot. It changed considerably during my time there, and I know it has changed more since - for starters there is now a large, up market hotel by the beach, that wasn’t there in my days.

Bang Saen is a university town, and there is a large transient student pollution. The area around the university iis awash with food markets, street markets etc. The "Saveland" supermarket, and cinema complex is also in that area.

If you are into Thai food, you will be spoilt for choice, from traditional noodle/ rice shop houses, to proper restaurants, and a vast array of delicious. reasonably priced sea food establishments. Not much choice in the farang food line, but no doubt that is/has changed, as I suspect they attract a growing number of farang tourists/residents to the area.

At last count there were 3 massage parlours, masses of open air and covered Thai night clubs, including a massive 4 story affair, plenty of Thai pubs and other live music establishments.

The beach is similar to Pattaya - very long, with a road running along side it, but much cleaner. The food vendors etc take great pride in keeping the beach clean, and when I used to take my early morning runs, there was a veritable hive of activity, cleaning up from the previous day's visitors. 99% of the holiday makers are Thai, and they mainly come at weekends - especially long weekends and during school holidays. On normal weekdays, the beach area is very quiet. A majority of holiday makers are day trippers and are usually gone by mid afternoon. On special occasions, like new Year, or Chinese New year, you need to stay indoors, as things get pretty chaotic, and traffic is gridlocked.

If you go past Bang Saen beach to Wannapa beach, it is pretty quiet, and very pleasant and clean as most Thais seem to prefer the hustle and bustle of the main beach.

There are also many little beach coves, and coast with public beach access, along the Sukhumvit road, between Bang Saen and Sri Racha, and also some lovely little Thai resorts.

The Thais are much less used to farangs, generally speak little or no English, but are very friendly and don't automatically assume you are a "mark" to be taken advantage of, or ripped off. That may change as the place opens up more. Crime used to be very low, and there is verty little poverty.

Access to Bangkok is very good and getting better - the Motorway, or elevated Bang Na Expressway, is not far, and it's about 20 minutes drive to Sri Racha, where they have a large Robinson's department store, with a Tops supermarket, and multi cinema complex. We used to go there maybe twice a week, for our big shopping, and just to mooch around the store and take in a movie.

Pattaya is about 40 minutes away.

Ang Sila is just around the coast, and is still a relatively unspoilt fishing village, with some charming sea food places, as well as a large fresh market.

Tesco's is about 15 minutes drive towards, Chon Buri town, together with Macro and a few other large stores.

Obviously there are a number of fresh food and fish/seafood markets.

I think inland housing is still pretty cheap, but you will pay a large premium for a sea view. You will need to check that out.

The above info is probably a bit out of date as I haven't been there for about 4 years. Anyone who lives there can no doubt up date it.

I wouldn't live in Sri Racha - but no doubt others would have a different viewpoint.

Bang Saen even has a TOPPS supermarket. A lot of new home building going on aimed mostly at the Thai market. We built an new home 2 years ago. I love the place. Cheapest seafood in the country. Busy on the weekends with BKK beachgoers. New airport near. Can be in Pattaya in about 50 minutes. Very few farangs.

[nonameidentified]

Hi

I need info on Chonburi and specifically…..Bangsaen and Sri Racha area.

Would you live there? Why or why not? And which specific area(s) do you recommend?

I’m married to a thai, not into the nightlife, drinking, or smoking. I also enjoy eating thai foods very much and this is the number one reason why I want to move to Thailand from the US, beside the warmer weather. Both of us are young professional yuppies, no kid yet, under 50, and will be working from home via internet for our oversea clients ....so good/reliable internet access is a must, in a nice/decent area and having a seaview is a big plus for our future home.

We had thought about Rayong or Bangsare originally, but both places seem to be too far from the airport which we will be going there quite often.

Any honest opinion out there?

Thanks in advance

BKK family

I live in sri racha and so far we're pretty content with life here. Before that we've considered Bangsaen and Pattaya too. But since both my husband and me don't speak Thai that well, Bangsaen can be tough to manage. And as for Pattaya, it's little too far away for my husband who works at Amata Nakorn.

Well, since Bangsaen is already pretty well discribed by Mobi d'ark, I shall give a little more details on Sri racha in my point of view. Well, As said by Mobi D'ark, there are some Japanese community at Sri racha so you can find a wide array of Japanese restaurants. There are some western restaurants and good choice of thai food too.

If you would like to get some fresh seafood, fruits and vegetables, there's a big wet market by the roundabout of the clock tower. There is also a night market with different themes every night for the night shoppers (Monday and Tuesday food and some little knick-knacks, Wednesday specialises in Food and Thursday to Sunday full array of clothes, food, and all sorts of stuff). It's like a little Chatuchak if you need a better idea.

Massage parlours,...hmm. About at least 10 of them. I like Thai massage and so if you need some recommendation, you can let me know!

Then, there's a Robinsons departmental store that has other than Robinsons, a bowling alley, cineplex, about 10-15 restaurants, 2 food courts, Tops Supermarket, bookstores, and lots of little boutiques selling clothes, jewellery, handphones, electronics, etc.

Not far away from Robinsons is Comcity. A shopping centre specialising in computer stuff. You can also get your computers repaired there too of course. They have a few restaurants, and boutiques selling mobile related stuff and pirated and original CDs, DVDs, VCDs. There's also a Tops supermarket there. You can also grab the bus there to Bangkok.

And as for the internet, I'm using ADSL here and almost all the condominiums and houses here can have access to ADSL. Wifi is expanding.

There are a couple of bars and clubs and karaokes at the centre too. But since nightlife is not your choice, I'll skip the details on this.

There are two very good hospitals here called Phyathai and Samitivej. Both have all the specialists and pretty good service. My sister who's a lecturer for the nurses was really surprised by the high standard they hold at these hospitals. There's also another government hospital which is mainly visited by Thai locals.

Driving to the new airport from Sriracha is about 1 hour and 10mins.

And as for the seaview, there's quite a number of condominiums and villas by the sea. I live at a condo by the sea too. So, take a pick!

I hope these info are of help to you. But I think the best choice is to visit and see for yourself!

[Patex]

M D'A,

Really good post, thank you for that!

I expected sj would have to tell us something... wrong guess

[BKK90210]

Thanks all for taking the time to reply.

Wow there are a lot of detailed information and insights there about the cities, and it’s reconfirming with my prior knowledge of both places. I’ve never seen these places only a few photo and scattered of info here and there over the net and on google earth. But from the descriptions they both sound very interesting.

I want to experience the real Thailand and the thai people during the next 5 yrs of living there and what a better way to do than living among them. I don’t know why but I like going to the thai food markets with many vendors selling all kind of delicious and creative offerings. The sight, sound, and the smell have always excited me. Here you go around and somehow the food seems fresher, and it is outside! If there is a covering, it is sometimes torn piece of tarp or something as low-tech, and that is part of its charm to me, I guess. Whether the food is really fresher, or whether some dish is really cheaper, is highly questionable. But at least it is more attractive to me as opposed to going to a huge shopping center and its foodcourt. It's good that both places have a lot of such markets.

I very don’t know at this point where will we be exactly or even what is our ideal neighborhood? We had thought about the exact location many hundred times over but no such luck yet. Someplace where it is treed, on the hill w/ sunset & seaview, quiet, but yet close to downtown, relatively low traffic, having a sense of serenity in the midst of or nearby the hustle & bustle – yet at the same time you have an option of without taking a car, you can also get into the heart of activities or shoppings with public transportations. Here where I’m living now – Seattle - there are a lot of those neighbourhoods. If we can find someplace that is pretty close to the one we’re living in now, we will be very happy. Now at least we’re narrowing our target area instead of all over the map along eastern seaboard!

After reading many posts we are now leaning toward someplace between Bangsaen beach and just before SriRacha – this way we will get the best of both places have to offer.

I’m sure there will be enough new things to see, learn and experience during these 5 yrs, we will feel like a kid again, full of much wonderment – discovering new ways of life, food, places, people, and politics oh boy!. Except the most difficult thing for us to accept will be the constant dangerous situations and manoeuvres you'll see almost every time you drive on the roads!

If any of you or those out there have any more info about a good/decent residential area between Bangsaean beach-SriRacha, it will be much appreciated.

Thanks all again for those wonderful insights

BKK family

[sriracha john]

M D'A,

Really good post, thank you for that!

I expected sj would have to tell us something... wrong guess

I've been contemplating how to phrase my thoughts and feelings, but at this point and nothing personal against the OP, the last thing Sriracha needs is more people.

Many of my town's positive features are gone now due to the huge influx of people, both Thai and foreigners, over the past seven years. It's much less appealing now than it was before.

Many negative features, that didn't exist years ago, have taken hold and likely will be with us forever, which is something I have to come to grip with.

Oh well, I suppose that's "progress."

Having travelled all over Thailand and seeing what's available, I know if I was new and coming to Thailand, I wouldn't settle here. Having settled here now for quite some time, moving is not an easy decision to make.

[Tammi]

Having travelled all over Thailand and seeing what's available, I know if I was new and coming to Thailand, I wouldn't settle here. Having settled here now for quite some time, moving is not an easy decision to make.

Where would you go now in Thailand?

[sriracha john]

That would be a secret...

[BKK90210]

Since my choice of home and workplace is very limited, I especially will find it intriguing to learn more about it. What is good from your post if you’re not willing to share you thought on the city?

A common knowledge as the city grows, it comes the possible side effects on the environment and quality of life. Whether it’s negative or positive, I’m sure many of us will find your opinion helpful and worthwhile to read. It would be helpful to many of us, including me & my wife, who’re contemplating on making the place our home. This way – ahead of time - we all can find the way to managing the negative crisis/problems rather than to just merely anticipating them. Since you didn’t have any comments on Bangsaen area, I can assume it’s better than SriRasha, in your opinion right?

[Khutan]

Bang Saen even has a...

Huge Traffic Jam ???

As my family is Thai, they love going there. Then the near hour-long traffic-jam to get back to the highway, they are realising it is not he premier "Weekend resort" they think it is. A Thai guy who works for me lives there and can't wait to move out.

Sri-Racha, well the few times I have been there its now like any other "Far Outer" suburb of a major city that claims to be better than all the other "Far Outer" Suburbs like Nontaburri, Talling Chan, SaraBuri, etc etc.

Personaly I would think about Samut Prakhan

[Mobi]

Bang Saen even has a...

Huge Traffic Jam ???

As my family is Thai, they love going there. Then the near hour-long traffic-jam to get back to the highway, they are realising it is not he premier "Weekend resort" they think it is. A Thai guy who works for me lives there and can't wait to move out.

Sri-Racha, well the few times I have been there its now like any other "Far Outer" suburb of a major city that claims to be better than all the other "Far Outer" Suburbs like Nontaburri, Talling Chan, SaraBuri, etc etc.

Personaly I would think about Samut Prakhan

Well, unless it has changed dramtically in the last 3-4 years, as I said in my original post, there are traffic jams on Sunday afternoons when all the day trippers go home at the same time, and on major holidays. Outside of that, traffic usually flows very smoothly.

My ex grandparents -in-law who moved there, after a litetime in Bangkok, absolutely adore it, and when I stayed there, I made friends with quite a lot of middle class, professional Thais who would never live anywhere else. They were very comfortable with Bang Saen life. I even knew a few who commuted to Bangkok to work every day, and others who stayed in BKK during the week and came home for their weekends to Bag Saen.

I guess it's horses for courses, but I never heard a negative comment from people who lived there - just the day trippers , all trying to get to Sukhumvit at around 3 pm on a Sunday afternoon

Sumuk Prakhan? You'must be joking!

[bangsaenguy]

Bang Saen even has a...

Huge Traffic Jam ???

As my family is Thai, they love going there. Then the near hour-long traffic-jam to get back to the highway, they are realising it is not he premier "Weekend resort" they think it is. A Thai guy who works for me lives there and can't wait to move out.

Sri-Racha, well the few times I have been there its now like any other "Far Outer" suburb of a major city that claims to be better than all the other "Far Outer" Suburbs like Nontaburri, Talling Chan, SaraBuri, etc etc.

Personaly I would think about Samut Prakhan

Well, unless it has changed dramtically in the last 3-4 years, as I said in my original post, there are traffic jams on Sunday afternoons when all the day trippers go home at the same time, and on major holidays. Outside of that, traffic usually flows very smoothly.

My ex grandparents -in-law who moved there, after a litetime in Bangkok, absolutely adore it, and when I stayed there, I made friends with quite a lot of middle class, professional Thais who would never live anywhere else. They were very comfortable with Bang Saen life. I even knew a few who commuted to Bangkok to work every day, and others who stayed in BKK during the week and came home for their weekends to Bag Saen.

I guess it's horses for courses, but I never heard a negative comment from people who lived there - just the day trippers , all trying to get to Sukhumvit at around 3 pm on a Sunday afternoon

Sumuk Prakhan? You'must be joking!

Traffis is bad Saturday and Sunday. We plan our shopping around those days and stay home most weekends. However, if you live there, you know the shortcuts and can get around. Can drive to Robinson's in Sriracha in 15-20 minutes. Samut Prakhan?

[Poverty Packer]

Somehow I just don't think the OP is going to find his Thailand version of Seattle here. LOL

[sriracha john]

Not in Sriracha, anyway...

[i]*I say that having lived in both areas*[/i]

Edited October 1, 2006 by sriracha john

[Tammi]

That would be a secret...

Fair enough, you won't tell us best place. How about 2nd best place?

[sriracha john]

ok, that's fair enough, as well.

#2 on the Preferred Spots List would be an area within Trang province.

[bangsaenguy]

I very don’t know at this point where will we be exactly or even what is our ideal neighborhood? We had thought about the exact location many hundred times over but no such luck yet. Someplace where it is treed, on the hill w/ sunset & seaview, quiet, but yet close to downtown, relatively low traffic, having a sense of serenity in the midst of or nearby the hustle & bustle – yet at the same time you have an option of without taking a car, you can also get into the heart of activities or shoppings with public transportations. Here where I’m living now – Seattle - there are a lot of those neighbourhoods. If we can find someplace that is pretty close to the one we’re living in now, we will be very happy. Now at least we’re narrowing our target area instead of all over the map along eastern seaboard!

After reading many posts we are now leaning toward someplace between Bangsaen beach and just before SriRacha – this way we will get the best of both places have to offer.

I’m sure there will be enough new things to see, learn and experience during these 5 yrs, we will feel like a kid again, full of much wonderment – discovering new ways of life, food, places, people, and politics oh boy!. Except the most difficult thing for us to accept will be the constant dangerous situations and manoeuvres you'll see almost every time you drive on the roads!

If any of you or those out there have any more info about a good/decent residential area between Bangsaean beach-SriRacha, it will be much appreciated.

Thanks all again for those wonderful insights

BKK family

Between Sriracha and Bang Saen there are two 2 housing developments, both seaside. One is Heritage and is expensive, up to around 12 million, i believe. the other is Casa Lunar. Not sure about prices there. Both are on Sukhumvit between Sriricha and Nong Mon before the Nong Mon bypass if you are driving from Sriracha. I recall a new development south of Sriracha, too. Not on seaside. Across RR tracks. Can't recall the name. Sriracha John probably can. Kinda on hill? Maybe just now in completion stage?

[Tammi]

Somehow I just don't think the OP is going to find his Thailand version of Seattle here. LOL

I agree. I know that part of the west coast and it is soooooo beautiful, and clean and organised and I found it sooooo boring.

A good place for OP to look might be one of the village condos on Dongtan Beach at Jomthien. Ones that come to mind are Jomthien Condotel and Grand Condotel. Very peaceful as the villages are a buffer to Tappraya Road. And clean, fresh air off the Gulf. And sunsets! Short walk to baht buses.

[nonameidentified]

Well, It all goes down to each individual's preference. what I see as a plus is perhaps not for another. For me, since I cannot speak Thai well, towns that are more Thai spoken is rather tough for us.

At the beginning we thought of renting a house instead of a condo. But then we thought we'll be in great difficulty getting a technician or plumber when some stuff is broken or stuff like that. Not that we want to be spoon fed but we thought a better choice is to take some time to learn Thai and understand their culture before we move on.

One's thing for sure is that we felt that living in Bangkok's too polluted and congested. And as for Pattaya, we felt like tourists rather. Sri Racha is a good compromise for us to see the culture and life the typical Thais for a start.

That's my point of view that is.

[BKK90210]

Between Sriracha and Bang Saen there are two 2 housing developments, both seaside. One is Heritage and is expensive, up to around 12 million, i believe. the other is Casa Lunar. Not sure about prices there. Both are on Sukhumvit between Sriricha and Nong Mon before the Nong Mon bypass if you are driving from Sriracha. I recall a new development south of Sriracha, too. Not on seaside. Across RR tracks. Can't recall the name. Sriracha John probably can. Kinda on hill? Maybe just now in completion stage?

I agreed

Heritage: is quite expensive and why did they have to put up 23units-4 stories townhome next to the beach!....blocking the seaview for the rest of the single homes. Most of the lots had already been sold! – to the flippers from Bangkok?

Casa Lunar: Where is it?....couldn’t find any info on them

And there are these two

SriRacha Home: This is a small new development along Sukumvit – right side - on the way to Bangsaen from SriRacha, 1km before you hit Robinson – good price, but too close to Sukumvit road therefore it will be too noisy!

Bangsaen Mahanakon: very big development, decent location, reasonably priced, but the house styles are nothing to be desired - sort of ugly cottage style!

[Tammi]

Between Sriracha and Bang Saen there are two 2 housing developments, both seaside. One is Heritage and is expensive, up to around 12 million, i believe. the other is Casa Lunar. Not sure about prices there. Both are on Sukhumvit between Sriricha and Nong Mon before the Nong Mon bypass if you are driving from Sriracha. I recall a new development south of Sriracha, too. Not on seaside. Across RR tracks. Can't recall the name. Sriracha John probably can. Kinda on hill? Maybe just now in completion stage?

I agreed

Heritage: is quite expensive and why did they have to put up 23units-4 stories townhome next to the beach!....blocking the seaview for the rest of the single homes. Most of the lots had already been sold! – to the flippers from Bangkok?

Casa Lunar: Where is it?....couldn’t find any info on them

And there are these two

SriRacha Home: This is a small new development along Sukumvit – right side - on the way to Bangsaen from SriRacha, 1km before you hit Robinson – good price, but too close to Sukumvit road therefore it will be too noisy!

Bangsaen Mahanakon: very big development, decent location, reasonably priced, but the house styles are nothing to be desired - sort of ugly cottage style!

Developers usually always first do the bit furthest from the view. If you want to keep your view you have to make pretty sure that nothing can be built in front of you or further forward at the sides blocking those views too. Look what happened at Dongtan Beach. Powers that be decided that View Talay could build its monstrosity 50 meters (100 meters?) closer to the beach and have effectively closed the south view that Grand Condo had. Apparently, how much closer to the beach hi-rises can be built is reviewed every 5 years.

[bangsaenguy]

Between Sriracha and Bang Saen there are two 2 housing developments, both seaside. One is Heritage and is expensive, up to around 12 million, i believe. the other is Casa Lunar. Not sure about prices there. Both are on Sukhumvit between Sriricha and Nong Mon before the Nong Mon bypass if you are driving from Sriracha. I recall a new development south of Sriracha, too. Not on seaside. Across RR tracks. Can't recall the name. Sriracha John probably can. Kinda on hill? Maybe just now in completion stage?

I agreed

Heritage: is quite expensive and why did they have to put up 23units-4 stories townhome next to the beach!....blocking the seaview for the rest of the single homes. Most of the lots had already been sold! – to the flippers from Bangkok?

Casa Lunar: Where is it?....couldn’t find any info on them

And there are these two

SriRacha Home: This is a small new development along Sukumvit – right side - on the way to Bangsaen from SriRacha, 1km before you hit Robinson – good price, but too close to Sukumvit road therefore it will be too noisy!

Bangsaen Mahanakon: very big development, decent location, reasonably priced, but the house styles are nothing to be desired - sort of ugly cottage style!

Casa Lunar is on Sukhumvit about 1.5 km nearer Bang Saen.

There are more developments on the Nong Mon bypass. don't know the names. I'll ask my wife.

[arthurriding]

Between Sriracha and Bang Saen there are two 2 housing developments, both seaside. One is Heritage and is expensive, up to around 12 million, i believe. the other is Casa Lunar. Not sure about prices there. Both are on Sukhumvit between Sriricha and Nong Mon before the Nong Mon bypass if you are driving from Sriracha. I recall a new development south of Sriracha, too. Not on seaside. Across RR tracks. Can't recall the name. Sriracha John probably can. Kinda on hill? Maybe just now in completion stage?

I agreed

Heritage: is quite expensive and why did they have to put up 23units-4 stories townhome next to the beach!....blocking the seaview for the rest of the single homes. Most of the lots had already been sold! – to the flippers from Bangkok?

Casa Lunar: Where is it?....couldn’t find any info on them

And there are these two

SriRacha Home: This is a small new development along Sukumvit – right side - on the way to Bangsaen from SriRacha, 1km before you hit Robinson – good price, but too close to Sukumvit road therefore it will be too noisy!

Bangsaen Mahanakon: very big development, decent location, reasonably priced, but the house styles are nothing to be desired - sort of ugly cottage style!

Casa Lunar is brilliant, not surprising really as we have recently bought one of the units there! All the very best units closest to the beach have now gone except a few units right by the beach itself - but those are very expensive indeed. However, the rest of the development has reasonable prices. Prices are based around the size of the plot and the type of unit you want. A good choice of house designs, some really lovely, which they are quite happy to modify to your requirements. If you go for the very cheapest you can get land for around 1 to 2 million baht and the house built for another couple of million but obviously for larger plots and bigger houses you pay more. The developers are Benyapha Properties, at www.benyapha.com

The real selling point for us was the great beach (inc palm trees!) which the developer had made by importing thousands of tons of proper sand (as the sand in the area is not great) plus a magnificent pier stretching for a hundred metres or so into the sea so you cen get right out into the sea without getting your feet wet. Combine that with what looks like it will be a great club house (due to be finished in Feb 07) with gym, restaurant, pool, massage etc., and excellent site security, we couldn't really ask for more.

We looked at a large number of properties along the coast , including Hua Hin, but Casa Lunar at Bang Saen was the one that, for us, seemed just perfect. Sorry to sound a bit like an advertisement for Casa Lunar, but we think its reallly wonderful!

[BKK90210]

Arthur: Many thanks for the link. I agree the architecture styles look nice and interesting along w/ adequate greenery of the openspace area in their site planning. I will email them today for the pricing schedule since it seems to be missing along with the floor plans of those houses.

Please let me know if you have knowledge of any other places around that area, I will be greatly appreciated.

BKK family

Edited October 10, 2006 by BKK90210

[wilko]

What about a good place to RENT in Bang Saen?

[BKK90210]

Are you asking for information for yourself….or specifically asking me as why I’m not considering first on a rental?

Right now I’m just taking notes and gathering info as much as possible so I would have a good mental imagEs of the city before I get there. Well for me, yes of course I’m planning to rent first for about 6-12 mos. I want to see the area at different times of the year, especially during monsoon season, are there rough neighbourhoods where we might feel unsafe?, and distance/easy access to our daily activities. I & my wife will have to map all these out first before buying or building. We just want to make sure our future home will be an enjoyable place to live in, clean/well kept, safe, and hopefully a place where you can go almost anywhere, anytime, and not worry about being attacked.

In fact I just had an offer for a house by the beach for 12000 bths a month from a friend of her family. The guy is from HongKong, but having a mistress & 2 kids w/ her in Thailand and the house is now seem a bit too small for them eventhough it’s a 4 bedrooms! So they just went out and bought a more palatial home and had to hire someone for the housesitting of the old one. It’s in a well kept Moobaan Rimtalay2 – AngSila area. I’m still thinking about it, but wanting to see what else is available out there first.

If you’re looking to rent in Bangsaen area, there is a good website you might want to check it out – if you can read thai.

Taladchon.com – it will have the link to many rentals, especially condo & services apartment.

[wilko]

Actually I was asking for myself...but yes, wouldn't it be wise to move to the area first and then buy?

I'm moving nearer to Chonburi in the nextr few months so I'm looking to rent a house or appartment in the Bang Saen chonburio area.

[Archie Bunker]

I would encourage all farangs to move to Sri Racha. I plan to do this soon from my Bangkok Apt. This is a prime area with numerous nice Apts, condos and houses to live in. The Apt chain I live in in BKK has a serviced Apt outlet I am moving to there. It's a beautiful area with all the amenities that a farang looks for. I can understand why folks currently living there don't want to say anything nice about the place as the last thing they need is more farangs moving in and driving up prices. That attitude is not fair though and rather selfish. So go and have a look! You'll be glad you did. Hope to see you there in a few months!