Sai Kaew beach (Blue Lagoon) – general information

Sai Kaew beach is not accidentally called the Military beach. Once an USA army base was located here, and today the place is taken by the Thai army. In particular, not far from the beach is the Royal Thai Navy School. As a result, there is access control, and the beach is open to visitors only until 18:00 (with some exceptions). It is the military that keeps the beach clean and tidy, so this beach should remain a place for a long time without large hotels and too developed infrastructure, which does not make it worse. In general, there is everything that is required during a vacation on the beach, and the closed territory has its advantages. For example, annoying merchants and food peddlers do not go along the beach.

Blue Lagoon Beach (Sai Kaew beach) in the morning (tide)

A feature of the beach is its location on the peninsula between the green hills that form the lagoon. Such an arrangement makes the beach picturesque and to some extent protects from large waves. Visually, the Sai Kaew beach in Pattaya resembles some of the beaches of Phuket: width, vegetation and landscapes. The length of the beach is small – its length slightly exceeds 400 meters, but due to not too many visitors there is enough space for everyone. Before visiting the Sai Kaew beach, I saw his photos on the Internet, but during my visit (2019) the sand was not as white as I was in the video in the photo. Rather, it is light yellow, but this color of sand goes well with the azure water in the Blue Lagoon.

Even in cloudy weather, the water on the Sai Kaew Beach has a nice color.

There was a high tide during my visit, and the width of the beach was not too big. Also, because of this, already 10 meters from the coast there was a great depth (more than 2 meters). Swimming areas on the Sai Kaew beach are fenced with buoys, located not very far from the coast. The best place for swimming is the central and left parts of the Blue Lagoon beach. There is a more gentle entrance to the water and there are no stones in the water. During my visit, some work was carried out on the right side of the beach using a bulldozer, so I personally could not evaluate the beach in that area. In the central part of the beach there is a beautiful sign with the name Sai Kaew beach and two points with heavy machine guns directed towards the sea.

The central part of Sai Kaew beach – beach machine guns

Separately, it should be told about the transparency and color of water on the Sai Kaew beach in Pattaya. I was a little unlucky with the weather, and most of the day in the sky was cloudy. However, even without a bright sun, the water had a pleasant azure color. Of course, in bright sunny weather, the beach looks brighter and more beautiful, because the color of the water is very dependent on the sun’s rays and the color of the sand (on the Sai Kaew beach it is light sand). The transparency of the water was also very good. Perhaps the water is not as crystal clear as on the island of Koh Lan. But it is much more transparent than on the city beaches of Pattaya. And even for this reason alone, it is worth visiting the Sai Kaew beach at least once.

Sai Kaew beach has many flowers and beautiful trees.

In addition to clear water, the Blue Lagoon or Sai Kaew beach is a place with a very beautiful territory. There are a large number of flowers, paths for pedestrians, benches. Closer to the central part on the right there are special compositions, next to which you can get beautiful photos. For example, a bench and a flower frame in the form of a heart around, etc. I recommend a walk in this area after 3 p.m, before returning from the beach. At this time, the number of visitors to the Sai Kaew beachh is rapidly decreasing and no one bothers to enjoy the walk.

After 14-30 the number of visitors on the Military Beach has significantly decreased

Sai Kaew Beach – Infrastructure

I did not see classic beach umbrellas on the Sai Kaew beach, but this is not a drawback. Deciduous trees grow on almost the entire perimeter of the coastline, the crown of which protects vacationers from sunlight. If you prefer to be in direct sunlight and sunbathe – you will also find several open areas. In addition, there are many small gazebos with tables. Under the roofs of the gazebos you can also find a shadow, relax and eat your food.

Beach bed and the life ring can be rented very cheaply

There are also no plastic loungers on the beach, but in the central part of the Sai Kaew beach there is a rental point for small wooden deck chairs and other beach equipment. You can rent a beach bed for as little as 30 THB (1 USD), while you can choose your own place to relax in any part of the beach. In the same place where sun loungers are issued, you can pay for other equipment and entertainment:

Kayak rental – 100 THB (3.3 USD) per hour (+ deposit THB 100):

Rent a beach mat – 20 THB per day (+ deposit THB 100):

Rent a life ring – 10 THB (0.33 USD) per hour (+ deposit THB 100):

Riding a banana boat – 600 THB (20 USD) in 30 minutes or 1200 THB (40 USD) per hour;

Jet ski – 1000 THB (33 USD) in 15 minutes or 1500 THB in 30 minutes.

The cost of dishes in one of the cafes on Sai Kaew beach in Pattaya

No one will remain hungry on the Sai Kaew beach, because the local cafes offer a wide selection of dishes and drinks. The main part of the cafe is located to the right of the main entrance to the beach. There you will find a number of cafes with Thai dishes, seafood, freshly squeezed juices, ice cream, fruit necks, snacks and cocktails. Nearby there are outdoor tables overlooking the beach. Further to the right there is a large cafe with tables under the roof. To the left of the entrance there is also an indoor cafe where coffee lovers can enjoy a latte, cappuccino or other type of coffee.

Freshly squeezed juices and cocktails on Sai Kaew beach – from 40 THB

To the left in the far part of the Military Beach there is also a cafe with a very large selection of dishes from 60 THB (2 USD) for a portion of a hot dish. In some establishments, the names of dishes are indicated only in Thai, but there are also those where English and Chinese names are added. Even if you don’t know some indicated languages, large photographs of all dishes will always help you choose what you want. To the right of the entrance there is a small souvenir shop where you can buy T-shirts, caps and other accessories with the Sai Kaew beach logo.

Outdoor shower and toilets at Sai Kaew beach (Military Beach)

On the right and left sides of the beach there are free showers (open) and toilets. Toilets are made in Thai style, so there is no toilet paper in them, only a hygienic shower. On the beach you can find a massage parlor (Thai massage), as well as a special smoking area (smoking is strictly prohibited on the beach!). Walking along the beach, you can see small wooden bungalows. These houses are for rent (from 1000 THB (33 USD) per day) and only persons living in the bungalow can stay on the beach after 18:00 and enjoy the sunset on the Sai Kaew beach.

Sai Kaew beach – warning about allowed time on the beach

Sai Kaew beach in Pattaya – how to get

The easiest way to visit the Sai Kaew beach (Blue Laggoon) as part of an organized excursion from Pattaya. You can easily find offers on the Internet for 300-350 THB per person. Such an excursion includes a transfer from the hotel or condo to the beach, an entrance ticket to the beach and a return transfer to the hotel or condo. Given that the cost of admission is 100 THB for adults (and 50 THB for children), round-trip fares cost 100 + 100 = 200 THB. This is a good deal, because the cost of a taxi ride even in one direction is much higher (the distance from the center of Pattaya to the Sai Kaew beach is about 30 km).

The driver shows the time of departure from the beach and the minibus number

The advantage of an organized tour is that you do not need to worry about the availability of documents proving your identity (passport, ID or driver’s license). You just ride in an air-conditioned minibus and don’t worry about a few roadblocks, about buying tickets and making passes. In my case, the bus driver simply asked the passengers to line up when we arrived at the parking lot near the beach. After that, he photographed everyone and asked not to linger and be ready to leave the beach at 16:00. This is almost the standard tour time – from 08:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Considering the travel time, I arrived at the beach at 09:20, and I returned to the condo in Pattaya after 17:00.

The route from Pattaya to the Military beach (Sai Kaew beach) on the map

A trip to Sai Kaew beach on your own is a little more complicated, but everything is feasible. As you can see on the map, the main part of the route passes along Sukhumvit Road – the main street of Thailand. The route runs along the coast of the Gulf of Thailand and the cheapest way to do it is on a white passenger pickup truck that travel along Sukhumvit. Be sure to check with the driver if he is ride near turning onto Sai Kaew beach (some began to drive only to the Ambassador City Jomtien hotel and this is sad). Right before the right turn (to the beach) there is an elevated pedestrian crossing through Sukhumvit.

Turn right onto Sai Kaew beach from Sukhumvit Road

From turning to the beach directly to the Blue Lagoon, more than 7.5 kilometers and several checkpoints. If you are going to use a motorbike taxi from turning to the beach, or if you were traveling to Sai Kaew beach on a rented motorbike, you must present a passport or other identity document in a special booth based on which you will be issued a pass to the beach. A small booth is located near the turn to the beach, and after another 60 meters there is a barrier where you must present the pass. Next, you should go several mimutes straight ahead and turn left at the fork in the road (there is a road sign). Continue on the narrow road and after a few minutes you will find yourself in a parking lot, next to which there is a building with a ticket office.

To visit the Sai Kaew beach in Pattaya you need to buy a ticket at the box office

After purchasing tickets, you must leave your car or motobike in the parking lot and take a free passenger pick-up to the beach. The winding road to the beach passes through the green hills and sometimes you can see wild monkeys on the road. The return trip should be done in the same order. When you leave the territory of the military base, do not forget to pick up your passport or other document that you left at the entrance. Thus, an independent trip to the Sai Kaew beach is also possible, but without a rented transport it is easier and cheaper to use a ready-made day excursion.

Sai Kaew beach  – my video review

In the end I will add that during my visit to the Sai Kaew beach there were most of the Russian-speaking visitors. At the same time, in my opinion, about 70% of visitors are people of retirement age and children. Because of this, the Blue Lagoon beach was somewhat noisy. In general, the Sai Kaew beach made a good impression and someday I want to visit it again (during sunny weather). Also keep in mind that this place is popular with locals. On weekends and holidays, they massively visit Sai Kaew beach (Military Beach) in Pattaya and arrange noisy picnics there, so it is better to visit the Blue Lagoon on weekdays. Have a nice rest!

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Dongtan Beach in Pattaya

CONTENTS OF ARTICLE ( you can click on the link for quick transition)

• Location of Dongtan beach in Pattaya
  

• How to get to Dongtan Beach in Pattaya
  

• Overview of Dongtan Beach beach plots
  

• Hotels on the Dongtan Beach (Jomtien, Pattaya)
  

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Location of Dongtan beach in Pattaya

All the confusion with the location of Dongtan beach in Pattaya is due to the relief of the coastline: the coast of the resort from the alley Soi 5 Pratamnuk stretched for tens of kilometers to the south and is a practically homogeneous sandy strip that does not have any significant bends. There are also no natural and man-made objects such as sand capes, rocks, boulders, ferry piers, etc., along which it would be possible to establish a specific point where one beach ends and the next beach begins.

Even on the most recent maps of Pattaya in English, you will not find the exact boundaries of the three beaches located in this area (Dongtan Beach, Jomtien Beach and Na-Jomtien Beach). Therefore, you can often find information that Dongtan Beach begins near a police post in the Jomtien Beach area and ends already at the famous Pattaya Park Hotel. In reality, Dongtan beach does start at the indicated place (next to the police booth), but it extends further north to Soi 5 Pratamnak, and the Pattaya Park Hotel is located in its central part.

The beginning of a shady alley along Dongtan Beach (Pattaya)

How to get to Dongtan Beach in Pattaya

If you do not live directly in one of the hotels on Dongtan Beach, then you can get there by using various modes of transport in Pattaya. The easiest way is of course to get to the southern tip of the beach. To do this, you can use inexpensive local transport: the route of tuk-tuk (songthaew) in Pattaya passes directly next to the police booth already mentioned in the article. If you are traveling from Jomtien beach towards Dongtang Beach (ie north, towards central Pattaya), you must leave the songthaew in the point, where the route turns from the main street along the sea (Jomtien Beach road) and leaves to the right.

A small cafe on the alley at the beginning of Dongtan Beach

Well, respectively, if you decide to get to the southern tip of Dongtan beach from central Pattaya, you need to stop the songthaew as soon as it turns left and travels along Jomtien beach (you will also see a police post at the corner). If the southern part of the beach is not of interest to you (and perhaps frightening – but more on that below), you can use the Pattaya Park Hotel Tower or Southern Pattaya Bus Station for a landmark, and get down there closer to the central part of the beach and sea. The truth of the time it will take even more than if you had reached the police post.

The tower of the Pattaya Park hotel is an excellent reference point for Dongtan Beach

If you need to get to the northern part of the beach very fast, you can leave the route mof tuk-tuk (sonthaew) at the intersection of Thappraya Rd and Pratamnuk and descend along the long alleys of Soi 5 or Soi 6 directly to the sea. Diostance about a kilometer, so going back this way is not very convenient, because on the way back you will have to go up the hill, and the shadow that can save you from the heat is not special (if it’s a light time of day). In this case, you can use motorbike-taxi in Pattaya, which quickly drives you to the street with route of cheap public transport in Pattaya.

The road from Dongtan beach to Pratamnak street

In cases where you need to get to your hotel in the area of ​​Dongtan beach, for example, from the airport, it is better to see in advance its location on the resort map (links to many maps were higher) and choose the optimal option of transport. By the way, the road from the airport will be more simple if you choose the already mentioned south bus station of Pattaya or an option for 249 baht, which includes a shuttle to your hotel’s doors from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. More information on buses, their cost and the timetable from the airport can be found on the page “How to get from Bangkok airport to Pattaya – all options”. Back to the airport is also more profitable to get from the southern bus station of the resort.

Overview of Dongtan Beach beach plots

A characteristic feature of Dongtan beach is a fairly clean sea: the water here is somewhat more transparent than on neighboring Jomtien, although the border between them is conditional. And compared to the Central Beach of Pattaya, you can swim in relatively comfortable conditions. Almost the entire length, and it is about one and a half kilometers by the Dongtan beach, the entrance to the water is quite gentle, at least near the shore, which is convenient for tourists with children. Of course, for fans of crystal clear water and snow-white sand, I recommend trips to the beaches of Koh Lan Island (for a detailed description vith the photo and video you can click on the link).

In the central part of Dongtan beach

Also, the distinctive feature of the beach is the pleasant paved path along the entire length of Dongtan Beach, 50 meters from the water’s edge, which is closed for traffic during the daytime: you can move on foot or by bike). Yes, and night time here is rumored very calmly: occasionally motorbike will pass and that’s all. Those. We can say that the hotels located here are on the first line from the sea, which is not too typical for the resort (almost everywhere between hotels and the beach there is a wide road with traffic).

Casuarina trees on Dongtan beach in Pattaya

Dongtan beach does not presuppose any official division into sections, but it is better for you to have an idea about this. And now more about each of the three parts. I’ll start with the southern part (the one that starts nearby the police post). The length of this site is about half a kilometer, and it is about this part of the beach that rumor goes that Dongtan Beach is a place for rest of people of non-traditional orientation (both gay and lesbian). Apparently, this is so: walking along the specified stretch of beach you can see elderly Europeans in thongs and young Thai guys.

Figured footpaths on the Dongtan beach (Jomtien Pattaya)

At the same time you can see a more young contingent from among the tourists, as well as several families with childrens, for whom you can not say that they are adherents of same-sex love. Rather, it shows that there is no debauchery on the beach and many people may not even know that this part of the beach has such fame. No one will find it shameful that a young Thai guy makes for pensioner or a cute muscular foreigner an ordinary massage in the shade of palms and other tropical trees.

Sunbeds at the water’s edge in the central part of the Dongtan beach

Infrastructure in the southern part of Dongtan Beach is not very developed: there are no cafes and restaurants, except for a couple of small cafes on the alley along the beach), there are no sun loungers with umbrellas, as well as water attractions. Those, this is one of the quietest and quietest places among all the beaches of Pattaya, where people can relax in the shade of trees. Of course, there are peddlers of fruits and drinks, so you will not die of thirst if you rest here. So all those who are not afraid of encroachments on their honor (and apparently are not need afraid of this), you can safely choose this beach area for a relaxing holiday without crowds of tourists and with excellent transport accessibility.

At the beginning of the central part of the beach. The man swallowed whole watermelon ))

The central part of the beach of Dongtan Beach begins in the Rabbit Resort area, and ends at Ban Hard U Thong Condominium. Almost at the center of this stretch of beach is the popular Pattaya Park hotel, the white tower of which has long time been the tallest building in the resort and is still visible from a distance (also available on one of the Pattaya live webcams). Unlike the southern part (“gay beach”), there are everything is arranged for family rest: there are umbrellas and sunbeds, popular water activities (aquabike, banana, boats). There are places for windsurfing. There is also a public toilet (can be visited for 5 baht) and shower (at a price of 15 baht).

A site with water attractions and beach volleyball at Dongtan Beach

Opposite the vast territory of the hotel Pattaya Park with an aquapark and attractions, right on the beach is equipped with a beach volleyball court. Judging by the number of vacationers with children, this is one of the main places for recreation in Pattaya with a child, i.e. In addition to the convenient beach and water park, hotels in nearby restaurants have playgrounds and, perhaps, a more comfortable for babies kitchen in hotel restaurants. By the way, despite the crowded day, in the evenings this area of Dongtan beach becomes quiet and peaceful, so lovers of traditional romance can quietly retire on the beach and enjoy the sunset and the rustle of waves in silence.

In the northern part of the beach is a gently sloping entrance to the water. On the horizon – Koh Lan island

The northern part of Dongtang Beach is the shortest (about 300 meters) and starts next to that place, where Pratamnuk Soi 5 fits almost to the beach itself and ends with a stony mound in the north. By the way, the northern part of Dongtan beach was adapted for rest only a few years ago, but in my opinion, not even to the end (the tracks are laid somehow not qualitatively, there is some rubbish and stones, and on the beach umbrellas and sunbeds were absent). On a rocky ridge in the northernmost tip of the beach, local fishermen like to stand with a fishing rod, and in the evenings it is in this area of ​​the beach that local youth gather and may be a bit noisy.

The northern extremity of the beach is rocky coast and fishing

Hotels on the Dongtan Beach (Jomtien, Pattaya)

If you carefully read everything written above, then, I think, you already know where you need or do not need to settle on Dongtan Beach. If you are not gay, then it’s better not to choose hotels in the southern part of Dongtan Beach. After all, you may experience some misunderstanding with the neighbors in rooms and staff. In general, during the day there should not be any problems on the entire beach, there are a lot of senior citizens of both sexes, families with children. But if you are a natural guy or girl, it is better for you to settle on the Dongtan beach in the central or northern part. But the choice, in any case, is yours.

For example, at Pattaya Park Hotel, especially if you are with children. By the way, the water park and attractions of Pattaya Park are available not only for the guests of the specified hotel, but also for all the guests of the resort (of course, for a small additional fee). Above is a map of this part of the resort with markers of surfing, clicking on which you can see the cost of living in them (the service allows you to find the best price by comparing the cost of the same number in different reservation systems). In this search service you can read reviews about the hotel you are interested in. Also in the area of ​​the beach, but not on the first line, you can find affordable guesthouses, from which to the sea just  5-10 minutes of walking.

Aquapark and attractions of Pattaya Park Hotel

Therefore,if for you very important for saving money and such walks to the sea do not intimidate, I advise you to book the hotel in advance only for 2-3 nights, then to choose on the spot the suitable guesthouse and move into it without problems. Also note that in the beach area between Soi 5 and Soi 6 is the Tesco Lotus store. Of course, this is not a hypermarket, but many products and alcohol, including beer, are cheaper there than in the popular 7Eleven and Family Mart chain stores.

Thus, the Dongtan beach is not such a dangerous place for beach recreation and at least once there you can relax (I myself first visited it only during the 4th visit to Pattaya). Those. The beach can be visited and even live there, just knowing some of its specific features. And the absence of noisy transport by the sea and the presence of an aquapark make this place one of the most successful in the resort for recreation with children. A little later on the page will be added a video from the beach of Dongtan Beach. Have a nice rest!

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Thong Lang beach on the island of Koh Lan near Pattaya is not too large beach and not particularly noisy. But it has an excellent transport accessibility. In this particular article provides an overview of the small beach – Thong Lang and posted a several of fresh photos from the beach of the island, made by me during the last visit of the thai resort in 2015. Also, a small video clip from this beach you can find in the end of review, allowing to better assess the situation, the state of the water and the sand on the Thong Lang beach.

How you can get to Thong Lang beach very cheap

In big article Detailed description of all the beaches of the Koh Larn island I have already described the location of the Thong Lang beach on the island and told about the main ways to get to it from the mainland and other beaches of Ko Lan. Therefore, the following will describe only the most budgetary and popular option. This option popular especially among western tourists, because most of the Chinese swim at Thong Lang beach in groups of 12-15 people in speedboats and they also swim away from the Koh Larn beach to Pattaya resort.

Thong Lang Beach on Koh Larn – clear water and white sand

Slightly less fast and comfortable, but much less expensive way is to use the passenger ferries and costs 30 thai baht (just under $1) to one side. Just choose from two ferries should be the one that goes to the pier Tawaen, rather than Naban village on the other side of the island. Read more about the ferry, their routes and timetables can be found on the page How to get from Pattaya to Koh Lan on the ferry.

When you reaching the desired Tawaen pier, you should go ashore and take a left, going along the beach Tawaen beach. It mean you need going about 800 meters, but as the path runs past the original beach cafes and numerous souvenir shops, clothes and all sorts of beach things, the distance does not seem so great. However, this is not the end of the road to the Tong Lang beach. Later you must go on new excellent concrete road along the rocky shore.

Start of new concrete road to the Thong Lang beach

Until recently, this section of track was in very poor condition, as older concrete road was badly battered by storm. Lots of the old road can still be seen next to the new one. Now you can go fast and without any problems, but it is way almost without shadow, therefore you need to accelerate the pace and be sure to use sunscreen (see.article How need to sunbathing in Thailand). However, this way still shorter than the previous and after about 400 meters you will get to Thong Lang beach.

Review of Thong Lang beach (Koh Larn)

The first difference Thong Lang beach from Tawaen beach (which is located near the same name pier and have more length) – a much smaller number of guests. As in the previous beach, the main contingent here – Chinese tourists of different age and physique. However, even in the high season you can easy find a free places on the beach. Number of sunbeds for sunbath is not very much, but i can say that they are all on the front line – the second there is simply no have.

Thong Lang Beach – view on the right side

Sandy strip on the Thong Lang beach narrow enough, and just behind the line of sun beds and umbrellas begins raising relief and are located tables of beachside cafés. Choosing a place for swimming better in the beginning and in the middle of the beach, as right side it is often used as a place of mooring speedboats and space for planting-disembarkation of passengers. Several funny to see how the Chinese team are cost in a row, and in turn are loaded on their speedboat. At the same time, tourists from some groups all are numbered like sheep or other animals and sometimes they have number on the nude chest, written marker.

The water at the Thong Lang beach very clean and clear, in spite of the numerous waterways. Log into the water by a pleasant white sand is not very flat, ie, depth is reached fairly quickly. However, in this, there are some advantages: the boat and speedboats, which are moored at some distance from the coast almost the entire length of the beach, do not interfere with swimming. As well, do not interfere with swimming and choose to relax the beach Chinese tourists. In his last visit to this beach, I stayed there for about 4 hours and almost all of that time I am swam alone (almost all of tourists from China just makes photos on the beach or in water near bank).

Central part of Thong Lang Beach on Koh Larn in noon

If anyone still does not know, I want to explain why. The fact that the Chinese almost never bathed. Those. they go into the water, and may even dip fool around (from this so noisy on the beach Tawaen beach at Koh Lan). And all this is far from the coast, usually no deeper than a meter. The rest of the water space of the beach is totally free space. In fact, many Chinese tourists and does not dip: a bit like the water. But be photographed love: it is their main occupation on all the beaches of Thailand. Therefore, if your goal – to swim well – the Chinese are not a hindrance. Is that when entering the water.

Photos on the background of the sea – a favorite occupation of Chinese tourists

I can not say about the cost of the deck chairs on the Thong Lang Beach. I am sure that it is in any case not exceeding 100 baht per day, but worker of beach not take money from me for some reason. I sure that he really saw when I came to the beach and then helped to find my slate, which disappeared at the time, while I swam (it turned out that they washed away into the sea out of the lounger wave from a passing ferry and washed ashore elsewhere beach :)).

Summarizing descriptions of the beach, I can say that quite a pleasant place for a quiet holiday far from the pier Tawaen. The minimum cost of the road, the presence of cafes with the average prices for drinks and snacks, clean sea, nice color of water, soft white sand. Among the shortcomings, which can be put up, I will mention the noise from the boats and waves along the island ferries and not too much space for swiming (eg, compared to Samae beach on Koh Lan). Also keep in mind that the sunbath is not too convenient, as this beach in the north of the island and the sun is shining from the shore. Enjoy your vacation!

Video from Thong Lang beach (Koh Larn)

Here you can see a little video from the Thong Lang beach on Koh Larn

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Wongamat Beach in Pattaya (also Wong Amat beach) located in the northern part of the city, considered one of the best beaches in the urban area of the resort. And thanks to the fact that to get to it is not too convenient (due to lack of nearby routes tuk-tuks (songthaew), this beach is usually chosen as a place of quiet rest especially those people who live near it. Therefore you can meet guests of respectable hotels (which located nearby this beach) and residents of expensive multi-story condominiums, which were built near the beach in Wong Amat Pattaya in recent years. However, the beach is pretty good and every traveler in Pattaya can easy visit Wongamat beach for free. So in this article I will make it a true review and tell you about easiest way to reach it from different areas of Pattaya.

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How to get to the Wongamat beach in Pattaya

As already mentioned above, Wong Amat beach is located in the northern part of the city, in an area of Pattaya Naklua. Accordingly, in order to get to the beach of this, you need to initially get to the this district. Option with a classic car taxi in Pattaya, where you can reach them at any point of the city directly to the desired beach, I will not even considered, because there everything is clear: negotiate, haggle, come up on the beach itself and pay the agreed amount. If you need more options for the budget, it is necessary to use public transport, as well as motorcycle taxi, or at all to do part of the way on foot.

Wongamat Beach in Pattaya on the map – how to reach

To avoid repetition, I will not describe in detail the routes of public transport, which are detailed in the article “Public transport in Pattaya: routes of songthaew and fares.” Here I note only that fare which is needed to get to the sculpture “Dolphins”, located at the intersection of Second Road with North Pattaya road and with Naklua street, will be from 10 to 30 baht. Ie direct drive or 1-2 transfers on the way to the end points of the routes accordingly. Point with “dolphins” you can see on the map of songthaew routes, which is also available in the article about the public transport of the resort (link above). If we talk about the color codes of routes, it will be the intersection of the “green”, “burgundy” and “yellow” routes.

Pattaya Naklua – typical lane in district

When you’re next to the “Dolphins”, you can drive a few hundred yards of the public songthaew (tuk-tuk) to the street Pattaya Naklua, but no special need in this, so I prefer to save money and do all the way to the beach on foot (if not too hot weather and there is a good mood)/ Also near “dolphins”  you can  use one of  motorbike taxi  and go to Wongamat beach in just a few minutes. The second option is easier and cost you 30-40 baht per person one way. Motorbike taxi better to look not just at the crossroads with dolphins, but little bit passing on the street Naklua to the north, at the crossroads with the alleys, which are directed towards the sea.

High-rise buildings near Wong Amat Beach – an excellent landmark!

A little more complicated, but sometimes more interesting and healthy way to get to the beach of Wong Amat  from “Dolphins” – walking tour. When you will going along the street with name Pattaya Naklua to the north, you will notice that the alleys (Soi) go towards the sea. True, you must know that some of them dead-end and end at the gates of reservation, so to save time, it is better to fold the left or on Soi 18,  which is the second name of Soi Wongamat, and that takes you directly to the eponymous beach (in its southern part), or Soi 16/2, which is located just to the north. If you choose the second option, you’ll have to walk around a large and beautiful territory of  Centara Grand Mirage Hotel. 

View from the sea to the building of the hotel Centara Grand Mirage near Wongamat beach.

The second way longer, but at least once you can walk and, at the same time to admire the beautiful and a lush tropical greenery territory of the hotel Centara and some other 5-stars hotels in Pattaya, if is no money (or desire) to stay in those hotels while relaxing in Pattaya . Walking from “dolphins” to Wongamat beach in Pattaya takes about 15 minutes. As a reference point other than the beach stands a complex of high-rise buildings of the district (pictured above). You have to remember that usually Soi 18 is the fifth lane from the “Dolphins” on most tourist maps Pattaya. But in reality, on many cards often are not marked several small lanes, so Soi 18, this will be (if I am not mistaken in the calculation) Only 7 left turn, and Soi 16/2 further more..

Review of Wongamat beach in Pattaya

Wongamat beach in Pattaya – nothern part

On my photos and videos from Wong Amat Beach, that placed in this review,  you will notice that nature is not very bright, and the color of the water is not too pleasing to the eye. This is explained primarily by the fact that i made video and photos in the afternoon, a few hours before sunset. The sky was covered with mist, and an hour after a small rain. In bright sunny weather, the beach is a bit more attractive and picturesque. By the way, to see the Wongamat beach online at any time, you can use one of the webcams Pattaya online, that is available on a separate page. Better views, of course, in the daytime, although the camera and works around the clock.

Wongamat beach in Pattaya – view to nothern part

On Wong Amat Beach in Pattaya there are a sufficient number of sun beds and umbrellas, although there are some areas where they are intended for the guests nearby hotels. Typically, these beds, “not for everyone” higher quality (bit newer and more comfortable) than conventional plastic sunbeds, which can be found at most resorts in the country. The cost of conventional lounges on the first line from the water is 100 baht per day. Discount does not provide for a shorter time. Unfortunately, i did not specify the value of a little further away from the sea, sun beds, as their own do not like to use it. But in view of the neighborhood luxury hotels and the fact that these series there are so few, I doubt that you can find the beds at a lower price. If someone know specific information about this issue – please write in the comments.

View of the northern part of the beach Wongamat Pattaya from the sea

All Wong Amat beach is divided into areas for swimming (fenced around the perimeter of buoys) and an area for mooring speedboats, which deliver guests of luxury hotels to the beaches of Koh Lan  island. Amount of speed boats little bit and they infrequently approach to the beach, therefore I swam there, and there. Little difference was observed in the water quality. In areas for boats are also present aquabikes (jet skis), which can be rented. In some places it is possible to ride on a banana boat. Log into the water pleasant, the beach is dominated by yellowish sand, because of which the color of the water is not as beautiful as the beaches on the island with white coral sand. As you can see in the photo and video, the water at the average level of transparency for Pattaya, possibly due to the fact that recently passed the rain because before this parameter on the beach Wongamat pleased me more.

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Periodically by sunbeds are hawkers food (fruit, fish, shrimp, corn, etc.) and the sellers of some things, which can come in handy for tourists (sunglasses, coconut oil and aloe gel, scarves, electronic cigarettes, etc.). Generally, the beach is quiet and peaceful, because there is no nearby roads with constant traffic. The tranquility broken only by the already mentioned speedboats and jet skis, but sometimes they subside. Shortly before sunset beach is rapidly emptied. Workers cleaning the beach chairs and pulling ashore all of jet skis. By nightfall, the beach (also how others beaches of Pattaya, with the exception of central beach), it becomes almost lifeless. In general, for a city beach of Pattaya,  Wongamat beach quite good, and some discomfort associated with lack of direct songthaew routes, offset by peaceful and quiet environment, a small number of tourists and the relative cleanliness of the beach. I wish you a pleasant stay!

Updated: Added video from Wongamat Beach in Pattaya

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I understand that a small number of people on the beach at Centara is due primarily to the fact that a lot of people just not know about this beach. Scenic high rock on the beach and in the sea (at the end of the main beach of Ao Nang) securely hides located after her Pai Plong beach from the eyes of tourists. Some tourists know about the existence of the beach (for example, watched Pai Plong from afar from the sea during a trip by longtail boat to peninsula Railey or during one of the sea excursions from Ao Nang (for example, a tour of 4 islands. But they have no information how to this beach can be easily reached on foot from the more popular and crowded main beach of Ao Nang resort.

Pai Plong Beach (Centara hotel beach). View from the sea

How to get to this beautiful beach? In reality, everything is very simple. There is a special trail, built on the ledge of rock and connects the beaches of Ao Nang and Pai Plong. But in order to find the way between the beaches, it is desirable to know the specific location where this way begins. At the same time there are some nuances that force people (which even know of the existence of such a way), refuse to visit Pai Plong beach after an unsuccessful search of this path. I sure that after reading this article, you will not get lost and can easily overcome the required distance between the beaches in just 5-10 minutes.

A small creek at the end of Ao Nang Beach

In the picture above you can see located a small rivulet, which flows into the sea near the end of Ao Nang Beach. This stream is your first landmark, and wishing to get to the beach of the Centara Hotel, you first need to get to it.Being in the town center of Ao Nang, for example, near a ticket office for boats, you need to move south along you can walk on the fine sand at the water’s edge (for me personally it always pleasant). In addition, you can walk after sun beds line. It is more civilized and a shaded way, which have a hard coating until the middle of the beach. In any case, sooner or later you will be rested into the rivulet, behind which you can see wood stair  and walkway, which going the opposite side from the sea.

Start the trail leading to the beach Pai Plong

Immediately, I note that this path does not interest us, but will have to go across the stream. It is not deep, so even at high tide, you can always find a place that is easily overcome by without shoes and without wetting pants or a skirt. Personally, I just jumped a few times specified stream at its narrowest point, because I do not like wet feet. But it is necessary to accurately calculate the forces, since even in the narrowest point of the width of the stream at least 3 meters. In addition to jump and land it is desirable not at the water’s edge, but little further: the coast consists of fine sand and easily break off, because which is easy to land in the water. After overcoming the stream, you need to move further along the coast. It can be a good time to relax on the big stones under big trees with dense branching crown. You can also dry your feet, if you walked by the creek water. This will make the climb up the steps and rocks more secure.

Climbing to Pai Plong beach from Ao Nang Beach

The required path to Pai Plong beach at Centara Hotel begins near the water’s edge near the end of the beach, where the rock is connected with the sea. In December 2014 wooden steps at the beginning of the trail were absent, ie, the first few meters you need to climb on the rocks. By the way, it is not particularly difficult: the stones are large and fairly flat and low height. Next, you will climb the wooden stairs. Climbing it takes no more than a couple of minutes, and does not take much effort. And if you have previously climbed the 1260 stair steps to the top of the mountain near the Temple Tiger Cave in Krabi (as I did), the local ladder and does seem like a cakewalk. I advise caution: staircase slightly battered by time and some boards a little unsteady. In addition, as can be seen in the photo above, there are gaps between the boards, so if you choose to visit the beach of Centara Hotel, better not use shoes with high heels.

The path to the Pai Plong beach near Hotel Centara

When you climb the stairs, you will take a short walk along a narrow path almost horizontally laid on a slope of rock. Due to the dense tropical vegetation, you will not be able to admire the sea from above, but for me personally, this path will still like it, especially in dry weather, when the clay underfoot turns into a hard and tough coating. Several spoils the view sometimes come across trash, because on the way no trash cans, and therefore some irresponsible campers just throw a pack of chips or empty bottles in the next few bushes.

On the way to the beach Centara. View from the stairs at Pai Plong Beach

Be careful when meeting on a footpath with wild monkeys, who are not afraid of people, but there are very aggressive, especially in the hands you have a package of food (bright and shiny bags and bottles). Keep it all stronger, or will pull out of the hands without a twinge of conscience. Wonderful views begin to open already on the way to the stairs on the back side of the rock, that on the way down to the Pai Plong beach. With good weather, solar water lapped at the beach gets amazing emerald color, which in combination with the green vegetation and the coastal cliffs makes the landscape is truly beautiful.

Descend the stairs to the beach Centara. Dangerous overhang – be careful!

Stairs to the beach near Centara Hotel is in a good condition, but you need get down still careful. Somewhere in the middle of the descent ladder makes a turn just below the ledge, and if you’re a little taller than average, and look only at the ground, but you can accidentally hit your head on a rock, it would be very unpleasant. The photo above shows just the projection, but in reality it is even more hanging over the staircase. Hotel Centar occupies a large area, which is now enclosed by a metal fence, which started up on electricity. I suspect that this is done in order to scare away wild monkeys, and there is not 220 Volt, but be careful when leaving the beach in any case.

Centara Beach Hotel – Pai Plong beach in Ao Nang

Earlier, guards Centar hotel in a special journal making the registration of all visitors to the beach. Now, however, this practice has been abolished or completely, or they was simply too lazy to break away from the chair for register me. Perhaps my attempt to get from the beach to the territory of the hotel would be forced to raise them, but I did not do it :). The beach Pai Plong is not very long, but a small number of tourists allows, if desired, to enjoy the local beauty in relative solitude. All beach pictures were taken in the morning, when the sun was slightly overcast with light clouds, so they do not convey the true beauty of the place with bright sunny weather.

Pontoon pier at Centara Hotel beach in Ao Nang

At the far end of the beach is now built a pontoon pier stretching far out to sea. Next to it you can rent a kayak or sign up for surfing school and start learning by trying to hold out as long as possible on the surfboards. Prices based on proximity is not a budget hotel relevant, ie higher than elsewhere in the resort of Ao Nang. Also directly from the pier you can enjoy fish or swim in the nearest rock snorkeling. From the pier offer a good view to the original form of rock sticking out of the water, as well as the entire beach and bungalows scattered on the shore of Centara Hotel.

Pai Plong beach. View from the pier on Hotel Centara

Sunbeds and umbrellas are not provided for beach goers. Therefore, going to sunbathe here, it is better to take with individual mats which are sold in Ao Nang everywhere and are quite inexpensive. By the way, they will be useful to you and when you visit other resort beaches, because the situation there is similar with sun beds with the exception of some places in hotels. Swim nice: beach quite shallow, clear water, fine sand, without debris. As shown in the last photograph taken at 12-30 local time, people on the beach quite a bit. I am visiting the beach alone, sometimes had to wait for 10-15 minutes, when near me will take place at least someone who can take a picture of me in a certain place (I do not like the selfie, as well as to disturb those resting peacefully, lying on sand under the warm Thai sun).

Hotel Centara Beach (Pai Plong beach). A view of the coastal cliffs and trees

As I wrote in the general article “Ao Nang Resort: location, beaches, entertainment,” you can buy eat and drink on the Pai Plong beach only in Centara hotel, where the prices of all food and drinks much too high. Therefore it is better to seize the fruit, drinks and snacks with you, acquiring all in street stalls and shops of Ao Nang: 7Eleven and Family Mart. Return to Ao Nang is made on the same path in reverse. This review of Pai Plong beach is complete. Also you can see small video review of Pai Plong beach in Ao Nang (beach of Centara Hotel). Enjoy your vacation!

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Laem Sangwan Beach on Koh Larn nearby to Pattaya this is probably one of the smallest beaches on the island, but it has a number of features and advantages, thanks to which is popular with tourists from around the world. Below is a small overview of the beach of Laem Sangwan, where i told how to get there and what you need to be prepared before it, if you planning to visit this beach on Koh Larn. The article also includes photographs of this beach, allowing visually assess its size, the purity of water and some recreational facilities.
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How to get to Laem Sangwan beach on Koh Larn

Probably one of the main advantages of Laem Sangwan beach,  it is its location that allows you to quickly and easily get to it from Pattaya for everyone. And here I mean not even speedboat that as fast as possible bused tourists to Koh Lan, to any of the island’s beaches. You can get to Laem Sangwan beach is much easier, because it is located right next to the pier Tawaen. Even your way to the very beach of the same name Tawaen be longer than your way to Laem Sangwan beach, as described in this review, because the beach is located as close as possible to the place of disembarkation of big ferry passengers.

If you read the article “How to get from Pattaya to Koh Lan ferry” you already know that the ferry, which you need use, run according to the approved schedule, and ticket price per passenger is only 30 baht. The same price have a ticket for the return ferry to Pattaya. About other costs of transportation when visiting the beach Laem Sangwan to think and do not need, because they do not exist. Getting off the ferry at the pier, just follow the shore until until you see a small branch of the right (wooden walkway on stilts over the water). In the photo you can see how close the beach is Laem Sangwan from the landing place for the ferry to Pattaya. You can walking leisurely pace on this path, and in any case you will come to Sangwan Laem beach not more than just a couple of minutes from the ferry.

The path to Laem Sangwan beach by the wooden bridges (you can see in the distance Tawaen pier)

Walking along the wooden bridges, do not forget to look at his feet to avoid injury. There are gaps between the individual planks, boards themselves under your feet a little bit shaken, and in some places few boards non-existent. If you arrive on Koh Larn by ferry that going to the second pier of the island (in the village of Naban), you need a half-hour walk on a good road between these piers, or to overcome the required distance on the motorcycle taxi at the cost of 20 baht per person . The same amount will have to pay and the way back to the pier Naban, if you wish to relax on the beach as long as possible (last ferry from Naban pier takes an hour later than the last ferry from Tawaen pier directly near Laem Sangwan beach).

Review of Laem Sangwan beach

Laem Beach Sangwan is not only one of the shortest on Koh Lana, but also one of the most narrow. Width of the beach in the near to the ferry pier end of the beach is limited by the debris of rocks and structures on them wooden bridges. The water in this location is transparent enough, sometimes you can notice small fishes. However, in the water at the entrance there are rocks, so the rest with children in this place – not the best choice. Then begins a classic beach area – complete with sun loungers and parasols. Log into the water in this place of the beach – enough for a soft and bright sand, so you can relax here even with young children. The color of water is also a pleasant, light blue with a greenish tint, but varies throughout the day depending on the position of the sun.

First part of Laem Sangwan beach nearest the Tawaen pier

In the central part of the beach there is an area with growing close to the water’s edge of the trees. Lately I’ve been a big fan of spending time on the beaches under natural source of shade, ie near the rocks or trees, so I liked the place. Sometimes calm is broken only by the sound of speeding motorcycles in the sea water and the signal of departure of ferries. After the trees near water, you can find another small section with a sandy beach and umbrellas, and then beach ends with a rocky shore. You can rent deck chairs on the first beachfront at the price of 100 baht.

On the beach there are isolated bathing places and areas that are used for water scooters and sometimes approaching speedboats. But as the amount of the transport Laem Sangwan is not very large, and it is used not very active (at least when I was so), you can swim almost the entire area. Closer to the central part of the beach you can buy drinks and snacks. The choice is not very big, but you must remember that this beach close to the Tawaen beach, where your choice can be much better. But stray vendors on the beach are few and they not very bother you as on the beaches of Pattaya and several other beaches of the island of Koh Lan, a description of which can be found at the link.

Laem Sangwan beach on Koh Larn – fine sand and nice water color

Advantages and disadvantages of Laem Sangwan beach

The convenient location of Laem Sangwan beach on Koh Larn allows for a few minutes after the descent from the ferry pier to be directly in the vacation spot with clear water and the necessary infrastructure. Even the other adjacent to this pier beaches can not compete in this respect with Laem Sangwan, because to get to them and choose a suitable resting place is required to spend a lot more time, especially when it comes to Thong Lang beach, go up to which you want to about 15 minutes, and in many areas during your way there is no shadow, but there are direct sunlight.

The advantage of the location even more noticeable on the way back to Pattaya, because sunbathing and swimming on the beach of Laem Sangwan can be almost to the departure of the ferry to the mainland. not even having the hours of the imminent departure of the ferry can be found always wafting from it a long beep. As a rule, from the first series of beeps till the real departure is held at least 10 minutes (and often more), so even swimming in the sea and hear the first beeps with holidaymakers it is possible to safely go out of the water, dry off with a towel, change into dry and walk to the ferry without any hurry, because the time on the road you need only a couple of minutes.

Bathing place on the Laem Sangwan beach – a few minutes walk from ferry landing

An important advantage of Laem Sangwan beach compared to the neighboring Tawaen Beach on Koh Larn is that it is much less noisy. Of course, everything is also affected by noise from the motors speedboats and ferries, but the noise that produce many Chinese tourists who are on holiday and loudly talking on Tawaen beach, here, for some reason, almost absent. In my last visit to Laem Sangwan beach, me could sure that the concentration of tourists in this beach is noticeably smaller than in Tawaen beach, although the last several times longer and much wider. At the same time purity of the water in the Laem Sangwan commendable despite the proximity of the ferry pier and many boats.

To be completely objective, it should be noted some shortcomings Laem Sangwan, which I personally do not allow us to attribute to the category of the beach on the island’s most beloved. Firstly, it is already mentioned the noise from the boats and ferries. This is a common flaw that is present on all the northern beaches of Koh Larn near the Tawaen pier. Second, in the part of the beach, which I like best, all the chairs on the first line from the sea can be busy, because they were not very much. For those to whom this question is not basic, lack a specified item can not be considered as shortcoming.

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Finally, there is a kind of a drawback for some travelers, I think the fact that most of the time that many people spend to visit the island of Koh Larn, the sun shines on this beach is not from the sea, and from the fairly steep bank. It mean, that you can not normally sunbathe if you only just lying on the sun loungers. Therefore, many tourists on the Laem Sangwan to sunbathing in water partly standing or walking near the water’s edge.

I conclude this brief overview of the small beach of Koh Lan with name Laem Sangwan. I think, my information and the photos can give a basic idea of what to expect when you visit this beach. At the same time, I suggest you look here, even if you arrive at the pier Tawaen to visit other beaches of the island of Koh Lan. You will spend less than 10 minutes, but it is possible that Laem Sangwan beach on Koh Larn you enjoy, and you’ll want to stay (in this case you will save time and money :).
I wish you a pleasant stay!

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Railay West Beach (Krabi)

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How to get to Railay West Beach (Krabi)

Overland route from the mainland to the peninsula of Railay (to all of the beaches) is not. So to get to the beach Railay West you have to use the main vehicle for such purposes in Krabi – longtail boat. The easiest way to do this / when you are in the resort of Ao Nang. Because almost all of boats that sail from the beaches of the resort village Ao Nang to arrive directly to Railay West. Also to this beach arriving boats, which departing from the neighboring mainland resorts: Klong Muang and Tab Kaek. By purchasing tickets in Ao Nang, you have the opportunity to purchase them at once both ways. Below on the photo presented two tickets for 100 THB, which operate on the specified day to 18:00 pm (after this time the price rises to 150 thai baht).

Tickets for the boat from Ao Nang to Railay West and back

Boat goes to the Railay West beach only after the formation of the group of the required number of passengers (at least eight) on the beach. Then the boatman goes along with the passengers to the longtail boat on the coast and there is produced landing on board. Please note that in the center of Ao Nang beach no pier, so you need a little soak your feet after a few meters to the boats on the water. After boarding begins not very long, but very interesting trip, which takes about 12-15 minutes. Along the way, you can see a scenic cliffs, sometimes covered with tropical greenery and two lagoons, which are located in the beach Pai Plong (beach of hotel Centara) in Ao Nang, and a beautiful lagoon, which already located directly on the Railay peninsula (Tonsai beach).

On the way to the peninsula Railay (Krabi). A view of the cliffs from a boat

After about 15 minutes, long-tailed boat stops on the fine sand beach of Railay West, and again after little soak your feet, you will find yourself on the spot, and you can enjoy your holiday, after search the optimal place for this on the beach (more on that below). Slightly more complicated way to the beach Railey West, if you need to get to it from Krabi. In this case, the ticket price in one direction is 150 baht in the daytime, and the boat is approaching the opposite side of the peninsula Railay –  Railay East beach. Afraid it is not necessary, because the walking tour between the beaches takes about five minutes. Beaches are almost parallel to each other, so you need just cross the “land.” By the way, for better orientation on the resort will not be superfluous to look your way on the best maps of Railay (Krabi), a selection of which is available on a separate page.

Pointers to the best way between Railay East beach and Railay West beach

It is desirable to follow the signs for the trail between the beaches, then the road will be not only the fastest, but also enjoyable. Because you will go along the beautiful areas of luxury hotels Peninsula. Signs can be found in several places when you walking along the eastern beach of the promenade. You can also ask any employee’s  of tour desk or a coffee shop, and they will point you the right way. You must remember that straight road to the Pranang beach from neighboring West Railay is not exist (only detour through East Railay). Also road (or rather rocky trail) from Railay beach to Tonsai Beach is described in detail in the article “Big review of Tonsai Beach (Railay, Krabi),” so then duplicate the information here is not I will.

Review of Railay West beach (Krabi) 

West Railay Beach (Railey West) is surrounded by limestone cliffs, which are a result of centuries of erosion and the impact of sea waves have a very bizarre form. Peninsula Railay is located in the tropics, so all the more or less horizontal ledges on the cliffs and peaks covered with bright tropical greenery. Particularly picturesque two two hundred meter cliff, located in the northern and southern ends of the beach and serving a natural border between the Railey West and adjacent beaches.

The majestic cliff between the Railay West beach and Phra Nang beach

West Railay Beach has the largest length on the peninsula, and it is wide beach with soft white sands are a favorite subject of recreation for many tourists Krabi. On the Internet you can find information that the Railay West beach is the most crowded beach on the resort. In reality, the situation is somewhat different: in the daytime vacationers here is much smaller than the nearby Pranang beach. But the width of the Railay West is much wider than the width of the strip of sand on most of Phra Nang beach, so the concentration of tourists here there is even smaller.

The southern part of the Railay West beach in the middle of the day

But in the evening, a few hours before sunset, Railay West beach becomes a favorite place for outdoor enthusiasts. The wide and gently sloping sandy strip of beach, especially at low tide, perfect for a game of beach volleyball and football. It is also very common local game called “Takro”. Its essence is to toss without hands special wicker ball. The fact that Railey West beach faces west, allows us to observe from its territory magnificent sunsets over the sea.

Railay West beach during the big low tide. The beach has become much wider!

Since most of the guests to relax on a rest day at this point already leaving the peninsula and there is more peace and quiet than during the day. Of course, to see the tropical sunset on a Railay West beach will need to donate a small amount of money, because after dark, or rather even a little earlier – from 18-00 pm, ticket price on the boat from peninsula to Krabi and Ao Nang increases 1.5 times. As an alternative – you can stay at a hotel in Railay (not necessarily on Railay West), because then you will have the opportunity to see also sunrise on the peninsula, which can be seen on the eastern beach (Railay East).

Place for longtail boats in the central part of the Railay West beach

West Railay Beach is beautiful in its every part. Steep cliffs in the south, which in the morning casts a shadow on the beach and some water area; tropical greens and coconut trees, as well as some beautiful long-tailed boats, decorated with flowers and colorful ribbons in the central part of the beach; jumble of black boulders from a high cliff in the northern part of Railay West, where begins the rocky path to the nearby beach of Ton Sai (Tonsai)

Railay West beach – view to the north side of the beach in the morning time

Swim at the Railay West beach is convenient for both adults and children, because entry into the water on the soft sand flat, and the depth starts at some distance from the shore. Probably the best place for families with young children – the southern tip of the beach, where the sea is the most shallow, especially at low tide. Personally, I prefer the northern end of the beach, where the entrance to the water a little sharper, making a comfortable depth for swimming closer to shore there. In the central part of the beach is convenient to sunbathe, but to swim because of the many boats (and the sound of their engines) some uncomfortable. Sunbeds and umbrellas on Railey West is not provided (only a small amount on the territory of the coastal hotels).

View to the hotel’s territory from the road between Railay East and Railay West

In my opinion it is even better, because the rows of plastic deck chairs would violate the natural charm of the place. Therefore, if you planning to spend much time in the sun on the beach railay West (or on other beaches of the peninsula) – you can pre-buy in Ao Nang (or directly on Railay beach, but slightly more expensive) special beach mats. They are sold everywhere and are inexpensive. As elsewhere, you can sunbathe on the your towel. A lot of people on the resort, who prefer to lie down right on the soft sand, close to the water’s edge when slowly roll to the shore the waves caress the body. Just do not forget how to sunbathe properly in Thailand and be sure to use sunscreen.

A view of the entire Railay West beach with the northern tip

Hotels, located on the beach Railey West, relate to secondary and higher price categories, but it is really a very nice hotel that worth the money and left many pleasant memories, especially if you are traveling with someone you love and want to please him (and yourself) rest not only in a prime location, but really in a comfortable environment. If you travel on a tight budget, this is not a reason to be upset, because there on the peninsula you can easy find much more cheap options (which are located primarily on the east coast of Railay).

Walking Street on the Railay West beach

In the article “What to do on the Railay peninsula (Krabi)” already describes the main activities, which are available in varying degrees on the beaches of the peninsula and in its central part. If we talk about Railay West, for active life in the center there is a small Walking Street, which starts right in the middle of Railey West. Here are concentrated a large number of travel agencies that organize trips to the islands and to the mainland Krabi attractions, diving, bike tours, horse and elephant.

A view of the entire Railay West beach with the southern tip

On the Railay West beach you can find a considerable number of bars, restaurants, souvenir shops, and shops for tourists, where you can buy the most necessary things on vacation. Also of of this is enough and on a nearby beach Railay East, so you can learn the prices and choose the best option for themselves. The active nightlife of the peninsula is more developed in the Railay East beach, so after sunset many people massively going there. But order a glass of cold Thai beer and sitting on the sand beach, watching as the disk of the sun turns red and quickly slips over the horizon, is certainly better on the Railey West beach. Below you can see a short video from the Railay West beach (at different times).

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For the convenience of description, hereinafter I will call the “southern” part of Tonsai Beach, located close to the beach West Raleigh, and “northern” the opposite end of the beach, which is fenced off high vertical cliff from the Pai Plong beach in Ao Nang. Like all the other beaches of the peninsula Railey, Ton Sai beach is cut off from the mainland inaccessible vertical cliffs, which reach heights of 200 meters. This means that you can visit to this beach only with using the main local transport – long-tailed boats.

Longtail boats from Ao Nang beach near West Railay

How to get to Ton Sai Beach

The easiest way – to buy a ticket for the boat directly at the kiosk for the sale of tickets for the boats in Ao Nang. From 8:00 am to 18:00 and a ticket will cost 100 baht chelovka, in the rest of the time – 150 baht. The boat leaves in the presence of at least 8 passengers. Tickets from Ao Nang resort to Thon Sai beach can only be purchased only in one direction. And if you do not want to waste time, yet typed the right number of passengers, you can pay the remaining amount of the boatman (800 baht) to sail immediately. Since all guests in Ao Nang more popular option in which for Tonsai beach allotted a whole day, but only part of it, I’ll tell you how to get to the beach from the other beaches of the peninsula Railey.

Tonsai Beach (Peninsula Railay) – view from the sea

If you read the article “Railay Peninsula (Krabi) – overview of resort”, then you already know that most of long-tailed boats arrive at the beach East Raiilay (from Krabi) and West Railay (from Ao Nang), so in the article below will explain how get to Tonsai after you have arrived at the peninsula Railay. The easiest option when you got on the longtail boat from Ao Nang. Directly on the Railay West beach you can negotiate with the boatman that he will take you to Tonsai beach for 50 baht per person. True passengers must be at least four, or do you have to be willing to pay 200 baht for the whole boat and go immediately.

Cliff, separating beaches Tonsai and Railay West . View from the sea.

I must say that the second option is more realistic, since a large number of those wishing to go on a boat on the beach of Ton Sai is usually no. To get from the East Railay beach to Ton Sai Beach, you can use one of the shady forest trail, which begins in the northern part of East Railey beach. This way is not very difficult, but you need walk about half an hour. In my opinion, much more interesting to get to the beach Ton Sai beach from the Railay West beach, using the pathway, which laid along the slope serving sea cliff between the beaches. But it is not all easy. The trail starts amongst large boulders at the northern end of the beach Railay West (when facing the sea, you need to go to the right). The main problem that may be encountered in this case – in the tide will have to do part of the way through the water, avoiding large boulders dark-colored rocks.

Start the trail to the Tonsai beach from Railay West. Climbing over the big stones.

However, if you rest in Krabi not in the rainy season in Thailand, the big waves should not be and the path is safe. During the low tide to the trail can be reached by land, or just do a bit of soaking feet. In the photos posted above (view of the rock from the sea), it may seem that a very small distance between the beaches, a few tens of meters (in reality, between the beaches of 150 meters straight). However, a rocky trail, which begins not at the beginning, but only about the middle of overgrown green cape, is slightly longer than it seems at first glance. First of all, due to the fact that this is not a smooth path, and the alternation of ascents and descents.

The rise of the path between the beaches of Tonsai and Railay West

When traveling on this path often have to jump from a stone on stone, to hold on to the branches of trees or ropes strung between the trunks of trees. During dry weather, this trail is pretty easy and safe, so you can make this way without problem. But after the rain clay under the feet can be dangerous and it is better to use caution when traveling and use shoes with a good fixation of the foot, not to slip and avoid bruises and sprains. The trail is fairly narrow, and sometimes you have to wait until the people walking along the trail in the opposite direction, finished the rise or descent and release you the way.

The trail between the beaches Tonsai and West Railay Beach – a difficult area

But overall, a walk along the path between the beaches does not take a lot of effort, so even kids without too much difficulty to cope with it. I took the road less than five minutes, but I love to overcome the obstacles encountered on the pathway at a high enough rate. Closer to the beach of Ton Sai, path does a fairly long section without any height differences, which is quite picturesque and personally I cause visual associations with canyons. By the way, at the end of the trail, when you have almost reach the beach of Ton Sai, you can little bit  lost right direction, because the trail is slightly forked and you can turn not to the right place.At one point, I even wanted to jump down from a height of 2-3 meters, but logic told me that the children whom I met a little earlier, would not be able to get here and I can find another, easier way. This path was soon found: at the end of the road to Ton Sai, you need to stay close to the sea, rather than a high cliff.

The trail between the beaches Tonsai and Railay West

Review of Tonsai beach (Railay)

To descend to the sand beach of Ton Sai, a total length of about 600 meters, you need to use a small wooden stair. However, up to this point you have the opportunity to admire from the height to the Tonsai beach and make beautiful pictures or selfie on his background. Kind is very picturesque (see photo below). In the foreground – the southern part of Tonsai beach. Location is very good for swimming near the rocks can be seen colorful fish. Just as you can see in the picture, due to the cliff and the lack of life-giving vegetation, this beach almost without  shadow. Therefore if you will be stay here  without use of a protective cream from the sun, you can quickly burn your skin.

Tonsai Beach (Railay). View of the southern part of the beach from the cliff

So do not forget to use the tips described in the article “How to sunbathe in Thailand correctly“, or you can try to hide in the small shadow that in some places it is still possible to find if arriving at the beach early and if you first can take this place, because wanting to do this, despite the unfrequented beach, still a lot. Good for swimming and beach area of Ton Sai, located in a place where the waters of the Andaman Sea directly suited to the rock, which is due to several years of exposure to waves hangs over a thin strip of sand. Rocks have a lot of projections on which you can hang up your beach bag or t-shirt.

Tonsai Beach. Swimming area near high cliff

Some parts of this cliff, especially closer to the central part of Tonsai Beach, designed for climbing. On the surface you can see special routes of varying degrees of complexity and have special brackets for the climbing equipment.  Also, after going a little further you can notice that on this rock, on the border with the central part of Ton Sai beach (Tonsai beach) has a special staircase leading to the observation deck. It is located not very high, but a visit to see the beach from a height it is worth, if you want.

Tonsai Beach (Railay) – a small bungalow in the central part of the rock

In the central part on the first beach line, there are several hotels, bars and massage parlors under the eaves. Log into the water as every where on this beach, very flat, under the feet of fine sand and the water is clear and has a beautiful green color. Not far from the big rock in the center of the beach I saw in the water a small shark light color (about half a meter long). The advantage of this part of the beach Tonsai is the presence of a large number of trees and large shrubs along the shoreline, in the shade of which it is convenient to hide from the sun. There are interesting trees with buds (or fruit) similar to pineapple, which when ripe become red-orange (see. Photo below). Surely everyone knows that pineapples grow on the ground, like cabbage, but the wild pineapple, or Pandanus grows directly on such trees.

Tonsai Beach (Railay peninsula) – Pandanus tree (wild pineapple)

A special attraction of the Tonsai beach gives is located in the central part of the plantation of high coconut trees, which in late 2014 had been thoroughly cleaned of other shrubs. On the Internet you can find information according to which the entire central part of the beach is occupied by numerous cafes, bars and inexpensive bungalows. The same sort of confirms and beach map, located on the banks (see. Photo below). But in reality, the beach seemed somehow abandoned, as though there still has not eliminated the consequences of the devastating tsunami.

Palm grove in the central part of Tonsai Beach (Peninsula Railay)

In some places there are dilapidated buildings, visible foundations of buildings, which once stood on the first line. Here and there are already visible reconstruction work, has several cafes, but heaps of building rubble and shrubs (which in my locals gradually burning) do not add a special attraction. Perhaps if the investment in the development of the beach will continue, all the beach infrastructure will be restored and will be better than it was before, but at the end of 2015 the coastal infrastructure leaves much to be desired.

Tonsai beach tourist map

Somewhat better situation, if you go deep into the beach, along the pathways  through the palm grove. There currently can be found and a climbing school, and rent all the necessary equipment for this activity, as well as to find a cafe, bars, massage parlors, mini-market and a lot of options for affordable housing. From the sea and the photos may seem that the distance from the coast to the cliffs, limiting the beach area in depth, very little. In fact there is enough space for all the buildings, there are even a few streets.

Ton Sai Beach on the peninsula Railay – the impact of the tsunami…

The main contingent of Tonsai beach – European youth and some of the locals that serve as attendants. Judging by the state of many buildings, in low season Tonsai beach leave some of their respective owners. A little further from the central part of the Tonsai beach starts place for parking longtail boats  which are fixed on the shore with the help of anchors in the beach sand. When you walk along the water’s edge, you need be careful,  because the boat rocking on the waves, periodically pull the ropes to the anchors, lifting them above the sand. As a result, you can trip on the rope and fall, looking at the beautiful rocks and palm trees.

General view of the Tonsai beach (Railay) on the north side

The northern part of Tonsai Beach is unsuitable for swimming. Firstly, because a lot of boats in the water and on the shore, some of which will never be launched. There are you can find a place for longtail boats repairs:  locals make a repairing old engines, straighten shafts and repair screws. Secondly, on the shore and in the water there are many large stones. Third, because of the high cliffs here in the afternoon shade so swimming is not very interesting. Finally, water at this location less transparent than other parts of the beach.

Tonsai Beach (Railay). Zone in the northern part of the beach in the shadow of the rocks

Thus, Tonsai beach on the peninsula of Railay in Krabi Province it is quite a quiet place where you can relax both during the day and stay for a longer period of time. The second option is more suitable for those who are not too picky about the comfort, can do without the shops, cafés with a wide selection of European dishes, who are young in body and soul, ready to be content with a small amount of entertainment (rock climbing, swimming and kayaking).

It is also desirable to know the English language, or to communicate with the majority of local residents will be difficult. It should be remembered that with the exchange of money for Tonsai beach can be difficult, so it is best to take care of it in advance. Mobile internet is operating within normal mode (I used the operator DTAC). And another fact: at this beach at times there are large low tides (there is information that this occurs within 10 days of each lunar month). At this time, less picturesque beach, as the water goes far into the sea and swim due to the shallow depth is not very comfortable with.

Short video from Tonsai Beach (Railay Peninsula)

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I hope this review of Tonsai Beach (Ton Sai beach) gave you some idea about it and you can make the right decision about whether to spend time on it. My conclusion – at least once a visit is necessary. Enjoy your thai vacation!!!

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The post Tonsai Beach ( Railay, Krabi) – big overview first appeared on Thai-Rest.com - Your Best Holidays to Thailand!.

Tawaen Beach on Koh Lan

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How to reach Tawaen beach at Koh Larn

Tawaen Beach is located in the northern part of the island of Koh Lan, in a broad natural bay. Despite the fact that the beach is not a place of permanent residence locals (as located on the eastern shore of Koh larn Naban village), near Tawaen beach you can see its own ferry pier, where daily and at any time of the year passenger ferries arrive from Pattaya. Since the cost of travel in one direction is only 30 baht, ie a little less than $1, more cheaper ways to get to this beach you will not find.

Tawaen beach – view from the ferry pier

For more information about using this ferry (where to find, how much time to swim, how to distinguish the ferry to the pier Tawaen from the second ferry, which walking walking to another pier), as well as information about current schedule ferries to Koh Larn from Pattaya you can find in a separate article “How to get from Pattaya to Koh Larn by the ferry”, so here I will not repeat. You can also get to the beach on the fast speedboat for 300 Baht in both directions (or 200 baht one way). Concrete pier is located on the western end of the beach Tawaen, ie if you get off the ferry and face the shore, a large part of the beach is located on the left side from you.

View to Tawaen Beach (Koh Larn) from a height

Since the beach itself has a relatively flat bottom and a ferries from Pattaya have the big size, the ferry pier is long enough, which is why after disembarking from the ferry you will have a few more minutes to go directly to the beach. You not need afraid burn in the sun at this time, because over by the pier and the path to it was built lightweight roof. In the picture above you can see Tawaen pier and the several ferries, which stay near him. Incidentally, in the point, where the pier at first reaches the coast,to the right side departs a narrow wooden walkway that leads to the nearby beach, about which you can read in the article “Overview of Laem Sangwan Beach on Koh Larn” (on the separate page of Thai-Rest.com).

Tawaen Beach – view from the opposite side from the pier

Description of Tawaen beach (Koh Larn, Pattaya)

As one of the longest and widest beaches of the island of Koh Lan, Tawaen beach boasts almost white sand, which always make an emerald color of sea water, a very soft entrance into the water and slowly rolling waves, which makes this place the best choice for swimming with children For example, when vacationers come on holiday with children in Pattaya. But there is one thing that for me personally, negates all the advantages of this seemingly perfect beach. This circumstance – a lot of Chinese tourists. By the way, the bulk contingent of this beach you can see already by ferry from Pattaya, which goes directly to this beach.

Tawaen Beach – situation at noon

Also in last years you can find a lot of Russian tourists on the ferry, because the Chinese with an increase in the standard of living in their country and increase revenues are increasingly using fast speedboats. True habit to walk organized groups are still strong, so loading and unloading on speedboat are organized and efficiently, and separate groups of tourists often have external differences, for example, certain colour of peaked caps or T-shirts. What at first I was surprised, because it is a habit of some Chinese people do draw on the shoulders or nude chest some big numbers by bold marker.

Tawaen Beach – typical view in the morning

AIf you planning relax on Tawaen beach (in any case this beach as I wrote not bad for relax), you need to be prepared for an increased level of noise, which is created by the Chinese families with children. Voice of the Chinese high, and language, as well as the Thai language, tone, so their melodic “meow” is the first time a few annoying. Also, instead of a quiet relaxing holiday, many Chinese roam the sand line back and forth, and in the water near the shore swarmed. By the way, fans swim deeper than waist-average person, just say that after going through the “Chinese” shallow water, then you will find a lot of free space for swimming and snorkling: the Chinese and other Asians generally do not, the main thing for them – have some fun in the water near the shore (usually more in the clothes) and make a lot of photo in groups and individually on the sea side.

Tawaen Beach and a lot of Chinese in the shallows

Choosing a place for bathing in the Tavan scourge should be based on the time of day and the current phase of the tide. There are moments when the gentle waves of the sea in some parts of the beach are rolling right up to the line of sunbeds (and sometimes up to two), but sometimes sandy strip dry for a few meters. Beach umbrellas and sun beds abound, but again because of the proximity with the Chinese and the noise is better to lose a little time and find a quiet place to swim. As in other northern beaches of Koh Lana, the sun most of the day the light shines from the island side, so for the sunbathing on Tawaen beach loungers are not very suitable (especially considering that the series of umbrellas are very dense).

Tawaen Beach – one of the seafood restaurant

Shopping and food at Tawaen beach

On the beach a lot of wandering merchants with all kinds of hot and cold snacks and drinks. As I wrote, the bulk of the beach the Russian-speaking and the Chinese, so traders (and this Thais) gradually increase your vocabulary in Russian and Chinese. o traders (and this Thais) gradually increase your vocabulary in Russian and Chinese. Of course, there is also no problem with the English language. Along of the Tawaen Beach runs paved path with numerous cafes, Seafood restaurants and many simply points, where you can buy cheap food and drinks “on tap”.  In fact, many signs and menus are available in English, Russian and Chinese, so that even the ignorance of Thai language will allow you to quickly find and buy what you need.

Tawaen Beach on Koh Larn – reasonable prices for food

If we talk about shopping, it is on Tawaen beach (in my opinion) it is the most developed in the island (as compared to other beaches). Such a choice of things, you may need to rest, enough for a typical tourist: beach shoes and clothes, swimming accessories, swimwear, hats, souvenirs, toys for children, handbags, jewelry, etc. More choices in Koh Lan all this only in the area of ​​the main pier of the island – on the streets of the village Naban. I am sometimes asked whether there is a 7/11 store on Tawaen beach? Unfortunately, it’s not have there. Apparently, this store format is not profitable to work in a place where only the influx of people from 10 am to 5 pm.

Tawaen Beach – a good place for shopping

Thus, Tawaen beach on Koh Lan is the resting place for those who want a fairly clean and gently sloping beach with a beautiful color of the water and the maximum transport accessibility (in addition to the ferry you do not need to spend money on transport). It may be good place for swimming, if you live on Koh Lana few days (sm. long vacation on the island of Koh Larn) and have the opportunity to come here in the morning (before the influx of tourists) or after five in the evening, when the last ferry departures from the pier to Pattaya. By the way, you can stay right on Tawaen beach, because some inexpensive bungalows for tourists is located near the beach.

I hope this little review of the Tawan Beach on Koh Larn, as well as photos from this beach and a small video fragment gave you a clear idea of what you can expect from this beach and that can not be found there. I think in any case you can see the beach on their own, even if you choose to relax elsewhere on the island of Koh Larn (in this case, you just walk past Tawaen beach). In any case, I wish you a pleasant and memorable stay!

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The post Review of Tawaen beach (Koh Larn, Pattaya) first appeared on Thai-Rest.com - Your Best Holidays to Thailand!.

The main beach in Ao Nang, which has a similar name – Ao Nang beach – is located directly in the central part of the resort village and has a length of about 1400 meters (or almost 4600 feet). As a rule, it is from this beach that the first acquaintance with the Andaman Sea begins with after arrivals to the resort of holiday-makers. At the same time, the beach is not homogeneous and has some features and differences, knowledge of which will allow you to more consciously choose a place to stay at the resort and a place for beach holidays directly within Ao Nang. All useful information about Central beach in Ao Nang with photos and videos – in this article!

The entire main beach in Ao Nang can be divided into three large parts: southern, central and northern. This division is rather conditional and there are no visible boundaries, but at the same time this division allows us to describe in more detail each of the areas of this beach. Also I want to remind you that it is very easy to get to Ao Nang beach from the Krabi airport – you can ask more about this in the article Krabi Airport Guide – Review, Transfer, Flight Status.

Overview of the central part of Ao Nang beach

The central part of the Ao Nang beach is almost completely dedicated to the parking lot of long-tailed boats that carry travelers to the Railay Peninsula, to other beaches of the resort of Ao Nang and to the popular islands of the Krabi province. Also some organizers of sea excursions make landing and disembarkation of groups of tourists directly in the central part of Ao Nang beach. In the very near future a modern embankment with a beautiful walking  path in the shade of palms and other exotic trees will be built here. In early 2015, active work was carried out everywhere: curbs were installed, new tiles were laid, new steps were built to allow descent to the beach, etc. And in the same year, work on the improvement of this part of the beach was completed.

The central part of Ao Nang beach in the morning. Parking of long-tail boats

Due to the fact that almost the entire central area of ​​the beach in Ao Nang is occupied by several dozen long-tailed boats, which during the whole daylight is quite actively moored and sail back, it is undesirable to swim in the central part of Ao Nang beach. Not only because of safety, but also because of the high level of noise from the motors of long-tailed boats and, again, because of their large number of), not too transparent water. The central part of the Ao Nang beach is more suitable for morning or evening walks along the sea, and also for meeting the sunset ashore if you live in Ao Nang and have not forgotten to come to the embankment around 6 pm.

Sunset on the beach of Ao Nang (in the central part)

In the central part of Ao Nang beach, to the left of the place where the central road of the village going from Krabi turns right and continues along the waterfront for a while, there are good Ao Nang hotels of medium and highest price category, and a lot of massage parlors under canopies with more High prices for services than the average for the resort. The path along the beach here is kept clean and was recently paved with sidewalk tiles (see photo below). For more information on what is located in the central beach area of ​​Ao Nang (where to find affordable accommodation, where to eat, where to find inexpensive massage, it is beneficial to exchange money, have fun at night, etc.), you can get in a separate article “A short guide to the resort Ao Nang (Krabi) / The article is being prepared /

Central part of Ao Nang Beach – a new path nearby good hotels

Southern part of Ao Nang beach  – overview

More suitable for taking sunbathing and swimming is the southern part of Ao Nang beach. If you face the sea, then you need to move to the left. You can go either on the beach itself, along the boats at the water’s edge, and along the path along the beach, the beginning of which can be seen on the photo above. Walking along the boats, you should carefully look under your feet, so as not to catch on the numerous ropes with anchors coming from the boats and fixed in the sand on the beach. Walking along the beach along the embankment, you need to be prepared for the fact that the road all along the way will not be as good. Somewhere in the middle of the distance, instead of a well-maintained path, ordinary sand will begin. The path continues among the trees, and on the sides you can see small piles of garbage (behind the beach cafes) and several parkings for motobikes.

Ao Nang Beach – sandy path along the beach

Also this way to the southern part of Ao Nang beach you should not choose in that case, when you not love the increased attention to your person from the employees of massage parlors, cafes and restaurants. On the other hand, prices in cafes, especially where the paved path ends, are quite good, there are both traditional Thai dishes and dishes more familiar to foreigners. Prices for food and beverages are falling as you move away from expensive hotels. For example, many variants of pancakes can be purchased for 30 baht, which is very good for the Ao Nang resort, which in recent years is considered not very cheap (compared to other resorts in the country).

Cafe in the southern part of Ao Nang Beach. Cost of dishes (click to enlarge)

At the beginning of the southern part of Ao Nang beach, next to expensive hotels, there are a small number of sun loungers and umbrellas, however, over a longer stretch of beach all vacationers are forced to use their own mats that are sold everywhere in the resort, or lie on towels brought with them. Just want to reassure all those who know how to sunbathe in Thailand correctly and is afraid to burn skin: the advantage of Ao Nang beach is the presence of a lot of trees and bushes along the perimeter, in the shade of which you can wait out the period of the greatest daytime solar activity, although it is better to use a protective cream in any case.

View of Ao Nang beach (southern part) at noon

Vacationers are distributed on the beach fairly evenly, but closer to the southern tip of the people is still smaller, which is why this place in my opinion is most suitable for a calm and measured rest. Firstly, the noise from the engines of long-tailed boats here is slightly less, because they swim further from the shore. Secondly, there is practically no noise from land transport – cars do not drive there, and modern motobikes work quietly. Thirdly, it is in the southern tip of Ao Nang beach that there is a picturesque rock, which is pleasant to see as floating in the sea, or when you standing on the sand of Ao nang beach.

A steep rock in the southern edge of Ao Nang beach. View from the shore.

Unlike the central and northern parts of Ao Nang beach, the sea water here seemed to me the most transparent, and most importantly – the amount of silt at the bottom in this place is minimal, i.е. нis presence is almost imperceptible. If you already readed the article “Pai Plong beach in Ao Nang – big review”, you already know that at the end of Ao Nang beach a small river flows into the sea. In principle, the water in it is clear and clean, i.e. it does not seem like a sewage discharge, but I prefer to swim a little bit farther from it, about 50-100 meters. Especially when a high rock casts a shadow and the water next to the rock seems less picturesque than under direct sunlight.

Ao Nang beach – the southern part near the big rock

Behind a small river (or stream) is the most southern part of the Ao Nang beach, which is almost completely buried in the shade of large trees with branchy crowns. It is there that there is a staircase leading to the path to the beach of Pai Plong (the beach of the Centara Hotel). The southern part of Ao Nang Beach is also remarkable for the fact that wild monkeys often wander here, both adults and children. Willingly take food from your hands, but be careful with the kids, because adult monkeys can misunderstand your intentions and bite, and then everyone will be uncomfortable.

The southern extremity of Ao Nang beach – a four-handed friend engaged in begging

Northern part of Ao Nang beach  – my overview

As in the southern part of the Ao Nang beach, the northern one is also limited by rocks protruding into the sea. To reach the northern tip of the beach, you can again either by the shore past the long-tailed boats, or along the embankment. In the second case, sooner or later you will have to go down to the beach, as the main road turns to the right, and on the first line from the sea there is a number of hotels. The entire beach of Ao Nang is not very deep, and in the northern part it is noticeably clearest, especially at low tide. All the photos below are made at the time of a strong low-tide in the morning.

View of Ao Nang beach. Early morning at low tide in the northern part of the beach

In the photo you can notice that the beach is very flat, while such a small slope of the bottom continues at least 100-150 meters. Also, a distinctive feature of this part of the beach is a slightly muddy bottom. It does not interfere with swimming at all, since a small temporary turbidity of the water is noticeable only where the foot moves, and also directly at the shore, where the silt is lifted from the bottom of the wave. I admit that during the strong excitement, the quality of the water on the beach can deteriorate, as mud will not have time to sink to the bottom. I bathed in good weather with a little excitement and from the height of my height (183 cm) I could clearly see the feet, when i standing up to my throat in the water.

Ao Nang Beach. The northern part of the beach at low tide

Some of the inconvenience of bathing on this beach alone is due to the fact that things have to be left on the beach away from the sea line (because of the wet sand), and you have to swim because of the shallow depth of the sea at a great distance from the shore. Although monkeys who can take your things without a demand, it seems there was not seen, personally, I still was not completely calm. I liked the northern part of Ao Nang beach more as a place for a morning walk: a minimum of the people even in the high season, a wide band of sand (especially at low tide), miniature crabs running at the feet, a beautiful view of the calm sea. Also, many small shells are thrown ashore, many of which have a purple or a dark blue color.

Ao Nang beach (northern part at low tide) – a wide sand belt

As in other parts of Ao Nang beach, the sand here is shallow and soft, it is pleasant to walk around it like barefoot, or in beach shoes. Sun loungers and umbrellas are also not provided. Cafes and shops directly next to the beach there. In a more favorable situation – guests staying on the beach hotels that can sunbathe on the sun loungers of their hotels, just above the beach level, and also have breakfast on the beach in open restaurants. In the northern part of the beach Ao Nang (Krabi) grows a large number of trees with beautiful flowers, reminiscent of white swirls. Romantic natures can lay out of them on the sand the name of their beloved / loved one and send. If, of course, this most beloved person is not near …

On this review of the Ao Nang beach completed. If in the process of reading or viewing photos there were some questions – feel free to ask them in the comments, I will try to answer. Updated: added a video from the beach of Ao Nang (its southern part, as my favorite, more picturesque and pleasant for staying and swimming). Pleasant viewing and rest!

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In the article “Beaches of the island of Koh Larn: description and map” I have already given a brief overview of this beach along with others. However, with using one photo and a brief description is difficult to imagine what is remarkable about this beach and whether it is worth wasting your time visiting it. In my opinion, the beach is very interesting and worth a visit, but after reading the information on this page (photos, video clips and text information), you can make your own decision about whether you want to visit Monkey beach or not.

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Location of Nual beach (Monkey beach) on Koh Larn

The relatively remote location of Monkey Beach on Ko Larn from both island piers makes this place quite relaxing. Of course, on the beach at the same time rest dozens of people (maybe sometimes a couple of hundred), but everything is known in comparison. So if you compare Tawaen beach on Koh Larn, where resting thousands of Chinese (and other) tourists, the beach Nual beach can be called silent and calm.

To date, there are two main ways to get to the Monkey Beach on Koh Larn: motorbike taxi and rented motobike. With the first option, everything is clear: pay 40 baht per person (sometimes a motorbike driver can claim 50 baht for a trip, but in any time not problem to find other motorbike, driver of which can drive you for 40 THB to the central part of Monkey beach, where just a small parking is located. After it you can simply walk along the beach and choose the place, which you like.

Nual Beach on Koh Larn Island. General view from the sea side

The second option is convenient to use when you two, when you want to visit several beaches in one day and just when you just like to ride motorbike, managing it yourself. Otherwise, the economic feasibility of such a method of movement from any of the Koh Larn piers is absent. Especially when renting a motorbike in the Tawaen beach area, where the cost of renting a motorbike per day is 300 baht (in the Naban pier area it is 1.5 times cheaper – see the article “Transport on the island of Koh Larn: practical advice”).

I usually use the second option just because I like to drive motobike in Thailand. However, here I will briefly describe how to get by a motorbike to Nual beach from the pier of the island village of Naban (east coast of Ko Lana) and from the pier of Tawaen beach in the northern part of the island. It’s easier and cheaper to get to Monkey Beach from Naban Pier. The distance that you have to overcome is about 3 km on a narrow road along the coast of the island, which is paved with sidewalk tiles (like all roads on the island of Koh Larn)

Way from the ferry piers to Nual Beach (Koh Larn)

The main difficulty at the very beginning of the journey: if you stand with your back to the pier, you need to go to the road that runs along the entire western coast of the island (yellow line on the map). At the beginning of the journey, this will not be a road, but a narrow street filled with pedestrians in the village. You have to move very carefully, because pedestrians and other motorcycles are always on your way. Fortunately, this stretch of road does not exceed 150 meters, so you will soon see a beautiful Buddhist temple, which is one of the attractions of Koh Larn. You do not need to turn, i.e. The temple should be on your right as you go or drive.

Next, you need to move all the time straight and do not fold at small intersections. The road is not too picturesque because of the absence of large trees: on the roadside only shrubs and tall grass. Be very careful when you driving on the area road sections where there is a lot of sand: it’s very easy to lose motobike control and fall, and any fall on motobike is a very unpleasant thing (and often very expensive). A little less than three kilometers after the temple you will find yourself in the parking lot of the Monkey bech beach on the island of Koh Larn.

Monkey Beach on Koh Larn – view from the sea towards a shady tree

A slightly more complicated and long way to the Nual beach is to be done if you arrived at Ko Larn on the ferry pier of Tawaen beach (red +yellow line on the map). After rent a motobike, you need at the very beginning of the road to overcome the most unpleasant for beginners section of the road: a steep “hairpin”, i.e. A sharp climb with a more than 160-degree turn to the left. Remember about the left-hand traffic and try not to drive to the oncoming lane.

Then you should continue driving along the main road without turning anywhere. Having overcome a small pass (next to the cell phone network tower), you should go down from the hill and, after about half a kilometer, turn right (in principle, the road itself makes a turn), and after 50 meters turn left. Next, you have to go around the Buddhist temple on the left and move about three kilometers to the parking lot next to Nual beach, as described above.

When renting a motorbike on the beach of Tawaen beach, specify the possibility of returning to the pier near the Naban pier – and you are easier and closer, and the landlord is more comfortable. (As a rule, scooters are not kept at night on Tawaen beach and are brought to the village, hence the price difference). Finally, remember that it is better to leave money as a security rather than a passport. These and other subtleties are described in the article “Rent motobike in Thailand: the main rules.”

Monkey Beach (Nual) on Koh Larn – view of the rock with monkeys

Nual beach (Monkey bech) on Koh Larn – overview

Nual beach on Koh Larn is pleasant enough. In my new personal rating, he takes thrid place among all island’s beaches. The beach is not very large – about 350 meters in length from edge to edge. If you stand facing the sea, on the left there are low cliffs, in some place covered with vegetation. It is near these rocks that you can meet monkeys who gave the beach Nual second name – Monkey Beach. Usually monkeys are most active in the morning hours and after the midday heat is gone. However, sometimes monkeys (marmosets) please (or frighten) holidaymakers with their presence and at middle of day.

The Monkey beach on Koh Larn is very convenient for a quiet, measured rest: there are no such crowds of tourists as on Tawaen beach, ferries and large boats do not dock here. Sometimes there are speedboats, but their number is also very moderate even in the high tourist season. Chinese tourists have already reached Nual Beach, but so far tourists are independent: couples or small companies of youth. It’s not those big and walking groups of 30-50 china people, like on some other beaches of the island.

As you can see in the photo and video, the water on Monkey Beach has excellent transparency, although it does not have such a beautiful color as not some other beaches of the island with white sand at the bottom. On the Nual Beach, the yellowish shade of sand with interspersed shells predominates. However, you can walk on sand even in the heat without fear of frying the skin on your feet.

Sun beds and umbrellas on the beach of Nual (Monkey beach) on Koh Larn

Looking at the photos and videos, you can see that the beach does not have a particular beauty: a little vegetation, a minimum of palms… However, I still like to rest on it. Firstly, I do not like just lying in the sun under umbrellas or without them. Those who like to relax so much, will easily find plenty of sun loungers and umbrellas. I really like that on the beach grow trees with a very spreading crown, in the shade of which you can just lie down, look at the sea, listen to the sound of waves or your favorite music.

Secondly, I like the fact that there are few people on the beach: there are plenty of unoccupied sun loungers, which makes it almost always possible to choose a good place without noisy “neighbors”. Thirdly, it is on this beach you can find very comfortable sunbeds. Not ordinary, whish made of plastic, but woven, curved and with soft mattresses. There is nothing surprising that on these sunbeds it is pleasant not only to sunbathe, but also just to sleep, gaining strength for an active evening in Pattaya. True, such beds are available in limited quantities and are located mostly on the left side of the beach, near the rocks with monkeys. The cost of sun loungers is 100 baht per person for the whole day.

Food and drinks on the Nual beach (Koh Larn)

As I already wrote, the beach is rather short, therefore there are you not  are not many stray merchants with food, not same that in many other (more extended beaches of the island of Koh Lan). Perhaps this is simply unprofitable given the small (relative to other beaches) quantity of holidaymakers. As a result, you have to eat in a cafe located near the parking (in the central part of the beach). Also there is an opportunity to order drinks in other places, for example, near rocks with monkeys. There is an impromptu stand where you can order cocktails, fruit cervices and other soft drinks from Thailand.

Nual Beach on the island of Koh Larn – coastline at the beginning of the low tide

Also near there are tables under a canopy, where you can look through the menu and order more serious dishes that allow you to satisfy hunger. Only food will be cooked not in place, but delivered from the same cafe in the central part of the beach. Prepare delicious, but not very fast. In addition, prices are also not encouraging compared to the more familiar to me local cafes in Pattaya, Koh Samui and, especially, in Bangkok. For example: two Thai dishes of rice with meat, vegetables, as well as a papaya salad, which my girl loves, + two shake cost about 500 baht. But compared to the prices in restaurants in Europe it is quite inexpensive ($ 15 for two person).

Therefore, if you want to save a bit, before going to Nual beach (Monkey Beach), do not be lazy to stop at the 7Eleven store in Naban village and buy inexpensive (though often not very healthy) snacks and drinks. Especially since the route to the Nual beach still passes near this shop. The toilet on the beach is located next to the cafe in the central part of Nual Beach. At this overview of this beach is over. I can only add that from entertainment is available a several jet ski, water skiing and climbing on hill with monkeys….

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A small video from the beach Nual bech on Koh Larn is located on the page above. At the end of 2015, after the incident with a Russian child, who was bitten by a monkey (although the child himself caused aggression by an animal using a stick), local authorities decided to move wild monkeys from this beach to another place. However, in 2017, you can still meet monkeys on Nual Beach, and therefore the second name of this beach on the island of Koh Larn – Monkey Beach – is still relevant. Enjoy watching videos and relaxing on Nual beach (Monkey Beach)!

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Getting  to Thien beach from Pattaya

To date, there are several ways that you can use to get to Thien Beach (Tien Beach) from Pattaya. All these methods differ somewhat in value, so I’ll start describing from the most budgetary ones and end up more expensive, but also faster (although the latter factor is in some cases very conditional).

★ From Pattaya to the Thien beach (Ko Larn) for 120 baht (both ways). The most accessible option, involving the use popular ferry from Pattaya to Koh Larn island. This ferry arriving at the ferry pier in Naban (a village on the east side of the island).  For more information on Ko Larn ferries and their timetables, see “Getting from Pattaya to Koh Larn by ferry“. After arriving at Naban Pier, you must find a songthaew (passenger pickup), the route of which goes to the Thien beach.

In the distance – Thien beach. View from the parking. On the right side – parking for motorbikes

To find this transport, you must go about a hundred steps along the sea to the left (if you stand with your back to the pier). The parking lot is located not far from the island’s main temple (see the article “Main attractions of Koh Larn Island”). The cost of a tuk-tuk is fixed and is 30 baht one way.You need to take a seat on a bench in this transport and go to the end of the route. The stop will be next to the sea, in a parking lot outside the beach of Thien (see photo), then you need to pass the parking for motorbike and walk along the bridges along the rock to Thien beach itself. Return to Pattaya should be done in the reverse order: songthaew + ferry from Naban pier to the Bali Hai pier in Pattaya.

Return from Thien beach. In the distance in the parking lot – blue songthaew for 30 baht

★ From Pattaya to Thien beach (Koh Larn) for 140 baht (both ways). This option involves the use of a ferry from Pattaya, which arrives at the Tawaen pier near Tawaen beach in the northern part of Koh Larn. The higher cost is due to the lack of a car road from the beach to Thien beach. There is only a narrow winding path paved with sidewalk tiles, which only motorbikes can drive. The journey takes about five minutes, and the fare of taxi-motorcicle services is 50 baht per person.

Thien beach on Koh Larn. Pointer at the beginning of the beach.

Taxi-motobike you can find right next to the exit from the pier of Tawaen (even sooner they will find you). In the article “Transport on the Koh Larn island – practical advice”, I already wrote that when riding a motorbike with two passengers, a little bargaining is possible. Mototaxi will take you to the same parking lot as the tuk-tuk in the variant described above (even slightly closer to the beach). The total path to the beach will cost you 30 baht (ferry) + 50 baht (motobike) = 80 baht. The total cost of this option is indicated as 140 baht, since back to get through the pier of Tawaen there is no sense. More easier and faster getting to Pattaya through the Naban pier on the tuk-tuk (as in the first variant). For those who are afraid of riding motorbikes, there is a variant with two tuk-tukami, which in sum is the same 50 baht (20 baht for tuk-tuk between piers + 30 baht for tuk-tuk from Naban to Thien Beach).

Concrete path along the sea to Thien beach on Koh Larn

★ From Pattaya to the Thien beach (Ko Larn) by big boat for 150 baht (both ways). I describe this option here due to the fact that it seems to someone to be the most simple and at the same time accessible. We are talking about large boats that deliver passengers for 150 THB to Samae beach and back. Details of this method and its advantages are described in the article “How to get to Koh Larn from Pattaya on big boat”. You may have a question: why do I write about Samae beach, when you need Thien beach? It’s simple: both named beaches share a small cape, on which houses a large solar power station of the island (which is also one of its attractions.

The way to Thien Beach from the pontoon pier Samae Beach (marked in yellow)

Arriving at the pontoon pier of Samae Beach, you need to move left along the sea. You can go not by the sand, but by the road that runs a little further from the beach. After overcoming a small hill, you will get to the parking near Thien Beach (about which I wrote earlier). Return to Pattaya occurs in reverse order. On the satellite map, the path between the beaches is marked in yellow. The distance from the pier is about 700 meters. The advantage of this method is the lack of additional transport. Disadvantage – fewer flights of boats for 150 baht per day (schedule – by reference in the previous paragraph). By the way, in rare cases, when very big waves are on the Samae Beach, big boats from Pattaya can come to Thien beach and drive their passengers for free to Samae beach on tuk-tuk (songthaew).

Thien beach (Koh Larn). View of the solar power station on the beach Samae beach

★ From Pattaya to Thien Beach (Koh Larn) on a speedboat for 300 baht (both ways). The fastest and most comfortable way to get to Thien beach from Pattaya: directly to the island takes 15-20 minutes, while they take you directly to the line of sun beds on the beach Thien beach. The disadvantages of this method can be attributed only to a higher cost, as well as the fact that most likely you will have to wait for some time to fill the speedboat at the pier of Bali Hai in Pattaya (usually not less than 12 passengers) and similarly back. Details about using speedbots to the island – in the article “How to quickly get to Koh Larn Island from Pattaya.” At the end of 2016, parking for speedboats was transferred from the Bali Hai Pier to the Jomtien beach area. But a small number of boats you can find and use for getting to Koh Larn, on the several beaches of Pattaya, how it was before.

Speed boat, allowing access to Thien Beach (Koh Larn) from Pattaya

With the exception of a boat for 150 baht, where you must pay for a both way, you have the opportunity to combine the above methods. For example, you can get to Thien beach by ferry and tuk-tuk (30 + 30 baht), and for speeding back to Pattaya use a speedboat (200 baht per one way ticket). Finally, you can use a bit of an extreme option – to walk on foot to Thien beach from the pier of Tawaen beach or to travel this way in the opposite direction to save money. But this option is not for the middle of the day, because the transport on the island is inexpensive, and walking in the heat over hilly terrain is not very pleasant.

The main road to the left – to Naban village. A narrow path to the right – to the Thien beach.

However, if the option with a walking walk does not seem too difficult for you, you can try to do it. It will be necessary to go along the narrow cobbled path already mentioned, which starts right after the parking lot of motobikes near the beach of Tawaen.Collapse to the right in the vicinity of the steep hairpin when descending to the beach (see photo). Walking in one direction takes about half an hour (be careful when motorbikes are passing by, because the path is narrow and there are no roadsides). If you get back the same way, the cost of the road to Thien Beach from Pattaya and back will cost only 60 baht, because you pay only for ferry ticket  in two directions.

A path along the cliffs to Thien beach (Koh Larn, Pattaya)

Description of Thien beach (Koh Larn, Pattaya)

Thien Beach – one of the best beaches of the island, having a length of about 400 meters. In my personal rating this beach currently occupies the first place, taking it from last year’s favorite Samae beach. First of all – the beach is very beautiful. Here I mean not so much the surrounding environment, which usually also take into account how much the beach itself – sandy shore strip and water, which has an amazingly bright color and stunning transparency on Thien Beach. Do not believe those who speak or write on forums that during your holidays in Pattaya you will not be able to swim in truly transparent and clean water.

General view of Thien beach in the morning. In vests – a group of Chinese tourists

In reality, this is possible. But for this you have to make a visit to the island of Koh Larn nearest to Pattaya and visit one of the best beaches, first of all Thien beach. Of course, everything is known in comparison, but I have something to compare, because shortly before visiting the beach of Thien I rested on Koh Samui and many beaches in Krabi province, including one of the ten most beautiful beach on the Earth – Phranang beach on the Railay peninsula. And I was very surprised when I realized that the sea water on Thien Beach really more transparent. At the same time, many other beaches of the country that I visited during my long trip to Thailand could envy the whiteness of the sand at the bottom of Thien beach.

General view of Thien Beach in afternoon

A special concrete path with railings on stilts leads to the beach from the parking for motobikes. From this path above the water along the cliff there is a magnificent view of the whole Thien beach. The best time to visit the Thien bech on Koh Larn  – is earlier in the morning, when this beach looks rather deserted. Walking along the line of sunbeds at the water’s edge, you can see that even in high season there are very few holidaymakers. For example, at 09-40 in the morning there were many beach sections absolutely without tourists. Especially low number of vacationers usually in places where beach loungers are located in the shade of trees growing near the water’s edge.

The central part of Thien beach at 10-00 am. There are almost no holidaymakers

I suspect this is due to the fact that there is a shadow on the branches and foliage on such sites, and in fact many prefer to sunbathe under direct sunlight, forgetting how to sunbathe in Thailand correctly and safely. In the furthest extremity of the beach, the water near the rocks is slightly more turbid due to the presence of rocks in the water and waves that raise the sand from these stones from the bottom. There at the end of the beach there are small swings over the water, on which girls like to be photographed.

Swing in the far part of Thien beach (Koh Larn, Pattaya)

The Beach Restaurant HardTien offers Thai and European cuisine and drinks at prices that are standard for the island’s beaches (food costs more than the average for Pattaya, but inexpensively compared to the prices in restaurants in Europe). More budgetary option – to eat what is carried in baskets and buckets of stray merchants. First of all, these are fresh fruits of Thailand and fish and seafood cooked in various ways. But compared with the city’s beaches, for example, with the Central Beach of Pattaya, there are fewer such peddlers. But the masseurs and masters of temporary tattoos – enough. On the beach there are other cafes, but the prices are also higher than in some cafes in neighboring Samae Beach.

Restaurant HardTien in the southern part of Thien beach

Entrance to the water on the beach of Thien is quite gentle, pleasant to the touch white coral sand. Here and there on the bottom there are small pebbles, but because of the clear water they are clearly visible and do not pose a danger. The distance to the buoys is about fifty meters, but the depth begins earlier. There are places for swimming and places for speedboats and water motorcycles. Since recently I prefer places on the beaches not in the sun, but in the shade, I was resting in the middle part of Thien Beach, where trees with a dense crown grow near the water line.

The bearer of fruit on Thien beach (Koh Larn) – a strong thai woman

Silence, absence on the next loungers at a distance of 8-10 meters of vacationers – it’s not I scared all, just a lot of places on the beach  – sing birds or play your favorite music in the headphones, bright blue waves I run to the beach – beauty !!! By the way, about the sunbeds. On Thien beach they are full, i.e. You can conveniently lie down, not half sitting in the sun loungers, like on the beach Jomtien in Pattaya. By the way, about the prices for sun loungers: the first line from the sea is quite standard for the entire resort – 100 baht for full day. You can find for 50 baht, but only on the third and further lines of the water, which for me is usually not interesting.

Updated: Added a short video from Thien Beach

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