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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The post Thong Lang beach (Koh Larn island) – my review first appeared on Thai-Rest.com - Your Best Holidays to Thailand!.

How to get from Pattaya to Koh Larn?

You can read my article The long vacation on Koh Larn island, where i describes in detail all the benefits of both short-term and long-term stay on the island. On the Thai-Rest.com you can get information about all the most popular options which allows to reach to the Koh Larn island,  costs, advantages and disadvantages of these some options. Information contained in the article is based on the personal experience of repeated trips to Koh Larn from Pattaya. Now more about the different modes of transport on the route Pattaya- Koh Larn – Pattaya.  You can use ferry, big boat and speedboats. Originally, I planned to write just one article. but the material turned out voluminous, so for convenience I have divided it into three parts. In this part I will tell you how to get from Pattaya to Koh Larn Island by ferry. Other ways – in others articles of this website.

Where you can find ferry to Koh Larn in Pattaya

Whichever method you choose, your path will initially be based on the Bali Hai Pier, located in the southern part of resort, near the end of the famous pedestrian street – Pattaya Walking Street. (How to get to Walking Street, from different parts of Pattaya and Jomtien, see the corresponding article). After passing the arch with the name of the said street (left to MIXX disco), you need to turn right (to the sea) at the first fork, and a minute later we are on the pier at the base of the building is built with beautiful turquoise roof (see. Photo). In this building you can find ticket office, where you can buy tickets for different modes of transport to the island of Koh Larn.

Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya. Ticket office

This ferry is the most affordable option, and costs only 30 Baht one way. Although ferry tickets can be purchased at the ticket office, I personally do not recommend, because cashier are interested to sell you tickets to a more expensive mode from transportation and get the most commission from the transport companies. So, if before the departure of the ferry there is little time, cashier can say to you that the free places for the next ferry is not. Therefore, you will be offered to buy tickets for 150 Baht at big boat, which go to the others beaches of the island. I must say. that great boat for 150 baht – not a bad way and has many advantages. But as this article is about the ferry, I’ll write here about ferry to the island of Koh Larn.

In reality, the best choice would be to ignore these ticket office, because you can purchase a ferry ticket for 30 Baht directly near ferry which takes passengers on board and ready to sail. Just go straight for Bali Hai Pier (which can be seen via a webcam Pattaya online posted on this site) and closer to the end to see the moored boat, which is landing. Near ferry you will see several transport company employees, which sell tickets (In fact just take the money and skip the passengers on board). It should be noted that the ferries to Koh Larn usually depart on strictly to the approved schedule, but a delay of 5-15 minutes still happen. Therefore, you can catch a ferry even if the schedule he had set off. But it is better to arrive a little in advance to get the best seats (in the shade or in the sun, as you like).

In addition, in the high tourist season in the morning often organized extra ferries that do not adhere to the schedule and go to the island of Koh Larn as required. Typically, the signal for the rapid departure of the ferry are drifting with his long beeps. Usually a little further there is one more steam, which will soon also begin planting, and you can manage to get the best seats (who do not not care where to sit for 40 minutes). Depending on the strength of the wind, the waves and the particular island pier, the ferry arrives at Koh Larn after 35-50 minutes (usually 40 minutes). It should be borne in mind that to get to Koh Larn on the ferry can be on one of the two piers, which are located in different parts of the island and the distance from which the beaches somewhat different. Therefore, you should remember the information placed below:

★ Ferries to Koh Larn, which go to the Naban Pier in the same village on the east coast of the island (the closest to the Pattaya) is called in Pattaya – Koh Larn. Title ferry (more precisely, its route) on the sides can be read (including the ferry schedule placed there), but also on a large board, which is typically mounted on the roof top of the deck in front of the ferry. Near the pier Naban no beaches for swimming, so you have to get to them using one of the modes of transport, as described in the article Transport on the island of Koh Larn: Practical Tips.

Ferry from Pattaya to Koh Larn island

★ Ferry from Pattaya to Koh Larn, which is approaching the Tawaen beach (northern  side of island) called Pattaya -. Tawaen. On the board of some ferries on the same way you can read Pattaya – Hard Tawaen Pier. This pier  is located near three beaches that are described in the article Detailed description of all the beaches of the Koh Larn island. If you do not afraid some of the nuances these beaches, you can stay to rest directly on them. If not – at your service motorcycle taxi, songthaew (passenger pick-up) and a lot of motorbikes for rent.

Small update: Thailand – it’s Thailand. Therefore will not be superfluous to ask the person who passes the passengers on board, which is a ferry from Pattaya, even if on the sides and in front of the clearly readable final destination. Personally, I once in 2015 reached the pier Naban on the ferry, which was called Pattaya – Tawaen beach, I began to ask this point (destination) separately from ticket sellers (or rather the persons collecting money for travel) close to the ferry. True more such “substitution” was not. Tickets to return way you can also purchased at the pier before boarding. In this case, there is no alternative in the form of ticket office, as well without tickets – just a pass to board the ferry after payment again. Be sure to grab a life vest at the entrance to the ferry. This question is not only safety but also comfort: personally, I usually use a vest as a soft backrest (benches on the ferry from wood and they a few hard for seat).

Schedule of ferry Pattaya – Koh Larn – Pattaya

Below the photograph submitted ferry schedule from Pattaya to Koh Larn and back as of January 2015. Note on the right side of the table in the schedule of the ferry pier Naba, and the left – to the pier Tawaen. The number of ferries to the first of the piers more during the day. You can also note that the last ferry from the island as it sails from the pier Naban later.

Schedule of ferry Pattaya – Koh Larn – Pattaya

The ferry schedules true for January 2015, but Thais could make some changes according to the season. As a rule, the current schedule can always be seen in offices building at the entrance to the pier in Pattaya, on the stands near the site of the ferry mooring at the pier and directly on the ferries themselves. Also you can check ferry schedules in new maps of Pattaya, which can be found on this site by clicking on the link, or take for free at the resort (which is done once again painted in detail in the article above). Just remember that the card should be fresh, otherwise a ferry information may not be completely accurate.

Previously, landing on the ferries going to the pier Naban, carried out on the right side of the pier in Pattaya, and ferries to the pier Hard Tawaen – the left side of Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya. It was very convenient, but currently (January 2015) a similar distinction for some reason is not observed (ie, ferries to the desired island pier can be sent from both sides Bali Hai pier in Pattaya).

Advantages of ferry Pattaya – Koh Larn – Pattaya:

★ The most budget option. Day trip from Pattaya to Koh Larn will cost only 30 + 30 = 60 Baht (if to move around the island on foot or swim at beaches with walking distance of the pier (first of all, it concerns the pier Tawaen).

★ Ability to meet fellow travelers (cute girls or boys) during the voyage;

★ Ability to spend more time on the island (the last ferry to the mainland leaves at 18-00 (06-00 p.m.));

★ The ability to take a walk through the village. The epicenter of life on Koh Larn is located exactly in the village next to the pier Naban, there are many cafes, shops (including is the only one on the island of Seven Eleven), massage parlors, hotels and interesting Buddhist temple. For longer stays on the island ferry is the best option due to the mainland.

Ferries to Koh Larn near bali hai Pier in Pattaya

Disadvantages of ferry Pattaya – Koh Larn – Pattaya:

★ If you have come to the pier in front of the departure, the ferry can be completely filled. As a result, it may not have enough life jackets, and you must have to sit on the sunny side (if you not have a protection cream for sun, you can get a little bit burn).

★ The last ferry from the island in 18-00 (06-00 p.m.) also often overloaded with passengers. I’m sure many have heard that it was the cause of the flooding of one of these ferries and the death of 15 tourists from Europe and Russia, in November of 2013. Tragically it ended up swimming in the first place for those who did not get the life jackets.

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★ If you wish to visit a beach, except Tawaen (and two located near the beach with him), will have to pay extra public transport or motorcycle taxi (30 to 50 Baht). As a result, the cost of travel may increase from 60 to 160 baht and the option does not seem so budget. For get more information about traveling to the island (about transport on the island and about all of beaches of the island of Koh Larn)) you must read other thematic articles (special links you can find  find in the text above).

I hopefully, after reading this article, you will no longer have a question: “How to get from Pattaya to Koh Larn on the ferry?” I advise you to also read about more convenient (and in some cases more cheap) the way the ferry to the island in the article How to get to Koh Lan from Pattaya on big boat.

The post How to get from Pattaya to Koh Larn on the ferry first appeared on Thai-Rest.com - Your Best Holidays to Thailand!.

The method, which is described in this article will allow you to get to Koh Larn from Pattaya on big boat. And this method in some cases much more convenient than using the ferry, described in the previous article. And you should be aware that the fare is only at first glance seems to be higher because a large boat has obvious advantages. I do not know why it’s way called speedy, but if you want make a way from Pattaya to Koh Larn on the big boat, you have to be ready to travel  40-50 minutes, and not 30, which typically promise in advertising leaflets. But in contrast to the ferry for 30 baht, which spend similar time on the way to the east coast of the island, the boat will have to overcome a greater distance, because the boat allows quick access to Samae- Beach  – one of the best beaches on the west coast of Koh Larn island. 

When you reached the Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya (more on this in the article How to get from Pattaya to Koh Larn on the ferry, you must likewise ignore the box office in a building with turquoise roof and moving along the pier. If your goal – big boat for 150 baht (price includes the path to the island and back), then the best option is not go through the entire pier by walking, better you  trust your body to one of shill motorcyclists who “hooks” customers at the entrance to the pier. Just stop one of them (Just stop one of them (if he self does not stop you first) and say “Samae Beach” After he says “OK”, just sit on the motorbike behind him (can be two passengers) and he quickly carries you to the landing place on a large boat. Paying such a transfer on the pier is not necessary, the price of the boat remains unchanged – 150 baht for a ticket to both sides. But this will save you time and mediator earned his commission from the shipping company.

How to get from Pattaya to Koh Larn. Sticker of transport company

Larger boats usually depart from Pattaya at intervals of 1 hour. The first boat for 150 Baht to Koh Larn from Pattaya departs at 09:30, the last – at 13:30 (data as of 2015). When you buy a ticket for the boat to the island, be sure to specify the time of return trip too. Because the price includes travel in both directions at once, and you will be given a return ticket too. The last flight from the island at 17:00 (05-00 p.m.) Prior to this, there are still two flights: at 15:00 and at 16:00 (03-00 p.m. and 04-00 p.m.). You must carefully stored your return ticket , or to return to the mainland may have problems. When you buy tickets to a large boat to Koh Larn, on your T-shirt will be pasted bright sticker (poisonous orange logo of company Koh Larn Transport Co.). Sticker is no trace on clothes, so you not need worried for her safety. At the entrance to the boat better grab a life vest, which lie directly on the deck of a large boat or near boat on the pier. Then you have to take free seat on board the boat and enjoy the sea journey.

All the big boats on which I have made his way from Pattaya to Koh Larn and return way, had two decks. The upper deck is mostly open or semi-open, but the lower deck – closed, sometimes (if you’re lucky) with tables, fans, soft seats (see photo.). As a rule, 95% of passengers choose place it on the upper deck. Whether for security reasons, or wanting to breathe the sea air. But for me more liked to get to Koh Larn from Pattaya on big boat and back is on the lower deck, where sometimes other than I did not have anyone. Perhaps it is not entirely safe, but sometimes only by boat to the island of Koh Larn and back, I was able to sleep very well during the holiday in Pattaya. A great option to sleep for 40 minutes, with his head resting on the soft seat, a life jacket or a beach bag with a towel.

How to get from Pattaya to Koh Larn – the lower deck is a large boat

However, in the very first time of my trip  from Koh Larn to Pattaya I was a little nauseated after sleep. Even now, I know not whether it was the result of the big waves, ie, I was an easy motion sickness while I was sleeping, or such an impact on my body had a certain amount of exhaust gases penetrated from the engine compartment of the boat, also located on the lower deck. The boat has a toilet (or more correctly latrine), also on the ground floor, next to the stairs, and on the way the stewards, Thais  offer chilled drinks: water, cola, beer. Price is about 2 times higher than in the store, so wishing to save can buy a cold drink at one of the 7/11 near the pier, or grab a drink out of the hotel refrigerator at or condo, wrapped them in a towel (so your drink will be cold long time). Currently, when you will use big boats to Koh Larn from Pattaya, you will get  free soft drink (of course, it will be small bottles or cans). A year ago, this was not, apparently, competition from ferries for 30 baht forced to resort to such innovation.

During a trip on a boat You will pass by picturesque cliffs and several beaches that are described in the article Detailed description of all the beaches of the Koh Larn island. A 40-50 minutes later (depending on the sea waves and wind power), the boat arrives to the Samae Beach (on the hill behind the beach will be seen a lot of wind generators (most of which are not rotating), and to the left of the beach (when viewed from the side sea) you will notice a building of unusual shape with lots of solar panels on the roof) and a viewing platform a little higher. However, this is not the end of your journey. The last 50 meters from the boat to the pier from plastic blocks, you must  overcome in the longtail boat. On the stern of this longtail boat you can see on a rotating platform old motor that transmits torque to the smallest screw, mounted on a long shaft (see posted the video below)

Longtail boats  moor to big boat at least filling and everything happens quickly, so do not climb over the heads of other tourists in the hope of winning the extra five minutes of felting on the beach. After a colorful boat with no less colorful boaters will moored to the pier, you can go with the boat leaving at the pier life vest (can be left on the boat) and go to the beach. Since the beach is one of the best on the island, you not need need get to other beach yet, but if you wish you are always can to use local motorbike taxi. More information can be found in the article Transport on the island of Koh Larn: Practical Tips. To ensure that you have time on your return flight, it is better to come to the pier for 20-30 minutes before return departure.

Return to the pier can only be for make a return trip to Pattaya. At the beginning of the pier, you must show a return ticket on the big boat. When you give a ticket,  you can not to go back to the beach, therefore you must go to the pier only before your return  to Pattaya. Then the familiar steps, but in reverse. Move to the end of the pier, put on a life vest swims on a longtail boat to the big boat, and after 40-50 minutes after departure on leave Bali Hai pier in Pattaya. Back at Bali Hai Pier (which you can see in real-time using one of the webcams Pattaya online) will have to walk or just hire a motorcycle taxi that will take you to the hotel. Since my hotel is always within walking distance of Pattaya Walking Street, i prefer to stretch your legs and go on foot, admiring the rapid end of the day, when at dusk lights up a lot of neon signs.

Floating restaurants at Bali Hai Pier – a favorite vacation spot of Chinese tourists

Advantages of big boats Pattaya – Ko Larn – Pattaya for 150 Baht:

★ Less travel time (meaning that for 40-50 minutes will take you directly to a great beach with crystal clear water and not too many tourists).
★ Ability to sleep on the lower deck;
★ Ability to purchase a some popular cold drinks;
★ Free soft drink on board included in the ticket price;
★ Ability to ride on colorful longtail boat;
★ Beautiful views of the cliffs of the island during the trip.

Disadvantages of big boats Pattaya – Ko Larn – Pattaya for 150 Baht:

★ The last boat in 17-00 generally overloaded with passengers. Once we swam for about 10 minutes boat ride around it, while we still have not taken on board. Vest is not enough at all, so slept with difficulty :);
★ Due to the slightly higher rate on the upper deck with a strong wind and waves are not too comfortable to sit (fly water spray and wind in your face). But this many people even like it, so the disadvantage is not obvious;
★ If you wish to visit other beach, the cost of travel increases from 150 to 250 baht (due to additional payment motorcycle taxi services).
★ Bright sticker on his chest is visible in the photographs. We must not forget or temporarily peel it before photographing process, or delete after in Photoshop :).
★ Lower frequency flights compared with the ferries. Arriving late on just who quit from the boat pier, the next will have to wait an hour (although in this situation easier to take the ferry for 30 baht).
★ When near Samae beach sea with big waves, landing on/from a big boat is carried out on the nearby beach – Thien beach on Koh Larn island.

In the next article “How to get to Koh Lan from Pattaya as soon as possible,” I’ll tell you more about a few other ways to get from Pattaya to Koh Lan, their advantages and disadvantages. And I wish you pleasant trips in the event that you decide to make way to Koh Larn from Pattaya on big boat!

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The post How to get to Koh Larn from Pattaya on big boat first appeared on Thai-Rest.com - Your Best Holidays to Thailand!.

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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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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If you have not previously rested in Pattaya and do not know which of the beaches in question, I advise you to get acquainted with the information on the page “Beaches of Koh Larn Island – detailed description and map”. Samae Beach is one of the island’s best beaches, with a wide coastal strip and high transparency of sea water. By the way, this is the beach, where you can getting from Pattaya to Koh Lan with using big boat for 150 baht (price for both directions).

Since the island of Koh Larn is already long time a natural addition to Pattaya, the ban on the installation of sun loungers and umbrellas will be similar – every Wednesday (the same restriction applies to the urban beaches of Pattaya). Currently, the deck chairs are removed for a longer period, and on the beach, works are carried out to improve and clean it of debris, including natural origin (seaweed, stones, dry branches and leaves).

View of the wide Samae beach and rows of sun beds from the viewpoint

In 2016-2017, the beaches of Koh Larn Island are visited by about 5,000 tourists every day, so the island was faced with the problem of timely garbage collection. Local authorities expect that with the help of one day “without sunbeds” the beach will be cleaner and will be more tidy, because its cleaning will be greatly simplified. Every Wednesday, all landlords of sun loungers and umbrellas are required to completely free their beach area from this kind of “amenities”.

I sure, as same on the all beaches of Pattaya, such an innovation will be accepted by tourists ambiguously. However, if this really will makes the Samae beach more clean, this practice can be extended to other beaches of the island of Koh Larn. Moreover, local authorities have been discussing for about two years the possibility of limiting daily tourists on this island near Pattaya. So maybe this option will not be the worst possible.

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The post On the Koh Larn island will be prohibited sunbeds first appeared on Thai-Rest.com - Your Best Holidays to Thailand!.

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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The post Thien beach (Koh Larn, Pataya) – full overview first appeared on Thai-Rest.com - Your Best Holidays to Thailand!.

It is assumed that the fee for visiting Koh Larn will be charged from every tourist who has arrived to the island. All the funds raised in this way will be used to improve the infrastructure and clean up Ko Larn from the heaps of rubbish that remain after a daily visit to the island by thousands of tourists. A few years ago, when the number of daily tourists on Koh Larn was much smaller, most of the garbage was exported to the mainland for recycling. At the present time in the central part of the island a large garbage dump is organized, which is rapidly expanding and spreading unpleasant smells. If you already visited the island of Koh Larn and used public transport for a trip from Naban Pier to Samaye Beach or Thien Beach , you could saw this landfill and could feel an unpleasant smell.

Garbage dump on the island of Koh Larn – a source of unpleasant odors in the center of the island

Representatives of the Pattaya City Council intend to levy from 20 to 100 THB a person per visit to Koh Larn. This is the amount of fees for visiting a number of islands in the southern part of the country, located in the waters of the Andaman Sea. But in this issue there are some nuances that distinguish Ko Larn from other islands of the country with a paid visit. The islands of Phi Phi, the Similan Islands, the island of Poda and a number of other islands are national parks, while the island of Ko Larn does not have this status. Therefore, there is an opinion that charging for visiting Koh Larn will have a negative impact on attracting tourists to Pattaya, because the city beaches are far from ideal and only on Ko Larn island you can find clean beaches with perfectly clear and transparent water. In particular, the Mayor of Pattaya adheres to this opinion.

As a result of the last discussion, it was decided to form an ad hoc committee, which will study the issue in depth. Based on the received data, it will be correctly concluded, that will have a more detrimental effect for tourism: charging fees for visiting Koh Larn Island or further deterioration of the ecological situation on the island due to the inability to recycle all debris and interruptions to water supply. If in the end the fee for visiting the island is established, Ko Larn will cease to depend on the city budget of Pattaya and will become almost self-sustaining. What do you think about the fee for visiting Koh Larn? Write your thoughts on this in the comments.

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