Sights in Rayong Province
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Khao Laem Ya/Mu Ko Samet National Park
Ko Man Klang, Ko Kudee and Ko Man Nok, along with Ko Man Nai to the west, are part of Khao Laem Ya/Mu Ko Samet National Park. This official status hasn’t kept away all development, only moderated it. Ko Kudee has a small, pretty sandy stretch, clear water for decent snorkelling and a nice little hiking trail. Ko Man Nai is home to the Rayong Turtle Conservation Centre ([tel] 0 3861 6096; [hrs] 9am-4pm), which is a breeding place for endangered sea turtles and has a small visitor centre. The best way to visit is to join a boat tour from Ko Samet.
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Turtle Conservation Centre
Ko Man Nai is home to the Rayong Turtle Conservation Centre, which is a breeding place for endangered sea turtles. You can get here by joining one of the many boat tours departing from Ko Samet.
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Hat Sai Kaew
Starting in the island's northeastern corner, Hat Sai Kaew, or 'Diamond Sand', is the island's widest and whitest stretch of sand and has all the hubbub you'd expect of a top-notch beach resort. With sunbathers, sarong-sellers, anchored speedboats loading day-trippers, and restaurants galore – the people-watching here is part of the appeal. At night the scene is equally rambunctious with late-night parties and karaoke sessions.
At the southern end of Hat Sai Kaew are the prince and mermaid statues that memorialise Samet's literary role in Phra Aphaimani, the great Thai epic by Sunthorn Phu. The story follows the travails of a prince exiled to an undersea kingdom ruled by…
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Ao Wong Deuan
A smaller sister to Hat Sai Kaew, Ao Wong Deuan is a long, crescent-shaped bay packed with people, mainly package tourists.
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Ao Wai
The cove 'caboose' is Ao Wai, a lovely beach far removed from everything else (in reality it is 1km from Ao Thian).
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Ao Thian
Ao Thian (Candlelight Beach) is punctuated by big boulders that shelter small sandy spots creating a castaway ambience. It is one of Samet's most casual, easygoing beaches and is deliciously lonely on weekdays. On weekends, Bangkok university students serenade the stars with all-night guitar sessions.
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Ao Prao
On the west coast, Ao Prao is worth a visit for a sundowner cocktail but the small beach is outsized by the high-end resorts that promise (but don't deliver) solitude.
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Ao Phutsa (Ao Tub Tim)
Further still is wide and sandy Ao Phutsa (Ao Tub Tim), a favourite for solitude seekers, families and couples who need access to 'civilisation' but not a lot of other stimulation.
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Ao Hin Khok & Ao Phai
More subdued than their northern neighbour, Ao Hin Khok and Ao Phai are two gorgeous bays separated by rocky headlands. The crowd here tends to be younger and more stylish than the down-to-earth crew in Hat Sai Kaew and the parties are late-nighters. These two beaches are the traditional backpacker party centres of the island.
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