Things to do in Rayong Province
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Baywatch Bar
Sorry fellas, Pam Anderson is nowhere to be found, although the delicious cocktails and international dishes are a decent consolation prize.
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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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Starfish Ventures
Places volunteers in conservation, teaching and animal welfare programs throughout Thailand, but mainly in Surin.
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Hin Pholeung
The best diving around Ko Samet is at Hin Pholeung. This isolated spot is well away from destructive boat traffic and has two towering underwater rock pinnacles with excellent visibility (up to 30m) and a great assortment of marine life, such as manta rays, barracuda, sharks and, if you brought your four-leaf clover, whale sharks.
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Naga Bungalows
A giant snake-shaped banister leads beach-aholics up the hill to the simple huts of Naga Bungalows. This guesthouse restaurant has a bakery with warm rolls, croissants and donuts in the morning and great sandwiches and pizza throughout the day. There are plenty of tofu dishes on the menu and weekly buffet meals.
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Naga Bar
The beachfront bar specialises in drinking games: coin tosses, moo·ay tai bouts and whisky buckets to give you courage.
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Miss You Cafe
Located beside the National Parks main office, this spot has 13 different kinds of coffee, and almost as many variations on cake and ice cream. Have a latte as you hitch your laptop to the wi-fi network.
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Naga Bar
The bakery-cum-restaurant here serves warm rolls, croissants and donuts in the morning, and sandwiches, pizza and Thai dishes throughout the day. There are plenty of tofu dishes to satisfy vegetarians.
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O
For a romantic evening it’s hard to beat the combination of delicious Italian food and delightful setting at O at Le Vimarn Cottages. Expensive by Thai standards, it’s still cheap compared with home.
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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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Jep's Restaurant
Canopied by the branches of an arching tree decorated with pendant lights, this pretty place does a little of everything right on the beach.
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Sirikan
Tucked deep within the jumble of seaside restaurants, little Sirikan has an excellent assortment of fresh seafood - you even get to pick your prey.
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Baywatch Bar
There are a number of chill-out spaces for after-dark beach-gazing. The cocktails are strong and it's a fun evening crowd.
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National Park Entrance Gates
There’s an office at the gates and another office on Ao Wong Deuan; wherever you arrive a ranger will find you to charge the fee.
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Ao Lung Wan Restaurant
Low-key without being shabby, this restaurant serves a large menu of tasty, inexpensive Thai dishes in a quiet beachfront location.
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Baywatch Bar
Pam Anderson is nowhere to be found but the delicious cocktails and international dishes are a decent consolation prize.
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Rabeang Bar
Right by the ferry terminal, this over-the-water spot has good enough food to make you forget you have to leave the island.
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Panorama Restaurant
City sensibilities serve Asian and Western cuisine instead of guesthouse grub. It’s northwest of Na Dan.
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Jimmy’s Tours
To get off Ko Samet in a hurry call Jimmy’s Tours. Prices start at 1200B from Na Dan.
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Panorama Restaurant
City sensibilities are well served with Asian and Western cuisine instead of guesthouse grub.
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Ao Prao Divers
Reputable dive operation based at both the Saikaew Villa and the Ao Prao Resort.
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Bamboo Restaurant
This restaurant offers inexpensive, but tasty, food and good service.
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Summer Restaurant
In a crisp setting overlooking the harbour, Summer savours a globetrotters' culinary scrapbook, from Indian-style chicken tikka to Cajun chicken breasts.
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Silver Sand Bar
Silver Sands progresses (regresses?) from dinner to cocktail buckets and dance floor gyrations and is a popular gay spot.
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