The Enigmatic East Coast – Between Pulsating Pattaya and Quiet Coastal Villages
The eastern coast of Thailand remains one of the country’s lesser-known regions, a stretch of land shaped by calm beaches, mangrove forests, small fishing communities and coastal landscapes where daily life has changed little over the decades. This journey leads you right into these authentic areas: places that lie outside the main tourist routes, yet offer a compelling blend of nature, culture and everyday coastal life.
From the outskirts of Bangkok to the province of Trat, you follow a route along the Gulf of Thailand that constantly reveals new impressions: quiet beaches, wide viewpoints, traditional markets, historic temples and coastal landscapes where the rhythm of life is set by the sea itself. The journey combines well-known elements, such as Pattaya, with surprisingly untouched stretches of the East Coast of Thailand that only few visitors explore.
You stay in carefully selected seaside hotels, enjoy time for walks along the beach and discover regions that offer deep insight into local life. A journey for travelers who wish to experience Thailand beyond the classic routes – calm, diverse and full of genuine impressions.
4-Day Private Tour Through Thailand | Daily Departures Available
The Enigmatic East Coast – Between Pulsating Pattaya and Quiet Coastal Villages
Bangkok – Samut Prakan – Chachoengsao – Chonburi – Bang Saen – Pattaya – Rayong – Ban Phe – Chantaburi Provinz – Trat (Ko Chang)
Vibes of Asia - What's Included
– Private tour in an air-conditioned vehicle with driver
– 3 nights in middle-class and upper-middle-class hotels
– Daily breakfast
– Additional meals as specified (3x L = Lunch; not included in the “Car & Driver” option)
– English-speaking guide
– All listed entrance fees and attractions
– Detailed day-by-day itinerary
– High-quality dark grey polo shirt with Vibes of Asia logo provided at the first hotel
– Accident insurance coverage for the duration of the program
Ihre Reise – Preise, Varianten & Unterkünfte
(THA6301)
Classic
| Reiseoption | 2 Pers. | 4 Pers. | 6 Pers. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wagen & Fahrer (ideal für Gäste, die flexibel und individuell reisen möchten) | 222 € | xxx € | xxx € |
| Englischsprachige Reiseleitung | xxx € | xxx € | xxx € |
| Deutschsprachige Reiseleitung | xxx € | xxx € | xxx € |
- ▸ Bangkok: Manhattan Hotel 3 ★
- ▸ Hotel 2 – xyz ★
- ▸ Hotel 3 – xyz ★
Premium
| Reiseoption | 2 Pers. | 4 Pers. | 6 Pers. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wagen & Fahrer (ideal für Gäste, die flexibel und individuell reisen möchten) | xxx € | xxx € | xxx € |
| Englischsprachige Reiseleitung | xxx € | xxx € | xxx € |
| Deutschsprachige Reiseleitung | xxx € | xxx € | xxx € |
- ▸ Hotel 1 – xyz ★
- ▸ Hotel 2 – xyz ★
- ▸ Hotel 3 – xyz ★
Preis pro Person bei gemeinsamer Buchung im Doppelzimmer – gültig bis 31.10.2026
👉 Aufpreis bei Festival-Terminen, Sonderleistungen (z. B. Gala-Dinner) möglich.
👉 Für Kinder, Familien & Gruppen erstellen wir gerne individuelle Angebote.
👉 Wir erstellen Ihnen gerne ein maßgeschneidertes Angebot – passend zu Route, Hotelkategorie und Reisedauer.
📩 Jetzt anfragen – wir beraten Sie persönlich und unverbindlich.
Day 1 | Beautiful Landscapes Along the Gulf of Siam
Your journey along Thailand’s East Coast begins in Samut Prakan, a neighboring province of Bangkok and once an important trading port of Siam. Just a short distance outside the capital, the scenery changes noticeably: wide salt fields, small shrimp farms, narrow waterways and quiet mangrove forests shape this early stretch of coastline. It is a region where daily life still follows the rhythm of the water, slow, steady and authentic.
Your first stop is the 180-metre Samut Prakan Observation Tower, offering wide views across the Chao Phraya estuary, the gentle movement of the boats and the shimmering reflection of light on the Gulf of Siam, a moment that immediately reveals the vastness of this coastal landscape.
You continue along rural waterways to Chachoengsao. At the historic Talat Khlong Suan Roi Pi, you encounter a market that is more than 100 years old, dating back to the time when people travelled between Bangkok and Chachoengsao by boat, stopping here along the canal. Old wooden shopfronts, the scent of fresh food stalls and the quiet canal that forms the center of the market create a deeply atmospheric setting. From the nearby wooden bridge, the scenery opens into a view that remains long in memory.
A short drive leads to Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan, a significant riverside temple that lends this part of the journey a serene and spiritual tone.
Next you continue to the province of Chonburi, crossing the 5-kilometre Cholmarkwithi Bridge, which runs parallel to the coastline: mangroves on one side, open sea on the other, a landscape that shifts with every kilometer and invites several photo stops.
A beautifully crafted Chinese-style temple follows, offering a vivid contrast of color, design and tradition.
Before reaching Bang Saen, you stop at two viewpoints, including Khao Sam Muk, known as Monkey Hill, with panoramic views over the Gulf of Thailand, the coastline and the small bays scattered along the shore.
In the afternoon, you arrive at your seaside resort opposite Bang Saen Beach. A long, palm-fringed coastal path invites you to take a walk in the warm evening light, the perfect ending to your first day. (L)
Day 2 | Pulsating Pattaya, Coastal Views & Quiet Fishing Villages
The morning begins with a coastal drive to Ko Loi Pier, a good spot for a short photo stop. You then turn inland and continue towards Pattaya, a city that embodies the contrasts of this region like no other: lively and calm, colorful and quiet, energetic yet full of hidden corners.
Known worldwide for its nightlife, Pattaya’s Walking Street attracts millions of visitors each year with its bars, clubs and entertainment venues. Within the city, you follow the long Pattaya Beach, running parallel to Beach Road and leading you to Khao Phra Tamnak Viewpoint. The large “Pattaya City” sign on the hillside is one of the city’s landmarks, and from the platform you enjoy a sweeping view of the bay and the coastline.
Via the long Jomtien Beach, you leave Pattaya behind and soon reach Khao Chi Chan, one of the region’s most impressive cultural sights. The 130-metre Buddha image is carved into the rock face, first outlined with laser technology, then engraved and later gilded with gold leaf. The combination of towering stone, precise lines and shimmering gold creates a striking and contemplative scene.
Your journey continues to a small coastal town characterized by its thriving fishing community. The pier offers a vivid picture of daily life: nets, wooden boats and the scent of the sea. A nearby viewpoint provides a quiet, wide panorama over the Gulf of Thailand and the small surrounding islands.
In the afternoon, you reach Rayong. Before checking into your hotel, you explore a large mangrove forest, accessible via wooden walkways that lead deep into the green ecosystem. A boat ride through narrow waterways brings you to the local fishing harbor, an intense encounter with nature and coastal life. Afterwards, you check into your beachside hotel, where the calm evening atmosphere marks the end of a varied day. (L)
Day 3 | Endless Beaches & Beautiful Viewpoints
You begin the day by following the coastal road from Rayong to Ban Phe, the main departure point for the island of Ko Samet. The large local fish market provides an authentic insight into coastal life: colorful stalls, baskets of seafood and the quiet bustle of a community shaped by the sea.
Your route then continues for many kilometers directly or very close to the shoreline. These stretches represent some of Thailand’s lesser-known coastal landscapes, wide, calm and unspoilt. The beaches are ideal for long walks, and along the way you find simple beach restaurants offering fresh dishes with beautiful sea views.
Your next stop is Raksamae, a mangrove area that serves as a conservation and breeding site for the Samae crab (hence the name: rak meaning ‘love’, and Samae being the species of crab). A wooden bridge leads across the river into the quiet mangrove ecosystem, where water, roots and dense green merge into a landscape entirely different from the open beaches.
The journey continues to Prasae, a small fishing town with a distinctive bridge spanning the river. From here, you enjoy broad views over the fishing village on one side and the open sea on the other. By the beach, simple restaurants and the historic HTMS Prasae, a former royal warship, invite you to explore. Driving through the village, you pass narrow lanes lined with traditional wooden houses and small workshops.
On the way to Trat, you stop at various beaches and viewpoints offering panoramic views over the Gulf of Thailand. This route is defined by its many small moments, short walks, photo stops and quiet views over almost deserted bays.
In the evening, you arrive at a resort set between the sea and a mangrove forest in the province of Trat. Wooden boardwalks lead into the ecosystem, offering a calm and atmospheric end to the day. (L)
Day 4 | End of the Journey or Island Extension
After three days exploring Thailand’s East Coast, full of coastal landscapes, mangrove forests and fishing communities, your round trip comes to an end. From Trat, you have several onward travel options.
Many guests continue their holiday on one of the nearby islands. Ko Chang, Ko Mak and Ko Kood offer quiet beaches, clear bays and a noticeably slower pace of life. We drive you to the appropriate pier and coordinate your onward journey.
Alternatively, we can transfer you to Trat Airport or take you back to Bangkok if you plan to continue with a domestic or international flight, or simply want a final evening in the capital.
For experienced Southeast Asia travelers, there is also the option to continue your journey across the Cambodian border, conveniently reached from Trat, ideal as a starting point for onward trips to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh.
Whichever route you choose, we are happy to assist in arranging an extension tailored to your travel plans, pace and preferred style of exploring.
Selected Hotels for Your Journey
Bangsaen Heritage Hotel 3.5*
Bang Saen
Banpu Resort 3*
Trat
Fortune Saeng Chan Beach 3.5*
Rayong