T.I.C.D.: Chonburi coast & offshore islands (Part I: Mueang Chonburi, Si Racha & Pattaya)
Part one of the coastal shores of Chonburi province, condensed.
Welcome back to the Thai Island & Coastal Directory, a book-in-progress that promises to be the most complete guide to coastal Thailand ever written in English, covering more than 800 islands. For info on how to use the T.I.C.D. and a working Table of Contents, paddle over here. Thank you for reading!
T.I.C.D. ticker: So far, we’ve covered 346 islands and 75 mainland coastal areas in 23 sections, including this one.
Resuming Chonburi province…
Chonburi provincial coast, offshore islands & inland reaches
Comprising the busy eastern chunk of the Upper Gulf or Bay of Bangkok, the Chonburi coast extends for some 170 km between Chachoengsao in the north and Rayong to the southeast. Drawing little attention compared to Chonburi’s main islands (Ko Larn, Ko Phai, Ko Si Chang, Ko Samae San and Ko Khram Yai), seven additional islands sit closer to the mainland.
Much of the “Chon” coast is inaccessible or sealed in concrete, with cities and industry rimming the north, and Navy control down in the south — albeit with opportunities to visit some terrific Navy-managed beaches in Sattahip. With Pattaya’s broad urban beach joining the lengthy beaches that extend south from Jomtien, Bang Lamung district is rich in coastal sands.
We’ve thoroughly enjoyed some of Chonburi’s mainland shores but the coast can get a little stressful in places due to the busy roads and urban spaces. The huge industrial zone at Laem Chabang does not scream relaxation, either. Perhaps a better option for an extended trip is to single out a handful of Chonburi’s islands and/or mainland areas before hitting the Eastern Gulf and its quieter shores in Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat.
Chonburi has no national parks or wildlife sanctuaries, but the Khao Chao Bo Thong Forest Park in the remote NE of this 4,363 sq.-km province hides its namesake waterfall. The Royal Thai Navy also conserves parts of the scenic Sattahip coast in ways that resemble NP control, and another load of jungle cloaks Khao Khiao, an area that also hosts Thailand’s largest zoo near Si Racha.
Coastal areas & islands below are arranged roughly from N to S.