Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhon Herbal Garden

April 26th, 2009

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Herb Garden

PTT Public Company Limited (PTT) has planted and established the first herb garden of Thailand since 1984 on the 60-rai area with the objective to conserve and develop the natural resources for people in the next generation. Various kinds of herbs are gathered and planted in the garden, which was later presented to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on 18  April 1985. The landscape was developed and more herbs were planted and the 50th Birthday Anniversary in honor to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Building was built on the auspicious occasion of the Princess 50th Birthday Anniversary in  2006.

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Herbs Garden comprises of 2 parts:

1. The Herb Garden
The garden of more than 260 medicinal herbs of about 20,000 herb trees which can be divided into 20 groups according to their medical properities. The garden serves as the source of Thai Herbal knowledge and the place for recreation.

2. The 50th Birthday Anniversary in honor to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Building
It is the exibition hall where visitors can enjoy interesting knowledge about Thai herbs shown through various multimedia, exciting and encouraging the desire to learn more. The exhibition hall consists of:
- The Adventure of the Whirling Rubber Seed Room
- Thai Energy Save the World Room
- 4 essential elements of a person body room
- The Conservationist Princess Room
- House of the Village Doctor
- World of Herb Room

The Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhon Herbal Garden is located within the grounds of the Petroleum Authority of Thailand, about 25 kilometers from town on Highways No. 36 and No. 3191 in Nikhom Phatthana sub-district. It is not only a center where various herbal plants are put on display the place as well engages in herbal research. Open daily except Monday from 9.00 a.m.- 4.00 p.m. Tel: 0 3891 5213-5 Fax. 0 3891 5216.

The Sopha Arboretum

April 26th, 2009

The extensive grounds located near the entrance to Ban Phe, just about 200 meters off Highway No.3 at Km. marker 238 are home to various flowering plants. A 100-year-old Thai-style wooden structure houses porcelain ware from various periods, in particular the Ban Chiang style. The place is open daily except Thursdays from 8.00 a.m. until 5.00 p.m. Contact Tel: 0-3865-1688 for more information.

Ticket Fee: 50 Baht /person.

Rayong Aquarium

April 26th, 2009

Located in the Eastern Marine Fisheries Research and Development Centre, Ban Phe,  the aquarium keeps various kinds of beautiful fish and sea plants. The centre conducts study, research and testing regarding marine biology and behaviors of marine life. A large aquarium with a tunnel allows visitors to see various beautiful fish as well as economic-related creatures living in the mangrove forest such as cuttlefish, crab, giant clam, and horseshoe crab.
The outdoor aquarium also houses various marine life.  The turtle pond houses hawksbill turtles, olive turtles, and leatherback turtles. The fish pond houses large species of fish.  Visitors can witness the real underwater world in a special pond that houses starfish, anemone and sea cucumber. Various fishery tools in miniature are also displayed. The Fossil Museum exhibits stuffed and extinct animals as well as a display of rare animals such as humpback dolphin and Irrawaddy Dolphin.  Seafood products are available on sale outside the building.
The Rayong Aquarium is open from Wednesday to Friday during 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. and on weekends from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.  Group visitors should call in advance. Tel. 0 3865 3741, Fax. 0 3865 1763

RAYONG : How to get there

April 26th, 2009

By Car

Route No.1

Sukhumvit Road (Highway No.3): Starting from Bangkok passes Bangpu District, Chonburi town, Bangsaen, Sri Racha District, Pattaya, Hat Jomtien, Sattahip District, Ban Chang District to arrive in the center of Rayong Province. The total distance is 220 kilometers.

Route No.2

The most popular route, starting from Bangna-Trat Road (Highway No.34) via Bang Phli and Bang Bo District (Samut Prakan Province) and Highway No.3 at km. 70. The total distance is 220.

Route No.3

Drive along Highway No.3 to Bang Lamung, then turn off of Highway No.3 at Km.140 and continue on Highway No.36 to Rayong. Total distance is 210 kilometers.

Route No.4

Taking Highway No.344 (Ban Bung-Klaeng) at Chonburi town, passing Ban Bung, Nong Yai, Wang Chan and finishing at Klaeng District, Rayong Province. The total distance is 100 kilometers. (Bangkok-Chonburi is 80 kilometers)
This route is suitable for those who like to go sightseeing in Klaeng District and Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park or passing through Chanthaburi Province.

Route No.5

Use the Motorway, starting from Phatthanakarn Road, Prawet District, Bangkok and drive all the way up to Pattaya (120 kilometers), then switch to use Highway No.36 and proceed for another 50 kilometers to Rayong.

By Air

Bangkok Airways operates one flight everyday from Phuket via Ko Samui to Rayong-U Ta Pao International Airport. For more information contact Bangkok Airways in Bangkok, Tel :( 662) 265 5555 or travel agencies in Rayong.

By Bus

Rayong is the gateway from the east to the north and northeast. As such, there are many regular bus services connecting Rayong and Bangkok and other province such as Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima and Nong Khai.

Getting around Rayong

Local Bus Schedule:

Bus Station – Assumption School (Red) via Laemtong Department Store
The busses run daily from 5.00 a.m. until 9.00 p.m.(Every 5-10 minutes)
Fare : 5 baht

Bus Station – Paknam (Dark Blue) via Wat Pa Pradu, Wat Lum, Laem Charoen
The busses run daily from 5.00 a.m. until 6.00 p.m. (Every 5-10 minutes)
Fare: 5-10 baht

Big C – Nicom Pattana (White) via Big C, Makro
The busses run daily from 6.30 a.m. until 18.00 p.m. (Every 15-20 minutes)
Fare : 12 baht

Post Office – Map Ta Phut (Red) via Laemtong Department Store
The busses run daily from 5.00 a.m. until 8.00 p.m. (Every 5-10 minutes)
Fare : 7 baht

Post Office – Ban Chang (Red) via Century Golf
The busses run daily from 4.30 a.m. until 8.00 p.m. (Every 10-15 minutes)
Fare : 10 baht

Bus Station – Tapong (White) via Wat Pa Pradu, Tapong Fruit Market
The busses run daily from 05.00 a.m. until 6.00 p.m. (Every 5-10 minutes)
Fare : 5-7 baht

Bus Station – Nai Rai (Sky Blue) via Hat Mae Ramphueng, Ban Kon Ao
The busses run daily from 06.00 a.m. until 6.00 p.m. (Every 15 minutes)
Fare : 15 baht

Bus Station – Wang Kaew (White) via Rayong Chalet, Novotel
The busses run daily from 06.00 a.m. until 6.00 p.m.(Every 15 minutes)
Fare : 15 baht

Bus Station – Laem Mae Phim (Dark Blue) via Ban Phe, Suan Son, Rayong Chalet, Novotel, Laem Mae Phim

The busses run daily from 06.15 a.m. until 6.00 p.m. (Every 15 minutes)
Fare : 15-25 baht

Laem Mae Phim – Klaeng (Green) via Laem Mae Phim, Sunthorn Phu Monument
The busses run daily from 05.30 a.m. until 5.00 p.m. (Every 10-15 minutes)
Fare : 20 baht

Bus Station – Klaeng (Yellow) via Wat Saranat
The busses run daily from 06.00 a.m. until 6.00 p.m. (Every 10 minutes)
Fare : 20 baht

Khao Din – Khao Chamao (Green) via Khao Chamao & Klong Pla Gang Water Fall
The busses run daily from 06.00 a.m. until 4.00 p.m. (Every 20 minutes)
Fare : 20 baht



By Boat (to Ko Samet)

Ferry Timetables (from Ban Phe) :

Destination: Nadarn Pier (Saikaeo / Ao Phai / Ao Thapthim)

Departure from Ban Phe : Every hour

Fare/Trip : 50 baht

Departure from Destination : Every hour

Destination: Ao Wong Duen (Ao Nuan / Ao Saengthian)

Departure from Ban Phe : 9.00 a.m., 12.00 p.m., 1.30 p.m., 5.00 p.m.

Fare/Trip : 60 baht

Departure from Destination : 8.30 a.m., 12.00 p.m., 3.30 p.m., 4.00 p.m.

Destination: Ao Wai

Departure from Ban Phe : 11.30 a.m., 2.00 p.m.

Fare/Trip : 100 baht

Departure from Destination : 2.00 p.m.

Destination: Ao Kui

Departure from Ban Phe : 10.00 a.m.

Fare/Trip : 120 baht

Departure from Destination : 10.00 a.m., 12.30 p.m., 3.00 p.m., 5.00 p.m.

For charters (15-60 persons) from Ban Phe Pier contact:

Nuan Tip Pier Tel: 0 3865 1956, 651 508 or
Sri Ban Phe Pier Tel: 0 3865 1902

RAYONG : Info

April 26th, 2009

Located approximately 220 kilometers from Bangkok is another delightful resort on Thailand’s eastern coast – Rayong province. A late bloomer, the province is well known for its pristine beaches stretching along a 100-kilometer coastline and scenic waterfalls amidst exotic surroundings. Aside from this, Rayong is blessed with an abundance of seafood products such as shrimp paste, fish sauce and dried seafood, and tropical fruits of which rambutan, mangosteen and durian are the most famous.

Covering a total area of 3,552 square kilometers, Rayong borders Chonburi Province on the north and the west, the Gulf of Thailand on the south, and Chantaburi Province on the east. Most of the land is marked by a series of mountains interspersed by flat plains and large tracts of forest and fruit plantations. Administratively, the province is divided into Mueang Rayong, Klaeng, Ban Khai, Bang Chang, Pluak Daeng and Wang Chan districts and Khao Chamao and Nikhom Phatthana Sub-districts.

Boasting indispensable sea-life resources, Rayong is one of the country’s major agricultural and industrial provinces. On the other hand, the province has maintained its traditions and customs in the daily lifestyle of the locals. The best months to visit Rayong are from November to February.

The Past
During the late Ayutthaya period, when the former capital was being razed to the ground by the invading Burmese, Phaya Tak led a troop of patriots, broke through the cordon of besieging troops and marched to Rayong in order to build up his navy before proceeding on to Chanthaburi. Because of his courage and bravery, the soldiers and local population anointed him as “King” in Rayong. Once he had built up sufficient troop strength, Phaya Tak who later became King Taksin of the Kingdom of Thonburi returned to Ayutthaya, routed the Burmese and set up a new capital in Thonburi.
Distances from Rayong Town to Other Destinations :

Muang District:

Map Ta Phut 15 kms.
Sang Chan Beach 8 kms.
Hat Mae Ramphueng 11 kms.
Ban Kon Ao/Kao Laem Ya 22 kms.
The Sobha Botanical Gardens 17 kms.
Suan Son Park 23 kms.

Klaeng District :

Suan Wang Kaew 38 kms.
Hat Laem Mae Phim 38 kms.
Statue of Sunthorn Phu 48 kms.
Khao Chamao Waterfall  71 kms.
Khao Wong Cave 78 kms.
Ban Phe District 19 kms.
Ban Khai District 12 kms.
Pattaya 65 kms.
Chon Buri 98 kms.
Chanthaburi Province 110 kms.
Trat Province 180 kms.
U Taphao Airport 35 kms.
Ban Chang District 28 kms.

RAYONG TOURIST MAP

April 25th, 2009