The city of Rayong, located halfway between Bangkok and the Cambodian border, does not draw many tourists in its own right. Since it’s a major transportation hub, however, travelers headed to or away from Ko Samet will likely spend time here. The city’s only claims to fame are its reputation for producing the succulent summer fruits pineapple and durian and the dubious distinction of being the naam plaa (fish sauce) capital of Thailand. The time-intensive (and extremely smelly) process of producing naam plaa involves letting fish decompose for seven months—yum.
Transportation. Songthaew leave from Rayong Bus Station (☎038 611 379) for Ban Phe (45min., every 15min. 6:15am-7:30pm, 25฿). Buses go to: Bangkok (3hr., every 30min. 3am-8:50pm, 155฿); Chanthaburi (2hr., every 30min. 5am-7:30pm, 70฿); Khorat (6hr., every hr. 4:20am-9pm, 125-225฿); Nong Khan (13hr., every hr. 7am-8pm, 434฿); Pattaya (1hr., every 30min. 3am-6:20pm, 60฿); Si Racha (2hr., every 20min. 5am-7:30pm, 60฿). To get to Trat, go to Chanthaburi and change buses there.
Orientation And Practical Information. Rayong’s main street, Sukhumvit Road, runs east-west through the center of town. The bus station is two blocks north of Sukhumvit Rd. The ocean lies to the south. Services include: TAT Office (☎038 655 420, ext. 1; tourist information line 1672), 7km west of Rayong; currency exchange and 24hr. ATM at the Bank of Ayudhya, Sukhumvit Rd. across from Sukhumvit Nakornrayong 39 (☎038 611 534, open M-F 8:30am-3:30pm); Rayong Tourist Police (☎038 651 669); Rayong Hospital (☎038 611 104), on the corner of Sukhumvit Rd. and Sukhumvit Nakornrayong 45, east of the bus station; free Internet access on the second floor of Star Plaza mall, across from the Star Hotel; and the post office on Sukhumvit Rd., half a block east of the bus station, across from Sukhumvit Nakornrayong 43. (Open M-F 8:30am-4:30pm, Sa-Su 9am-noon.) Postal Code: 21000.
Accommodations And Food. Both hotels and restaurants are scarce in Rayong. The Burapa Palace Hotel , 109 Rayong Trade Center Soi 4, behind the bus station, is the luxury choice in Rayong, offering bowling, snooker, karaoke, and two pools. (☎038 614 901, ext. 7. Doubles 2000-3000฿.) The Star also has a Japanese restaurant with an excellent lunch buffet. (Buffet 140฿. Open daily 6am-midnight.) The colorful and lively market is the highlight of Rayong and, fortunately, only a 2min. walk from the bus station, in the direction of the Star Hotel. Go here to see piles of fruit as tall as people and sample the local fare from vendors cooking inside. Thaksinmajaraj Rd. has numerous noodle, curry, and barbecue stands and small areas for sitting and eating.
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