Whenever I search for Thai beaches in Google, the topmost result will either be Pattaya or Phuket. These two beaches are so popular that they are the only beaches where foreigners go to. Many tourists don't know that there are other beaches in Thailand that can are also gems but less costly than Pattaya and Phuket.
One of the beaches that are below the radar of foreigners is the Bang Saen Beach in the City of Chonburi. This beach is the closest beach from Bangkok and it was said that it is just an hour drive from Suvarnabhumi Airport. Please go Bang Saen page of WikiTravel for detailed info on going to this beach.
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| Bang Saen Beach |
I was fortunate to be brought to Bang Saen Beach (for free, yey!). The travel is work related though so I didn't got the chance to wade in the sea.
I can say Bang Saen Beach is not the typical high-end beach that have great facilities. What it has are simple souvenir shops, food stalls and chairs to laze away the day. The lack of these high-end features is a plus, however, because it made many things in Bang Saen Beach less expensive.
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Another plus is the absence of the “prostitution” bar and clubs that are typically found in Pattaya. Thus, this place is perfect for family getaway.
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The beach is almost deserted by people when we went there during a weekday. My office mates said that Bang Saen Beach becomes crowded during weekends because many Thai families flock the place.
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The beach is OK but I found better beaches in Koh Samet Island (I will post about that in the future). The sea is also dirty and I saw some plastic wrappers and other refuse floating around. I hope that the administrator of the beach ensure the cleanliness of the area.
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There are many things to do in Bang Saen Beach and you can read some of the events at Bang Saen Beach website. I saw paddle boats during my visit. Too bad that I didn't have the time but I really want to try it and challenge my office mates for a race. Too bad, work first before pleasure.
Souvenir shops can also be found in the place. I visited many of the shops but they don't have the ref magnets that I wanted.
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We immediately left Bang Saen Beach after we finished our work. My hope of wading in the sea vanished. So sad.
Well, if you're a tourist who want to try beaches that are cheaper than Pattaya or Phuket, I suggest that you go to Bang Saen Beach.
