If you’re visiting Bangkok and want to get out and see Thailand’s beaches, but don’t have time for a trip to Phuket, Samui or one of the country’s other amazing beaches, consider one of the following beach destinations. All are within easy driving distance of Bangkok, have nice beaches and a good selection of places to stay. Sure, they’re not as spectacular as, Koh Phi Phi or Railey Beach in Krabi, but they’re also convenient enough to visit in a weekend and won't cost you hundreds of dollars.
Hua Hin
photo copyright Suzanne Nam
Hua Hin’s beaches are a favorite among Bangkokians looking for a quick and easy weekend escape. Central Hua Hin is very developed, with a bustling center behind the beach, lots of European restaurants, big chain hotels and places such as Starbucks Coffee and McDonalds that will make you feel like you never left home. Since Hua Hin is very popular among local Thai’s as well as resident foreigners, it still retains its “Thainess,” though, so there are plenty of Thai restaurants to enjoy, too. Hua Hin is about three hours from Bangkok and is easy to get to by car, train or bus.
Pranburi
Just south of Hua Hin is Pranburi, an up and coming resort area that has a lot of the appeal of Hua Hin but fewer crowds and less development. In the past decade Pranburi has become home to some very high end resorts, so if you’re looking for budget accommodations, better to stick with Hua Hin.Cha-am
photo copyright Suzanne Nam
North of Hua Hin, and even closer to Bangkok, is the beach town of Cha-am, another popular destination among foreign and Thai Bangkok residents looking for a place to relax over the weekend. Cha-am has a developed, bustling urban area just off the beach and a heavy concentration of resorts, hotels and guest houses on the coast, but also has its share of quiet, peaceful resorts a mile or two from the center. Cha-am is also an easy drive or bus ride from Bangkok.
Koh Samet
photo copyright Suzanne Nam
If you want to experience island resort life but don’t have lots of time, Koh Samet is as good as it gets. The small island in the Gulf of Siam is just off the mainland about three hours from Bangkok (you’ll need to take a short ferry or speed boat ride to the island itself). Though most of the island is technically a protected area, nearly all of the usable coastline is covered with beach resorts and beach restaurants. Accommodations range from cheap guest houses behind the beach to just a few upscale resorts in more secluded areas. Samet doesn’t have a wild party scene but there are plenty of places to get drinks and listen to music.
