Reader question: Beach locations not far from Bangkok?

If you are looking for a quiet destination with some Thai atmosphere, consider Cha am.
The sea is not very clear, so it is not possible to snorkel, but the atmosphere is pleasant.

Dear Magda,

It really depends on what you think is important for your beach holiday; a beautiful beach or an environment where there are also beautiful things to see. Now the term “beautiful” is of course very subjective.

I myself go to Bangsaen 3 or 4 times a year; which is about half way between Suvarnabhumi and Pattaya. Bangsaen is very quiet in terms of tourism during the week. There is a large university, so the evenings are quite animated because everyone and everything eats “outside”. Enough possibilities to eat (and drink) very varied. Bangsaen is much busier on weekends as it is a typical seaside resort for the Thai residents of Bangkok.

And Bangsaen is also easy to reach from Suvarnabhumi Airport with a direct bus. At the airport, report on Level 1 and always ask if the bus stops in Bangsaen. Usually in Bangsaen the bus will stop on Sukhumvit Road at Nong Mon Market.

And one word of advice: look for a hotel not too far from the boulevard roundabout at the end of Long Had Bangsaen Rd. Then you know for sure that you can reach everything within walking distance (or rent a scooter for a few days).

Oh yeah; I am not entirely objective because I mainly come there because my girlfriend lives there.

I hope this gives you something to consider.

Will Rietveld

Fly from A'dam to Bangkok with a connecting flight to Koh Samui.
An hour and 5 minute flight. Beautiful beaches.

Dear Magda, Samut Prakan is a nice area for one day if you want to take a boat trip through mangroves with a chance of meeting dolphins, but definitely not a beach destination. These are Cha Am and Hua Hin, but it takes about 2,5 hours to get there. Cha Am is in fact a few km. long boulevard with a wide beach. Very relaxed during the week, but overcrowded during the weekend and public holidays and you then have to stand in traffic to get to the boulevard. Bang Saen has already been mentioned, excellent (walking) boulevard, wide beach but less suitable for going into the sea. (Quite muddy in some places) Also overcrowded with Thai beachgoers during the weekend. I have been there several times (my favorite hotel there is The Tide resort) to 'escape' the hectic pace of Pattaya. However, unlike Wil, I think that there is not much to do for a tourist in the evening. A taxi from the airport will take you here in about an hour and a half for around 1000 Bath. Pattaya is about 60 km further south and Jomtien actually has everything for a few days of pleasant beach fun and there is a lot to do here in the evenings. Rayong is further away, very extensive and I enjoy the peace and quiet, but in my opinion my own transport is a necessity. The choice is yours, and it strikes me that you are taking the 'reverse' route. Most people first stay in Bangkok for a few days and then explore Thailand further or enjoy a beach holiday. But that is of course your decision. Have fun!