East Thailand

Eastern Thailand stretches along the Gulf of Thailand coast from Bangkok's outskirts to the Cambodian border, encompassing the industrial Eastern Seaboard, the resort city of Pattaya, and the increasingly popular Koh Chang archipelago. The region is defined by its accessibility — Pattaya is just 2 hours from Bangkok by bus, making it the capital's go-to weekend escape — and by the striking contrast between its industrial infrastructure and its genuinely beautiful natural settings.

Pattaya is Thailand's most misunderstood destination. Beyond the notorious Walking Street nightlife, the city has undergone significant redevelopment and now offers a legitimate spectrum of experiences: excellent golf courses, a thriving Korean and Russian expat community, good-value beachfront condos, international restaurants of every cuisine, and day trips to Coral Island (Koh Larn) where turquoise water and quiet beaches reward the 45-minute ferry crossing. The city is also the base for the BIRA International Circuit motorsport venue and various watersports centres.

Hua Hin, technically in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, is functionally part of the eastern Gulf experience — a royal beach town 3.5 hours south of Bangkok that has long attracted Thai royalty, retired expats, and weekending Bangkok families. Its night market, excellent seafood restaurants, and unhurried pace make it one of Thailand's most liveable beach destinations. Koh Chang, in the far east near Cambodia, remains more forested and rugged than the southern islands, with decent snorkelling, jungle waterfalls, and a backpacker-to-boutique spectrum of accommodation.