This area is home to a wide variety of beaches that will suit every taste, from the heavily-developed sands of Chonburi Province to the isolated beaches in Trat Province.

Chonburi Province

Some of the best seafood in Thailand is served in the town of Si Racha, 100 kilometers southeast of Bangkok. Here visitors may want to explore the Si Racha Tiger Farm, where tigers are bred. The attraction also includes a crocodile farm, a scorpion farm, and performing animals. Those who wish may be photographed with tiger cubs or iguanas. Pattaya, about 150 kilometers southeast of the capital, is said to be the busiest beach resort town in Thailand. As many as a million visitors may come to the town from November to March. The city is also an international center for go-cart racing.

Rayong Province

There are a number of fine beaches here, most of which are seldom visited by foreign tourists. Also in the province is Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park. The park has limestone mountains, caves, cliff, and impressive waterfalls, and is home to a number of animals including bear, tigers, and wild elephants.

Ko Samet, a small island in the Gulf of Thailand southeast of Pattaya was once a fairly pristine beach location. When its popularity increased in the 1980s, it was taken over by the National Parks Division. Despite efforts to the contrary, the area has been developed, and the island is very popular, especially during Thai public holidays.

Ko Chang National Marine Park

This park off the coast of Trat Province near the Cambodian border includes the island of Ko Chang (Elephant Island), some nearby islands, and the surrounding water. Nearly three-quarters of the hilly island is undisturbed rainforest, home to macaques, monitor lizards, various pythons, cobra, and barking deer. Diving, snorkeling, and hiking are all popular activities. Visitors may also wish to take an elephant trek into the forest. There are a number of resorts and bungalows, especially on the island's west coast, which is where the better beaches are located.