Bangsaen Beach: Pattaya’s Quiet Sibling
For people visiting Bangkok who want to slip out of the city for a day, there are actually some great Thai beaches not too far away.
Of course, everyone knows Pattaya, the crazy party town on the coast. But the vibrant night life and hoards of intoxicated tourists aren’t things that excite everyone who comes to travel in Thailand.
Fortunately for those people (or at least those of them who have found this article) there is a beach that is the same distance from Bangkok as Pattaya, but that is relatively unknown: Bangsaen Beach.
Bangsaen beach is a favorite amongst the locals, who are also not always in the mood to wade through crowds of unkempt party goers to get to bit of sand and spread out their towel. About an hour from Bangkok, it is not terribly expensive to get there, even if you take a private taxi (I think the fair is about 2000 baht, or around 55 USD, bus is only around 150 baht).
The beach is ok for swimming and lounging, but there are a few other activities that go on there that add an additional layer of excellence to the beach.
One is the Bangsaen Speed Festival, where some of the fastest cars in the world come to race up and down the streets around Bangsaen beach. Automakers and racers from Italy, Japan, the U.S.A, Germany, and many other countries bring their best to show at the festival. Very cool thing to do in Thailand for the motor head.
The other comes in mid April, after the Thai New Year festival of Songkran. This is the legendary water festival that brings the country to its wet knees for a week every year, with even the most innocent looking old women concealing water pistols and balloons in their blouses.
All of the best sand sculpture artists in the country, and a number of greats from around the world, come out to make their mark on the beach at Bangsaen, definitely worth the hour it takes to get out there and check it out.
Take a look and enjoy this video of Bangsaen Speed Festival:
http://youtu.be/tdd_c0c2fhw
Are you going there? You can hire a car and driver in Bangkok and go where ever you like in the kingdom of Thailand for the ultimate in flexibility and comfort.
I lived and worked in this town for 4 years. The seafood is very good and much cheaper/fresher than in Bangkok.
As for nightlife there are plenty of music clubs/pubs, however they are not geared for foregin tourists for the most part.
There is also a very large Chinese Temple to tour. Another “high” point is Caao Sammuk – Sammuk Montain, which is inhabited by monkeys. You can but snacks and feed them.
I wouldn’t recommend the beaches. Bang Saen is a good getaway place if you live in Bangkok and just need a break. I’d compare it to NJ….
Take the M1 public bus to Nong Mon Market (seafood snack market) ffrom Ekkamai for about 70-80Baht. Saang Tao trucks drive all over for cheap transportation.
Thanks for the comment and the tips. Have to check out Bangsaen at night sometime. And you are right the beaches aren’t the best, but Bangsaen makes for a good day trip from Bangkok.