February has been a crazy month with many appointments to manage while we fill in gaps with short duration trips. We just couldn't consider longer duration ones. Also to be considered is the weather. We're now unto Thai summer and by April, temperatures can exceed 40 degrees Celsius. Despite a busy schedule this week, we've decided to up sticks again and head off to the coast for the weekend where it should be cooler. One complication is that we were hoping to see some football tomorrow and booked accommodation accordingly, but the game has since been cancelled. Tomorrow we will honour the booking while adding accommodation for tonight as well.
The last minute decision has meant a late start at 11:00 AM, but we're soon heading along the Bang Na/Trat expressway. Lunch is taken near Chonburi. Then rather than using the tollway, we decide to head inland on HWY 344. This is the scenic route through the hills and endless rubber tree plantations. It's not long after 3:00 PM when we arrive in Ban Phe.
We check in at The Stories Resort which is certainly different. Its stand out feature is the red and grey apartments. The 'stories' refer to stables. Yes, the horse and jockey is the theme here giving this new resort a good vibe.
It's still mid-afternoon as I take a walk down to the waterfront. After Bangkok, it's much more pleasant as you'd expect on the coast. Directly opposite, is a recreational area practically deserted at this time. To the right is the fishing port of Ban Phe and the Nuanthip Pier while to the left is the start of the Suan Son Beach. I'm happy to wander around and see what's here, ending up in Lotus's which is particularly handy. Returning to The Stories I find Katoon has recovered from driving today, so that means dinner. We drive into Ban Phe and park up near Nuanthip Pier. It's getting to be a rather expensive habit but at Phu Khao Thong Seafood 2 we order seafood again as another seabass appears and disappears.
Now after dark we take a stroll along the pier and that sets the scene for tomorrow. Rayong is just a perfect location for us. The province survives on fishing and other commercial activities rather than tourism and has been spared the intrusions the latter brings. That may not last long with the development of Utapao Airport less than an hour away.

Source: Visit