8 Stunning Beaches Near Bangkok That Will Leave You Enthralled
Looking for a quick getaway to one of the many beautiful beaches near Bangkok? From popular sandy stretches in Thailand to lesser-known gems, Bangkok makes a great base for those who want the best of both worlds: a bustling city and a tranquil paradise. It’s time to include these destinations in your upcoming Bangkok itinerary.
The 8 Best Beaches Near Bangkok
Hua Hin
Located along the Gulf of Thailand, Hua Hin is a coastal city minus the flocks of tourists. If you’re in need of some me-time, stroll along the 4-kilometre stretch of the sandy coastline starting from Khao Takiap. Don’t miss the scenic sunset by the beach with a glass of cocktail in hand.
Hardcore foodies will enjoy Hua Hin for its line-up of bars and restaurants, with offerings ranging from Thai and Asian to Italian and French cuisine. Don’t leave Hua Hin without feasting on their fresh seafood. Despite its small size, Hua Hin also houses several night markets. They may not be as big as the Chatuchak Market but the food and souvenir options for tourists doesn’t disappoint.
Where to Stay in Hua Hin: Baan Sansaran Beachfront Condominium offers fantastic sea views and a great location to explore other tourist attractions in Hua Hin including Wat Khao Takiab and Hua Hin Night Market.
[button style=’blue’ icon=”entypo-suitcase” url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/Hua-Hin-Hotels.d6049558.Travel-Guide-Hotels’ fullwidth=’true’] Find Hotels in Hua Hin [/button]
Distance from Bangkok: 3 hours by road
How to reach Hua Hin: Buses to Hua Hin are available from the Bangkok airport and the city centre. Alternatively, you can reach Hua Hin via train from Hua Lamphong and Bang Sue Railway Stations.
[button icon=”entypo-flight” url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/Cheap-Flights-To-Hua-Hin.d6049558.Travel-Guide-Flights’ fullwidth=’true’] Flights to Hua Hin [/button]
Pranburi
Pranburi is an offbeat beach destination not too far from Hua Hin. If you find Hua Hin too developed, Pranburi can be a great alternative with even fewer tourists. Just like Hua Hin, Pranburi lies in a rain shadow area of Thailand, making Pranburi one of the driest areas when it comes to the Thailand weather.
There are plenty of great Thailand activities here thanks to the kite-surfing schools in Pranburi, which benefit from the strong winds blowing towards Pranburi shoreline almost all year round. Although Pranburi doesn’t have as many food options as Hua Hin, it still offers fresh seafood such as crabs, scallops, and tiger prawns at most restaurants.
Where to Stay in Pranburi: Slip into a seaside paradise at Praseban Resort. Adorned with modern Balinese-Thai architectural art, Praseban offers excellent luxury, comfort and privacy in the midst of tropical gardens along with the tranquil turquoise water and the infinite, gorgeous white sandy beach.
[button style=’blue’ icon=”entypo-suitcase” url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/Pranburi-Hotels.d6049453.Travel-Guide-Hotels’ fullwidth=’true’] Find Hotels in Pranburi [/button]
Distance from Bangkok: 3 hours 20 minutes by road
How to reach Pranburi: Trains available daily from Bangkok’s Hua Lumpong Station to a point near Pranburi. Take a cab from there. You can also take public and private buses to Pranburi from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal.
[button icon=”entypo-flight” url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/Cheap-Flights-To-Pranburi.d6049453.Travel-Guide-Flights’ fullwidth=’true’] Flights to Pranburi [/button]
Koh Samet
Beach-hopping in Koh Samet is as easy as one-two-three. Tourists flock to Koh Samet for its gorgeous beaches near Bangkok, where they can enjoy water activities such as snorkelling, windsurfing and fishing.
If you want to completely detach from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok holidays, Koh Samet is the place to go. Its shopping and nightlife are more subdued, giving you more time and space to rest. You can get your seafood fix here, but there are restaurants offering international cuisine too.
Where to Stay in Koh Samet: Check in at Samed Villa Resort to be as close possible to the gorgeous Ao Phai Beach. You can get top-notch service with fantastic views without breaking your bank.
[button style=’blue’ icon=”entypo-suitcase” url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/Koh-Samet-Hotels.d6123502.Travel-Guide-Hotels’ fullwidth=’true’] Find Hotels in Koh Samet [/button]
Distance from Bangkok: 5 hours by road
How to reach Koh Samet: Take a bus from Bangkok’s Ekkamai Bus Station to Ban Phe Port, and then a ferry to Ko Samet.
[button icon=”entypo-flight” url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/Cheap-Flights-To-Koh-Samet.d6123502.Travel-Guide-Flights’ fullwidth=’true’] Flights to Koh Samet [/button]
Pattaya
No coastal town near Bangkok can beat Pattaya in terms of nightlife. The stretch of bars and go-go clubs are endless. Pattaya is an enclave of travellers, young and old, looking to bask in the sun along the beaches near Bangkok.
Although night seems never-ending in Pattaya, you can still seek some respite at their family resorts outside the central area. Another seafood haven, there are multiple offerings in Pattaya, from street food vendors to fine dining.
Where to Stay in Pattaya: Party-goers will love Leela Resort & Spa Pattaya as it’s located in Central Pattaya, near to all the happenings at night. The beautiful Pattaya beach is only a stone’s throw away from your room.
[button style=’blue’ icon=”entypo-suitcase” url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/Pattaya-Hotels.d9514.Travel-Guide-Hotels’ fullwidth=’true’] Find Hotels in Pattaya [/button]
Distance from Bangkok: 2 hours by road
How to reach Pattaya: Take a local train from Hua Lumphong Station, leaving the station at 7 am daily.
[button icon=”entypo-flight” url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/Cheap-Flights-To-Pattaya.d9514.Travel-Guide-Flights’ fullwidth=’true’] Flights to Pattaya [/button]
Bang Saen
If you are a hipster looking for an escape from the tourist crowd, Bang Saen is the answer. Bang Saen is only more popular among Thai locals during weekends while you enjoy peace and serenity on other days.
The beautiful palm-lined beach has plenty of hawkers selling anything from clothes to food. Bang Saen is a sleepy town, a great hideout to laze on the Thailand beaches with fresh coconut and an interesting read. The fresh seafood in Bang Saen is also relatively cheaper than other coastal towns near Bangkok.
Where to Stay in Bang Saen: Bang Saen has plenty of accommodation options for all kinds of travellers. Phuplaces stands out from the crowd of Bangkok hotels. It’s a distinctive resort in a tropical rainforest, close to the Bang Saen Beach.
[button style=’blue’ icon=”entypo-suitcase” url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/Ban-Bang-Saen-Pattaya-Hotels-SPA-Hotels.0-n3000002901-0-tSPAHotels.Travel-Guide-Filter-Hotels’ fullwidth=’true’] Find Hotels in Bang Sen [/button]
Distance from Bangkok: 1 hour 30 minutes by road
How to reach Bang Saen: Take a minivan or a cab from Bangkok.
Koh Lan
The tiny island of Koh Lan has a scenic backdrop of wooded hills. The six beaches in Koh Lan — Samae Beach, Tien Beach, Tong Lang, Ta Waen Beach, Tayaiy Beach and Nual Beach — offer various water activities from parasailing to banana boating and jet skiing.
The more popular beaches are Ta Waen Beach, strewn with lots of restaurants and shops, as well as Samae Beach, loved for its crystal clear water and gorgeous sunsets.
Enjoy authentic Thai dishes at the beach restaurants. Tourists’ favourites include Hor Mok Talay Tod (fried steamed seafood curry), Keang Pa Pla Hed Kone (Silver Sillago fish in Thai herbal curry), and dried soft shell crab in green curry.
Where to Stay in Koh Lan: If you are looking for a quiet place to rest at night, Suntosa Resort is a great option. Plus, it’s close to all of Koh Lan’s main beaches.
[button style=’blue’ icon=”entypo-suitcase” url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/Koh-Lan-Hotels.d6161118.Travel-Guide-Hotels’ fullwidth=’true’] Find Hotels in Koh Lan [/button]
Distance from Bangkok: 2 hours 20 minutes by road + ferry
How to reach Koh Lan: A bus from Ekkamai Bus Station to Pattaya is available every 30 minutes. Then take a ferry to get to the island.
[button icon=”entypo-flight” url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/Cheap-Flights-To-Koh-Lan.d6161118.Travel-Guide-Flights’ fullwidth=’true’] Flights to Koh Lan [/button]
Cha-am
To soak up the local Thai culture, head to Cha-am beach, which is neither too popular nor too offbeat. The beach has a vibrant blend of both Thai and foreign visitors. You can get active with all the water sports and beach activities: banana boat ride, water skiing, parasailing and windsurfing. Otherwise, simply chill by the beach to get that nice tan.
Seafood and local Thai cuisine are a fixture in this town.
Where to Stay in Cha-am: Facing the sea, Banlansuan Resort is a hit among tourists. A strong tropical vibe is evident in every nook of the resort.
[button style=’blue’ icon=”entypo-suitcase” url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/Cha-Am-Hotels.d180565.Travel-Guide-Hotels’ fullwidth=’true’] Find Hotels in Cha-Am [/button]
Distance from Bangkok: 2 hours 20 minutes by road
How to reach Cha-am: Buses from Bangkok run daily.
[button icon=”entypo-flight” url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/Cheap-Flights-To-Cha-Am.d180565.Travel-Guide-Flights’ fullwidth=’true’] Flights to Cha-Am [/button]
Koh Chang
It’s a little tedious to get to Koh Chang, but you will be rewarded by pristine beaches across the island. The most popular of the lot is White Sand Beach, with stunning rocks and cliffs at the southern end. You can also stroll along Lonely Beach, Klong Prao Beach, Bailan Beach and Kai Bae Beach.
Although Koh Chang is famous for its seafood, don’t miss out local cuisines such as som tam and tom yum goong. Try the local street food to discover authentic Thai food at a lower price.
Where to Stay in Koh Chang: Stay at Kai Bae Beach Resort Koh Chang if you want to be near the shopping centre and the Kai Be Beach.
[button style=’blue’ icon=”entypo-suitcase” url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/Ko-Chang-Hotels.d6125740.Travel-Guide-Hotels’ fullwidth=’true’] Find Hotels in Koh Chang [/button]
Distance from Bangkok: 6 hours by road
How to reach Koh Chang: You can hop on a bus from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Trat, and then catch the ferry over to the island. Also, private transfers by car or minibus are the usual ways of reaching Koh Chang from Bangkok.
[button icon=”entypo-flight” url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/Cheap-Flights-To-Ko-Chang.d6125740.Travel-Guide-Flights’ fullwidth=’true’] Flights to Koh Chang [/button]