Eastern Thailand
Why the East?
Undiscovered alternative to the crowded South
Authenticity
- π₯ Few tourists β real Thailand
- ποΈ Local fishing villages
- π Unique regional culture
- ποΈ Peaceful, empty beaches
- π Hidden gem of Thailand
Seafood
- π¦ Best in all of Thailand!
- π Fresh straight from the sea
- π° Cheap like nowhere else
- πͺ Local fish markets
- π Chanthaburi is famous for fruits!
Close to Bangkok
- β±οΈ Only 2-4 hours from Bangkok
- π Easy access by bus
- ποΈ Perfect for weekend escape
- π£οΈ Or a stop on the way to the south
- βοΈ You donβt need a flight!
Ready-Made 2-Week Plan
Complete guide combining Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Paradise Islands of the East
Bangkok + Chiang Mai
+ Paradise Islands of the East
Perfect plan for those who want to see real Thailand without tourist crowds. City, culture and undiscovered islands β all in one route!
β Day-by-day plan for 2 weeks
β Bangkok + Chiang Mai + Eastern Islands
β Detailed travel instructions
β Hotel and restaurant recommendations
β Realistic budget and practical tips
$5.98
Buy Now βπ Updated for 2025
π Why choose the East instead of the South?
Few tourists, authentic atmosphere, best seafood in Thailand and only 2-4h from Bangkok. Discover real Thailand!
What Travelers Say
Join hundreds of people who discovered Thailand with my guides
βYour e-book is great! Easy and clear without unnecessary information. I will definitely recommend it to anyone who would like to go to Thailand.β
βJoannaβs travel plan helped us a lot. Thanks to it, we saved stress and enjoyed the trip. I recommend it to people traveling even for the second time!β
βThe travel plan helped me especially with deciding how long to stay in each place and what to see. It was easier to organize my travel plan. For someone traveling for the first time, the information is very helpful and saves time and stress!β
Discover the Islands and Cities of the East
From peaceful islands to cultural cities full of history
Koh Chang
Largest island in the East. Waterfalls, jungle, beaches and nightlife. Perfect for everyone!
Read article βKoh Kud
Paradise island! Crystal clear water, peaceful, few tourists. Total relaxation.
Read article βKoh Mak
Small gem between Koh Chang and Koh Kud. Peaceful, family atmosphere, beautiful beaches.
Read article βKoh Samet
Closest to Bangkok! Only 3h travel. Perfect for weekend escape from the city.
Read article βTrat
Gateway to the Eastern islands. Authentic local life, fishing villages, fresh seafood.
Read article βChanthaburi
City of gems! Sapphire trade, best seafood and tropical fruits in the country.
Read article βRayong
Paradise for seafood lovers! Local markets, fresh shrimp and peaceful beaches.
Read article βWho Is the East For?
East vs South β which side of Thailand is for you?
The East Is Perfect For:
- Authenticity seekers β real Thailand without tourist traps
- Weekend escape from Bangkok β only 2-4h travel, no flight needed
- Seafood lovers β best and cheapest in all of Thailand!
- Off-beaten path travelers β you want to discover hidden places
- Short time β close to Bangkok, easy to combine with route
- Peaceful beaches β empty, no crowds, relaxation
- Budget travelers β cheapest region in Thailand!
Better Choose the South If:
- Looking for Full Moon Party β the East is quiet, parties are in the South
- Want luxury resorts β East has simple bungalows, South has 5*
- Need full infrastructure β hotels, tours, everything in English
- Donβt speak Thai β less English in the East than in the South
- Want spectacular landscapes β South has limestone cliffs (Railay!), East is flat
- World-class diving β Koh Tao (South) > East
- Easy island hopping β more islands in the South with ferry connections
π‘ My Verdict
The East is a hidden gem for those who want to see real Thailand without tourist crowds. The South is more touristy, but also more spectacular. Ideal? Combine both! My ebook shows you how to do it.
View Guide βπΊοΈ Planning a trip to Thailand?
Instead of spending weeks researching, buy a ready-made travel plan created by someone who lived in Thailand for years. Bangkok, Chiang Mai, islands β everything in one place!
π View ready-made guidesPractical Information
Everything you need to know before heading to the East
How Many Days Do I Need?
- Weekend (2-3 days): Koh Samet (closest!)
- Week (5-7 days): 2-3 islands comfortably
- Stop to the south (3-4 days): one island
- 2-week plan: BKK + CM + East
How to Get from Bangkok?
- Bus: Ekkamai/Morchit β Trat/Rayong (200-300 baht, 3-5h)
- Minibus: door-to-door (400-600 baht)
- Rental car: most convenient! (1500-2000 baht/day)
- To islands: ferry from Trat/Rayong (200-400 baht, 1-2h)
- Booking: 12go.asia, busticket.com
Season
- β Best season: November-April
- β Monsoon: May-October (avoid!)
- Similar to Gulf of Thailand (not Andaman!)
- Koh Samet: OK year-round (less monsoon)
- During monsoon: rain, rough seas, ferries cancelled
Budget
- Budget: $15-25/day
- Mid-range: $25-40/day
- Comfort: $40-50/day
- CHEAPEST region in Thailand!
- Bungalow: 500-1000 baht ($14-28)
- Seafood: 100-200 baht ($2.70-5.50)
- Ferry: 200-400 baht ($5.50-11)
Ready for the East?
Discover real Thailand with my complete guide. Day-by-day plan for 2 weeks combining Bangkok, Chiang Mai and the Paradise Islands of the East!
View Guide βReady to plan your adventure?
Stop wasting time on research. Buy a ready-made guide or order a personalized travel plan created by someone who lived in Thailand for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Eastern Thailand
Why is the East less popular than the South?
The East is further from major international airports (Phuket, Krabi, Samui have flights from abroad), so tourists more often go to the South. Besides, the East is less promoted and has simpler infrastructure. But thatβs exactly its advantage β fewer tourists = authentic Thailand! Plus, the South has spectacular limestone cliffs (Railay), which the East doesnβt have.
Is it worth going to the East instead of the South?
Depends what youβre looking for!
Choose the East if:
β’ You want real Thailand without crowds
β’ You have limited time (East = 2-4h from Bangkok, no flight needed)
β’ You love seafood (best in the country!)
β’ Youβre on a budget (cheapest region)
Choose the South if:
β’ Looking for Full Moon Party and nightlife
β’ Want luxury resorts
β’ Need spectacular landscapes (limestone cliffs!)
β’ World-class diving is a priority
How many days do I need for the East?
Weekend (2-3 days): Koh Samet β closest to Bangkok (3h), perfect for quick escape
Week (5-7 days): 2-3 islands comfortably β e.g. Koh Chang + Koh Kud or Koh Mak
Stop to the south (3-4 days): One island on the way from Bangkok
2-week plan: Combine Bangkok + Chiang Mai + Eastern Islands (we have a ready-made guide!)
Minimum 3-4 days per island to feel the vibe and relax.
How to get to the East from Bangkok?
Bus:
β’ From Ekkamai or Morchit Bus Terminal
β’ To Trat (for Koh Chang, Koh Kud, Koh Mak): 200-300 baht, 4-5h
β’ To Rayong (for Koh Samet): 150-200 baht, 3h
β’ Booking: 12go.asia, busticket.com
Door-to-door minibus:
β’ Picks up from hotel in Bangkok: 400-600 baht
β’ More convenient but pricier
Rental car:
β’ Most convenient! 1500-2000 baht/day
β’ You can stop along the way (Chanthaburi!)
To islands: Ferry from Trat/Rayong (200-400 baht, 1-2h)
Are there many tourists there?
NO! And thatβs the main advantage of the East. π
The East is significantly less touristy than the South. Most islands (Koh Kud, Koh Mak) have very few tourists, especially outside weekends. Even Koh Chang (largest island in the East) is quieter than Phuket or Koh Samui.
Exception: Koh Samet on weekends (close to Bangkok so Thais come), but quiet during weekdays too.
Itβs the perfect place if you want to avoid crowds and see real Thailand!
Which island is the best?
It depends on your priorities:
ποΈ Koh Samet β closest to Bangkok (3h), perfect for weekend, more tourists on weekends
π΄ Koh Chang β largest island in the East, waterfalls + jungle, some nightlife, for everyone
ποΈ Koh Kud β most paradise! Crystal water, very peaceful, few tourists, total relaxation
π Koh Mak β small gem between Chang and Kud, family atmosphere, great for couples
My top pick: Koh Kud for relaxation, Koh Chang for activities, Koh Samet for weekend from BKK!
Do people speak English?
Thereβs less English in the East than in the touristy South (Phuket, Samui).
In hotels and larger places: Basic English OK
In local restaurants and villages: Very little English
How to manage:
β’ Google Translate works wonders!
β’ Thais are super helpful β gestures + smile will do the trick
β’ Basic Thai words (sawadee krap/ka, kop khun) are very appreciated
β’ Menus often have pictures
Itβs part of the Eastβs charm β real, local atmosphere! π
