Koh Samet, more often spelled as Ko Samed, is a small island about 6.5 kilometers long on the eastern Gulf coast of Thailand. This enchanting island is one of the most beautiful islands around Pattaya. Travelers from all over the world come to appreciate the numerous white dream beaches.
3 of the beaches are Ao Sai Kaew, Ao Phai and Ao Tubtim.
Sai Kaew Beach, also known as Diamond Beach, is the stunning main beach on Koh Samet Island and also a popular destination for day trippers from Pattaya and Rayong. This white velvety dream beach is absolutely amazing, but the crowds can get quite large during peak season.
Ao Phai Beach, often known as Bamboo Bay, is definitely one of the most beautiful beaches on Koh Samet. This sandy beach is particularly fine and bright, and trees provide pleasant shade here. The turquoise sea is amazing and invites you to swim or just relax and enjoy a lazy afternoon.
This bay is a short walk south of the other beaches. Most people come here seeking a ...
Nestled along the Noi River in Wiset Chai Chan District, Ang Thong Province, San Chao Rong Thong Market ตลาดศาลเจ้าโรงทอง is a charming, over 100-year-old riverside market that embodies authentic Thai-Chinese heritage. Just 60–70 km north of Bangkok (about a 1-hour drive), it’s a peaceful escape from urban hustle, blending daily trading with cultural strolls.
Famous for rare Thai sweets, street food, and weekend pedestrian vibes, it’s ideal for day-trippers seeking local flavors without the crowds—think wooden shophouses and small community atmosphere.
Originally called “Ban Phai Cham Sin,” the area transformed in 1877 during King Rama V’s era, when Ang Thong Province was officially established, drawing waves of Chinese immigrants. By the early 20th century, it became a vital trading hub for rice, fish, and goods transported via water taxis along the Noi River (then teeming with pufferfish and edible catches).
The market endured a devastating fire ...
Wat Ton Son, Amphoe Muang. Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, opposite Ang Thong Technical College, this temple is one of the oldest in the province, built in the late Ayutthaya period.
The temple is well-known for it's Buddha image seated in a meditation posture, called "somdej" Phra Sri Muang Thong". Measuring 13.7 meters wide across the lap and 19.5 meters in height. It's magnificent size makes it the first largest Buddha image to be made of metal. The quality of this Buddha images design also earns it recognition as a beautiful piece of art.
Other highlights in the temple include the Somdej Phra Sri Muang Ngern Buddha Image and a life-size cast image of one of Thailand's most revered monks, Somdej Phra Buddhajan To.
Stories have it that the temple was built in the Ayutthaya era. Due to its lack of venerable objects like many other temples, it was almost deserted until a former leading abbot of Ang Thong started expanding the temple in 1945. By constructing the giant ...
History of Loy Krathong Festival
Loy Krathong Festival originated from an old Brahmin festival that paid respects to the water spirits. Thai people float krathongs to give thanks to the water goddess for the fortune of having water while others will ask for forgiveness for using too much or contaminating it.
Loy Krathong originated in the ancient Sukhothai Kingdom, over 800 years ago. The King, Ramkamhang, was a devout Buddhist and believed that at the end of the Thai year his people should pay tribute to the water goddess, Phra Mae Khong Ka, for all they had been given. So he chose a night with a full moon after the monsoons, meaning the rivers and canals would be at their fullest, to worship.
A popular legend says that one of the King's consorts, Nang Noppamas, was the one who created the first Krathong. Noppamas was the daughter of a Brahmin priest and adapted an existing Brahmin tradition to make the float from banana leaves. The king was impressed and he proclaimed that every year on this ...
