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jimmy mac · Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 188 Location: England

I thought i wouold start this topic as i have often wondered about travelling to ban chang or rayong on a big bike like i rented last trip.(see pic below)

i have lookted into the distance and route to both places which are not that far from pattaya and the motorways look easy enough to follow Confused

. I would just love to travel to rayong which is a port for those who have never been and then ask if they can put the bike on the ferry so i can rip it up on samet as its dirt track roads would be amazing to rally on. It is about
83 Km from pattaya and would take about 1hour 13mins according to google maps

Or the other option would be to travel down to ban chang and stayy for a night or two as ive heard good reports about it on pattaya addicts, it is about 45 Km from pattaya and would take about 44mins. The reports say its like a mini pattaya so perfect for myself Very Happy

.

cheers jim

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PeterP · Joined: 04 Apr 2008 Posts: 193

Hi Jim, Yes, trips to Rayong and Ban Chang are easy - I do them on my Honda Wave - so no problem.

Ban Chang has a "Soi Dirty" which is a strip with a number of short-time bars. Not sure it's worth giving up Pattaya for a couple of days though. Most people hire a mini-bus (or take the risk of driving) and go there for a long afternoon. Check the forums, often they will organise a trip. There are a couple of nice beaches as well - but again - good for a couple of hours only.

Actually, for day trips on a bike there are better routes - down to Ban Sare (a nice fishing village) then into the Naval areas where there are some nice beaches and down to Sattahip.

Another is on the other side of Sukhumvit - again down to Ban Sare but then head inland to Wat Kaeo Chi Chan (a huge Bhudda image on a small mountain/hill) a fantastic Chines Temple and a huge Wat complex scattered around a lake. This is easily my favourite area. You can then go on to look at the recently imported Long Necks - round another lake and then on to Ban Chang (and Soi Dirty)

Rayong. I have an affection for this town, it's industrial and on either side are ports with Chemical Works - so I'd forget the port and beaches - although there are some great seafood restaurants on the beach. A nice feature is the way the light from the fish means that you don't need one!

Having said all of that it's where Anna and I did our courting! There are some hotels in town that all have Clubs/ Karaokes and there are a number of other Thai Pubs etc - including a Hollywood. You can have a great time - but it's better to go with people who know their way around Thai nightlife.

Anna and I went to stay in one our old haunts for our last anniversary - everywhere had changed so much that we kept losing our bearings - and no red wine or vodka anywhere! Frankly, we were bored. If you want a Thai Night out, then again Pattaya is much better - Excite, Noir - or Fashion Club for something in-between.

But, when I hate everyone - and need to cool off - I get on my Wave, burn to Rayong, eat a MacDonalds and come home - feeling much better.

Ko Samet. I tried this with my son, Sam a couple of years ago. We both rode down to the little village where the ferries pull out from - but had real trouble persuading anyone to take the 2 Honda Waves. In the end we had to hire a private boat and then felt really embarrassed watching the aggro we put them all though to load/unload the bikes.

So, my advice, ride down there and then leave the bike with the ferry operator and hire one on the island. Incidentally, riding along the spine of Ko Samet is very hard - and downright dangerous. We did it - but I wouldn't try it again!

Go for it mate - but lets spend a few minutes with maps before you do.

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jimmy mac · Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 188 Location: England

cheers for that insight pete......like the new signiture pic??? and how long until the avitars are avalible to use in your profile settings???

In your last post above you mentioned Wat Kaeo Chi Chan where there is a large image of a budda in the hill side i have seen photos of this many times and would like to vist there to., As for the trips i just feel like i spend my holiday doing the same old stuff and would like to expand my travel adventures in thailand. I understand what you mean about the roads on samet especially down towards the bottom end , we drove down on my last trip and it was getting abit too much for a little 125, hence the reason for the 400 and for a bit of my enjoyment too Laughing

. If they are going too be like that about transporting bikes over i will leave it, its a shame really because i have seen them unloading a green pickup/bhatbus on the peir on samet so im sure its not too much trouble.........but nevermind.

How long does it normally take you to get down to rayong or banchang are my estimated times about right? And if i did drive down do you think it would be safe leaving it with the operators, or maybe a car would be a better option if im leaving it at the ferry port for a day or 2???

cheers jim

P.s yes deffinitly wil be asking for a map overview if i decide to attempt it, or you could tag along to ban chang with us if you are in one of them hating everyone moods Twisted Evil

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Montydog · Joined: 04 Apr 2008 Posts: 80 Location: Sunny Surrey

Jimmy thats not a "big bike" this is a Big Bike Cool

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MekongMike · Joined: 07 Apr 2008 Posts: 299 Location: Germany

BLAGGER · Joined: 22 Aug 2008 Posts: 41 Location: uk

hey boys whats wrong with the good old baht bus its cheaper and safer,the only thing i ride in land of smiles certainly doesent have 2 wheels lol