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Bang Saray Pattaya's Backyard
Bang Saray
Pattaya Thailand is a well known tourist destination, attracting tourist from all over the world. While known primary for its wild night life it does also offer a wide range of other attractions and activities that singles, couples and families can enjoy. A large animated city some people can find it overwhelming. About 15 kilometers from the center of Pattaya at the edge of the city limits is a small fishing village of Bang Saray. You may also see it called Bang Sare which is the district that Bang Saray belongs. Just off the main divided highway, this village is a quiet retreat from the city. A large fishing fleet and an adjacent Thai Naval base are the primary employment of the village. There are some who commute to Pattaya and the village has a tourism trade with a few resorts and hotels.
There is a surge of development currently in Bang Saray. Cartoon network is building a theme water park just off the main highway before getting to the village. A number of high rise condominium project and an upscale housing community have been either recently finished or are near completion. When completed the potential population of the village will likely double. I say potential because many if not most of the units are being bought as vacation homes. Just 2 hours from Bangkok, many people from there visit Pattaya to get away from the city's pollution and chaos. For them and many repeat foreign visitors the projects in Bang Saray are perfect. It has been projected that the condominiums will drive a growth in restaurants and similar offerings. High rise buildings and a small fishing village seem to be a conflict but steps have been taken to retain the villages charms. As an example, no high rises are allowed within two hundred meters of the shore line. The closest high rise is the 8 story Bang Saray Beach Condominium project who's first phase is near completion.
Bang Saray Beach
What is Different about It
The beach in Bang Saray is narrow,but it is long and the water is clear. In contrast to the beaches in Pattaya, Bang Saray beach is relaxing and uncrowded. Also missing from this beach are the beach chairs and umbrellas. Beach goers sit on mats either on the beach or beneath the palms near the road. Gone also are the power boats, jet skies and parasailing. There are no vendors to constantly bother you when you want to relax. You will find some food vendors parked along the side of the road, many with tables sitting under the palm trees. At the south end of the beach and across the road is a park. It has some playgrounds for the children and a soccer field. Everything in Bang Saray is spacious and uncrowded.
While the condo's are dominating what really dominates the “skyline” of the village is a statue of Buddha sitting on a hilltop. The temple is a complex of different buildings located near the main entrance of the village. There is another temple generally called Bang Saray Temple located by the waterfront. it is awe inspiring, and can be seen in he firs photograph in the distance.
Bang Saray Beach
Lets Eat
Since it is a fishing village, seafood restaurants are the most plentiful. There are a number of them between the fishing docks and the beach. Rimhad is one that stands out. Located next to the beach the restaurant is on pilings extending out over the water. It is a simple open air place. The first thing you will notice as you enter is the fresh seafood, tank after tank filled with a variety of live seafood and crabs. Choose a table by the water and you can look down and see the marine life. Off in the distance you can see the skyline of Pattaya. Food is cooked fresh so there is a delay before it is served, but well worth the wait. Many Pattaya locals travel to Bang Saray for the seafood restaurants. The prices are very reasonable, less than half of what you would pay in Pattaya.
Lets Go
Getting to and from the village is fairly easy, buses from Bangkok and Pattaya going to Sattahip pass by the entrance of the village. Song thaews (small public transportation a pickup truck with two rows of covered seats in the back) also follow the same route to and from Pattaya. From the main highway you can easily find motorcycle taxis to take you to your destination.
Bang Saray is close enough to the city so that you can enjoy its offerings but far enough away so that you not have its headaches. Drop by next time your in Pattaya.