Mea Phim – empty beaches and an island feeling, just 2 hours from Bangkok
A visit to Laem Mae Phim has long been on my wish-list as I have heard so much about it, so it was with great interest and an open mind that I ventured forth last weekend. It appears that I chose the worst weekend to travel as tropical storm Linfa was bringing unseasonal wet weather and it rained virtually every minute I was there!
When one thinks of beach resorts to travel to from Bangkok, generally the choice is Pattaya 1½ hours or Hua Hin 2½ hours. Laem Mae Phin is actually exactly a great alternative, just 2 hours from Suvarnabhumi airport and it’s a good road all the way. So, if you are looking for a relaxing and restful ‘island feeling’ then Laem Mae Phin it is highly recommended.
Laem Mae Phim, or just Mae Phim as it is mostly referred to, is mainly just an extremely long 5 km beach backed along its entire length with Casuarina Pine trees. There are no permanent developments directly on the beach and the resorts, condominiums and shops are located on the other side of the road. Whilst there are a handful of hospitality and residential properties, they are all low rise and tastefully built helping to maintain a natural, ‘low-key’ resort with traditional Thai atmosphere.
Laem Mae Phim beach in it’s glory 
The Eastern end has vendors for umbrellas and chairs
The western end of the beach is untouched. Plenty of parking space but minimal facilities. The beach however is clean, the sand soft and the gentle slope is lovely for splashing in the water and safe for kids. As you drive East you will find vendors with umbrellas and beach chairs and at the very end a row of wooden built restaurants and bars directly on the beach.
However, Mae Phim beach is not the only place for that island feeling! Just around a headland is the gorgeous little Ao Khai beach with white sands and a small selection of beach bars in addition to a lovely restaurant. If you explore west towards Rayong you will find many small, virtually un-discovered beaches with such names as Coca Cola beach, Ken’s beach and even Kim’s beach. I really wanted to visit the beach that shares my name but unfortunately due to the heavy rains the only access road was flooded!
Ao Khai Beach 
Romantic dinner on the beach
There is quite a variety of choice of accommodation and most are located across from the beach. We stayed at the Grand Blue Resort which is an excellent, modern and very comfortable hotel providing 4-star service at 3-star prices. Fully equipped and very tastefully decorated rooms, an oversized swimming pool and an excellent bar and restaurant with lovely staff. Highly recommended Link
Oversized swimming pool 
View from ground level room
In addition to a variety of Thai style resorts there is also the futuristic Centara Q Resort. There is also a great choice of Condominiums and Villas available and even the ultra high-end Resort Villa with 14,000 sq metres, 70 full time staff and over 1,000 sq metres of infinity pool. It is really worth taking a look at their website
Several large hotels are resorts are also located nearby including the Rayong Marriott, Bandara on Sea and Novotel. For an authentic, ‘island-style’ beach holiday try to stay in Mae Phim as you will have both the beach and the facilities withing walking distance. Two Mercure Hotels are currently under construction, one is unfortunately a 14 storey tower and the other looks more like villas directly on the sea.
Food and drink are 2 subjects close to my heart, and whilst the food in the Grand Blue is excellent, we needed to venture out and discover more. Towards the Eastern end of the beach there are numerous restaurants on the beach. Whilst predominantly seafood (which is excellent) the choice is extensive with a good Italian, western food and even an open-air Irish pub complete with fireplace. Naturally Guinness also on draught.
In the evening venture out the short distance to Ao Khai as here you will find the exquisite Ao Khai beach restaurant and the laid-back and fun Drift Beach bar with it’s amazing weekend beach parties.
Whilst the emphasis in Laem Mae Phim is beach and relaxation there are also a number of excursions available. Nearby is the rather lovely Sunthorn Phu memorial, then there are islands to discover including Koh Samet, the Koh Mun Islands, Koh Talu and even Koh Chang. There are Natural Parks with waterfalls and caves, in addition to the amazing Mangrove Forests. Rayong with its shopping centre of just a short drive and there many superb golf courses with a 1-hour drive.
Khao Prathum Temple 
Sunthorn Phu monument 
Mangrove forests
There are some very tastefully condominium complexes located here and all are low rise and low key. Several villa villages have also been constructed and the main inhabitants are from Scandinavia. Mai Phin is normally very popular during the winter months as these owners depart their cold climates and it must be a great atmosphere during this time. I did have the opportunity to meet with people what have purchased Condos and Villas, naturally with the borders still firmly closed these are people who live in Bangkok and prefer the laid-back atmosphere yet are just a short drive from Bangkok. Prices are reasonable and standards look very high with some creative architecture ensuring that all construction blends in with the local environment.
Beachfront living 
Mae Phim Property office 
Exquisite Escape Condominiums
If you need contact with the leading local Real Estate Developer, Mea Phim Property
I thoroughly enjoyed the relaxed, island atmosphere of Laem Mae Phim and will certainly return to experience it when the sun shines!
Kim Waddoup
Founder
Kim Waddoup enjoyed a lifetime in the tourism business and is an active ‘Silver-Ager” living in Thailand. He writes for his age group with high varied articles covering subjects relevant to retirees living in, or visiting Thailand. Any questions or comments on this post? Please do feel free to contact me through our ‘Contact Form’ or directly kim@meanderingtales.com
