Sattahip

Sattahip (สัตหีบ) is on the gulf coastline of Eastern Thailand, at the southwest tip of Chonburi Province.

Understand
Sattahip is a small fishing town by the sea. It has hosted for decades a large Royal Thai Navy and Marine Corps base. Domestic tourists come to pay homage to Luang Pho I, a renowned Buddhist monk.

Sattahip is twice as large as the Banglamung district in which Pattaya City is located but it has a much smaller population. The availability of land has resulted in the construction of many large tourist attractions. These are marketed as 'Pattaya attractions' to tourists visiting nearby Pattaya.

Get in
There are buses from Bangkok Eastern (Ekamai) bus terminal to Sattahip, but also buses going to Rayong, Chantaburi or Trat can drop you off on Sukhumvit Rd (Hwy 3).

Or to buck the trend big time, go by rail (3rd class, weekdays only) between Bangkok Hualamphong station and Sattahip. The fare for the 4.5 hour train ride is just 37 baht. Departs Bangkok at 06:55 and arrives at Sattahip after 11:00; departs Sattahip 13:35, arrives at Bangkok after 18:15. But don't forget, no trains on Saturdays or Sundays.

Get around
White baht buses (songthaews) run along Sukhumvit Rd (Hwy 3) and take you also to Pattaya for 20 baht. They may be adequate if you stay in Na Jomtien or Bang Sa-Re area because the beach and resorts are 0.8-1.4 km (0.5-0.9 mi) from Hwy 3. For points inland and further south you will be struggling without your own transportation.