Laem Tan, Chonburi

Laem Tan offers something increasingly rare along Thailand’s eastern seaboard – a genuinely local beach experience where Thai families picnic under casuarina trees and fresh seafood vendors sell their catch directly from wooden boats. This curved stretch of golden sand in Chonburi province remains refreshingly uncommercialized, with crystal-clear waters that stay shallow for dozens of meters offshore, making it ideal for families with children and those seeking calm swimming conditions.

The beach’s gentle slope creates perfect wading pools during low tide, revealing patches of smooth sand dotted with colorful shells and small crabs scurrying between rocks. Vendors wheel carts along the shoreline selling grilled squid, som tam, and ice-cold coconuts, their calls mixing with the gentle lapping of waves and children’s laughter. Dense groves of casuarina and coconut palms provide natural shade throughout the day, while local fishing boats bob peacefully in the bay, their colorful hulls reflecting in the calm water. The absence of jet skis and parasailing operations means you can actually hear the ocean and enjoy genuine tranquility.

Unlike Thailand’s party beaches, Laem Tan embodies a slower pace where time seems to move with the tides rather than the clock. Families spread picnic blankets on the sand, elderly couples stroll hand-in-hand along the water’s edge, and fishermen mend nets in the afternoon shade. The atmosphere feels authentic and unhurried – a place where locals come to genuinely relax rather than perform for tourists. Evening brings spectacular sunsets over the gulf, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink.

Visit during the cool season from November to February for the most comfortable temperatures and calmest seas, though the beach remains pleasant year-round. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a beach umbrella for extra shade, and cash for the excellent local food vendors. The beach is easily accessible by car or motorbike from central Chonburi, with simple parking available along the road. For travelers seeking an authentic taste of local Thai beach culture without crowds or commercialization, Laem Tan delivers exactly what so many other destinations have lost.