Phe Arboretum

Phe Arboretum is a coastal pine forest reserve 4 km from Ban Phe pier in Rayong, run by Thailand’s Forest and Plant Conservation Research Office since 1974. Tall pines and other Dipterocarpaceae species — yang and takhian (ironwood) among them — line both sides of the beach road toward Laem Mae Phim via Highway 3145, shading a stretch of calm, swimmable coast. Entry is free; camping costs 50 THB per person per night.

The pine corridor is the draw here rather than any single formal garden — the road runs beneath a near-continuous canopy for several kilometres, with sandy pull-offs onto the beach and a scattering of seafood restaurants set up along the route. It covers roughly 625 rai (about 100 hectares) of protected forest reserve, most of it flat, shaded ground that’s easy to walk or cycle without much elevation change. Two park-run bungalows sleep up to 15 people each for around 2,000 THB a night, and a designated tent-camping area — with toilets, and in one section, power hookups — sits close to the pine tree line a short walk from the sand.

Insider Tip: The camping ground closer to the park office has easier bathroom access; the pitch near the old Samet-forest section is quieter and more private but the toilets are about 400 metres off, so factor that in if you’re pitching after dark.

Weekday visits are close to empty outside of the odd local fishing family; weekends and Thai public holidays bring campers up from Rayong and Bangkok, particularly around the cooler months when tent camping on this coast is more comfortable. The pines mean shade is available most of the day, which matters on this exposed stretch of Gulf coast — even the hot season (March-May) is manageable here compared with unshaded beaches nearby.

Watch out: There’s no fence or lifeguard along this stretch of coast — swim within your ability and keep an eye on children near the shore break, especially outside the calmer November-April season.

The nearest full destination hub is Mae Phim Beach, a few kilometres south, which has the area’s main concentration of hotels and restaurants if you’re not camping. Phone 0 3865 3022 for bungalow bookings. View on Google Maps.