Welcome to Ban Phe!
We love living in this quiet corner of Rayong and want you to enjoy it just as much as we do. Here you’ll find some of our favorite beaches, viewpoints, markets, little adventures and food recommendations around Maya Coconut Garden.
Only interested in food? Jump here.
Getting around
🛵 The easiest way to get around the area is by scooter or motorbike. We can help you find a rental. Grab and Bolt are also available. Please only rent a scooter or motorbike if you feel comfortable riding one, as traffic and road conditions in Thailand may be different from what you are used to.
🚲 You can also rent a bicycle from our guesthouse.
🛒 The nearest 7-Eleven ist just 850m away. Click here to open it in Google Maps.
💊 The nearest pharmacy is here.
🧺 Need laundry done? We can help you find a nearby laundry service.
Need any help or advice? Just ask us — we’re always happy to help!
Around the corner
One of our favorite places nearby. Follow the coastal trail around Khao Laem Ya for beautiful sea views, rocky shores and fantastic sunset spots overlooking Koh Samet. You will probably spot some of the local monkeys too — enjoy watching them from a little distance and please don't feed them.
Opening hours: 8:30 AM — 6 PM
Note: National Park Fee
5 min drive
A beautiful little seaside stop along Mae Ram Phueng Beach. Walk across the rocks, enjoy the ocean view under the palm trees or come in the late afternoon for golden light and sunset. Usually there are little stands as well where you can get some snacks and drinks.
Our tip: Come around 5 PM and stay for sunset.
5 min drive
Want to try surfing? Laem Ya Surf Club offers surf lessons and board rentals right by the coast – suitable for beginners as well as more experienced surfers.
Best season · May — October
5 min drive
Stretching for around 12 km, Mae Ram Phueng is Rayong’s longest beach. Perfect for morning walks, relaxed beach days and watching the sun set over the Gulf of Thailand. There are plenty of beach chairs where you can rent for the day or just relax under the trees in the sand.
Note: You can rent one of our bicycles to get there.
1 min drive
Fresh Local Market — Wat Nai Rai
Come hungry! This small local market is a great place next to the temple to try Thai street food, fresh fruit, snacks, sweets and everyday dishes while experiencing a little bit of local life.
Tue & Sat · From 3 PM
5 min drive
Close to us
Khao Yai Da — Hilltop Viewpoint
Escape into the green hills behind Ban Phe. Khao Yai Da offers beautiful views across the Rayong countryside and, on clear days, all the way towards the coast and Koh Samet.
Note: The drive is quite steep. Please drive carefully on the way down.
20 min drive
A lively local market in the heart of Ban Phe, especially known for fresh seafood, fruit, vegetables and Thai specialties. This market is bigger than our local market and a great place to discover what people in Ban Phe actually eat and shop for.
Mon & Thu · From 3 PM
10 min drive
Ban Phe Pier — Koh Samet Day Trip
Ban Phe is the gateway to Koh Samet. Catch a ferry or speedboat from the pier and spend the day exploring white-sand beaches, little bays and island restaurants.
Our tip: Go to Nuanthip Pier. They are very organized and you can get a round-trip ticket for 120 THB.
10 min drive
Snorkeling and Diving
Discover the underwater world around Rayong. Snorkeling and diving trips take you to nearby islands and reefs with clear water, colorful fish and beautiful tropical scenery. We can help you to find the right operator.
Best season · October — April
Worth a little trip
Roadtrip
Sometimes the best plan is no plan at all. Follow the quiet coastal roads around Ban Phe, pass beaches, fishing villages and green countryside and simply see where the road takes you.
Note: We can help you rent a scooter or motorbike.
Half-day or day trip
Want to experience one of Thailand’s most famous sports? Connoway Muay Thai offers training for complete beginners as well as experienced fighters, with both group sessions and private lessons available.
All levels · Group & private training
20 min drive
Wander along historic Yomjinda Road in Rayong’s old town, with traditional wooden houses, small cafés and local restaurants.
Our tip: Saturday evening is especially nice when the walking street comes alive.
30 min drive
Need a break from the beach? Central Rayong is the area’s large shopping mall with restaurants, cafés, shops, a supermarket and plenty of air-conditioning on a hot or rainy day.
Opening hours: 10.00 — 22.00
Note: You can easily get there by “Grab” or “Bolt”.
30 min drive
Now to the most important part:
Our personal food recommendations we personally curated for our guests.
If you only have a few days…
❤️ Our favorite Thai dinner: หมากพร้าว-บ้านเพ (ในไร่ซอย 3)
🍜 Best quick local meal: เคเอสตำยำแวะหน่อยอร่อยแน่
🌅 Best place by the sea: Pama Restaurant
🥐 Best breakfast: STAY Cafe
🍕 Best Western option: Yummay Pizza
🌴 Best café experience: Asongkai Cafe
☕ Best coffee: WAKE CUP
10 Must Try Dishes 🌟
PAD KRAPAO (ผัดกะเพรา)
Stir-fried meat with holy basil, chilli and garlic.
TOM YUM GOONG (ต้มยำกุ้ง)
Hot-and-sour shrimp soup with lemongrass, galangal, lime leaves and chilli.
SOM TAM THAI (ส้มตำไทย)
Spicy green papaya salad with lime, chilli, fish sauce and peanuts.
GUAY TIEW (ก๋วยเตี๋ยว)
Noodle soup with your choice of noodles, meat, fish balls, vegetables and a flavorful broth.
PAD THAI (ผัดไทย)
Stir-fried rice noodles with egg, tofu or shrimp, tamarind, peanuts and lime.
TOM KHA GAI (ต้มข่าไก่)
Creamy coconut milk soup with chicken, galangal, lemongrass and lime.
KHAO PAD (ข้าวผัด)
Fried rice with egg, vegetables and your choice of meat or seafood.
GAI MED MAMUANG (ไก่ผัดเม็ดมะม่วงหิมพานต์)
Stir-fried chicken with cashew nuts, vegetables and a savory-sweet sauce.
KHAO MAN GAI (ข้าวมันไก่)
Thai-style Hainanese chicken rice with poached chicken, fragrant rice and dipping sauce.
MANGO STICKY RICE (ข้าวเหนียวมะม่วง)
Sweet sticky rice with coconut cream and ripe mango.
Staying longer and want to try more? Let’s start with the famous Thai cuisine 🍚
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Palm Trees and Isaan Food
Cozy restaurant under palm trees and one of our favorite Isaan restaurants in the area. Not only because our family cooks the food — it is really really good. Must try!
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Best Pad Krapao
Simple restaurant next to the main street. We love it for its Pad Krapao! It is the best Pad Krapao we have found so far.
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Our Go-To Noodle Soup
We love the noodle soup here. You have to try it. It is called “Tom Yam Bami”.
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At The Beach
We love to eat here while sitting in the fresh ocean breeze next to the sea. Fun fact: They sometimes serve coconuts straight from our own Maya Coconut Garden.
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Favourite Kao Man Gai
ร้านข้าวมันไก่ป้าระเบียบ ในไร่
Rice noodle soup and chicken rice are traditional Thai dishes. It is our favorite place for Khao Man Gai. You have to order “Kao Man Gai” or “Guai Tiao”.
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Cozy Atmosphere
Cozy restaurant where you can get tasty Thai as well as Western food. We love the Pad Thai and Noodles here and the lovely couple who run it are super friendly.
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Hidden Gem
One of our favorite places for proper local Thai food. Everything is freshly prepared, so you may have to wait a little longer — but for us, it is absolutely worth it.
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Best Southern Thai Food
This is such a cozy and good restaurant where you can sit next to a mesmerizing lake and spend some time. And the food is just yummy!
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Local Breakfast
Want to try proper local breakfast? Here we go with rice soup and congee. Easy but tasty!
Missing the Western food? Here is where we go frequently 🍕
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Pizza
For us the best pizza in town and to calm your conscience, if you are skipping the Thai food you can at least learn Thai here.
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French Food
Very kind owner who changes the menu on a daily basis. The food is fresh and the atmosphere feels like you are in a private beach bar. You can even go for a swim.
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More French Food
A very cozy beachfront bar and restaurant serving fantastic French cuisine, where you can enjoy a cocktail with a beautiful sea view. There’s also a pool table if you feel like playing a game.
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Italian Food
Italian restaurant il bocconcino
Not so cheap but if you are craving for lasagne or Italian pasta the right spot! The owner prepares also homemade pasta. Worth a try!
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Swiss Food
Good Swiss cuisine and a relaxing spot to enjoy your beer and food after a long day.
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Western Food
One of our go to places when we are craving Western food. The potatoes are really delicious and the staff is super friendly.
Searching for a good Café? Here are our local favourites ☕
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Café at the Beach
The breakfast is top-notch! Homemade sourdough and a great variety on the menu. Guests must be approved by the cat!
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Café in the Old Town
Even though it is a 10-minute drive and directly on the busiest road in Ban Phe, we love to go there for a good coffee and breakfast. The vintage vibe is amazing!
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Café in Nature
Get your cake and coffee and enjoy the view in the shade of the trees. The perfect spot to relax in the fields of Thailand.
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Be lucky to find it open
Small pop-up stall. The owner is serving different kinds of coffee which you can try. Grab a small camping chair to enjoy the sea! It is worth it but not every day open. Be lucky.
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Matcha House
If you are looking for Matcha, this is the right place! The word speaks for itself.
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Farm House
Such an interesting place to explore and go for a little walk. You can find all kinds of flowers, plants and animals.
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Welcome do the Jungle
A cafe which feels like in the middle of the jungle. From lush green plants to small rivers with lots of fish swimming along the footbridge. Very scenic but comes with a price.
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A good place to work
If you have to work but still want to get out a bit, the perfect place to set up your laptop. Lots of space to sit here for a while and enjoy a good coffee.
Have fun exploring! 🔍🗺️
Need any help or advice? Just ask us — we’re always happy to help!
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