Essentials
- City
- Rayong, Rayong Province, Thailand
- Population
- Approximately 65,000 (City), 900,000 (Province)
- Internet Speed
- Average 150-300 Mbps on Fiber; 5G coverage is excellent via AIS and TrueMove
- Currency & Banking
- Thai Baht (THB); 1 USD ≈ 35.50 THB, 1 EUR ≈ 38.60 THB
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; 1.5L bottled water costs 14 THB ($0.40) at 7-Eleven
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz; 🔌 Type A, B, and C sockets
- SIM Card
- AIS (Best coverage), TrueMove H, DTAC; Tourist SIMs start at 299 THB ($8.50) for 15GB
- Banking for Expats
- Kasikornbank (K-Bank), Bangkok Bank; PromptPay QR is widely used
- Accommodation
- Condos like The Ultimate Riverine or hotels via Agoda and Airbnb
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, QR code payments (PromptPay) accepted even at street stalls; cards at malls
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb options at Saeng Chan Beach starting at 15,000 THB ($420)/month
- Budget Accommodation
- Hub de Leaf Rayong; approx. 600 THB ($17) per night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Ban Phe (for Koh Samet access) or Mae Ramphueng Beach
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Rayong City Center (near Passione Mall) or Saeng Chan Beach for sea views + fiber
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Space Rayong (near Sukhumvit Rd); 250 THB ($7) per day
- Best Cafe for Work
- there is a lot of coffee (Sukhumvit Soi 41); quiet with reliable Wi-Fi and power outlets
- Networking Events
- Rayong Expat Club monthly meetups at various hotels
- Social Events for Expats
- ‘Expats in Rayong’ Facebook Group meetups at Phala Beach bars
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Grab and Bolt (Bolt is often 20% cheaper in Rayong)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Honda Click rentals in Ban Phe or near the bus station for 250 THB ($7)/day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Mae Ramphueng Beach (12km long) or the islands of Koh Samet
- Top Regional Airline
- Bangkok Airways (operating from U-Tapao Airport)
- Top International Airline
- Thai Airways (via Suvarnabhumi Airport, 2 hours away)
- Highway Access
- Highway 7 (Motorway) and Highway 3 (Sukhumvit Road)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Rayong Bus Terminal 2 (for minibuses to Bangkok/Pattaya)
- Public Transport Passes
- No digital passes; Songthaews (blue/white trucks) cost 15-30 THB per ride
- Regional Travel
- Minibus to Pattaya (1 hour, 100 THB) or Ferry from Ban Phe to Koh Samet (100 THB)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Bangkok Hospital Rayong (International standard, Sukhumvit Rd)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Rayong (near Central Plaza); classes around 350 THB ($10)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Jetts 24-Hour Fitness at Central Rayong; 1,600 THB ($45)/month
- Laundry Services
- Otteri Wash & Dry (Self-service chain); 40-60 THB per load
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- FoodPanda and GrabFood
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Gaeng Som Phak Krachiet (Sour curry with water mimosa) and Rayong Shrimp Paste
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Jay (Vegetarian) stalls near the fresh market; look for the yellow flags
- Best Dessert Spots
- Bake Studio Rayong; high-quality pastries and durian-based treats
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Star Fresh Market (Talad Star) for local produce; Big C for groceries
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Lazada and Shopee (deliveries usually take 2-3 days from BKK)
- Grocery Delivery
- Lotus’s App or GrabMart
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Ratbamrung Road (also known as 'Sai Lang'); full of bars and live music
- Local Brewery
- Rayong Brewing (Craft beer taproom in the old town area)
- Wine Bars
- The Wine Rayong (stunning architecture on the beach)
- Street Food Stalls
- Rayong Night Market (The Ma-Hut-Sa-Jan Market) near the stadium
- Popular International Cuisine
- The Banyan Root (Italian/Fusion) or Fuji Japanese at Central Rayong
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Phra Samut Chedi Klang Nam (Pagoda in the water)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Rayong Cultural Center (Lanna-style museum)
- Historical Sites
- Yomjinda Road (The historic old town of Rayong)
- Religious Sites
- Wat Pa Pradu (Reclining Buddha lying on the left side)
- Annual Events
- Rayong Fruit Festival (May/June) - massive durian and mangosteen sales
- Cultural Districts
- Old Town Yomjinda Road area
- Theater Venues
- Major Cineplex Central Rayong (Movie theater)
- Local Markets
- Ban Phe Market (Famous for dried seafood and souvenirs)
- Music Scene
- Zood Rayong (Live Thai rock and pop bands)
- Street Art
- Yomjinda Road murals depicting local fisherman life
- Cooking Classes
- Private sessions often available via luxury resorts like Marriott Rayong
- Art Galleries
- The Pradu Art Gallery
- Historic Buildings
- Traditional wooden shophouses on Yomjinda Road
- Local Heritage
- Sunthorn Phu (Thailand's most famous poet) heritage at his monument in Klaeng
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Tung Prong Thong (Golden Meadow) Mangrove Forest walkway
- National Parks Nearby
- Khao Chamao - Khao Wong National Park (Waterfalls and caves)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Suan Son Beach road - scenic pine-tree lined coastal road
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Khao Laem Ya Viewpoint (Part of the National Park)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Prasae Estuary and surrounding mangroves
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Private beachfronts at Mae Phim Beach with resort permission
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Kerry Express and Flash Express
- Tech Repair Services
- IT Center at Star IT Center (near Star Market)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Rayong Youth Center
- Language Classes
- Rayong Language Center (Sukhumvit Rd) for Thai lessons
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Rayong Public Library (near the city pillar shrine)
- Community Centers
- Rayong Provincial Administrative Organization community halls
- Gaming Lounges
- G-Force Internet & E-Sport Cafe
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in Thailand; nearest legal casinos are in Poipet, Cambodia (3.5 hours away)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 55,000 THB per m² (e.g., 30 m² = 1,650,000 THB / $46,500)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 40,000 THB per m² (e.g., 30 m² = 1,200,000 THB / $33,800)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 60,000 THB per m² (e.g., 45 m² = 2,700,000 THB / $76,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 45,000 THB per m² (e.g., 45 m² = 2,025,000 THB / $57,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 58,000 THB per m² (e.g., 70 m² = 4,060,000 THB / $114,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 42,000 THB per m² (e.g., 70 m² = 2,940,000 THB / $82,800)
- Corporate Tax
- 20% (Standard rate in Thailand)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10%
- Tax System
- Residence-based; tax on foreign-source income if remitted to Thailand in the same year
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35%
- VAT
- 7%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules currently in place
- Property Tax
- Land and Building Tax is variable, usually < 0.3% for residential
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 2% Transfer Fee, 0.5% Stamp Duty or 3.3% Specific Business Tax
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- LTR (Long-Term Resident) Visa provides 17% flat tax rate or potential exemptions