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Bang Saray beach is one of many unspoiled beaches along the East Coast of Thailand.
It is situated about 12 or so kilometers from Pattaya and is reached along the Sukhumvit Road - heading towards Satahip. Fifteen minutes by motor bike or car. Gorgeous golden sands which are normally clean - with shallow water allowing walks into the sea of some considerable distance. There is a sand bar visible at low tide, an attractive walk and a great place from which to take sunset pictures.
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There are several newish housing developments - superb - and some on the way, so Bang Saray will not be forever as it is now (March 2011)
The beach is rarely populated with more than a few small groups or individuals. There is plenty of room - not too many (if any) umbrellas, but plenty of shade with various palms and some broadleaved trees along the adjacent road.
Car parking along the road is not a problem, but some of the marked spaces are spoken for - either officially or not - by the few but varied food vendors along the beach road.
Access to the beach from the road is down a little bit of a drop over a grassed bank/low wall, but with easier access as you get nearer to the village of Bang Saray. There are plenty of seating places adjacent to the beach on a lightly grassed bank. The entire bank is shaded by trees various, and is generally clean and tidy.
The beach at Bang Saray is well sheltered by headland to the south, and the sea is normally very calm. Not yet the masses of water sports that spoil the peace of other nearby Pattaya beaches.
Bang Saray Beach has a wealth of good seafood restaurants - stocked from the fishing village that is Bang Saray.
Arriving at Bang Saray from the North direction, there are several seafood and other restaurants on the left of the beach road. We have tried a few, and have been very happy with the food - though brassed-off with the roaming dogs - which restaurant owners seem to ignore. This is a pity for it spoiled an otherwise pleasant time. Maybe this was an isolated incident for as stated, they were 'roaming' dogs, so plenty of space for them to roam elsewhere.
The most popular restaurants seem to be the ones at the Southern end of the beach, which either border the beach - or as in the case of our favourite - jut out into the sea, with good views of the beach, and also many of the fishing boats at the nearby harbour.
There are usually several fishing boats moored in the sea which add to the character of the area. They also make for good pictures - especially with a zoom telephoto lens.
Pan fried Oysters : Ready for selection and cooking : Girls enjoying the beach : A Thai Salad ::
From Pattaya - Bang Saray is a short drive of around 12 kilometres along Sukhumvit Road heading towards Sattahip. Passing the Floating Market, then Nong Nooch Gardens on the left, you can turn right by taking the second U turn exit after Nong Nooch - down a road that leads directly to the beach. There are a few orchid shops and the like on the opposite corner as a bit of a 'landmark.
Otherwise, take the next turning at the traffic light - signed to Bang Saray - and drive down (carefully) - through the fishing village of Bang Saray - bearing round to the right when needed. This will then take you down past the superb Wat and to the beach road.
