The famous Thai beaches are mostly in the south, a flight away. What is less well known is how much coast sits within a few hours of Bangkok by bus, minivan or ferry, on both the western and eastern arms of the Gulf. For anyone based in the city, or passing through with a spare weekend, these are the practical options.
They are listed roughly by travelling time. The first few are day trips; the last few deserve two or three nights.
Ten beaches within reach
Bang Saen
The closest proper beach to Bangkok, and firmly a domestic one. A long curve of sand with deckchairs, food carts and a promenade, busy at weekends and half empty midweek. It is not the prettiest water on this list, but it is the easiest to reach before lunch.
Jomtien, Pattaya
South of the main Pattaya strip and considerably calmer than it, Jomtien is a long straight beach with a wide pavement behind it. Useful mainly as a base for the boats out to the offshore islands.
Koh Larn
A short ferry from Pattaya, this small island has several separate bays and clear water that the mainland does not. It fills up in the middle of the day when the tour boats arrive and empties again by late afternoon, which is the window to aim for.
Hua Hin
Across the Gulf on the western shore, reachable by train or bus in three to four hours. A long tidal beach, a working fishing pier and a compact town behind it. The train journey down is a pleasant half-day in itself and the station is one of the prettiest in the country.
Cha-am
Half an hour north of Hua Hin and much quieter, with casuarina trees along the back of the sand and a strip of simple seafood places. A good choice if Hua Hin feels too developed.
Pranburi and Sam Roi Yot
South of Hua Hin, where the coast turns wilder and limestone hills come down towards the sea. The national park behind the beach holds a cave with a pavilion built under a collapsed roof, which is the single most photographed spot on this coastline.
Koh Samet
The nearest island on the eastern arm, a couple of hours by minivan plus a short ferry. Small, dry and fringed with white sand bays on its eastern side. Walkable end to end, which makes it manageable alone.
Koh Chang
Five to six hours east, near the Cambodian border. Mountainous, forested and far larger than Samet, with beaches on the west coast and waterfalls inland. Worth three nights rather than two.
Koh Mak
A further ferry beyond Koh Chang, flat, small and largely given over to coconut and rubber. There is very little to do, which is precisely the recommendation. Bicycles are the sensible way to get around.
Koh Kood
The last island before the border, and the longest journey on this list. Clear water, a handful of beaches, dense interior forest and almost no through traffic. If you only have one long weekend, this is the one to spend it on.
The rule of thumb is simple: the further east you go along the Gulf, the clearer the water and the longer the bus. Match the journey to the number of nights you actually have.