E-BOOK Wesmile _Vol 42 September

TRAVEL
BANG SAEN:
A BRAINY BEACH TOWN
If you’re a beach lover, it doesn’t take much to
realize Chonburi province’s Bang Saen town is pure
bliss - just take in the aroma of the salty sea breeze and
the splash of ocean waves rushing the shoreline.
Once a little fishing village, Bang Saen is known for
being the site of Thailand’s first public beach park. Now
it is home to one of Thailand’s flagship universities and
also has several other buildings of note. Yet Bang Saen
beach has maintained its small-town ambience, mixed
with plenty of suburban charm.
College beach towns are great for more than just
university students, and Bang Saen is a case in point.
It has quiet neighborhoods, peaceful communities,
good schools, and a lower cost of living, which are crucial
factors in deciding on a home. It is also rich in local Thai
culture and boasts a thriving economy, making it an excellent
location for a long-term commitment to the region.
Lush green coconut palms fringe the area’s
gently sloping beaches, which are covered in pristine,
fine sand. Farther inland are coastal structures and
recreational facilities, which provide both protection
from marine erosion as well as family-friendly fun.
The latest place to open is Saensuk district’s Haad
Wonnapa seaside park and promenade. It comprises
modern playgrounds and chic alfresco bars. Thanks to
the local authorities’ strictly enforced standards for zoning
and cleanliness, as well as efficient trash collection, the area is
well-maintained and welcoming.
The district’s low crime rate is yet another factor that has
branded Bang Saen as Thailand’s most livable beach town.
Nearby is the government-owned Burapha
University’s Bang Saen campus. The school is famed for
its interdisciplinary curriculum and is home to both a
demonstration school and a teaching hospital for medical
and nursing students.
It is also known for its Institute of Marine Science,
which houses a range of indigenous sea creatures. They
are categorized by types of marine system, beginning
from shallow intertidal zones and ending in the deep
ocean. Scientists at the institute work carefully to
maintain delicate marine environments inside each
tank, allowing fish to breed. Aquatic animals on display
include many types of coral reef, clownfish, anemones,
octopuses, seahorses, moray eels, as well as jellyfish,
which are beautifully illuminated by a black light
display.
Even from the start, Bang Saen has always been “the
people’s beach”, enjoyed by both locals and tourists, as
well as business executives and workers who commute
from industrial estates 20 kilometers away, such as Amata
Nakorn.
During Thailand’s water festival, also known as
Songkran or Thai New Year, Bang Saen comes alive with
the Kingdom’s grandest sand sculpture competition, and
crowds from all around the country flood the temporary
outdoor “art gallery”
Bang Saen is only 100 km from Bangkok and 60 km
south of its more famous cousin, Pattaya. Nowadays,
thanks to ease of access and the town’s local charm,
there has been a flurry of investment in condominiums,
apartments, hotels, shopping centers, restaurants and
other retailers.
Although it is more crowded on weekends, sufficient
parking spaces and plenty of beach mean Bang Saen
continues to be a fun, entertaining family vacation spot -
don’t forget your beach chairs, toys and inflatables!
68
September 2018