Page 18 - Experience Thailand and More

RAYONG

Grandma’s Farm

The next province along the coast heading east is Rayong known for its
islands, beaches, mountains, waterfalls and fruit. Its name can be traced
back to the nomadic migration of the aboriginal Kuy, or Suei, who were
known for their prowess capturing and training elephants. Ra in Suei, which
is similar to the Thai term rai, is a measurement for a plot of land and can
mean farm while yong, similar to the Thai word yai, refers to grandmother;
thus, Rayong or Grandma’s Farm.

Today, in addition to rai after rai of fruit orchards and rubber plantations
which date back no less than 100 years, the province is home to the
country’s largest deep seaport and petroleum refineries as well as a
gigantic industrial estate that focuses primarily on downstream industries.
While this development does continue and seaside escapes attract scores
of visitors, there are still those who work to preserve their traditional ways
of life, particularly along the 100-kilometer coastline, where the first villages
sprung up before spreading inland. At the same time, though, locals have
been adopting and adapting innovative techniques that can improve the
quality of the produce and increase their yields.

18