Government & Economy

Two thirds of the land in Rayong province is under cultivation and the majority of the population is engaged in agriculture. Rayong is noted for its 'naam plaa' (fish sauce), shrimp paste and delectable durian. Because of the growth of industry and tourism in the province, agriculture now contributes less than 10% of the gross provincial product.

In 1981 the Thai government set up the Eastern Seaboard Development Program and established Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong Province. The deep-sea port at Map Ta Phut serves heavy industries such as oil refineries, petrochemical plants, chemical plants, and fertilizer plants with bulk cargo service. Private investors have subsequently developed more industrial estates in the province, including Amata City Industrial Estate.

Also in 1981, Ko Samet and surrounding islands were established as a national maritime park. In the intervening years the National Parks Division of the Royal Forest Department has made halting attempts to stop, or at least slow down, development on the island. On a few occasions the park was closed to visitors, but it always reopened fairly quickly after howls of protest from resort operators. In 1996 the Forestry Department's position was upheld in the courts, but litigation and political 'accommodation' continue and the resorts continue to operate. In the meantime the Department charges all visitors to Ko Samet a 20 baht fee (formerly 10 baht for Thais and 50 baht for foreigners). Rumor has it that jet skis may be banned in Ko Samet soon.

Rayong is administratively divided into 8 districts including:

The emblem of the province: a royal pavilion on Samet Island.

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