The Navy’s Recruit Training Centre, Bang Saray, Chon Buri
GPS co-ordinates (trailhead): 12 45.392 N 100 52.575 E
Trail condition: XC single track.
Distance: The trail is about 9km.
Getting there: The Recruit Training Centre is located in Bang Saray, in the northern part of Sattahip district. Its main entrance is on the west side of Highway 3.
If you come from Pattaya, the centre is 4.8km farther from the famous Cartoon Network-themed water park.
Parking: The RTC has plenty of parking space.
But you may opt to ride from your hotel if it’s in the Bang Saray area.
Food & drinks: At the beach within the RTC’s compound, there’s a nice coffee shop. In the town of Bang Saray there are many more shops and restaurants. Carry some water while you’re on the trail though, you’ll definitely need it. What your family can enjoy while waiting: The centre’s beach areas are not bad for chilling out. In the compound, there’s also a park and a golf course. If the children want to go wet and wild, a water park is just a short drive away.
Accommodation: You can find a handful of guesthouses in Bang Saray, and numerous hotels in the nearby Jomtien and Pattaya. But I stayed at Paul’s newly bought second apartment, which is homey and very convenient because it’s just a short ride to the Bang Saray beach and the bike track, not to mention that the owner himself is an avid mountain-biker happy to show you around his favourite trail.
Local contact: Call Paul Haines at 081-847-1560.
If you prefer Line, his ID is “hainesy”.