Garie Beach - Where are the best beaches near Bangkok?

Where are the best beaches near Bangkok?

I'm going to study in Bangkok for two months, but since I'm studying I won't be able to travel to southern Thailand. Where the most beautiful beaches are. So anyone been to or live near Bangkok? Where are the WHITE SAND beaches and CLEAR/TURQUOISE WATER beaches? please let me know thanks in advance. where is somewhere with clear turquoise water within 5-10 hours of driving/bus/taxi?

Public Comments

you can get out to koh Samed for a weekend - or go to Cha'am Hua hin side - clear turq waters, I don''t know - you need more distance
Bangkok may be close to the water in fact it may be under the water in the next 10 years, but for White Sand and clear/turquoise water your not going to find it here. Agree with Spanky Koh Samed is the nearest thing you're find about a 3 hour drive and a short boat trip away.
The nearest beach is at Bang Saen, near Chonburri, very popular with Bangkok thai;s. To get there, get a bus to Chonburri, then a song tow (pickup with two rows of seats) to Bang Saen
Many people in Bangkoke take a quick break to Koh Samet. Beach areas around Pattaya, Cha Am and Hua Hin are a relatively short distance away by taxi or bus (a few hours). Note: Flying around Thailand is actually relatively inexpensive on airlines like Airasia.com, Nokair.com or 1-2-go, so don't rule out taking a quick weekend break to the Phuket, Krabi or Samui.
I second Koh Samet. It is still a nice Island. I hear Koh Chang is great too but I have not bee there yet. Koh Samet Thailand is only about 3 1/2 hours from Bangkok and about a 2 hour journey from Pattaya, plus another 30-40 minutes by Boat or Ferry from a pier in Ban Phe. Of course you can also hire a speed boat and reach the Island in several minutes. Koh Samet does not have an airport so you most likely will arrive in Ban Phe by bus.
Rayong is the best beach I have ever seen in Bangkok...and what makes it even better is the fact that it is pretty much only visited by Thai people. So the beach isn't crammed with foreigners sunbathing; it's just a few Thai people and the beaches are beautiful! It's not that far from Bangkok either.