Why Is It Called Military Beach?

Yesterday I told you about the cheeky little thieves we met on the beach and promised to explain why this place is called Military Beach.

The beach itself is officially known as Sai Kaew Beach. It is located about 25–30 km south of Pattaya, in the Sattahip area, and the drive from the city usually takes around 30–40 minutes.

The name “Military Beach” comes from the fact that the area belongs to the Royal Thai Navy. The beach is located on the territory of a naval base, and for many years it was used mainly by the military. Even today the entrance to the area is controlled through a checkpoint, so every visitor has to pass through the gate before reaching the beach.

Because the territory is managed by the navy, the beach has remained much cleaner and quieter than most of the beaches in Pattaya. The water here is clearer, the sand is lighter, and the surrounding hills covered with tropical trees create a calm and relaxing atmosphere that is quite different from the busy city beaches.

There are also a few simple rules for visitors. The entrance costs about 100 baht, and sometimes you may be asked to show an ID or passport at the checkpoint. Visitors are also asked to keep the beach clean and avoid loud behavior. Thanks to these rules — and a bit of military discipline — Military Beach is considered one of the cleanest and most beautiful beaches near Pattaya.

A Small Photography Experiment

This time I came prepared. I brought three different lenses with me and decided to experiment a little with my camera settings.

To be honest, not every photo turned out the way I imagined. But that’s part of the process.

I tried shooting in different conditions — under the bright tropical sun, in the shade of the trees, portraits, full-body shots, and a few spontaneous frames in between.

The funny thing is that when you're standing there on the beach and looking at the tiny camera screen, it’s not always easy to understand whether the shot is really good or not. Everything looks more or less fine at first glance.

Only later, at home, when I start sorting through the photos on a big screen, I begin to see the mistakes — where the light was too harsh, where the composition could be better, or where I should have chosen a different setting.

But that’s exactly how experience appears.

The more you shoot, the more you start to understand what works and what doesn’t.

Photography has honestly become one of the most fascinating hobbies I’ve ever had.

So if you enjoy taking pictures too — don’t be afraid to experiment.
Sometimes the most interesting shots appear when you simply try something new.

Thank you for your likes, your comments, and your time. It never goes unnoticed.

I write my texts myself, correct mistakes and translate via ChatGPT (which is not a violation on Hive)! All photos were taken by me personally - I am a beginner photographer, so I ask professionals not to judge strictly.

Thank you for sharing these moments with me! Until new stories and new holidays! ✌️.

Camera 📷: Sony Alpha 7 IV full-frame

Lens 🔭: Sony FE 70-200mm F: 2.8 GM OSS II

Lens 🔭: Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

Lens 🔭: Sony FE 24–70mm f/2.8 GM II

Processed 🛠: Lightroom