I totally disagree with that one.

A lungful of chemicals more like it that Map TaPhut is infamous for. The locals have been fighting the factories for years. Or smog from the electricity generator.

Beaches usually covered in litter. The launch area to Koh Samet is a filthy disgrace.

The only good thing about Rayong IMO is the thousands of single girls working in the hundreds of polluting factories. The Amata City area on a Friday and Saturday night in the Thai pubs is like a beautiful girl buffet. 

If you go a bit further down to Chantaburi it is a lot more like Rayong has been discribed in the piece above. Chantaburi is a beautiful province.

• Only two hours from Bangkok by car, Rayong City is a popular getaway destination amongst urban holidaymakers who prefer a more peaceful beach atmosphere than the nearby touristy Pattaya. Those who are continuing on to Koh Samet will also find Rayong City the perfect base, as it’s possible to do a bit of sightseeing and shopping before hopping on a speedboat or a ferry at Baan Pae.
• Separated from Koh Samet by a 45-minute ferry ride, the city area feels like a world apart. It retains a pleasantly localised atmosphere, where you are more likely to bump into Thai families or groups of young university students than foreign tourists or backpackers. Young urbanites from Bangkok often drive out here to enjoy a great seafood meal or dig their toes into the soft white sand, before heading back with a lung full of clean fresh air.  source Hotels.com