Region: Southern Thailand> Province: Prachuap Khiri Khan> Location: Bang Saphan Yai

Bang Saphan

Bang Saphan Yai is still a very 'Thai' town, so you'll find plenty of noodle stands and rice stalls around the market and station areas. Other dinning options are limited, but what there is is pretty good, and should provide whatever you crave. There's good seafood (and karaoke, if that's your thing) at the restaurants along the seafront, 4km to the east of town.

Ban Mai/Blue Moon - Where you're welcome on stage
On the wrong side of the tracks, Bang Saphan Yai - Prachuap Khiri Khan
Tel: (07) 085 4767;(07) 163 6618;

The five piece band at Ban Mai plays a nearly-continuous, suprisingly-tight three hour set of live music every night from 22:00 to 01:00. Mostly Thai rock, with some Western tunes thrown in, and if you've had enough dutch courage to muster the nerve, you're welcome to jump up on stage and sing with the band (brush up on those lyrics to Hotel California and you're a cinch.) Especially on weekends, the place fills with people dancing, drinking, and eating--though the food isn't great. The band really tears down the house, which is only fitting--the two-story wood building was made from left over wood when they demolished the old train station. A little tricky to get to--from the train station, go past Tae Restaurant and the rice stalls, then walk up and cross the tracks on foot. You'll see the place lit up like a Christmas tree on the other side.
Opening Hours: Daily 19:00 to 02:00

Chong Pizza - downright cosy
On the corner where you take a left to get to Coral Hotel, Bang Saphan - Prachuap Khiri Khan
Tel: (09) 548 9794;

This is a downright cosy little bar/restaurant, and is a favourite hangout for the small ex-pat community in town. The approach is a small maze of walkways through a garden, constituting something of a sobriety test -- if you can't find your way out, time to call a cab. The pizza is a little doughy, but it'll do in a pinch, and you get a choice of thin or thick crust. Other western and Thai dishes available, of course, as well as slightly overpriced cocktails. Chong Pizza is 3.5km down on the road heading to the southern beach, on the left (not on the corner where you turn for the Coral Resort).
Type of Food: International / Pizza / Thai /

Coco Bar - Just for drinking
Wa Ree Bungalows, Bang Saphan - Prachuap Khiri Khan

On the grounds of Wa Ree bungalows, a short walk north from the Why Not, the Coco Bar has the same chilling-out-on-the-beach vibe, and is your only other alternative on the southern beach. Drinks, but no food here.

Sweet Home Bakery - Excellent coffee
On the main road, on the right before the tracks, Bang Saphan - Prachuap Khiri Khan

It's the only coffee shop in town, but thankfully the coffee is excellent. Some of the baked goods are shockingly Thai in nature, but donuts, brownies and ice cream are also available.
Type of Food: Coffee and/or Tea House /
Opening Hours: Daily 07:00 to 21:00

Tae Restaurant (AKA Ray's place) - A very pleasant restaurant
Bang Saphan Rd (along the railroad tracks), Bang Saphan - Prachuap Khiri Khan
Tel: (032) 69 1214;(07) 919 2910;

A very pleasant restaurant along the tracks, run by an Englishman and his Thai wife. The food here is quite good -- the usual selection of Thai dishes and some western favourites. If you get a little stir crazy in your bungalow, it's not a bad place to sit and watch the evening dissolve as the trains rattle by. They also rent motorcycles for 200THB/day.
Type of Food: International / Thai /
Opening Hours: Daily 16:00 to 03:00

Why Not - chilling-out-on-the-beach vibe
Where the road to Coral Hotel meets the beach, Bang Saphan - Prachuap Khiri Khan

A beachside bar and restaurant where you'll find tourists and locals alike eating and drinking. The bar has a nice, chilling-out-on-the-beach vibe, and the drinks are reasonably priced. We haven't reviewed the restaurant, but regular customers all swear by the food here.