Cha-am

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Sort of a dump, Cha-Am is also a nice change of pace with a unique flavour. Its key charm lies in what it lacks, namely an over-developed tourist infrastructure and hordes of Western visitors.

Cha-am's beach is divided in two by Naranthip Rd which runs from town till it bisects the beach road, Ruamjit Rd. To the north guesthouses and shops cater to Scandinavian and European tourists who have staked out a small claim, while to the south, the beach strip is dominated by Thai tourists.

If you've ever wondered what the locals do to get away from the daily grind of serving you drinks and trying to coax you into their tuk-tuks, here's the answer -- the wage-slaves of Thailand save their baht and descend on Cha-am Beach once a year on weekends and holidays.

They come in large, colourful buses, throbbing with Thai pop music, and filled with vacationers who have been drinking and dancing since the moment they boarded. They can't afford to waste a minute, since some tours only budget half a day of actual beach time before everybody pours themselves back on the bus and heads home.

A little further north is a picturesque fishing village, featuring a small, man-made harbour full of fishing boats, seafood restaurants, and Thai fishermen lazing around in hammocks, waiting for the tide to come in.

If you're looking for excitement, entertainment and a wide array of dining options, Cha-am ain't the place. Head to Hua Hin -- the over-crowded tourist trap 20 minutes to the south. Otherwise, reset your internal clock to Thai time, and enjoy a simple taste of what life in the Kingdom of Siam would be like if foreign tourists weren't here.

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Text and/or map last updated on 12th August, 2009.

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