Cha-am is sort of a dump, but 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 busses, 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.

Orientation
In the unlikely situation that you need to be hospitalised, the best medial care is in Bangkok and Hua Hin. Local options include:
Cha-am hospital Cha-am hospital is located about 2km away on the east side of Sri Sakul Thai Rd. Take Naranthip Rd from the beach and then your last right before Petchakasem Rd. 24-hour emergency care.

Medical clinic On the south side of Naranthip Rd a block before Petchakasem. Doctor speaks English. Non-emergencies only.
Hours:
Mon.-Fri. 17:30-20:00
Sat. 08:00-11:30 and 17:30-20:00
Sun 17:00-20:00

Police
There are several Tourist Police substations along Cha-am beach, the largest at the base of Naranthip Rd. The main police station is on the north side of Naranthip Rd, between Petchakasem Rd and the train station.

Post & Telecommunications
There is a post office on the beach road, south of The Methavali (open Mon - Fri 08:30 to 16:30, Sat 09:00 to 12:00, closed Sundays and holidays). The main post office is on the north side of Naranthip Rd, between Petchakasem Rd and the train station.

Internet cafes along the beach road are mostly slow and expensive. Good options include Spy Com (next to Frendz Cafe) and the CAT Telecom office on Naranthip Rd, just west of Chao Lai Rd.

The cheapest visa run out of Cha-am is to head to Ranong, which borders Kaw Thawng, Burma, though you'll have to wrestle with your conscious if you're honoring the Burma boycott. The whole process costs between 800 and 3,000 THB depending on how you go, and takes about 18 hours round trip. Ask around at Crawfords or Frendz Cafe to hook up with a group renting a van, which usually works out at about 1,000B a head.