Bang Saphan Yai

Bang Saphan Yai reviews

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• Bang Saphan Yai / Bank Krut resurveyed

  A few days ago i did a slow motion trip down the coastline starting in Bangkok and stayed a while at Bang Saphan Yai's Suan Luang Beach.
  Arriving at Bang Saphan Yai's Train Station I went by motorcycle taxi for the going rate of 80Baht to the beach of Suan Luang west of town where there is the main concentration of accommodation.
  Down there you are right in the middle of the huge bay; with a rent-motorcycle it is very pleasant to explore the area. The going rate is about 200Baht a day.
  Decent bicycles are impossible to find around.
  I stayed at Lolas Bungalows; one of the rare budget places; usually accommodation is more "resort" style like as they are mainly catered towards Thai weekend holidaymakers.
  The pleasant town of Bang Saphan Yai is about 6km away from Suan Luang Beach; people are friendly; there is a neat market; good food and even a great bakery/cafe called "SweetHouse".
  Unfortunately the only guest house in town closed down recently due to lack of customers.
  During the daytime there are very little people walking the beach; in the evening you may find the odd bar here and there but do not expect much going on here; you may even be alone with the barkeeper.
  The beach is decent; wide and very well suited for people with kids as the water is quite shallow for about 50 meters out.
  There is quite a bit of rubbish being washed up along the waterline but not to the amount becoming bothersome.
  The whole bay is shaded by trees and so very enjoyable during the day.
  Good food is available at a few restaurants along the beach all year round.
  People who want to prepare their own food can buy fish directly from the small boats when they come back in the evening.
  You can spend your days in a hammock or drive around the countryside exploring the caves and their temples or stay all day long at an empty stretch of beach which are plentiful.
  The drive between Suan Luang Beach and Ban Krut is especially pleasant as one drives by small fishing families homes; coconut groves with the odd coconut-fetching monkey and kilometers of empty beautiful beach.
  In between here and there is a resort-style hotel with prices usually between 1500 and 3000 Baht a night.
  This will get you your own air-con bungalow and access to a swimming pool and adjacent restaurant.
  The village of Ban Krut is a lot smaller and quieter than the busy town of Bang Saphan Yai; there is a lovely morning market; some local restaurants; an Internet place; a train station and much time to chat with the very welcoming locals.
  The Beach might be prettier than Bang Saphan Yai's but the lack of trees makes it quite hot during the day.
  Also at Ban Krut there is a small road dividing the resorts from the beach; but for those who want to avoid using a scooter Ban Krut is highly recommended.
  Both places can get very busy during long weekends; holidays and special events.
  There are plans to build a huge steel mill in Bang Saphan Yai for many years now but through the consistent effort of the locals to protect their environment so far nothing has been approved.
  Quite a few westerners have built houses in the area so one can see many signs ''land for sale'' but the big rush has still to come; if it ever does....
  So go and explore the area for a while; it makes a great stop in between Surat Thani and Bangkok if you are not in a hurry!
  

  • Sights & activities
  • History & culture
  • Scenery & environment
  • Eat & drink
  • Traveller's scene
  • Romance
  • Value for money
  • I'll be back (or not)

  By RotPickup (dabbler)
  Written on 4th June, 2010 after a visit to Bang Saphan Yai in June, 2010

  
  

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