Prachuap Khiri Khan

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The province of Prachuap Khiri Khan boasts stunning coastline along the Gulf of Thailand which includes some lovely beaches. The province is bordered to the north by Phetburi and to the south by Chumphon. This is where Thailand slims down to its skinniest--at one point only 11 km separates Burma to the west and the Gulf of Thailand to the east.

The name Prachuap Khiri Khan means 'Land of many mountains', and stems from the range lying near Burma. The official tourist brochures itemise the occupations of people living here as: agriculture, fishing and cowboys. If you sight any cowboys, please let us know.

While the majority of foreign visitors know the province for Hua Hin -- a beach resort area located to the north of the capital -- Prachuap Khiri Khan is a bright spot as you head south, worth a visit just to soak up the vibe. It's a pleasant, friendly town, at once restive and bristling with energy -- full of enterprising ethnic Chinese Thais who go about their business without centring their lives on the tourist industry.

Although the city beach is not up to much there are some great beaches nearby. The view from the top of Chong Khra Chok hill is magnificent and with fishing being the town's main industry another good reason to stay here is the superb seafood.

Ninety-three km south of Hua Hin and 176km north of Chumphon, the city was originally known as Muang Bang Nong Rom and it was more or less abandoned after the fall of Ayutthaya towards the end of the 18th century, to be rebuilt at the mouth of the Klong 1 Ron River during the 19th century when its modern name of Prachuap Khiri Khan was adopted. The town is situated on the Gulf coast on Ao Prachuap, a wide, scenic bay bracketed to the north and south by large limestone outcrops.

The bustle of Hua Hin seems to distract many travellers from exploring the much-nicer beaches in the province's south -- making it one of the last undiscovered areas in Thailand, and in some people's minds, the next big thing. Bang Saphan Yai, with it's mellow pace and cheap bungalows along the uncrowded, uncluttered shore-line, has been a well-kept secret for many years and Haad Ban Krut rivals the beauty of the beaches of the Andaman Islands.

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

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Go to Prachuap

Half-way down the coast on the Gulf of Thailand, Prachuap Khiri Khan is truly a diamond in the tourist-driven over-priced south. Very few Western travellers visit, so the town has yet to develop the much loved/hated backpacker scene. You won't find yourself drinking 200B vodka buckets with a bunch of Scandinavians here. But if you are keen for quiet time, family holiday, detox or to just roll with the flow of a Thai town. Prachuap is the place.

Ao Manao is unbelievably beautiful, with only a small area of beach chairs, a little market and the food court just behind the beach, just enough tourism to make you feel comfortable but nothing like the over swamped beaches of the south and Ko Samet.

Ao Noi is a longer drive from Ao Prachuap, but the northern part of Ao Prachuap makes the drive worthwhile. We were the only people of the beautiful Ao Noi beach which unfortunately had a bit of rubbish on the shore. Otherwise spectacular and secluded.

Sun Beach Guest House is the place to stay.

A word of warning - if you need to get back to Bangkok or elsewhere at a certain time for a flight/work, make sure you book your bus ticket in advance (advance in thai time - so a few hours before) to guarantee a seat.
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By annabellewalker (dabbler)
Written on 5th March, 2010 after a visit to Prachuap Khiri Khan in February, 2010

Also reviewed by annabellewalker: Nakhon Pathom,
The Real Thailand

Well everybody wants to find that, right? However I found that just a few hours south of Bangkok and too many hours north of Krabi or Ko Samui there is a quiet little beach town that has kept its orginial charm and pace.

A modern midsized town with a sense of community and very few vistors mostly on motorbikes regarded as bystanders with seemingly little impact... the evening market at the pier had a wonderful array of foods but no souvenirs and I for once had the chance to try out my rudimentary Thai.

The town and surrounding fishing villages are best explored on motor bike (I didn't see any bicycles for hire but there are kayaks for rent) and the beach north at Ao Manao is nice but typically for Thai tourists with just one restaurant after the other which may not be a bad thing.

If you climb the stairs to the wat be careful of the monkeys.

Overall: for atmosphere and getting of the tourist track: in the mid-south this is my favourite place.

The Sun Beach Guesthouse at the end of the "promenade" in Prachuap Khiri Khan just 3 km away from Ao Manao Beach and 1 km (15 relaxing walking minutes along the waterfront) from the pier.

The young german owner and his Thai family do everything to make guests feel at home and they know how to do it: laundry service, breakfast made to order, sparkling clean rooms with balconies overlooking the bay and last but not least a good-size swimming pool to relax in, if you want a picture of the sunset over the bay just stand up from your beach chair!

The German owner is big on cleanliness and service and the Thai staff in friendlyness and courtesy. There is internet in the lobby, motorcylces to rent for 300 baht a day and when we left by train and found we left something at the hotel the staff really went out of their way to help us and get the item to us at the train station.

all in all., outstanding value for just 20 euro!
- Sights & activities
- History & culture
- Scenery & environment
- Eat & drink
- Traveller's scene
- Romance
- Value for money
- I'll be back (or not)
By monikaundsandra (dabbler)
Written on 28th December, 2009 after a visit to Prachuap Khiri Khan in November, 2009
Slow paced and relaxed

The city has very nice seaside scenery, and the beach at Ao Manao is not bad. I noticed that most visitors were Thais, with very few foreigners. This is definitely good news -- prices will be lower and rip offs will be less common (even nonexistent). The seafood is excellent as well (try Plern Samut) and very affordable. For cheap food, find the pushcarts around the park by the seaside and at the evening market right in the middle of the city. If you like to enjoy solitude, this is the place. If hard drinking and the pub scene is more to your liking, then perhaps you should stay at Hua Hin.
- Sights & activities
- History & culture
- Scenery & environment
- Eat & drink
- Traveller's scene
- Romance
- Value for money
- I'll be back (or not)
By tfkhang (dabbler)
Written on 6th November, 2009 after a visit to Prachuap Khiri Khan in October, 2009

Also reviewed by tfkhang: Trang, Udon Thani,

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