Prachuap Khiri Khan

The Real Thailand
By monikaundsandra (dabbler - 3 reviews)
Written on 28th December, 2009 after a visit to Prachuap Khiri Khan in November, 2009
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!

Slow paced and relaxed
By tfkhang (dabbler - 3 reviews)
Written on 6th November, 2009 after a visit to Prachuap Khiri Khan in October, 2009
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.
Also reviewed by tfkhang: Trang, Udon Thani,