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Region: Southern Thailand> Province: Prachuap Khiri Khan>Location: Prachuap Khiri Khan

Prachuap Khiri Khan sights and attractions

Khao Chong Krachok - Great views

Description
Situated on a hill at the northern end of town, this wat offers great views of the coastline to the north and south. At the top of the 395 steps is Wat Thamikaran, a revered monastery housing a Buddha footprint. The monastery forms part of the Wat Thamikaran, sometimes known as Wat Khao Chong Krachok, with the rest of the complex lying to the west of the hill and to the north just over the bridge. The hill is best climbed in the morning or late afternoon, firstly the views are better and secondly there is little shade on the way up. There is a hole or tunnel in the mountain which appears to reflect the sky and the name of the hill translates as mirror tunnel mountain The tunnel can be reached from the wat grounds. This wat and hill are completely overrun by monkeys who will not shy from leaping at you and chasing you around. Definitely not an experience for those with a phobia of monkeys. To get there, walk north along Sarachip Road and you will come to the stairs running up to your right.

Ao Manao - a beautiful clean beach

Description
Description: With its gorgeous beach, lined with cool, shady trees and beach umbrellas, Ao Manao embodies what the resort beaches to the north would like to be when they grow up. At the same time it has more of the feeling of a National Park than a beach resort, no doubt because it's located on a military base, the 53rd Air Division, about 4km from the centre of town. There are plenty of food stalls, and even a food court, on the beach road, but few other services or tourist-oriented businesses. There are a two hotels on the northern-most section of the beach, with no roman script signs and 800 THB doubles--but they definitely feel like government buildings making an effort to approximate hotels. You can stay there if you like, but you'll probably have a more enjoyable time in town or on the beaches to the north or south.


How to get there: To get to Ao Manao, you have to follow Sala Cheep Road and go through the gate to the military base. Slow down and acknowledge the guard -- sometimes he'll stop you and have you sign in. You used to have to leave your passport, but not nowadays -- though it might make sense to bring it just in case the rules change. You'll receive plenty of smiles and salutes around here, though they can still be a bit sensitive about cameras. A motorbike taxi should cost you 30 or 40THB, or you could walk there by continuing along the beach and check out Way Dolak, around halfway, for its forest of stupas.

Ao Khan Kadai - No monkeys here

Description
Just a 10 minute walk from Ao Noi is the attractive bay of Ao Khan Kadai, though the southern end has a large amount of fishing debris and it's not good for swimming. The main attraction here is the cave temple recently renamed Wat Ao Noi (used to be Wat Tham Khan Kadai), situated on the small hill separating the bay from Ao Noi. No monkeys here, but plenty of dogs around the foot of the hill where steps lead up, past a small monastery to a series of well-lit caves containing two large reclining Buddhas. The view from the top over the bay is good as well.

Hat Wanakorn National Park -

Description
Continuing south the next point of interest is a semi-recently created (1995) National Marine Park. It is Thailand's smallest at 38 sq km of which 23 sq km is coastal scrub and woodland and 15 sq km of marine environment including the two small offshore islands of Ko Chai and Ko Thaisi. The woods are nice for walking in and contain a wide variety of birdlife whilst the pristine beach is great for swimming. North of the park headquarters is a rocky coastal section where you can do a bit of snorkelling if the water is clear. Further on, some 4km from the park buildings is Ao Makha where rocky headlands offer good cliff top viewpoints. Park entrance fee is minimal, food vendors and shops are situated near the park buildings but if you want to stay here, you'll have to bring a tent.


How to get there: The park entrance, clearly marked in English is 23km south of Prachuap Khiri Khan off highway 4, then a 3km road takes you down to the beach and park offices. Some basic information is available in English. If you have no transport take any southbound bus and ask to be let off at Wanakorn Then you will have to walk the remaining 3km.

Khao Hin Tern Park - Pretty scenery

Description
Inland and to the west of highway 4 is a turnoff, again marked in English to the above park and border village of Darn Singkorn. The turn-off is some 12km south of Prachuap Khiri Khan and then it is 18km up to the village. Not much to see there and you will not be allowed to cross the border, but the surrounding hills are very pretty. Of more interest, just off the road to Darn Singkorn is the small Khao Hin Tern Park where you can see some unusual rock formations, some statues and a cave. Motorbike taxis should be available at the turn-off on the main road.

Nam Tok Huay Yang National Park - Seven tier falls

Description
Again to the west of highway 4, 29km from Prachuap Khiri Khan is the signposted turn off for this national park. The park entrance is 7km away and again if you have no transport a motorbike taxi should cost no more than 20B from the highway. Huay Yang waterfall, the park's obvious attraction is a seven tier fall and bathing pools have been arranged on each level. The pools are packed with small perch like fish, so don't worry if you feel hairs on your arms and legs being pulled -- piranhas are rare. No accommodation is available though snacks and drinks are plentiful. Park admission is free. The national park actually stretches north and south of here encompassing the mountains laying along the Burmese border and including numerous other smaller falls. Note Thailand is only some 15 km wide at this point, from the Gulf coast to the border, an hours hike past the falls.

King Mongkut Memorial Park of Science & Technology - The most dangerous playground on the planet

Moo 4 Tambon Klongwan
http://www.nfe.go.th/waghor


Description
Heading south from Ao Manao, about 10km south, this park is reachable by Petchkasem Rd (Highway 4) or by staying on the back roads that run along the beach. Much of this park is overgrown and falling apart, but there are signs that a reconstruction effort is being made. The only real draw is the Waghor Aquarium. It's small and unimpressive by Western standards, but it should keep the kids amused for a couple of hours. The other exhibits offer all the thrills of a third-grade science textbook, and the dilapidated Motion Park wins the prize for the most dangerous playground on the planet.