Beaches in Thailand

Beaches in Prachuap Khirikhan 1

Beaches in Prachuap Prachuap Town Beach | Ao Manao Beach | Ban Donsai Beach | Ban Krud Beach | Huay Yang | Surin Beach |

Pran Buri - Paknam Pran

Only 30 kilometers south of Hua Hin is a great beach and several resorts. In Ban Paknam Pran you will find a long stretch of excellent "stay" beach.

Quite a lot of building is going on in the area; beach homes, resorts and small housing estates are all in progress. And not all of the resorts contribute to the view.

Prachuap Khirikhan Accommodations

Getting There Bus or train service will get you to Pran Buri. Then you will definitely need to use local transport. Best is calling the resort and asking them to pick you up. They will also supply transport back to the bus or train station on departure.  

Prachuap Town Beach

Prachuap Khirikhan will probably not remind you of its more famous city 80 km up the coast. For you will not see hordes of western tourists, dense traffic and rows of beer bars. You will not see rows of beach chairs and umbrellas ... or hear the chaos of traffic, loud motorbikes and car horns.

What you will see is a quiet little city set on a bay where the shoreline curls gracefully out into the Gulf of Thailand until each land's end is capped with green mountains. And that subtle sound you hear will be the surf breaking against the golden sands of Prachuap bay and the whisper of an ocean breezes.

The area is noted for pineapple and nice people. The long sweeping beaches that are mostly deserted are a bonus for your good judgment in bypassing the tourist spots.

Activities nearby include forests, caves and waterfalls. The most prominent landmark is a temple perched on top of Mirror Mountain. Great views of the surrounding area reward the intrepid souls who have climbed the rather steep stairway of 395 steps. The monkeys are either playful or annoying depending on your perspective.

Getting There Regular or Air Con buses as well as rail service is available to Prachuap from any nearby city. A type of motorcycle with canopied sidecar makes local transport easy and cheap. Prachuap still has the occasional samlor for around town. Plus the city is very walking and bicycle friendly.  

Ao Manao

Ao Manao is arguably the best oceanfront in the Umphur (District) of Prachup. Most of the curved bay has flat tree-lined sand beaches punctuated by limestone mountains. The area belongs to the Royal Thai Air Force Wing 53 and as a result, certain formalities are required before you can enjoy the beach ... usually leaving your passport in the custody of security. Once inside the base, people pretty much leave you alone.

The beach area is divided into two parts. The Southern section has quite a number of services that include toilets. Farther south the beach is more private.

Golf: A long walk or short ride from the Guesthouse, a basic 9 hole, par 36 golf course spreads out along the runway. Green fees of Bt 100 allow you to play as much as you want all day. Pull cart rental is Bt 20. The course has a practice range with shaded hitting area.

Accommodations: A very nice hotel style guest house and restaurant will allow non-military booking at Bt 600/day for air con single or double rooms. A restaurant is open from 11:00 AM to 10:30 PM. The area has its own beach.

So if you are quiet type who doesn't need nightlife, For less than Bt 1,000/day you can stay in the Wing 53 resort, eat well, play golf all day, walk the beach and swim.

Caveat: Avoid on holidays. If they get a large military group coming in, you will be required to give up the room, For booking, Tel (032) 661 088

Getting there is easy. The entrance to the Air Force Base is in Prachuap Town at the south end of town and off one of the main roads. Once on the base you actually have to cross the runway. It is quite a long walk. Renting a motorbike makes sense.

Thapsakae

Thapsakae is not a common destination for western tourists. But if you are looking for a quiet beach holiday, it should be on your short-list .. especially if you are a family. Just 370 km south of Bangkok on the Gulf of Thailand, Thapsakae has fine beaches, clean water and reasonably priced resorts.

The Umphur of Thapsakae has several Tumbons (districts) and each Tumbon boasts its own style of resort and a particular ambiance.

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Ban Donsai

has three resorts and several seafood restaurants. Donsai resorts are especially good for families with children since there is no road between the resort and the beach. Diving is available near the offshore islands of Sing and Sung; plus visits to nearby Huay Yang waterfall.

Getting There
By car: South on Phetkasem Road (route 4) to Thapsakae, then 6 km southeast to the beach. Easier might be to watch for km marker 370, turn left for 6 km and see the Malai Asia sign. Laem Kum and Ban Kaew are farther along the road.

Regular or Air Con buses as well as rail service is available to Thapsakae from any nearby city. Motorcycle taxis can complete the trip.

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Ban Krut Beach

High up on an emerald mountain, a gold and silver temple sparkles in the setting sun. A huge golden Buddha gazing out to sea implies a serenity that awaits those who would walk the golden sands below. This is Thongchai / Ban Krud, a simple and peaceful village on the Gulf of Thailand about 390 km south of Bangkok.

The water is clean and coconut plantations line the shore as far as the eye can see. The tall and slender palms seem to beckon the traveler will a simple and natural elegance.

But more recently Ban Krud, and all of Tumbon Thongchai, has started resembling a "Riviera". A handful of beach resorts range from reasonable to pricey. The area is quiet and the beaches are clean and fine for swimming as an offshore sand ridge prevents rip tides.

All the resorts along Klang Bay are across the road from the beach. Most have tables and chairs beach side. Each of the resorts is primarily self contained, with restaurants and entertainment. Many of the resorts cater to Thais, but some seem to be set up for Europeans on long holidays who want to stay in one spot.

Activities in the area vary from idling on the beach to boat trips, snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing. Motorbikes and bicycles can be rented for local transportation. The local roads are in excellent condition.

Seaside Travel in Ban Krut offers a wealth of services for the western and Thai traveler alike. Great views from atop the hill where beautiful Wat Thongchai stands. The area has numerous caves and waterfalls if you get tired of the beach. Reading one resort's brochure reveals the availability of "jungle tours" as well as a "top secret trip".

Notes and Caveats Most resorts include American breakfast for each person. Some add a surcharge for extra persons and extra beds. Some of the rates above are promotions and may be changed seasonally. Most resorts charge a premium for holidays. Some prices are lower for weekdays. Many rates can be reduced thru negotiation.

Getting There
Car Take Phetkasem Road (route 4) south. Watch for a PTT gas station and a tourist information sign referencing Ban Krud. Turn left for about 10 km and you will see numerous pointers for resorts.

Bus Buses leave the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok approximately every half hour. Buy a ticket for Ban Krud, Bangsapan. At the drop-off point, take a motorcycle taxi or telephone the resort for arranged transportation. Some buses go into Ban Krut and drop off passengers near the market.

Train From Bangkok Central Station (Hualumpong) to Ban Krud Station, then a 1.5 km motorcycle taxi ride or resort transport.

More info at Ban-Krut.com

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Huay Yang Beach

About 370 km south of Bangkok along Phetkasem Road, Huay Yang offers long inviting stretches of beach. The fine sand and clean water stretch for kilometer after kilometer. Huay Yang may not fit the "quiet beach" mold as it is part of the village.

Jack's Beach Resort is mere steps off the main road of Huay Yang village. The resort has bungalows, a small but pleasant beach and a restaurant on the sand. The resort has fan rooms; and air con bungalows with TV and fridge in a very pleasant landscaped setting. Tel (032) 574 303

Walk out the gate of Jack's Resort and you are in a small fishing village with with all its activities and friendly people. Walk past the pier up 1 km of deserted beach and you will find Huay Yang Beach. All things considered, Huay Yang is a very pleasant destination.

If you walked 1 km north of the village of Huay Yang you would find Huay Yang Beach. It is a "day beach" with restaurants and beverage service that have tables on the sand. A row of sea pines offers plenty of shade and a Buddhist temple adds variety to the scenery.

Walk even farther north of Huay Yang Beach and you will find the beach for Had Wanakhan National Park.  

Surin Beach

Surin Beach Member Club occupies an area with a long private beach and spacious grounds. The beach is wide and the water clean. Tents, air con and fan bungalows, food and beverages. Tents are Bt 200, bungalows are Bt 400 (fan) and Bt 500 (air con) all food and beverages included. Tel (01) 909 5704. Caveat: There is some question as how long they can or will maintain their all-inclusive policy.

Activities
Besides the beaches and resorts, Huay Yang has Huay Yang Waterfall which is locally prominent; and Had Wanakhon National Park

Getting there
By car: Watch for the Sign for Surin Beach just as you see the sign for Huay Yang. Hopefully you will see the sign for Surin Beach. If you pass the pedestrian overcrossing, you will have to backtrack. No matter, the traffic in town is light. For Surin Beach, watch for a sign that points right then follow the combination concrete and unsealed road for several kilometers.

For Huay Yang village, continue past the turn-off for Surin Beach. Turn right just before the village proper and continue across a bridge. The resort is just to the right of the pier.

Train: Thonburi to Chumphon - Huay Yang Station.

Bus: To Huay Yang Station, then motorcycle taxi.

Beaches in Thailand