Ban Donsai BeachBan Krud Beach
Huay Yang
Surin Beach
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
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.
Accommodations
Malai Asia Resort - Air con rooms and bungalows. Rooms at Bt 700, One bedroom bungalows at Bt 1,000 and a 2 bedroom suite at Bt 1,550. Dining is available beach side in individual pavilions. Tel (01) 916 1217, (02) 679 7127-36 Fax (02) 287 1457
Laem Kum Beach Resort - Air con rooms with fridge. Resort has a spacious restaurant and a swimming pool which is scheduled for completion on Jan 1, 2003.
Ban Kaew Seaview Resort - A resort undergoing renovation has basic fan twin bungalows on a fine beach at Bt 400. (06) 026 8725
Getting There
By car: South on Phetckasem 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 "rivera". 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".
Accommodations
Ban Rim Had Resort - Bungalows and rooms. Bungalows have air Con, TV and refrigerator at Bt 800. Rooms have TV and air con at Bt 600 or fan at Bt 500. European and Thai food.
Ruenchan Seaview Resort - Bungalows and houses from Bt 600 to a 3 br 3 bath house with 15 beds for Bt 4,500. Tel (032) 695 061, (09) 668 4132 Fax (032) 695 322. Excellent food quality and variety.
Baanklangaow Beach Resort - bungalows with air con, hot water, english language cable TV, refrigerator: 1 + 1 starting at Bt 1,600. 2 + 2 to Bt 4,800. Resort has 2 swimming pools, barbeque garden, beach volleyball, table tennis, bicycles, sea kayak, internet service, conference room and karaoke room.
Banito Resort - Villas: 1 bedroom at Bt 1,800, 2 bedroom at Bt 3600, 3 bedroom at Bt 5,200. Longer stays get discounts to 40% for over 60 nights. Resort has restaurant, swimming pool, fitness room and seminar room. Rumors say that food is not always available.
YHA Resort - is a new resort north of Wat Thongchai. It has a goo beach with clean water. They have male and female dorm style rooms at Bt 250; fan bungalows at Bt 500 that includes breakfast; air con rooms with hot water, TV and fridge at Bt 800; plus luxury air con bungalows with fridge, TV and hot water at Bt 1,200.
Note: Recent information - no maid service for extended stays, service has detriorated
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 Petchkasem 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 Petchkasem 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
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.
