Cha-Am Hua Hin Prachuap Khiri Khan Scenic Coastline for Vacationers

When people think about taking a vacation. the “classical” beach resorts of Cha-am and Hua Hin usually come up with many names. This route along the Gulf of Thailand will never disappear from the minds of travelers. The reason is that the beaches there always enchant visitors with their natural charms.
To get there from Bangkok, take the Chaloem Maha Nakhon expressway followed by Highway 35, which passes through Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram provinces. Then turn left on Highway 4 to get to Muang District of Phetchaburi Province along new Phetchakasem Road. After passing Petcharat Hospital, take Highway 3177 leading to Hat Chao Samran beach. This route is notable for the breathtaking natural scenery of rice fields. Around 15 kilometers from the mouth of Highway 3177 is a quiet beach, Puek Tian, which used to serve as a royal camp during the reign of King Vajiravudh (Rama Vl). Puek Tian beach is popular with tourists, especially during weekends.

Many activities, such as traditional Thai massage, banana boat tours, and jet skiing, are offered to visitors along the beachfront road. Continue your trip back to Highway 4, and when you arrive at kilometer 216, make a left turn to the Rama VI Camp. 3 kilometers from the camp is Phra Ratchaniwet Mrigadayavan, an old palace where King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) used as a vacation residence during the summer time. Located on the seaside, this “palace of love and hope,” is in the combination of Thai and European styles, and it is shady because of many plant species, particularly plumeria, grown in the area.
Return to Highway 4, heading south for Hua Hin beach, and you will see Chatchai market on the right. This area is crowded with many cars and tourists. Popular local products and souvenirs that are available include Pran Buri pineapple, processed pineapple, and seafood, fresh and dried.
From Chatchai market, you will arrive at Oechanuchit intersection, which has many all-night food vendors; popular dishes there include phat thai (stir-fried Thai noodles), hoi thot (fried mussels), and seafood. What should not be missed is home-made ice cream at Je Ni Shop, which was established more than 10 years ago. Many ice cream flavors in both Thai and Western styles are offered for your selection. When you arrive at the Hua Hin market, look for an old coffee shop at the corner of one of the intersections. Apart from coffee and toast, you may savor the delicious soup and rice with curry available at food stalls around there.

Going straight to the Hua Hin District Office intersection and turning left on Damnoen Kasem Road, you will find food and souvenir shops along both roadsides. This road ends at the tranquil Hua Hin seaside, which is 5 kilometers in length, with white sand and clear water excellent for swimming.
Then say good-bye to Hua Hin and take Highway 4 leading to Pran Buri. Be more careful about the section of Hua Hin-Pran Buri intersection, as it consists of only two lanes that may make it difficult to drive. Go straight on the main road, and when you pass through the Thanarat Camp for about 1.5 kilometers, you will arrive at the Pran Buri intersection on the right. Then turn left on Highway 3168, which leads to the mouth of Pran Buri River. On the way to the mouth of Pran Buri River, look for an intersection and turn right. Then drive along the beachfront road for about seven kilometers to reach Khao Kalak, a hill on the seaside. Som Tam (papaya spicy salad), glutinous rice, and seafood are available in many food stalls there.
While continuing your journey along the beachfront road, you will see signboards showing the way to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. This route is small and pine trees are scattered on the left together with Mediterranean-style resorts. When you arrive at Ban Phu Noi beach, you will see many fishing boats on the seaside since this area is the location of a fishing village.

The beachfront beach ends at Ban Phu Noi beach. You are advised to turn right on the road leading to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. After arriving at an intersection, make a left turn on Sam Roi Yot-Kui Buri route, passing through the national park’s admission fee checkpoint. Small villages and shrimp farms are found in the early section of this route. But when you go deeper, you will find that the area is occupied mainly by shrimp farms, and scenic hills are found on the right. If you have enough time, don’t forget to stop at Phraya Nakhon cave and Sam Phraya beach for an excursion or to go kayaking on Khao Daeng Canal. Signboards are found along the way.

The Sam Roi Yot-Kui Buri route, comprising shrimp farms and beaches lined with bushes, is connected with Highway 4 at Fai Mai market. Make a left turn on Highway 4 towards Muang District of Prachuap Khiri Khan. In Muang District, turn left on Maharat Road (Highway 326), heading for Prachuap Bay. After crossing the railway bridge, turn left and park inside Wat Dhammamikaram. Then walk on almost 400 steps up to Khao Chong Krachok . The hill offers a scenic viewpoint. and a relic of the Buddha and a miniature of the Buddha’s footprint are enshrined there.
From Khao Chong Krachok, turn left on Maharat Road and go straight towards the beachfront road. If you turn left, you will get to Khao Ta Mong Lai National Park, which is located at the end of the beach. There are many bird species there. But if you turn right, you will pass Na Muang beach and Saphan Pla and then arrive at Prachuap Bay. Going to the seaside, you will have to turn right on Highway 3167, and after a 2-kilometer drive, look for the intersection, where you can turn left to Ao Manao, a beautiful curved bay in the vicinity of Wing 53, the Royal Thai Air Force. This area is also excellent for swimming and the beach is lined with pine trees.

Then, drive along the seaside passing through Hat Khlong Wan, which houses a fishing village, small resorts, and beachfront food shops. After passing Hat Wa Ko for a while, the King Mongkut Science Museum at Wa Ko will be seen. Apart from the museum, this area is also the location of the Memorial to King Mongkut (Rama IV) and an aquarium.
From the Science Museum, make a left turn on Highway 4. Then drive until reaching kilometer 345 and turn left to enter Hat Wanakon National Park. Around 3 kilometers from the national park’s admission fee checkpoint is the seaside with white sand and crystal water, excellent for swimming and relaxation as well. After that, if you drive on Highway 4 towards Thap Sakae District, turn left at an intersection when you pass the district office for 18 kilometers on Highway 3459. Go straight to the beach lying in front and then turn left to Khao Thong Chai, which is the location of Phra Maha That Chedi Phakdi Prakat, the former residence of Kromluang Chumphon Khet Udomsak, and the Kittisirichai Buddha Image.

Category: Hua Hin