Off the beaten track Prachuab to Chumphon

Khao Takiab, Khao Tao, Pranburi, Paknampran, Khao Kalok, Dolphin Bay, Sam Roi Yod and Prachuabkirikhan. Discussion on areas south of Hua Hin.
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buksida
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Off the beaten track Prachuab to Chumphon

Post by buksida »

Maybe taking a road trip next week to discover some 'unseen' spots along this coastline. Will be based in Bangsaphan and hopefully checking out some of those undiscovered little places and surroundings such as Thap Sakae, around Ban Krut, Bang Boet, Pak Khlong, Pathiu and even as far south as Lang Suan.

Anyone been down that way with any 'must see' places?
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Post by Terry »

Lucky git!!!!

I was working down that way - at least to Chumpon - on the railway and can recall idylic locations at Thap Sakae & Bang Krut - but this was 92 /93 so maybe some changes have occurred.

Would appreciate some piccies of how it is now Buksi

Cheers
T
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Post by migrant »

We drove, from Cha Am, down Chumphon area and stayed at Sai Re beach. Beautiful little area. Nice beach, the place we stayed had a restaurant that served to tables on the beach.

Others probably know more than me, but happy to see what names, etc I can find.
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Re: Off the beaten track Prachuab to Chumphon

Post by johnnyk »

buksida wrote:Maybe taking a road trip next week to discover some 'unseen' spots along this coastline. Will be based in Bangsaphan and hopefully checking out some of those undiscovered little places and surroundings such as Thap Sakae, around Ban Krut, Bang Boet, Pak Khlong, Pathiu and even as far south as Lang Suan.

Anyone been down that way with any 'must see' places?
Hopefully you can find a bit of time to give us a report.
Have a good 'un. :cheers:
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Post by Guess »

It is nearly all good. I think I have now done every stretch of coast road, except some of Tap Sakae, between Petburi and Chumporn and much of it as far as Surat City. Many are indistinguishable from each other and I have not kept records. I cannot read Thai well enough to know what the signs say and few are in English. I can show you on the map.

I could have a go at cutting and pasting the map and putting arrows on.

One that does stand out that I have been to a few times is between Chumporn airport and the town. It caters for tourists in very limited way like Bang Saphan. I just cannot remember the name but it is not difficult to find.

I will check it out on the map later. The only decent maps I have access to are written in Thai.
Last edited by Guess on Fri Jul 25, 2008 11:07 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by buksida »

No worries on the Thai, I can read it.

I will drop by in Bangsaphan to do a bit of map scanning!
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Post by Guess »

Terry wrote:Thap Sakae & Bang Krut - but this was 92 /93 so maybe some changes have occurred.
Not much appears to be less than 20 years old so I doubt it has changed much. All the new houses seem to be built away from the coast a little.

I find Ban Krut a little cluttered but some people like that about it.
buksida wrote:...................I will drop by in Bangsaphan to do a bit of map scanning!
Bring any maps you have.
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Post by bajm »

Not much appears to be less than 20 years old so I doubt it has changed much. All the new houses seem to be built away from the coast a little.
I am told that since the tsunami, all new houses have to be build at least 300 meters from the coastline.

For about 6 years, I have been visiting Ban Krut 2 times per year.
I normally pick up a rental car from Hua Hin, to have transportation in the area. Because I got really lost a few times, when my wife was not with me to read the signs and ask for the road. That is why I bought an outdoor GPS device, which tracks everywhere I go.
Later I used these breadcrumb trails to create my own electronic maps.

I have been to Thap Sakae a few times, but this town does not have much to offer. The town is a lot bigger than Ban Krut. There are a few small hotels near the coast but that is it. To reach the coast, you need to go from Petkasem and back. I did not discover a through road from Ban Krut.

In Ban Krut a “must see” is of course the chedi and the Big Budha on Khao Tong Chai.
A few km’s north is Ko Lamra, a beautiful little island, to go snorkeling or diving.

There is also a nice little cave at: N11 12’ 11.6” E099 25’ 53.1”. Going north, take the first left after Bay View resort. Cross the railway and a few 100 meters to straight, where the road makes a left curve.

When you travel south from Khao Tong Chai in the direction of Bang Saphan, there is about 12 km’s of beach on AO Ban Krut. You will be surprised to see many new resorts build of the past few years.

If you are interested in an electronic map, PM me, then I can send you the map as an attachment and a link to download the software, to view it.
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Post by kendo »

Buksida, if you go 5 hours down to Chumphon where the fishining boats are at the port, i would like to see some pictures my wife has 5 cousins that work on the boats and we need to go there to talk about the land next to our house it's a bit complicated :roll: also my wife wants to go to the temple there, the fishing boats that go deep sea, :roll: the fishermen get drunk and fight, she has lost two cousins one got stabbed and thrown over board and the other just got thrown over board, you know what these scooter boys are like just think about it, imagine what it's like on a fishing boat :roll:
Last edited by kendo on Sat Jul 26, 2008 12:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by buksida »

Thanks for the suggestions, have been to Ban Krut a few times before so know the beach area and temple quiet well. bjam is the cave you describe the same one that is pictured here:

Image

http://www.bangsaphanguide.com/images.htm

Two areas I want to check out are Thap Sakae and Lang Suan. Not sure we'll get into Chumphon town (which is probably where your fishing boat fighting is).
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Post by Bamboo Grove »

Stayed one night at Lang Suan about 16 months ago. Quite nice beach but not much to do.
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Post by bajm »

Buksida, I tried to get an image of a Thap Sakhae map on this post, but I am not able to do it.
I have sent it to your hotmail, so you can pick it up there.
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Post by Randy Cornhole »

Wow Bucks that cave looks well bat-like. What a photo opportunity...
Last edited by Randy Cornhole on Sun Jul 27, 2008 4:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by Super Joe »

In Ban Krut a must see is of course the chedi and the Big Budha on Khao Tong Chai
Here's some pics from the Big Buddha place up in the mountain for those who do not know it. The area from Prachuap town to Bangsaphan is really nice and worth a trip, lots of unspoilt areas and beaches. Sorry OP it doesn't help you as you know it but worth putting up for others.
Apologies for the bad quality pics, it looks better in the flesh, can imagine the views are great on a clear sunny day too.

SJ

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Post by buksida »

Got the map image bjam, what GPS technology do you use to generate that?

Been up to that temple, yes the views are great up there - my plan is to find more places like this, empty beaches, good restaurants, caves and waterfalls.

If it pisses down I'll spend the week at Montri's bar!
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
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