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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bajm
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Post by bajm »

what GPS technology do you use to generate that?
I use a Garmin Extrex Legend to collect information on the spot and I use a program called Mapwell to create maps for GPS.
But honestly, this Thap Sakae map is not mine, I found it some time ago on a site called: mapcenter dot cgpsmapper dot com.
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Post by hhfarang »

Buksida, the missus and I have wanted to do that same run for a couple of years but haven't seemed to find the time... eagerly awaiting your (detailed) trip report! :D
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Post by buksida »

Ok will do a run down of a few of the places we found on the trip.

Heading South
Based in Bangsaphan the first leg of the journey was to follow the coast road south to Bangsaphan Noi (which is a nondescript little town) around to the next bay called Bang Berd (Boet). The whole area and beach is a Royal project so there is absolutely no development along its length aside from the occasional noodle stall or temple. The beach, as expected, was empty!

Round the headland at Pak Khlong which was dotted with tiny one-street fishing villages consisting of a couple of rows of wooden houses. The coast was quiet rocky here so no beaches to speak of. The next stop was a little bay called Bo Mao which had a great little sheltered beach with an island out in the middle. There were a few Thai-style resorts along the beach road but very few people, it seems to be a weekend bus trip place. The southern headland was comprised completely of broken coral fragments indicating that there was a thriving reef there at some stage.

Further south is Pathiu, Bang Son and the long Tung Wa Laen beach north of Chumphon. This is by far the best beach with white sand and the clearest water. It is also the most developed with a number of hotels, resorts, restaurants and internet cafes. One major problem this beach suffered though were flies - thousands of them - making having a meal on the beachfront quiet a chore.

From Chumphon we journeyed west back to the highway and Khao Po service station to stop and buy some cheap tacky holiday shirts and khanom. There was the occasional waterfall signposted off the main road but we never ventured into the hinterlands.

Image

Photos and northern leg coming shortly.
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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buksida
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Post by buksida »

Heading North
From Bangsaphan the northern leg took the coastal road up to Ban Krut. The town is around 20km north of BS and many say that the beach there is better. Ban Krut is a little like Cha-am with a beach road lined with Thai-style resorts and restaurants, plus the jet-skis and banana boats on busy weekends.

Having not driven the coastal stretch for about 18 months I was staggered at the development that is going on there. A once tree lined, palm fringed, beach front is now a construction site. Five star Arcadia resorts, low-rise condominiums, boutique hotels and small restaurants all going up at a feverish pace. It begs the question why as Ban Krut has little more to offer than its beach and most of the existing resorts are empty for the majority of the year.

Heading north out of Ban Krut the road leaves the coast and goes inland through untouched jungle land and small winding roads, next stop Thap Sakae. This town was completely uninspiring and consisted of a few streets of old wooden houses, the beach front was walled with two fishing piers which supported the entire local economy by the looks of it. Nothing along the beach at all aside from fishing huts and drying baitfish. No restaurants, shops or even anywhere to stop and sit. Back to the highway it was.

Next destination north is Prachuab another 40 kilometers away.

Image
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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Post by lindosfan1 »

Buksida
Thank you for that information, helped me with other contributions on this thread on planning a trip.
This is the sort of thing thatmakes this site so useful pity there are not more.
Look forward to seeing some pictures.
Best thread curently running thanks
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buksida
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Post by buksida »

Thanks for the compliments, I try to get something relevant posted now and then!

Here are some pics (some are from a previous trip but the places are the same):

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Coral resort - Bangsaphan

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Empty beach - Bang Berd

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Fishing trip - Bangsaphan

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Storm brewing - Bangsaphan

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Secluded bay - Bo Tong Lang

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Stairway - Bo Mao

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The fly beach - Tung Wa Laen

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Local wildlife

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The biggest freakin mozzie I've ever seen!
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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Post by migrant »

Great pics! more please
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buksida
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Post by buksida »

Didn't take that many this trip as the weather was a little dire.

Here are some more from the area though : www.bangsaphanguide.com/images.htm
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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Post by thehamok »

I'll be in Hua Hin for a little over a week in August.

I was thinking of going to Ban Krut by the train and spend an hour or so just looking around.

Is the railway station near the beach ?

Is there any 'nightlife' there ?

I was also thinking of Prachup Khiri Khan by train. I'd have just 3 hours there.

Same questions for there.

Thanks.
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buksida
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Post by buksida »

thehamok wrote: I was thinking of going to Ban Krut by the train and spend an hour or so just looking around.

Is the railway station near the beach ?

Is there any 'nightlife' there ?

I was also thinking of Prachup Khiri Khan by train. I'd have just 3 hours there.

Same questions for there.
The railway station for Ban Krut is in the little town, a couple of kilometers from the beach, there is absolutely no nightlife there at all.

Same goes for Prachuab though it may have a couple of little bars, I haven't been there at night.
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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