Road trip to the Pa Mak Campsite in Pranburi

[buksida]

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Location: https://goo.gl/maps/6fAcPBugHazrnXMN9

I hadn't heard of this place either, and there is a good reason for that - it is in the middle of nowhere.

Nestled in the hills west of Pranburi/Sam Roi Yod is a hidden gem - a river-side campsite called Pa Mak [ลานกางเต็นท์บ้านป่าหมาก] with an authentic little coffee shop. I decided to visit on my way south from Kanchanaburi to meet family and friends that were driving up from the south for an overnight stay there. Riding south, I stopped at a gas station on the bypass road near the Hua Hin junction to fire up the GPS and get my bearings.

Not sure I believed what it was telling me - 70kms from my current location and two hours to get there.

I took the road towards Pala-U for about 12km to Ban Nong Plup and turned left onto 2052 which heads towards the Monsoon Valley vineyards. Once past the vineyards, this road is spectacular, you could almost be in Switzerland riding through the valleys - very scenic. It starts to get gnarly once you cross the Pranburi river in the hinterlands - then the road deteriorates further until it is purely offroad.

The final 15km or so to the campsite is all off-road and very slow going - I know where the 'two hours' came from now, it took exactly that on two wheels not designed for off roading! I'd been on the bike for five hours since leaving Kan that morning and was glad to see the tents and campsite already set up as the family had arrived early.

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(Apologies for photo quality, they were shot on an old mobile phone!)
More to follow ...

[migrant]

Looks interesting!! Is it primitive or does it have bathrooms/showers?

[bigston]

Trying to Google map it, is it in the immediate area of the yellow bridge that spans the river, and there seems to be a coffee shop and school very close by.
thanks.

[buksida]

Yes, there was a toilet/shower block. We actually camped right next to the yellow bridge but there were tents everywhere.

What I didn't expect on arrival, after riding for hours and not seeing many other vehicles, were all the people. Being a weekend the place was busy but luckily our clan had arrived early to secure a good spot right on the river.

I didn't realize that Thais loved camping so much, these were more local people and bikers - not your Bangkok hi-sos with their fluffy dogs. Apparently, it gets really busy on the long weekends! All in all, it was a friendly atmosphere and people were respectful - no noisy parties after dark.

The temperature dropped significantly at night and for the first time since the Nepal trip, I was cold. Wandered across the bridge in the cool morning air for a fresh coffee - they actually gave you the beans to roast and grind yourself for that authentic experience.

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After brekkie it was time to decamp and tackle the road back to the highway. Cost to pitch the tent was 50 baht and we had to take our own trash away.

Recommendations: go during the week when there is nobody there! The road is suitable for pickups but small cars may struggle. I did it on a road bike but an adventure tourer or offroader would be better (more fun). Thais were turning up on Honda Waves and those fat scooters that seem all the rage now!

[bigston]

Looks like another local gem, in the pranburi area
judging by the scenery well worth a drive even if not camping, during the week
you suggested small cars may struggle.
a honda civic , driving carefully when the conditions were dry ??
great pics, thanks.

[buksida]

It'll take two hours from Pranbrui, the road around the dam and lake is also impressive (especially on a bike).

You'll be fine in a Civic taking it slow and when it's dry.

[bigston]

Thank You.