Prachuap Khiri Khan, Upper Gulf

Kuiburi

Ao Manao

PLACE
Prachuap Khiri Khan is a relaxed beach town. A pleasant city with cozy shops, small markets, nice bars and tasty restaurants. We often dine at the night market and can recommend climbing the hill adjacent to the city center. A very long staircase takes you to the temple at the top of the hill. This hilltop temple offers panoramic views of the town and the bays of Prachuap. You’ll need to not be too afraid of monkeys because on the hill you will encounter many.

While Prachuap’s main beaches are not suitable for sunbathing, you will find two beaches outside of town that have made it to the TreasureBeaches database.

WHAT TO DO
The Kuiburi National Park is a great day out and is known as the best place in Thailand to spot wild elephants. In addition, you will find a large population of Asian cows and many other animals. During the safari you get into an open jeep together with a guide and go in search of elephants and other animals. An amazing experience!

North of Kuiburi lies the Sam Roi Yot National Park. Here is Thailand’s largest freshwater swamps, mangroves and of course a great diversity of animals. Go for a walk on Laem Sala’s natural beach and take a boat trip in the fishing village of Ban Bang Pu. You can visit the limestone rocks, coastal wetlands or one of the shrimp or fruit farms. Well known is the Phraya Nakhon Cave, a cave famous for the light shaft that protrudes through the ceiling. The area is known for bird watching.

The small border town of Dan Singkhon with neighboring Myanmar is located about 25 kilometers west of the city of Prachuap Khiri Khan. You can visit a nice market on the Thai side. Many goods from Myanmar are offered on the market, including clothing, wooden furniture, pottery and many plants. Before the COVID pandemic, the market was a well-known attraction, but currently quite a few shops are still empty. Only Thais and Burmese are allowed to cross the border.

TRANSPORT
From Bangkok there are good connections by bus or minibus (4 to 5 hours). If you are coming from the south, most trains, buses and minibuses will pass through Prachuap Khiri Khan, which has its own train station. You can take the morning train from Bangkok at 8:10 AM, which will arrive at Prachuap Khiri Khan at 1:39 PM. It is easy to rent a scooter in town.