Prachuap Khiri Khan is most know for the beach town of Hua Hin. Hua Hin offers all of the conveniences of a city, as well as the splendor of a beautiful tranquil beach scenery, and because of it has not surprisingly earned it’s popularity as a tourist location. Cha-am is also a popular place, for those who enjoy quiet beach life. Both Hua Hin and Cha-am also has a large population of retired expats who live there permanently. The royal retreat and resort city of Hua Hin (which everybody knows) is actually in the north of Prachuap Khiri Khan province (which few foreigners know). So is Pranburi, a more low-key beach area forty minutes south of Hua Hin. know for it’s Sam Roi Yot National Park which is full of natural highlights including the Phraya Nakhon Cave Temple.
Prachuap Khiri Khan is unknown and unpronounceable outside of Thailand. But it couldn’t be one of Thailand’s “Hidden Gem” provinces – not because it isn’t worthy, but because so many people go there without realising it. Confused? In Thailand, most provinces are named after their capital city. Prachuap Khiri Khan Town is situated on a bay between two large limestone hills. It has a long boardwalk that comes alive in the evenings. Locals come out to walk or bike along the boardwalk. Very quiet and peaceful.
The beaches are very popular and has tons of little restaurants set up where you can sit down and enjoy some food, drink, and a day at the beach. The seafood in Prachuap Khiri Khan is second to nothing. You can see it drying at the beach, buy it fresh in the market, or sit down at a restaurant along the beach road and eat a variety of fish, squid or crustaceans. Idyllic beaches full of fishing boats and views on the town. It’s also inexpensive and a good substitute to the beaches further south (which is another reason we ended up here. Foreigner love the geography and nature, how clean the town is (very, very clean streets), and the friendliness of the people.
Khao Chong Krachok is the most noticeable landmark in Prachuap Khiri Khan Town. You’ll see the hill and the yellow staircase leading up to the temple at the top: Wat Thammikaram Worawihan. The views are spectacular. On Friday and Saturday nights Beach road breaks out into a large market. The mountains bordering to Burma offer spectacular natural scenery, wineries and small towns well worth visiting.