Heading south down highway 4 from Bangkok, you’d think that Prachuap Khiri Khan Province was relatively flat. Situated on the Malay Peninsula, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province is bordered by the Gulf of Thailand to the East and the Southernmost part of Myanmar to the West, at one point being squeezed to just 13km wide. The flat coastal region that the main highway (highway 4) passes through, quickly gives way to rolling hills covered in dense jungle, just littered with waterfalls, caves and other incredible features. It never ceases to amaze me how densely populated areas of Thailand become so rural such a short distance from metropolitan hubs (Bangkok being the exception, of course).
Prachuap Khiri Khan Province has long been a holiday hot spot for wealthy Bangkokians ever since the Thai Royal family built a summer palace in Hua Hin in the 1920’s. Later as Thailand became a popular destination for western ex-pats, places such as Hua Hin and Pran Buri have become popular destinations for overseas tourists and retirees.
Prachuap Khiri Khan Province – Things to Do
Being a popular holiday destination the province has plenty to do for tourists, including water parks, sheep farms and great seafood restaurants to name but a few. In addition to all the touristy stuff, Prachuap Khiri Khan is rich in natural beauty and has a ton of cultural attractions. Basically the things that made Thailand a popular tourist destination in the first place, before the actual “tourist attractions” came along.
Temples
Wat Huay Mongkol Temple – Situated around 15km from Hua Hin. Wat Huay Monkol is dedicated to a famous monk from southern Thailand named Luang Phor Thuad. The 12ft high statue of the temple sits atop a large mound. The temple and grounds attract thousands of pilgrims each year.
Markets
Like anywhere in Thailand, there are plenty of markets in the region.
Hua Hin Night Market – Nightly market from around 18.00, catering mainly for the tourist crowd. Some great seafood restaurants lining the same street. Many offering prawns as big as small Yorkshire Terriers.
National Parks in Prachuap Khiri Khan
There are two national parks in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, although a small part of Kaeng Krachan National Park (Penchaburi) stretches across the boarder from Penchaburi Province into Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park is a marine national park in the northern part of the province. The park runs along the gulf of Thailand coastline and covers 98 sq.km, 20 of which are marine areas. Due to the limestone topography of the park there numerous caves and stunning views to be had.
Kui Buri National Park
Kui Buri National Park was only established in 1999. It is a large but quite accessible park, consisting of large swathes mountainous forest, making it the perfect habitat for wildlife. It is known for its large population of wild Guars and Elephants.
Prachuap Khiri Khan Province – Hotels and Accommodation
Hotels
Novotel Hua Hin – Great hotel for families right on the beach front just north of Hua Hin. Strictly speaking the hotel is just inside Penchaburi, but the service is so good it’s worth a mention here.