Prachuap Khiri Khan

Prachuap Khiri Khan not only has the most beautiful name of any city in Thailand, it also has one of the more spectacular coasts lined with breathtaking jungle-clad limestone rock formations. It has an extremely laid-back atmosphere which reminds me of how Thailand used to be in other places before mass tourism changed them. Prachuap Khiri Khan is tucked in between two other bays: Ao Noi to the north and Ao Manao to the south. The food is delicious, the people are wonderful, Wat Khao Chong Krachok offers breathtaking views of the bay, the area is home to the endangered dusky leaf monkey, and the picturesque Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park is only a fifty-five-kilometer drive away. Prachuap Khiri Khan is without a doubt my favorite place in central Thailand.

A short stroll up Prachuap Khiri Khan's boulevard will bring you to Wat Khao Chong Krachok Temple and it's impressive views of Prachuap's mountainous jungle-clad bay. The 396 steps leading up to the temple, build on top of mountain Khao Chong Krachok, is quite an adventure. It's filled with hundreds of macaques and you have to pass them within inches. Although I am fairly afraid of these primates I must say that these were not as bad as the ones I've encountered in other places. There are several seating areas along the stairs and when I sat there the monkeys didn't feel threatened and just continued with their monkey business. I even started to feel comfortable enough to shoot some pictures. As always in places with a lot of macaques: it's best to take a stick, don't take food, and don't look them straight in the eyes.

After conquering the stairs and the macaques, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking vistas. I don't think many people will come up because of the macaques. When I got to the top, a few others were leaving, and I was the only one there for the next half hour. There are several structures, one with Buddhas footprint, some relics and a small cave with a monkey king statue and another statue.

Wat Khao Chong Krachok Temple is a perfect place to visit early in the morning to watch the sunrise over the stunning limestone outcrops of Pratchaup Khiri Khan. It's conveniently located on the north side of Pratchuap bay. If you stay in the city, it's within a short leisurely walk along the beach.

Ao Manao beach or Lemon Bay is the most beautiful of the three bays in Prachuap Khiri Khan District. It's a one-kilometer stretch of soft sand bordered by magnificent jungle-clad limestone rocks formations. The row of pine trees that line the beach provides a lovely shade to relax in and have lunch or a refreshing drink. There are several food courts with meals starting at 40 Baht and cooled drinks and shakes for about 30 Baht. Chairs on the beach can be rented for 20 Baht. During weekends and Thai holidays, the beach becomes busier but otherwise, it's very quiet. There is a guy renting out standup paddleboards and jet ski propelled banana boat rides are available. Fortunately, it's very low key and the jet skis didn't make a lot of noise. Several hotels with balconies overlooking the magnificent bay line the north side of the beach. There is a Ptt gas station with a tire pump with a display displaying PSI.

Ao Manao beach is a few kilometers North of Prachuap Khiri Khan. The beach is on the Wing 5 Airbase and you need to cross a checkpoint before entering the air base. You might be asked why you want to enter the air base. Telling the guards that you want to go to Ao Manao beach suffices. The speed limit on the base is 50 kilometers per hour and there is even a bicycle lane. Swimming hours are from 06.00 - 18.00.

The Dusky Langur, also known as the Dusky Leaf Monkey, can be found at the foot of the limestone rock formations between Prachuap Khiri Khan and Ao Manao beach. There are three troops who stay in separate trees. Two larger troops and one small troop of several males. The dusky leave monkeys are an endangered species that can only be found in Peninsular Malaysia, according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The monkeys are really sweet, and the antitheses of the macaques living on the steps of Wat Khao Chong Krachok Temple, north of Prachuap Khiri Khan bay. You can take fruit, corn or peanuts and the monkeys will come down the tree and eat from your hand. The monkeys of the male group were even on the ground and came sitting with me on a bench. One of them putting his feet on my back for support. Dusky leaf monkey babies are a beautiful yellow-orange color, so keep an eye out for those.

Search the map below for more information.

It's best to go early in the morning or late in the evening, when it's cooler and the monkeys are more active. The area is open to the public from 08.00 to 18.00. To get there, you have to go to enter the Wing 5 Airbase and pass through two checkpoints. The second checkpoint is near the area where the dusky leaf monkeys spend the day. You'll have to leave your passport behind at the second checkpoint. You'll be given a plastic card and your passport will be returned to you when you leave.

Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park lies about forty-five kilometers north of Pratchuap Khiri Khan. It's home to magnificent limestone mountains, caves, viewpoints, and beaches. The main draw is Phraya Nakhon Cave, which features the iconic Royal Pavilion. Read more about Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park.

Maggie's has a wide range of rooms set in a lovely garden, as well as a kitchen, two coin-operated washing machines, a drinking water dispenser, WiFi, and cable television.The guest house is owned by a sweet elderly lady. She doesn't speak English, but she has the phone number of someone who can. There are rooms with shared bathroom or private bathroom and fan or air conditioning. Rooms range in price from 200 to 550 Baht.

Rooms can not be booked online. If you want to book online, you can use Agoda.

Restaurant in the center of Prachuap Khiri Khan next to Maggie's HomeStay. Serving ready-made vegan dishes with rice and noodle soup. The food is displayed behind glass, and you can point and choose. If you want a soup, I can recommend the Yen Ta Fo, a pink soup with a bean curd base. The restaurant is open from 06.00 till 15.00. Closer to closing time, there are fewer options. Prices are around 40 Baht.

Pat Thai only restaurant. They do one thing and they do it good. Served with a plate with bean sprouts, banana leaf flower, spring onion and cucumber. Pad Thai Egg costs 40 Baht the rest 50 Baht: Shrimp Pad Thai, Shrimp Pad Thai glass noodles, Shrimp Crispy Wonton Pad Thai, Pad Thai Mix Fried Mussels, Fried Mussels.
Open form 10.00 – 21.45.

Food market opening up late afternoon. Serving standard Thai dishes and seafood. But also french fries with salad and a piece of meat. Many of the stalls also have an English menu. The ice truck, which serves a variety of flavors such as Coconut, Taro, Green Tea, Thai Tea, Lime, Blue Berry, and Chocolate, is a highlight. They have toppings, but if you don't want one, they will give you some additional ice cream.

Bar along the picturesque promenade of Prachuap Khiri Khan. The bar is a great place to have a sunset beer while overlooking the magnificent limestone outcrops of Prachuap Khiri Khan. The clientele is a mix of both expats and Thais. There is a small seating area in front of the shop, but most people sit along the edge of the promenade. There are toilets and you can drink at supermarket prices. A beer costs 60 Baht, while a small bottle of Hong Thong with ice and a glass bottle of Coca-Cola costs 180 Baht.

Honda shop operating professionally and at good rates. I had an oil leak from the water pump weep hole. So the oil seal near the water pump needed to be replaced. To replace the seal, the right crankcase cover needs to come off. The mechanic used the special tools from Honda to drive in the seal, thoroughly cleaned everything and used a torque wrench. When he was done he put my bike onto a meter to check temperature, rpm and take some other readings. He drove a short bit on the parking lot, and found that the hose to the canister had come loose. I can highly recommend going here.

The only disadvantage was that the shop did not have the necessary parts in stock, and it takes a week for the parts to arrive from Bangkok. Also, no English is spoken, but they are patient, and with the help of Google Translate it's not much of a problem.

You can use the air pump at the PTT gas station on Ao Manao beach to check or inflate your (motorcycle)tires. It has a digital display that allows you to set the PSI. Search map for location.