Hua Hin as a base for visiting paradise spots
Khao Kalok
Hua Hin may have the reputation of being an old people's resort in high season, but there are plenty of paradise spots around the seaside resort that also appeal to young people. As it turned out during an excursion that was 160 kilometers long in total.
First of all we drove on the 4 direction South. About 60 kilometers from Hua Hin, we drove towards Sam Roi Yot Nature Park and visited Wat Tan Chet Yot temple. Which means as much as: the temple of the seven crowns of royal palms. Because the temple is quite remote and relatively unknown, you will not meet many people there. It is a relatively young complex in a vast plain of rice fields, dedicated to the protection of the sea fishermen in the Gulf of Thailand. Hence the two fishing boats in the front yard. One of these features a large monkey that, according to Buddhist tradition, brings honey to Buddha.
The main building is decorated with numerous statues of Buddha and Ganesh. The top floor, like the Huay Monkol temple just outside Hua Hin, bears a gigantic statue of a worshiped monk named Luang pau Toh. Must be the most revered monk in Chachoensao. This statue, as far as I could judge, is made of cement.
From the platform you have a beautiful view of the surrounding farmlands and the mountains of Sam Roi Yot in the distance. Downstairs, workers are crafting an equally gigantic statue of Buddha, fashioned from slabs of bronze. You sometimes wonder whether the money, collected by usually poor Thais, should be spent on such status symbols, even if you get an evasive answer to a stupid question.
Time for lunch. We enjoy that in Khao Kalok, in a picturesque restaurant under palm trees almost on the beach beach. Khao Kalok is located just below Pranburi, about 30 km south. First we drove through Dolphin Bay, where most of them are hotels despite the high season are not full for a long time. The beach is almost deserted. On the way there we see how shrimp farming turns Thailand into a lunar landscape. Not to mention the pollution.
Because it is low tide, the fishing boats at Khao Kalok are dry. The fishermen and their wives take their meager catch from the nets five meters from the restaurant. That they can live on this proceeds! This is (almost) paradise, where we have to pay just over 5 baht for 800 people for five dishes and four large bottles of beer.
Perhaps the same Luang Poh Toh, this one is very honored, people come from far and wide to make their offerings here. Tha Luang – Tha Ruea Ayutthaya
http://www.unclesiam.com/monks_detail_somdejtoh.php
Khao Kalok is at the end of the boulevard from Pak Nam Pran? Is that near the large rock that protrudes into the sea and where you can have a nice picnic?
There are many hotels and resorts along this long road from Pak Nam Pran. In the past year, a lot was also done to improve that part of the coast. A seawall was constructed. And then a long walking-bicycle road.
You can also Kite at the kite school there. On weekends, the majority of Thais go to that beach. And it is a lot quieter than on the beaches of Hua Hin.
Anyway, a nice place.
If it is currently even quieter than in Hua Hin, you almost have to be the only one on the beach.
Here in Hua Hin it is very quiet and quite under occupancy of the hotels.
I wonder how the TAT always publishes figures that tourism is increasing by more than 10%.
But I personally don't mind it being quieter.
Cor Verkerk
Dear Cor,
it is idd even quieter than in Hua Hin. I was there just last Friday…. no CAT. The long walking-cycling path along the beach, which Sjaak S reports about, is a great improvement compared to the past. It was also no problem for me that it was very quiet. That's how it is here, where I live, Pathiu, after all.
Cha Am, I was there last Saturday, slightly more people, but it was also Saturday and therefore traditionally more visitors from Bangkok, just like in Hua Hin.
I have not been to the center of Hua this time, I preferred a "culinary" tour outside the center and that was not too bad.
Meanwhile, the boulevard along the coast from Pak Nam Pran to Kao Kalok has been completed. It is a really nice boulevard, where you can cycle, jog or drive a car or motorcycle. There are a few nice restaurants with slightly higher prices than in Hua Hin, but you also get more.
My wife and I go there regularly, especially towards evening. When you drive to the beach from Pak Nam Pran, you will come to the boulevard, where there is a long row of food stalls immediately to the right.
Many Thais then have a picnic on the other side of the street. It often looks nice. I just hope they clean up the mess they make…. we do anyway.
Hua Hin may be an "old people's home", but that mainly concerns the foreigners who live there. Last night we drove to the Cicada Market in Kao Takiab, a piece of southern Hua Hin. Traffic there was already busy. We were able to go everywhere with our motor scooter, but it took a bit longer by car. We couldn't find a seat to eat there and then went back. In Kao Tao we ate in our favorite restaurant Baan Tao or Laan Ahan Baan Tao. We are now regulars there. Normally I don't like eating in the same place too often, but I think that restaurant is the best of all I've seen in Hua Hin and the surrounding area. Not expensive and a good choice between Western and Thai cuisine. The staff are always friendly. From there it is only 15 minutes to home.
A few years ago I was in Hua Hin for a week and I do remember seeing some paradise spots there. In two or three streets it was exactly as if you were in the nightlife of Pattaya. Very beautiful things (or what do you call such a thing) seen there.
I lived near Khao Kalok for 2 years and I visited all the beautiful places there and there are dozens of them. Recommended.
Waterfall, Vineyard, Sam Roi Yot Park, Burmese Border Market, Prachuab Khirikhan etc