- Three TreasureBeaches
- Coming from the north, the beaches around Pranburi are the first to give us that real ‘TreasureBeaches feeling’
- Visit the beautiful Sam Roi Yot National Park
- About a 3 to 3.5-hour drive from Bangkok by car or taxi
- Favorite stays:
La a natu Pranburi ****
Minitel By The Sea ***
Hansar Pranburi ***
Secret Bays
Secret Beach
Bang Pu
PLACE
Coming from the north, the beaches around Pranburi, south of Hua Hin, are the first places that give us a true TreasureBeaches feeling: relaxed beaches, a peaceful atmosphere, and stays we genuinely enjoy. With a good mix of mid-range and upscale accommodations, the area is an ideal destination for a few days of relaxation.
Not every beach is perfect, though. Along some of the main beaches south of Hua Hin, a road runs between the stays and the sea, or passes a little too close to the beach for our taste. Fortunately, further south towards Sam Roi Yot, you can still find some wonderfully quiet beaches with a much more natural setting.
WHAT TO DO
One of the attractions around Pranburi is dolphin watching. You can arrange boat trips along the coast and, with some luck, spot dolphins in their natural environment. Kui Buri National Park is another great day trip and is particularly known for its wild elephants. Between Pranburi and Kui Buri lies Sam Roi Yot National Park, an impressive landscape of limestone mountains, wetlands, mangroves and beaches. It is also a great area for birdwatching.
Walk along the natural beach at Laem Sala, take a boat trip from the fishing village of Ban Bang Pu or explore the coastal wetlands and surrounding countryside. One of the highlights is Phraya Nakhon Cave, famous for its small royal pavilion illuminated by sunlight entering through an opening in the cave roof.
If you are in the mood for something busier, spend a day in Hua Hin. It is a great place for shopping, restaurants and markets. Besides the traditional Thai markets, you will find Market Village, a large modern shopping mall. In the evening, head to the night market in the city center for dinner. Other interesting places include Khao Takiab and Mrigadayavan Palace, the seaside palace built in 1923–1924 for King Vajiravudh. The beautiful complex consists of teak buildings connected by covered walkways.
TRANSPORT
Pranburi is about 30 kilometers south of Hua Hin. From Bangkok, the drive takes around 3 to 3.5 hours. A taxi costs approximately 2,500–3,000 baht. There are also good train, bus and minibus connections between Bangkok and Pranburi. From southern Thailand, you can reach Pranburi by bus or minibus from places such as Chumphon and Prachuap Khiri Khan.
For the final journey from Pranburi to the beaches, expect to pay around 300–400 baht for a taxi. If you want more freedom to explore the coastline and Sam Roi Yot National Park, renting a scooter is a good option. We find Sam Roi Yot Beach one of the easiest places in the area to arrange one.
As train schedules and prices may change, we recommend checking the latest information before traveling.
