BEACH
The beach of Hat Thang Sai is located 4 kilometer north of Ban Krut Village. This beach is 6 kilometers long and is divided into 3 bays. This is a wide beach with good swimming conditions and a long stretch of golden sand.
The northern part of the beach is our favorite part. Here, the water seems calmer and the beach is further away from the main road. Overall, the beach is quieter and less crowded compared to the beach in the village.
WHERE TO STAY
We discovered over 10 resorts and listed our 5 favorites. In the best part of this beach there are 2 upper range stays. We recommend the modern Sunshine Paradise Resort, where you can choose between a villa with a private pool, a garden bungalow, and a more budget-friendly room in the main building. All rooms offer great value for money. Another good place to stay is the Sirarun Resort, with stylish bungalows near a lovely swimming pool. You can rent your own villa with private pool for up to 14 people.
Two kilometers to the south is SalaCoco Beach House, a residential house with a cottage, next to Kasemsuk Resort. The cottage has 2 nice rooms surrounded by a pleasant garden, and both rooms have their own bathroom. A kitchen can be added to the rooms for an additional 1,000 baht per night. The owner serves a good breakfast but for lunch and dinner you have to go to one of the restaurants. The nearest restaurant is only a 2-minute walk away.
Just north of SalaCoco lies the upper range Resto Sea Resort, with nicely designed bungalows in a more African style and a swimming pool. Baan Montra has a more Moroccan look and is a good mid-range alternative. Most stays have their own restaurants and if you’re in a more social mood you can easily take a scooter to the village.
PLACE
Ban Krut is a coastal village located in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province in the Upper Gulf in Thailand. Ban Krut is a place where you can observe the local fishing culture and watch fishermen bring in their daily catch. The beaches near Ban Krut are long, and even widespread during high tide. So, there is enough space to lay down your beach towel and relax. Moreover, we enjoyed the small village due to the good vibe.
During the week you will encounter a few other tourists enjoying the beach. On weekends, buses drop off locals to spend the weekend in Ban Krut. Luckily the beaches are long enough that you can always find a nice quiet spot to stretch out. Some of the stays provide fishing trips (2000 baht) for up to 4 persons.
WHAT TO DO
The flat surroundings around Bun Krut make it ideal for cycling and exploring the surrounding countryside and villages. You can visit the Wat Tang Sai Temple, known for its unique pagoda structure and recognizable by the imposing golden Buddha statue on top. This temple is located at the north side of the village, at the foot of the mountain. The Wat Don Samran, another temple worth visiting, is located in a coconut grove behind the village.
Wanakon National Park is 40 kilometers north of Ban Krut and is the place to visit if you’re looking for nature and silence. In this idyllic park there is an enjoyable 2 to 3-hour walking trail. Snorkeling trips are offered to Ko Talu, which is a 1-hour drive to the south.
TRANSPORT
Ban Krut is located 75 kilometers south of Prachuap Khiri Khan and 88 kilometers from Chumphon Airport. Airasia has daily flights from Bangkok to Chumpon. Ban Krut has its own train station, 2 kilometers from the beach. You can take the morning train from Bangkok at 8:10 AM, arriving at Ban Krut at 2:45 PM.
Minibuses run every 40 minutes from Prachuap Khiri Khan to Bang Saphan and will drop you off at the highway junction near Ban Krut. This is a 1-hour journey. From the junction it is another 8 kilometers. A motorcycle taxi can take you to the beach; this taxi costs about 100 baht per person.
It is easy to rent scooters and bicycles in Ban Krut.
