When it comes to beach vacation spots near Bangkok, many of you probably know about Hua Hin, but do you know much about Prachuap Khiri Khan, the province where the tourist beach town is actually located? How about all the hidden gems in this province, like one of my favorite beaches in Thailand, Lemon Bay, as well as the natural spots like Sam Roi Yot National Park and Kui Buri National Park, where you can observe real wild elephants?
Well, you are about to learn all about it, as this complete travel guide will take you around Prachuap Khiri Khan, going beyond the well-trodden places like Hua Hin, and exploring some of the best hidden gems this province has to offer. Without further ado, here are the 10 best things to do in Prachuap Khiri Khan for solo travelers:
- Prachuap Khiri Khan Itinerary Map
- Where to Stay in Prachuap Khiri Khan?
-
10 Best Things to Do in Prachuap Khiri Khan
- Explore Sam Roi Yot National Park
- Be Amazed by Phraya Nakhon Cave
- Spot Wild Elephants at Kui Buri National Park
- Explore Reclining Buddha Cave
- Hike to the Top of Wat Khao Chong Krachok
- Relax at Lemon Bay
- Hang Out with the Monkeys at Wing 5 Air Base Historical Park
- See Rare Marine Life of Thailand at Waghor Aquarium
- Admire the Beauty of Phra Mahathat Chedi Phakdee Prakat
- Visit Hua Hin
- More Prachuap Khiri Khan Activities
- Further Reading for Southern Thailand
Prachuap Khiri Khan Itinerary Map
10 Best Things to Do in Prachuap Khiri Khan
1. Explore Sam Roi Yot National Park
Sam Roi Yot National Park is truly one of the most iconic seaside mountains in Thailand. The Thai name, "Sam Roi Yot", can be translated as "300 peaks", which is something you will see right away as you approach the national park.
Sam Roi Yot mountain is surrounded by wetlands and lotus ponds and with almost no obstruction around, you will find plenty of amazing viewpoints to see this iconic mountain from afar.
There are several tourist attractions around the national park you can visit. For the best viewpoint of the park, you can drive to this Sam Roi Yot viewpoint where you will be able to get an unobstructed view of the huge lake around Sam Roi Yot National Park, and the mountain itself looming behind in its full glory.
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Another place you should check out is Sam Roi Yot Lotus Pond, a vast and beautiful lotus pond located photogenically at the foothill of Sam Roi Yot Mountain. Here, you will find a nice walking path that goes above the lotus pond with several salas (rest stops) for you to enjoy.
I love this area so much! It's incredibly photogenic and perfect for a leisurely stroll, especially in the morning and evening just before sunset. If you wish to witness the pond filled with blooming lotus flowers, you'll need to visit between December and February.
Looking for a bit more adventure at Sam Roi Yot National Park? Not too far from Sam Phraya Beach, you'll find the Khao Daeng Viewpoint, a breathtaking trail that you can hike up to the summit of Khao Daeng Mountain. From up there, you will get a stunning panoramic view of the coastline of Sam Roi Yot in its entirety.
The hike itself is moderately difficult and takes around 30 minutes to 1 hour to complete. The trail is clearly marked, but it is filled with rocks and boulders, so it's essential to wear appropriate hiking shoes.
As you can see, there are plenty of activities to enjoy in Sam Roi Yot National Park alone. You can easily spend a day driving around the park, visiting these fantastic attractions, and also take some time to relax at the remote and tranquil beaches of Prachuap Khiri Khan. It's undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Prachuap Khiri Khan, so be sure to check it out.
Where to Stay in Prachuap Khiri Khan?
2. Be Amazed by Phraya Nakhon Cave
One of the most magical sights you can experience in Prachuap Khiri Khan, if not the whole of Thailand, is when the light shines through a cavern illuminating a royal throne inside Phraya Nakhon Cave.
Phraya Nakhon Cave is a large cavern located deep in the mountain inside Sam Roi Yot National Park and you will have to take a boat and hike through a forest to get to the cavern.
Upon entering, you'll come across a finely adorned royal throne, encircled by lush vegetation, situated directly beneath the cave's skylight. To witness the throne bathed in sunlight streaming through the skylight, it's best to arrive at the cave between 9 and 10 AM.
The sun should align perfectly above the ceiling, casting its light directly onto the throne. It's truly a sight to behold, and if your schedule allows for flexibility, I highly recommend planning your visit during this period.
To get to Phraya Nakhon Cave, you will have to drive to Bang Pu Beach where you can then, take a 5-minute long-tail boat journey to the trailhead before you can begin the hike to Phraya Nakhon Cave.
The roundtrip boat journey costs about 400 THB for 6 people and you can share with others who are there at the same time. Once you arrive at the trailhead, it will take about 20 minutes to walk up to Phraya Nakhon Cave. The trail is pretty easy and straightforward and anyone can do it, even kids.
Since the cave is part of Sam Roi Yot National Park, you are going to have to pay the entrance fee of 200 THB (40 THB for Thais) if you haven't done so yet. Phraya Nakhon Cave is open from 8 AM to 4 PM every day.
3. Spot Wild Elephants at Kui Buri National Park
You have probably seen a Thai Elephant before, probably in one of the many elephant sanctuaries here but have you ever seen them in the wild? You can do just that at Kui Buri National Park where wild elephants still roam free between the foothills of the mighty Tenasserim mountain range.
The park is home to one of the largest populations of wild elephants in Thailand, and you can take a safari tour around the park to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
The elephants are most active in the evening though so you can only of on these wildlife tours from 2 PM until 6 PM. The tour should take about 3 - 4 hours and you will be visiting every 5 spots in the park to observe elephants.
To enter the national park, you will first have to pay an entrance fee of 200 THB per adult, and to go on a safari tour, you can hire a driver for around 850 THB per car, fitting around 6 people. If you are traveling as a big group, it's a pretty good deal.
If you are traveling solo or as a couple, you can wait for others to join which shouldn't be much of a problem on the weekends but you might have to wait a while if you are there on the weekdays. There are 2 entrances to the park but only this entrance is where you can go on a safari trip so make sure you get to the right one. I went to the wrong one and had to backtrack more than 30 minutes to get here, so don't be like me 😅.
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
Looking to save some costs on your travel? Why not join a shared group tour from Prachuap Khiri Khan? Here are some activities you might be interested in:
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips:
4. Explore Reclining Buddha Cave
As you make your way down south, you will find the Reclining Buddha Cave, a beautiful temple located in the remote area of the province where you can hike to a cave nearby with several Buddha images inside.
The hike takes only around 5 minutes to reach the cave entrance and as you enter, you will stumble upon a large reclining Buddha located inside the cavern with sun rays shining in. It is quite a sight to behold.
As you go deeper, you will find even more Buddha images, this time a smaller reclining Buddha image and around 10 - 15 seated Buddha images, adjacent to it. It should take you no more than 10 - 20 minutes to explore the cave before you can make your way down to the temple.
The temple is open from 7 AM to 5 PM every day and there is no entrance fee to enter the cave. If you are traveling down south along the scenic coastal road, be sure to drop by and check out the cave.
5. Hike to the Top of Wat Khao Chong Krachok
Located right in the heart of Prachuap Khiri Khan's city, you will find Wat Khao Chong Krachok, a hilltop temple with a great view of the entire coastal area. Oh, and you will find a ton of monkeys along the way that you have to wade through. Like, A TON of them!
There are around 400 steps you have to climb to reach the top and along the way, you will find many MANY monkeys hanging out on the stairs, sometimes even blocking it. There are several ways to go through the swarm of monkeys without having them tear you apart.
First and foremost, do not have anything that may look like food to the monkeys hanging off your body or backpack as you climb because they will grab them if they can. Plastic bags, sunglasses, and anything colorful, you should keep inside your bag when you hike up to the temple. Walk slowly as you climb up and the monkeys will make way for you without problems.
If you are unsure about it, you can always find a stick somewhere before heading up and hit the stair rails continuously to scare them away. If you follow the 2 rules I laid out previously, I shouldn't need it if you need it for your peace of mind, by all means.
Another technique is if you see a monk, you can follow him up and the monkeys won't both you. They respect the monks as they often get fed by them as monks make their way up to the temple above. Oh, you can also wear orange like a monk, and trust me, no monkey will both you as you make your way up 😂.
Once you are up there, you will have a sweeping panoramic view of the city and the entire surrounding areas which is quite a sight to behold. From the beautiful coastline to all the rolling mountains in Prachuap Khiri Khan, you just can't find any better viewpoint in the province than here.
The temple is open during daylight hours from 7 AM to around 5 PM every day and there is no entrance fee to enter the temple. There are several sights to see inside the temple like a floating glass platform, a cave, and another way down the northern side of the mountain although, it's not for people with acrophobia.
6. Relax at Lemon Bay
One of my favorite beaches in Thailand is Lemon Bay (or Ao Manao in Thai) located inside the premise of the Wing 5 Air Base, where the air force resided which may sound pretty intimidating but that is actually a good thing, being under military care.
The beach is kept clean throughout the year by volunteers and you won't find any unruly people or any loud music venues and bars here like in Hua Hin that may take away from the incredible nature of where you are at.
All you will find at Lemon Bay is a beautiful vast sandy beach with shallow and crystal clear water, perfect for swimming while being surrounded by the beautiful sceneries of the ocean and seaside mountains.
While you won't find any bars and pubs here, you will still find other facilities and amenities you can enjoy like a food court serving affordable and delicious Thai food as well as toilets and showers for when you are done swimming at Lemon Bay. This is the real proper beach experience in Thailand, not the one catering to tourists as you find in places like Patong or Hua Hin!
Be sure to check out Lemon Bay around sunset time when the area is active yet surprisingly peaceful. You will see many locals out and about, jogging and hanging out with friends, but thanks to how spacious the beach is, it doesn't feel crowded at all.
I really enjoyed my time at Lemon Bay and it was such a breath of fresh air to see such an authentic Thai beach experience that hasn't been spoiled by the over-catering to mass tourism that sacrifices our own identity for the sake of money, you often see in other beaches in Thailand.
If you want to see what a real Thai beach experience is really like or you are just seeking a nice, relaxing, and quiet place to contemplate just how lucky you are, to be able to visit Prachuap Khiri Khan, be sure to check out Lemon Bay, one of the best things to do in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
7. Hang Out with the Monkeys at Wing 5 Air Base Historical Park
While you visit Lemon Bay, be sure to also spend some time and explore all the tourist attractions inside Wing 5 Air Base Historical Park like the Monkey Monument where you will be able to interact with the lutungs or leaf monkeys, a prettier, friendlier primate than the ones at Wat Khao Chong Krachok.
At the Monkey Monument, you will often find a ton of these beautiful monkeys hanging out in the trees waiting for you to feed them with nuts and rice.
The moment you put out your hands with food, they will jump on top of your head and take the food from your hands as politely as monkeys can be. They are not going to swarm you and bite you like the other monkeys.
With lutungs, you are actually going to enjoy their companion rather than fearing them like the macaques that often wreak havoc upon their surroundings like a drunkard 😅. If you want to experience the lutungs up close, be sure to check out the Monkey Monument.
Inside the historical park, you will find several monuments and museums dedicated to the history of this part of Thailand during World War II. Although most of the exhibits are in Thai, you can still appreciate the old photographs from that tumultuous time.
If you happen to be here during the public holidays, Khao Lom Muak, which offers an incredible view of the 3 islands just off the coast and its beautiful surroundings, is open to the public for hiking. Since it doesn't open very often, you will be one of the lucky few who gets to climb this awesome peak so if you want to hike this mountain, be sure to align your visit to any of the Thai National Holidays listed here.
8. See Rare Marine Life of Thailand at Waghor Aquarium
Also located inside the Wing 5 Air Base, you will find Waghor Aquarium, a small and fun local aquarium where you can experience the rich marine ecosystem of Thailand up close and see some of the rarest fish you won't get to see so easily like Lionfish and more.
There are several exhibitions inside divided into different zones and themes like mangrove ecosystem, economic fish, poisonous fish, and so much more. There is even an underwater tunnel inside which I think is pretty awesome.
Some of my favorite fish I saw here are Lionfish, honeycomb moray eels, and sting rays, which are not so easy to see in the wild. You can expect to spend around 30 minutes to an hour completing the walk around the aquarium.
If you are interested in the rich marine life of Thailand and want to see some of the rarest fish species up close, make sure you drop by Waghor Aquarium while you are in Prachuap Khiri Khan. The aquarium is open from 9 AM to 4 PM every day and the entrance fee is 50 THB per adult.
9. Admire the Beauty of Phra Mahathat Chedi Phakdee Prakat
Probably one of the most iconic and photogenic temples in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phra Mahathat Chedi Phakdee Prakat, is a colorful Buddhist temple located on top of a hill overlooking the beautiful pristine coastline of the province.
The temple is adorned with multiple pagoda-like spires, each gilded in gold, and its distinctive orange-painted roof tiles. This results in a striking and unique architectural masterpiece that sets it apart from any other Buddhist temples you have seen in Thailand.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the temple is its location, situated right near the coastline of Prachuap Khiri Khan, atop a hill, providing us with a great view of the surroundings as well as Prachuap Khiri Khan's pristine coastline.
If you have a drone, you are going to appreciate this temple even more as you will be able to see the temple and its surroundings from above and realize just how incredibly picturesque the whole area is.
The temple is open from 8 AM to 4:30 PM every day and there is no entrance fee to enter the temple. If you are traveling down south and are looking for a place to stop by, be sure to check out Phra Mahathat Chedi Phakdee Prakat.
While you are at the temple, you can also go for a stroll along Baan Krood Beach, a beautiful quiet beach, or try some delicious seafood dishes at Platoo Seafood, a nice seaside restaurant nearby.
10. Visit Hua Hin
And of course, since you are in Prachuap Khiri Khan, you might as well drop by Hua Hin and see what the fuzz is about and why the city is so popular among Bangkokians and tourists alike.
There are several things you can do in Hua Hin City, such as visiting the popular morning market and night market as well as checking out the lively tourist strip of Bintabaht Street.
There are also several other interesting tourist attractions that are not too far from Hua Hin you can visit, such as Wat Khao Takiap and its incredible viewpoint, Pran Buri Forest Park, a great place to stroll around the mangrove forest, and the beautiful beach of Khao Kalok, which is definitely one of my favorite beaches here.
While there are many other places to visit in Prachuap Khiri Khan, I still recommend checking out Hua Hin and exploring the city's unique cultural side. Here, you can experience lively markets, sample a wide variety of foods, and more, which you won't find elsewhere, so be sure not to miss it.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Southern Thailand
Looking for more information about your trip to Southern Thailand? Here is a collection of articles about Southern Thailand that you might find useful:
- Looking for a comprehensive travel guide to Southeast Asia? You should check out our 3 Months Backpacking Itinerary for Southeast Asia.
- Looking for an itinerary for Thailand? Check out 10 Days Itinerary for Thailand.
- One of the best places to go snorkeling in Thailand is Koh Lipe, an island in the far south of Thailand. Here is The Ultimate Snorkeling Guide to Koh Lipe.
- Looking to change things up a little? How about we head down to the south of Thailand and explore one of my favorite places in Thailand? Here is How to Travel to Khao Sok National Park, Backpacking-style.
- The pearl of the Andaman Sea, Phuket, is an island full of history, cultures, and stunning beaches waiting for you to explore. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Phuket.
- There are over 30+ beaches in Phuket, and it can get quite overwhelming to find the perfect beach to stay at. Don't worry, I've got you covered. Here are the 8 Most Beautiful Beaches in Phuket.
- Visiting Phuket Old Town is the highlight of your Phuket Trip. You can easily spend a day exploring the Old Town. Here are the 9 Best Things to Do in Phuket Old Town.
- Phang Nga is probably what Phuket was like before mass tourism ruined it. From quiet, empty beaches to wild, untouched waterfalls, here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Phang Nga.
- Khao Lak is the main tourist hub in Phang Nga, and it is a great place to be if you like adventure, island-hopping, and snorkeling. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Khao Lak.
- If you are in Phang Nga, you should also drop by Takua Pa and its charming little old town. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Takua Pa.
- For a complete Krabi backpacking itinerary, check out: 3 to 5 Days Backpacking Krabi Itinerary.
- Whether you are an adventurer or a beach-goer, Krabi has it all. From island-hopping to rock climbing, here are the 13 Best Things to do in Krabi.
- Krabi is not just beaches and islands. Krabi town offers a great alternative place to stay away from the tourist crowds. Here are the 8 Best Things to do in Krabi Town.
- Ko Lanta is a quiet, remote, and less-trodden part of Krabi, and it is a great place to visit for those who want to go off the beaten path. If you are planning to go there, here are the 8 Best Things to do in Ko Lanta.
- Nakhon Si Thammarat is the land of countless waterfalls that no one knows about. It is an off-the-beaten-path place to visit in Southern Thailand that may surprise you. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
- Surat Thani is not just Ko Samui and Ko Phangan. There is so much more to do in this province than you might think. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Surat Thani.
- Have to spend a night in Surat Thani's Old Town and not sure what to do there? Check out: 8 Best Things to Do in Surat Thani's Old Town
- For the best things to do in Koh Samui, check out: 13 Best Things to Do in Koh Samui.
- There is more to Chumphon than just Koh Tao. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Chumphon.
- If you are traveling to Thailand, it is important for you to know what you should and shouldn't do. Here are 10 Tips for Traveling in Thailand.
- Thai Street Foods are among the best in the world, and to help guide you through the street food cuisine of Thailand, be sure to check out the 15 Best Street Foods in Thailand to Try.
- Learning a bit of Thai phrases will go a long way for you when you visit Thailand. Here are 15 Thai Phrases You Should Know.
- Photos are worth a thousand words, but what is worth more than photos? A video. Here are travel videos I made for Thailand: Timeless Thailand, a journey into the North of Thailand, Long Tail Thailand, exploring the beautiful south of Thailand, and taking it slow with Slowed Down Bangkok travel video.
- Wondering where to go after Thailand? How about continuing on to Malaysia, Myanmar, or Indonesia?
- Want to explore other parts of Thailand? How about exploring Northern Thailand or Central Thailand?
- For all articles about Thailand, visit the Thailand Travel Guide page.
- Looking to travel to Southeast Asia? Check out all my articles about Southeast Asia here: Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
- You can see all my Asia-related articles here: Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
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