Hotels in Prachuap Khiri Khan

Introduction

Prachuap Khiri Khan is a province in central Thailand. It straddles the northern borders of the Malaysian Peninsula, and is about 240km from the capital city of Bangkok. The province has the unusual honor of being the narrowest part of Thailand, sandwiched between the Gulf of Thailand and Myanmar. The thinnest section is just 13 kilometers thick.  The narrowest region is the isthmus in Chumphon Province to the south. This long, narrow province features spectacular coastline views along the  The landscape is mostly flat plains, but there are sections that reach up to 1,200m above sea level. The highest point in the province is at almost 1,500 meters up at Khao Luang.

This province serves as a gateway to Thailand’s southern provinces along the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. Most of the province’s income comes from fishing and agriculture, and Hua Hin brings in the tourism bit. The regions beyond Hua Hin are not major tourist hubs, but is certainly abundant in terms of natural resources and natural beauty. The areas beyond Hua Hin contain mountains, islands and beautifully serene beaches. The province is also home to a few national parks, most prominently Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, home to the largest protected freshwater marshes within Thailand.

Visiting this province is considered a bit off the beaten path, and thus there are plenty of treasures to be found! This is a popular destination for Thais but has not quite reached the foreigner camps, so it could perhaps give adventurous travelers a glimpse into “real” Thailand.

As with most of central and southern Thailand, the general temperature range is about 25 to 35 degrees all year round. The coolest month is January, and the hottest is April-June. The rainy season runs from May to November, with the peak usually being in October. The best times to visit are in the drier, cooler months between December and February. You can expect these months to be busier and more filled with travelers, and hotels and amenities tend to be higher in price.

History of Prachuap Khiri Khan

The city of Prachuap Khiri Khan was built from the ruins of Muang Na Rang, a city abandoned after the fall of the Ayutthaya kingdom in 1767. It was reconstructed in 1845 and given its current name, which means “city in the mountains”.

King Mongkut personally oversaw the resettlement of the city. He gathered the population of three nearby villages and brought them to live in the rejuvenated city. Interestingly, in 1868, the King predicted, and invited guests to, a full solar eclipse; he chose a location in a marsh and promptly contracted malaria. This led to his death roughly two weeks later.

During WWII, Thailand was invaded by Japan in 1941, and the first strike landed close to the city on one of the sandy beaches. Despite a valiant defensive effort, a ceasefire was called by the local government, which resulted in the alliance between both Thailand and Japan. This alliance lasted for the remainder of the war.  

The provincial seal is made up of the Kuha Karuhas pavilion, built by King Chulalongkorn. Behind it is the island of Ko Lak, which is the centre of administration for the area.

Surrounding Areas

Hua Hin - a common holiday destination for Thais and foreigners alike. It is the more posh version of nearby Cha-am. The Thai Royal Family has a mansion in Hua Hin, and multiple generations in the past have used the same mansion. The beach at Hua Hin is quite rocky, and not ideal for swimming. It’s more equipped for laying on a chair and chilling by the sea. Hua Hin is a common destination for Thai families, as there are a few theme parks and many options for entertainment for kids.

Chumphon - a major transit hub for the southern islands in Thailand, Chumphon itself doesn’t have much to offer except a handful of traveler hotels and a small night market. However, this is one of the nearest piers to the Koh Samui sister islands, which also contain Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.

Phetchaburi - a beautiful, tranquil section of central Thailand, Phetchaburi is well worth a day visit no matter where in Thailand you are. Many people simply travel through Phetchaburi which is a shame.

Tanintharyi - a province in Myanmar that borders Prachuap Khiri Khan. This region is a key trade port due to its proximity to Thailand.

Hotels

Rest Detail Hotel Hua Hin

Seaside elegance meets traditional grace at this homely boutique hotel. Exquisitely designed and meticulously maintained, this is a peaceful enclave meant to attract the most luxurious of travelers just outside of Hua Hin’s city center. There are gorgeous two and four bedroom pavilions, each equipped with their own private swimming pool. The restaurant provides delectable European, Thai and International cuisine by some of the best chefs in the region. The staff here is impeccable with their attentive service, and every request is granted to the best of the staff’s ability. There is no better place to stay when in Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Baan Pran Boutique Resort

Feel the culture as you stay in a living Pran community at this boutique resort. With only 17 guestrooms, the vibe is an intimate but not suffocating type of accommodation. Rooms have WiFi, flat screen satellite television, private balcony and terrace, bathrooms with rain style showers, refrigerators, electronic keycard system for your safety as well as a personal safe. There are a few different kinds of rooms, from two roomed villas, to one roomed villas to standard studio rooms for budget travelers. Look no further for the perfect place to stay than Baan Pran Boutique Resort.

Dolphin Bay Resort

A family favorite in Prachuap Khiri Khan is the Dolphin Bay Resort for local Thai families as well as foreign families. Located on an unspoiled 5 km stretch of beach and surrounded by Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, this peaceful and serene resort is home to some of Thailand’s most magnificent natural scenery. Accommodations are comfortable, and there is laid back but efficient service and unparalleled recreational facilities at affordable and family friendly prices.

Norndee Hua Hin

Right by the Cicada market for ultimate convenience, this modern and chic hotel is a fantastic choice for all types of travelers, especially those looking for a little R&R. The breakfast provided is delicious and fruitful, and the staff is known to be kind and helpful. One of the considerations for staying at this location is that there is limited parking space for those who have a vehicle.

Baan Klang Hua Hin Hotel

Located in the heart of Hua Hin, there is no better and no more convenient location to stay if you want to stay on foot throughout the entire duration of your stay. The breakfast buffet has plenty of options, and all toiletries are provided daily. The rooms are known to be spacious and decorated in a modern decor. There’s also a fitness center, a swimming pool, pool specifically for children, and meeting facilities for business travelers. Definitely a worthy contender for where to stay in Hua Hin.

Transportation

By Plane

The nearest airport to the area is actually Hua Hin Airport, but this is not the recommended route. Hua Hin Airport is prone to many delays and doesn’t have very many locations that it flies direct to; most flights will still connect out of Bangkok which increases the cost and the travel time. It’s worth the effort to fly into Bangkok, spend a day or two enjoying the city life there, then transfer over to Prachuap Khiri Khan by bus or train, whose details are listed below.

By Bus

The locals tend to travel by bus to access the province; buses leave daily from Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok. The schedule will vary depending on where in the province you want to go. Going to Hua Hin is common, so buses will leave often, as many as 2-3 per hour, from 6:00 until 20:00. Most of the buses from this terminal are air conditioned.

There is also a minibus service that runs from Victory Monument which takes longer depending on traffic and the season. Minibuses will also tend to wait until they’re full to depart, as opposed to running on a predetermined schedule. The minibus will cost 250 THB.

By Train

Another common way to get here is to take the train. There are five stops within the province: Hua Hin, Pran Buri, Muang, Bang Saphan Yai, and Bang Saphan Noi. Trains can get booked up quickly, especially the higher classes of train, so show up early or get tickets in advance. Most train tickets are available 60 days before the date of departure. Trains have food and water and soda for sale.

Transportation in Prachuap Khiri Khan

Tuk tuks or rickshaws are the dominant type of transportation in the region, especially within Hua Hin. They are usually the method used to get to and from buses and railway stations. Fares are cheap, but make sure that you predetermine rates before you take off for your destination.

Attractions

Cicada Market

One of the bigger markets in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Cicada Market is conveniently located in Hua Hin’s city center. There is art from local artists, creators, designers as well as an atmosphere of contemporary art. Second hand products, fashionable clothing as well as workshops, exhibitions and dance and music performances can be found here.  It has a little something for everyone, from electronics to a wide variety of food. There are four different venues: Art A La Mode, Cicada Art Factory, Amphitheater and Cicada Cuisine.

Opening hours: Friday-Saturday: 1600 to 23:00. Sunday: 16:00 to 22:00.

Entrance fee: none

Manao Beach

A beach located without the Wings 5 Air Force Base. It’s just a little ways outside of town, but is absolutely spotless and has quite a different vibe compared to other beaches due to being on the military base. There are monkeys here which are quite friendly and used to human interaction, although they can get mildly aggressive when you have food in your hand. There are some attractions that open around 16:00, although if you arrive before then there’s plenty of vendors selling food and ice cream at local Thai prices. You can rent innertubes and sundeck chairs to relax on.

Opening hours: 7am to 8pm, daily

Entrance fee: none

Activities

Prayanakorn Cave

A beautiful cave worth coming to explore if you’ve got half a day of free time. There’s a small, not particularly strenuous hike that you need to complete before reaching the caves, although a reasonable level of fitness is still highly recommended. Bring water with you, and a change of clothes and a small towel if you wish to wash afterwards, as there is a small wash station at the carpark. You can access the cave by either boat from Bangphu Beach (100THB per person) or simply walk from the carpark beach to the caves in about 30 minutes.

Opening hours: sunrise to sunset, daily

Entrance fee: 200THB for foreigners, 40THB for Thais

Climb Khao Lom Muak

Located at Manao Beach, this is not an easy beach hike, which is why it’s listed as a separate activity. You’ll need proper shoes, water, sunblock and a hat. It takes about 2 hours to reach the top, and another 2 hours to climb back down. The trail starts as steps, but there are parts of the hike that are quite steep and you’ll need to use ropes along the trail to hoist yourself up. The views from the top are absolutely breathtaking, and there’s a small pagoda at the top as well. Absolutely worth the trek, but not for the faint of heart or anybody who does not have experience hiking. Bring snacks to energize yourself, the way down is just as strenuous as the way up, but just for different muscles.

Opening hours: 7am to 8pm, but don’t start the hike after 2pm or so, as you need plenty of time to ascend, enjoy the view, and then descend. Don’t get caught descending in the dark!

Entrance fee: none

Travel Tip

1. ATMs - ATMs in Thailand dispense your money first, then your ATM card after. Make sure you remember to wait for your card, as this can be a pain to lose if you’re traveling for a while. In Hua Hin, most places will take credit cards, but always have cash handy in case the machine isn’t working, and of course for use when interacting with locals and for transportation purposes. Thailand is a cash economy, but you’ll occasionally find larger stores that accept credit cards.

2. Modesty - although this is mostly a beach province, do remember that Thailand is overall a modest country. Covering your shoulders and knees is respectful when you’re at religious monuments such as temples and pagodas. You can always bring a scarf or sarong to aid in this endeavor.

3. Speaking basic Thai - it’s helpful to know a few words of basic Thai, especially when you’re not in common tourist areas. Use Google Translate or download an app on your phone that doesn’t need WiFi to use. Locals are generally friendly, but it helps to know the basics of please, thank you, and a few numbers.