More about hotels in Pran Buri District
Pranburi
Pranburi, a beach town on the west side of the Gulf of Thailand about 20 miles south of popular resort town Hua Hin, has become more and more popular with local tourists and international visitors over the past decade. Neighboring districts are Hua Hin in the north and Sam Roi Yot in the south.
As Hua Hin has always been the attractive, coastal town for weekend getaways, Pranburi has only recently started getting more attention – and rightfully so; with it’s many villas, a fishing village and gorgeous beaches, it has become known was the ‘Thai Riviera’. More locally, however, the area is known as Pak Nam Pran (mouth of the Pranburi river), which is the district’s main source of water.
History of Pranburi
Pranburi has much history stemming from the Ayutthaya period. It was an important part of history due to its proximity to the Pranburi River, which was strategic from a military perspective.
The Pranburi Dam was built in 1978 to protect towns with a low sea level from flooding, but also to have more steady supply of water during the drier months. The dam is 42 square meters and covers an area of over 35 square kilometers.
Surrounding Environment
Khao Kalok (Skull Mountain)
A large headland separating the bustle of Hua Hin and Pak Nam Pran from a tranquil bay on the other side. This bay is attractive to those who plan on lazing about on a beach, avoiding the crowds and city lights.
Dolphin Bay
An area loved by families and those seeking a safe, quiet and simple holiday. Dolphin Bay gets its name because of the seasonal visits (February to May) from bottlenose dolphins and finless porpoise. Nearby to Dolphin Bay is the entrance to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park.
Hua Hin
Pranburi’s more famous cousin, Hua Hin is where hi-so Thais go to holiday on the weekends. With its proximity to Bangkok, as well as being the destination that the royal family goes to enjoy their holidays, prices in Hua Hin tend to be higher than they are in Pranburi.
Hotels in Pranburi
Baan Pran Boutique Resort
This fresh, colorful resort is perfect for those who are seeking a serene and peaceful getaway, away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby towns. If you, however, decide to mingle and explore, the more lively Pak Nam Pran beach and Hua Hin Seoul Country Club are not far! Baan Pran offers standard rooms and villas, access to a pool, air conditioned rooms, free Wi-Fi in public area and guest parking.
Tanaosri Resort
This luxury resort will cater too all of your needs. While it is located only 0.6 km from Pak Nam Pran beach, it is far enough to offer a quiet getaway. Tanaosri resort invites you to their gorgeous pool and poolside bar, fitness center and spa and all amenities are included in the rooms such as a minibar, TV, terrace etc. The resort also offers various shuttles – to shopping centers and nearby beaches.
Evason Hua Hin
This resort will leave you breathless with its large infinity pool looking out to the endless ocean, gorgeous gardens and patios, stunning spa treatment rooms (both indoor and outdoor) and fresh, cozy rooms. The staff and management have made sure you will not be left wanting with the free WiFi, on site restaurant, play area for children, poolside bar and beach volleyball court.
Ali Baba Resort
This hotel with a boutique feel will make you feel relaxed and at home with it’s warm colors, rustic décor and crisp rooms. It is located a short drive from Pak Nam Pran beach, Pranburi Forest Park and Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. The resort provides free Wifi, air conditioned rooms and valet parking, however, there is no pool.
Pattawia Resort & Spa
The resort is ideal for families with children or couples who are just looking to get away and relax. The large pool offers hours of fun and relaxation, while the health club and spa only add to your time of unwinding. The resort offers a shuttle to the airport, an on-site restaurant and rooftop terrace.
Transportation
There is a local airport at Hua Hin, although it is not a recommended route to use. Flights are infrequent, expensive, However, Pranburi is about 20 miles south of Hua Hin and is about 3 1/2 hours by car from the capital city of Bangkok, depending on traffic. There are several different modes of transportation you can use to get to and from Bangkok.
By van
There is a van leaving from Victory Monument to Hua Hin that leaves at least once an hour; more often if the vans fill up before time. The trip takes about 3 hours. From Hua Hin centre you can arrange for your hotel shuttle to pick you up and take you directly to your hotel; most hotels in Pranburi offer this service. Make sure you check with your hotel beforehand. If your hotel does not offer a pick-up service, you can ask them to arrange a private taxi.
By train
Trains leave daily from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong train station. Trains depart from Hua Lampong almost every hour and arrive in Hua Hin, from where you should also organise a hotel pick-up or private taxi service.
By bus
There are direct buses from Bangkok's Southern Terminal to Pranburi. However, the Southern Terminal in Bangkok is hard to reach and the journey lasts about 5 hours. This option is only recommended for those who have ample time and don’t mind the extra hassle.
Private car
By far the easiest way to get to Pranburi is to hire a car to drive you directly there. If you want to travel straight from an airport to Pranburi, there are many private car services you can arrange on the spot, at the airport. The usual price for this is 2000 baht to Hua Hin and around 3000 - 4000 baht to Pranburi. The nice things about this option is that you can arrange specific requests; not only pick-up and drop-off but also daily hire.
Around Pranburi
As Pranburi is such a small area, there is not much reason to travel around. There are local open back trucks you can hop off and on but most things are within walking distance. Most hotels offer shuttle services to shopping malls and beaches, otherwise, you can walk to most places as most resorts and restaurants are a casual walk down the beach.
Main areas
Pak Nam Pran Beach – the main beach of the Pranburi area where, for now, facilities consist of just a few minimarkets, car-rental outlets and independent bars and restaurants. The beach, albeit not stunning, is long, with fine sand, and nearly always empty, and you’re quite likely to see dolphins playing within sight of the shore. The strand stretches south from Pak Nam Pran town at the mouth of the Pran River – which is known for its colourful fishing boats, specializing in squid
Hua Hin – if you would like to spend some time getting lost in smaller crowds, night markets filled with fresh seafood, do some shopping for summer clothes and visit a bar or two, head to Hua Hin – only 30 kilometres away.
Attractions in Pranburi
Pranburi Forest Park
Pranburi Forest Park is the area of mangrove trees following the main Pranburi river. It was developed as the part of the mangrove Rehabilitation project under Her Majesty the Queen Sirikit. This is a common attraction for those who would enjoy a leisurely walk along the boardwalk or explore the river on a boat. The park is said to be open all hours of the day and can be reached by hiring a taxi, hotel shuttle or open back van.
Opening hours: 24/7, daily
Entrance fee: none
Sai Noi Beach
For a tranquil afternoon in the sun, head to Sai Noi Beach. It’s one of the smaller and emptier beaches where one can enjoy a quiet afternoon. There are basic amenities such as food vendors and restaurants to enjoy sunsets and a lazy afternoon on.
Opening hours: 24/7, daily
Entrance fee: none
Hua Hin Seoul Country Club
Also known as the Milford Golf Club is a well known attraction in the area. Even if you are not an avid golfer, the country club offers a leisurely afternoon in the clubhouse or on-site restaurant. With gorgeous views of rolling hills and wide open space, it makes for a great afternoon either with clients or a few friends.
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday 10:00 to 18:00
Entrance fee: a round of golf will cost between 500-2000 baht depending on when you go, and whether you’re a member of the golf course.
Activities
Kite surfing
Pranburi is becoming stunningly famous for being the ideal kite surfing destination. The unique location of the beaches and the long, sweeping winds over the water cause the perfect waves for kite surfing. There are several shops you can visit, all offering rental gear, classes and private instructors.
Opening hours: most places open around 08:00 and close arund 19:00.
Entrance fee: One-day courses cost around 4000 baht per person while the 3-day courses cost around 11,000 baht per person. You can also hire a private lesson for around 8000 baht for 2 hours.
Motorbike and Bicycle Rentals
the easiest and most fun way to explore your surroundings in Pranburi is to rent a motorbike or bicycle. The coastal roads and villages are ideal for driving around, you can visit fishing villages, local fresh markets, beaches and, if on a motorbike, go as far as you wish. Remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day and apply sunscreen if this is an activity you wish to partake in. The humidity and heat of Thailand can be exhausting, but well worth it for the scenery and sense of freedom.
Opening hours: most shops will open around 09:00 and close around 17:00. However, a day’s rental is usually for 24 hours, so you can return the vehicle the next day at around the same time you picked it up. Some motorbike companies will come to you at your hotel so you don’t have to find transport to and from.
Entrance fee: A bicycle for a day will cost you 100 baht while a motorbike can cost between 200-400 baht per day.
Bird Watching at Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
One of the most famous places to enjoy a day of bird watching is in Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. The park is famous for having an estimate of 300 different bird species, including different types of pelicans, bitterns, eagles and barn owls. The inaccessible forest areas on the mountains are home to some mammals such as dusky leaf monkey, crab-eating macaque, Malayan porcupine, mainland serow, slow loris, barking deer, fishing cat and Malayan pangolin. Dolphins are regularly seen on the coastline.
Opening hours: sunrise to sunset, daily
Entrance fee: 200 THB
Travel Tips
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Plan ahead – as Pranburi is still a little under the radar, transportation, mapping and general information is still lacking. We recommend you plan the details of your trip ahead of time – what your means of transport are, where you will stay and if you will pursue some outdoor activities, make sure you or your driver understands directions and locations.
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Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate – whether you decide to lounge on the beach, go for a hike or dare some kite surfing, don’t forget to always have a bottle of water nearby. The sun can get vicious and the humidity is high so make sure you are always hydrated. Luckily, there are vendors all around and if you are feeling especially parched, a fresh coconut is well known for its hydrating powers.
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Mosquito repellent – bearing in mind that Pranburi is surrounded with lush jungles and rivers, it is understandable that there will be a large mosquito population. They may not bother you as much on the beach but if you venture into the jungle or along the river, make sure you protect yourself with mosquito repellent or even a long sleeved shirt/trousers.
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