Destination Guide
PRACHUAPKHIRIKHAN
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Wedding in the PalaceSince its construction during the reign of King Vajiravudh, Rama VI, Mrigadayavan Palace has been revered as the Palace of Love and Hope. Besides its cluster of beachfront golden teak buildings nestled besides the golden sands of Cha-am Beach, not far away is another golden teak pavilion which once served as the residence of Chao Phraya Ram Raghop, who held the position of A Chief Aid-de-camp to the King.
Retaining the seaside ambience and architectural style of its day, the pavilion can presently be hired as a perfect romantic venue for weddings and receptions.
For additional information, please contact: The Office of Mrigadayavan Palace Foundation 1281 Petchkasem Road, Cha-am, Petchburi Province Tel. 0 3250 8444-5 Fax. 0 3250 8039 www.mrigadayavan.org
Discovering nature in Kuiburi National Park
Nature Trail
Take a moderate easy 1.5 Km. hike along the interpretive nature trail. Your guide will show you many trees and plants and describe their uses as food and medicine for humans and animals alike. The Milky tree for instance, is the provincial tree and its wood is used to make furniture. Several signs along the Nature Trail identify orchids, trees, birds, butterflies and animals by their botanical and common names.
Half day
- Arrival at Kuiburi National Park in the morning
- Lunch at park headquarters
- Two hour walk in the forest and along seasonal streams. Observe birds, butterflies, animal tracks and mineral lick near a watering hole. Learn from guides about edible and medicinal foods from the forest.
- Return to park headquarters.
- End tour. Optional activities
- Two hour boat trip on Yang Chum Lake.
- Visit pineapple farm.
- Visit Kum Chorn’s Nursery.
- Cooking lesson.
Accommodations at the park must be reserved in advance.
Please visit the Thailand National Parks website for more information. www.dnp.go.th
Elephant Trek
See some of the Asian elephants that live in Kuiburi National Park from viewing platforms above the watering ponds.
One or two days
Day 1:
- Arrival at the park in the morning.
- Tour of the visitor center.
- Lunch.
- Departure by pickup to Pa Yang substation (20 Kms.) with a guide.
- Departure by car to observation platform observe elephants and other wildlife.
- Return to Pa Yang substation.
- Dinner.
- Elephants watching at night, near the watering hole.
- Overnight at the bungalows at Pa Yang substation.
Days 2:
- Breakfast.
- Walk to the Pond 7 elephant-viewing platform (3.5 Kms.).
- Lunch on the spot.
- Elephant watching
- Return to the headquarters by pickup.
- End tour. Waterfall Trek Visit three of Kuiburi National Parks many beautiful waterfalls. One to three day treks are available.
One day
- Arrival evening before with arranged accommodations at park.
- Hike an easy 3 km trail to Dan Ma Ka Waterfall with guide.
- Wildlife watching: animal tracks & food, birds, butterflies, etc.
- Lunch at the waterfall. - Return to headquarters.
- Bathe in the river on the way back.
Three days/Three nights
Day 1:
- Arrive evening before with arranged accommodations at park.
- Hike to checkpoint: wildlife watching along the way.
- Hike to Khlong Ha Waterfall.
- Dinner and overnight in a tent at the waterfall.
Day 2:
- Breakfast.
- Hike to Dong ma Fai Waterfall.
- Lunch along the way.
- Dinner and tent camping at the waterfall.
Day 3:
- Breakfast.
- Hike to the check point.
- Return to the headquarters by truck.
- Lunch.
- End tour. Bird and Butterfly Watching Trek See some of the many birds and butterflies that inhabit Kuiburi National Park.
One or Two day trek options are available.
One day/one night
- Arrive evening before with arranged accommodations at park.
- Rise early for guided walk in the forest and to nearby reservoir to look for resident and migrant birds and the butterflies.
- Breakfast and lunch ant park headquarters.
- Early afternoon departure to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park.
- Return to Kuiburi National Park early evening.
- End tour.
Two days/Two nights
Day 1:
- Arrive evening before with arranged accommodations at park.
- Breakfast at park headquarters.
- Easy 3 km. walk to Khlong Ha Waterfall to watch birds and butterflies.
- Lunch along the trail.
- Dinner and overnight at the headquarters.
Day 2:
- Breakfast at park headquarters.
- Early morning departure to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park.
- Boat trip along the Khao Daeng Canal to look shorebirds, ducks and other birds. Enjoy the beautiful scenery.
- Lunch at park headquarters.
- Afternoon birdwatching in the wetlands of a nearby reservoir.
- End tour.
Gratuities to park guides are appreciate.
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| In the South, the narrow, peninsula of Prachuab Khiri Khan and its neighbour Phetchaburi offer an attracitive mountain and sea combination. Within their parameter, they contain the twin beach resorts of Hua Hin and Cha-am, and two large havens for wildlife, Sam Roi Yot and |
By car
Drive along Highway No. 35 (Thon Buri-Pak Tho) passing Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram Provinces and then take Highway No. 4 to Hua Hin Total distance is 123 kilometers. Alternatively, it is possible to travel via Nakhon Pathom and Ratchaburi Provinces.
By Air
SGA Airlines provides 3 - 4 flights daily to Hua Hin (45 minutes). For more information, please contact SGA Airport office Bangkok (662) 664 6099 or Hua Hin (6632) 522 300. Website : www.sga.co.th
By Bus
Buses from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal cost 110 bahts for 1st class (air-conditioned), 85 bahts for 2nd class (air-conditioned) and 61 bahts (ordinary). The trip takes about 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Various agencies on Khao San Road in Bangkok operate minivans to Hua Hin for 150 baht per person. The bus leaves for Bangkok from a station next to Siripetchkasem Hotel. In addition, there are air-conditioned buses leaving for Chumpon Province (125 baht, 4 hours), Surat Thani Province (210 baht, 7hours), Phuket Province (305 baht, 10 hours) and Krabi Province (280 baht, 9 hours)
By Train
The trip takes about 3-3/4 hours from Bangkok; 1st class fare is 202 baht (rapid and express only), 2nd class is 102 baht (rapid and express only) and 3rd class is 44 baht. Call 1690 for more details.
Getting Around
Local buses/songthaews from Hua Hin to the Hat (beach) of Khao Takiap, Khao Tam and Suan Son cost 7-10 baht / person. These buses run from around 6 a.m. until 5.50 p.m.
Buses to Pranburi are 10 baht and leave from the same area of Chomsin Road.
Samlors may cost 40 baht / trip in to town.
Motorcycles and bicycles can be rented from a couple of places on Damnoen Kasem Road near the Jed Pee Nong Hotel. Motorcycle rates are from 150 baht to 200 baht per day for 100cc and 250 baht to 300 baht for 125cc. Occasionally larger bikes - 400 to 750cc - are available for 500 baht to 600 baht a day. Bicycles are 30 baht to 70 baht per day.
At the fishing pier visitors can charter boats to Ko Singtoh for 800 baht a day. On Hat Takiap it is possible to get cheaper fares for 700 baht.
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| [ Dan Singkhon ] It used to be a strategic line for military movement in the past. [ Sea Pine Tree Garden (Suan Son Pradiphat) ] stands out as a quiet beach. The park-like area, 9 km further from Hua Hin. also houses several accommodation. [ Hua Hin Railway Station ] [ Hua Hin Arts and Crafts Centre ] This is situated in an old typical house on Naepkhehat Road. It has a collection and exhibition of many contemporary works of Thai artists, as well as old furniture and many pictures about Hua Hin in the past. [ Klai Kangwon Palace ] King Rama VII commanded this summer palace to be built in the year 1926 to the north of Hua Hin. The palace consists of 3 Spanish style mansions facing the sea. This Spanish style architecture was adapted to suit the tropical climate of Thailand ant to serve the function of a summer palace. The atmosphere is more of a large house than a formal place. It is open to the public daily from 9.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. Call (032) 511115 for more information. [ Khao Takiap ] The nearby Khao Takiap beach offers mostly bungalow accommodation. [ Ko Singto ] Fishing lovers can enjoy a day outing to this island, just a few kilometers from Hua Hin or Khao Takiap where some boats for hire are available. [ Suan Son Pradiphant or Sea Pine Tree Garden ] This beachside area belongs to the Army Welfare Office and is open to the public. It is at Km. 241, some 8 kilometers south of Hua Hin. Accommodation is available. [ Hat Khao Tao ] This beach lies about 10 kilometers south of Hua Hin and 1 kilometer along an access road. It is a pine-fringed beach, more secluded than Hua Hin. Bungalows are available. [ Namtok Pa La-u ] | ||
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| [ Hat Wanakon National Park ] [ Namtok Huai Yang National Park ] This park covers a forested area on the Tanaosi Mountain Range. Follow a sign at Km. 351 of Highway No. 4 and drive along a 7-km. access road to the park office. Namtok Huai Yang near the park office is its main attraction. The waterfall is composed of 5 small cascades situated among recreational surroundings. | ||
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| [ Ao Bo Thonglang ] [ Ao Mae Ramphung ] This is a scenic bay in Amphoe Bang Saphan. Travel about 75 kms. south of Phrachuap Khiri Khan to Km. 399, turn left and continue for another 17 kilometers via Bang Saphan Market. Accommodation and seafood restaurants are available. [ Ko Thalu, Ko Sang and Ko Sing ] | ||
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| [ Khao Chong Krachok or Mirror Mount ] | ||
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| [ Sam Roi Yot National Park ] Attractions within the park area include is 9 kilometers north of the park office. Exploration inside the cave takes about half an hour. Oil lamps can be rented at nearby Khung Tanot Village. □ Hat Sam Phraya located 3.5 kilometers north of the park office, is a beautiful beach lined with pine trees. Accommodation is available. □ Tham Kaeo is situated some 23 kilometers from Pran Buri or 15 kilometers north of the park office. This cave is full of stalactites and stalagmites. Oil lamps can be rented at a nearby village for exploring the cave. □ Hat Laem Sala | ||
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