"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." – Lao Tzu

Hello, fellow travel enthusiasts! This is my first post after lurking and reading about your travel adventures for a long time. Today, I'd like to share my own travel experience in hopes of inspiring those who want to embark on solo journeys but don't know where to start.

This trip took place in early April 2010 during the long summer break. I was bored and restless, lying in my dorm room watching TV. I happened to stumble upon a travel show on Channel 5 (I can't remember the name). All I remember is that they took a walk to watch the sunrise on top of a mountain. It was a round, orange sun slowly rising from the sea! As soon as I saw it, my heart started racing and my blood started pumping (it felt like the first time I had to stand in front of the flagpole to speak). I watched until the end and realized it wasn't far away. It was the Khao Daeng viewpoint in Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.

Feeling restless, empty, lonely, and bored!!! So I decided to do some research. I just wanted to know where it was, what attractions there were, and how to get there. As for accommodation, I didn't need to book in advance. Agoda didn't even know about it. Because I had my own tent and sleeping bag, what was there to be afraid of? I decided to pack my bags that night and set off the next morning. I took only what I needed and the most important thing for traveling alone: "courage".

"Take a deep breath, gather all the courage you have, and let's go on a journey together."

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A rough 2-day, 1-night adventure plan is as follows:

(1) Travel by van from Victory Monument to Hua Hin

(2) Take a free train to Sam Roi Yot Station

(3) Take a motorbike ride to explore the Thung Sam Roi Yot field.

(4) Camping overnight on the beach of Sam Phraya

(5) Hike up the mountain at five in the morning, the sun comes up at six.

(6) Hike across the mountain and enter the Phraya Nakhon Cave

(7) Gaze at the stars during the day in the Glass Cave

Traveling companion

(1) A bag containing clothes, pants, towels, sneakers, toiletries, etc.

(2) A chest bag to hold money, phone, camera, etc.

(3) Flashlight, first-aid kit, water bottle

(4) 2-person tent, 1 sleeping bag

(5) 1 compact camera

Music for reading

07:00 AM: Depart from the dormitory to take a van from Bangkok to Hua Hin at Victory Monument.

We arrived in Hua Hin around 10 am and had a free lunch at my uncle's house. After lunch, we went to pick up our free train tickets at Hua Hin station. We took train number 255. If you want to take a free train from Bangkok, you can do so as well. The train departs from Thon Buri station at 7:30 am and terminates at Lang Suan station.

Travel plan

01.30 PM: The train, the train is here, a little late but it's here, as expected of Thai trains.

As soon as the train arrived, I quickly jumped on to find a seat. This train has very comfortable seats. An additional tip for those who are traveling alone, you should have a chest bag like the one in the picture. It's great for storing money, phones, cameras, etc. It's easy to grab and very convenient.

After sitting for a while, I came across an impressive innovation by Thai vendors: a device for hanging goods for sale on trains. It has everything from fresh food to dry food and drinks. When it's time to sell, simply hang the hooks on the shelves above.

Based on my experience riding Thai trains, this innovation is only found on the Southern Line (or if anyone has seen it elsewhere, please share!).

Travel map

02.00 PM: The train arrives at Sam Roi Yot Station.

This is Sam Roi Yot station. It's very sunny here.

Map of all travel destinations for this trip

(1) Sam Roi Yot Railway Station

(2) Thung Sam Roi Yot (Bueng Bua Nature Study Center)

(3) Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park Headquarters

(4) Sam Phraya Beach

(5) Khao Daeng Viewpoint

(6) Phraya Nakhon Cave

(7) Kaeo Cave

After getting off the train, I walked around looking for something to eat to fill my stomach and prepare for dinner at the market near the train station. I walked around choosing food for a while, then I heard a soft greeting from behind, "Hey kid, where are you going with all those bags?"


I turned around and saw an aunt who sells meatballs with sticky rice and mango. She looked kind, so I told her that I was going to Thung Sam Roi Yot. She asked me how I was going to get there, saying that it was far and there were no cars going in. I told her that I would walk or hitch a ride. She smiled and said that she would take me, but I was hesitant because I saw that she was still setting up her shop. So I declined her offer, and we talked for a while before I continued on my journey. The kind aunt gave me 4 meatballs and a bag of sticky rice with mango.

"Human kindness can happen anywhere, anytime, regardless of appearance or relationship."

03.00 PM : Depart for Thung Sam Roi Yot

The Sam Roi Yot field is about 8 kilometers away from the market where we are located. There is no public transportation, so the method we chose was to "hitch a ride". So we walked to the entrance to wait for a ride. After walking for a while, we met a group of 4-5 teenagers with motorcycles who were talking in a group. When the group of teenagers saw us walking by, they shouted and asked, "Where are you going, brother?"

Fearing something bad might happen or getting robbed, I said, "I'm going to a relative's house nearby." The group of teenagers then offered, "Let me give you a ride, brother." I quickly declined, saying, "It's close, I'll be there in a minute." Then I quickly walked away. After walking for a while, I heard the sound of a motorcycle and a voice behind me saying, "Come on, I'll give you a ride." It was the voice of a teenager riding a motorcycle alone. I was a bit scared, but to avoid being rude, I agreed to go with him. I told him I wanted to stop by Thung Sam Roi Yot first, and he safely dropped me off there.

I felt a little sorry for judging her negatively at first. However, when traveling alone, especially in potentially unsafe situations, it's always better to err on the side of caution and think of ways to protect yourself. However, it's important not to let your negative thoughts show, as the outcome could still be positive.

Travel Map

03.15 PM: Arrived at the entrance of Thung Sam Roi Yot National Park by motorbike.

The scene before me was a vast expanse of water, shimmering under the gentle sun.

Because the strong wind kept hitting my face all the time.

Before going for a walk, I stopped by the office to see if anyone was there. On the way back, I would ask them for a ride out because I intended to stay overnight at the park office, which is about 34 kilometers from here. And I have to go around the mountain you see in the picture to the other side.

I met two officers on duty. Then I will come out at 4:30 pm after work. Everything went according to plan. Otherwise, I would have to sleep here for sure.

04.30 PM: Explore the vast field on a long, winding path

After feeling at ease about traveling back outside, it was time to take a leisurely stroll on the wooden bridge that stretched as far as the eye could see.

Through the field of lotus flowers that are storing themselves, waiting for the day to show off their beauty next year

Through the swaying grasslands (sedges) that bend with the wind, time and time again, tirelessly.

It feels like the meadow is dancing, with the wind playing a lively tune.

Along the way, there are pavilions for shelter from the sun at intervals, allowing us to sit and relax while enjoying the panoramic views.

With a backdrop of meadows, a vast sky, and towering mountains, bathed in the gentle rays of the sun.

The atmosphere here is so peaceful, it's hard to describe.

There are small and large ponds, which are home to many species of birds. It is a great place to study birds.

The angles we capture may not be that different, but no matter how we shoot or how much we shoot, we never get tired of it.

I would like everyone to come and experience this place for themselves. Then you will know what true peace amidst nature feels like.

05.30 PM: Luxury beachfront accommodation at Sam Phraya

Leaving the serene Sam Roi Yot fields, we continued our journey on a motorbike provided by the park ranger to the edge of Phetkasem Road. From there, we took a southbound bus to the entrance of the park headquarters, a distance of about 20 kilometers.

We waited by the side of the road for about 14 kilometers, waving down cars as they passed. About 5 cars went by before a red pickup truck stopped to pick us up. We quickly ran over, said hello, and asked for a ride. There was a tank of shrimp with oxygen in the back of the truck, so we sat in the front next to the driver.

But I didn't reach my dream because my brother's house was about halfway to my destination, so I stood and waved in front of his house. Before long, a motorcycle stopped to pick me up, so I quickly jumped on, as if I was about to miss the last train.

Travel map

As we approached the park headquarters, we saw a lot of monkeys. The driver told us not to sleep there because the monkeys would come and steal our belongings. He suggested that we sleep at Hat Sam Phraya, which is about 5 kilometers further down the road. We agreed because there were really a lot of monkeys. The driver then took us to our destination.


Upon arrival, I immediately went to talk to the officer on duty at the guard post in front of the beach to inquire about how to get to Khao Daeng to watch the sunrise at five in the morning, as there was no public transportation available. The officer kindly offered to give me a ride to the trailhead. We agreed to meet at five in the morning in front of the guard post.

I then rushed to find a place to sleep, and at that time there was only one foreigner staying in the area. But in the end, the foreigner left, so the beach was all mine.

We finally found the perfect spot to pitch our tent: a pavilion right on the beach. Stepping down from the pavilion, our feet landed directly on the soft sand. It was more luxurious than any five-star beachfront hotel.

After preparing the bed, I went for a walk on the beach before the sun set.

The evening light fell on the muddy sand, turning it a golden orange.

For us, the light in the evening before the sun sets is the most charming light.

We walked until the light was almost gone, so we hurried back to take a shower. The bathroom here is very clean. After showering, we returned to the tent. The tent flew away, dear viewers. It flew and got stuck on the corner of the pavilion's pillar. Because when it's dark, the sea wind is very strong. So we went to find stones to weigh down the corners of the tent on all four sides to hold it down.

That night, I didn't sleep much. I was afraid of ghosts, people, and the strong wind that seemed to be blowing past all the time. But in the end, I was so tired from traveling all day that I fell asleep without realizing it. I woke up again at 4:30 am to the sound of the alarm clock I had placed next to my ear.

Travel map

05.00 AM : Touching the edge of the sky (sea)

The sound of the alarm clock indicated that it was time to go out and find the sun at the edge of the sky. No!!! It should be said that the edge of the sea is correct. So I didn't wait to pack my things, pack my tent, didn't take a shower, didn't wash my face, didn't brush my teeth, and then ran to find the officer at the fort as promised. Because I was afraid that I wouldn't be in time to see the sunrise.

Riding a motorcycle through the darkness, with only the headlights as a guide, we arrived at the entrance to the Khao Daeng viewpoint, which is about 300 meters from the park headquarters.

Travel map

As the car's headlights faded into the distance, the small flashlight flickered to life, illuminating only the path ahead. The beam of light stretched out, revealing a narrow dirt road that seemed to disappear into the darkness. With a deep breath, I gathered my courage and stepped onto the path, the only light guiding my way.


The flashlight beam fell upon a small shrine nestled near the foot of the mountain. Every hair on our bodies stood on end in unison, an inexplicable chill running down our spines. The initial bravado we had felt vanished without a trace. We stood frozen, our minds racing with indecision. Should we turn back? But as our senses returned, we realized that our fear was nothing more than a figment of our own imaginations, a creation of our own minds.

What we see on the outside doesn't do anything to us. It's only us who think about it. Therefore, we should stop the fear from within, not let the fear stop what we intend to do. So we started walking to the foot of the mountain, looking for a path to climb up, but we couldn't find it no matter how hard we looked. Because it was a limestone mountain with no trace of a path.

After searching for a while, I still couldn't find it, so I decided to walk back to the park office to ask for directions. When I arrived, I tried to find an officer until I found one who was sleeping in a hammock. " Brother, brother, brother," I called out. He woke up in surprise because of our voice and light, so I asked him to help me with the directions to the viewpoint on Khao Daeng.

My guide led me back to the starting point of the mountain trail. Along the path, there were small wooden signs with yellow arrows on a brown background, which were very difficult to spot as they were embedded in the rocks. I couldn't find them at first. After that, my guide went back to sleep, and it was time for me to continue on my own. Along the way, I had to keep an eye out for the signs and dodge the sharp thorns of the many cacti that lined the path.

The obstacles ultimately helped us reach our destination just before sunrise.

The reward is a panoramic view, along with a cool breeze that makes you feel strangely refreshed.

The back is a complex limestone mountain range, which may be the origin of the word "Sam Roi Yot".

The left and right sides are shrimp ponds, while the front is the sun and the sea.

And finally, the round, orange sun slowly rose from the sea, allowing us to conquer it with our own eyes.

This level of satisfaction and pride is difficult to describe.

You have to experience it yourself to understand.

Thank you for all the beauty that nature has given us.

Thank you for all the encouragement from the friendship along the way.

Thank you to the two brave feet and one heart that helped me reach my intended destination.

08.00 AM: Climbing a mountain is not as tiring as descending from it.

After soaking up the atmosphere at the viewpoint until the warm sunlight began to turn into heat, it was time to head to the next destination, which was the "Phraya Nakhon Cave" and the "Kaew Cave".

Normally, climbing a mountain is more tiring than descending from a mountain because of the Earth's gravity. But for us, climbing a mountain is less tiring than descending from a mountain because the Earth's gravity is completely eliminated by our unwavering determination and commitment to reach our destination.

On the way down from the mountain, I encountered southern spectacled langurs foraging in the early morning. They were hanging from the treetops at intervals, some alone and some in groups. Their faces were adorable and curious.

The sign indicating the path to the viewpoint is difficult to see at night.

The distance may not seem far, but if you are unsure, it is better to contact the officer.

The limestone mountains will not have any traces of paths, and the rocks are sharp. Therefore, it is best to wear sneakers to walk up.

The Red Mountain viewpoint is located on the top of the mountain, which is behind the mountain you see here.

After reaching the ground, I stopped by the park office, which was not far away, to have breakfast to recharge.

09:00 AM: Head to Phraya Nakhon Cave

Enjoying breakfast at the park office while watching the acrobatic show of the macaques swinging back and forth was a delight. It was time to continue our journey to Phraya Nakhon Cave, which was about 18 kilometers away. Our chosen mode of transportation remained the same: hitchhiking. We stood by the side of the road in front of the park office, waiting for a ride. There weren't many cars passing by at that time, but eventually, we got a ride with a car from the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand. Without hesitation, we hopped in the back and sat among the officers' equipment.

We got off at the junction leading to Tham Phraya Nakhon because my friend had to go straight, while I had to turn right.

From the point where we got off the car, we had to walk about 5 kilometers to reach the starting point of the path to Phraya Nakhon Cave. We walked for a while, passing the ten-wheeled truck in the distance in the picture. We met villagers who were sorting shrimp. Seeing us walking in the sun alone, they teased us and asked where we were going. They also invited us to drink cold water from their thermos.

I continued walking under the scorching sun, on the asphalt road that was starting to heat up. A black Fortuner pulled up beside me and the window rolled down. The driver asked where I was headed. It turned out we were going the same way, so he offered me a ride.

The older siblings said that they were traveling from Bangkok. There were three of them. They saw us carrying our bags and walking in the sun alone, so they felt sorry for us and decided to stop and pick us up.

After arriving at the starting point of the trail to Phraya Nakhon Cave, I parted ways with the three older siblings. There are two ways to get to the cave: take a boat around the mountain to the beach in front of the cave entrance, or hike over the mountain for about 1 kilometer to the cave entrance. This option is free of charge, as it only requires physical strength and determination.

We chose to cross the mountain on a rough stone staircase path alone.

The older ones took a boat around the mountain to the beach, which was much faster. After that, we never saw each other again.

Along the way, you can enjoy the views of the mountains and the clear blue sea, which helps to reduce fatigue significantly.

After walking about halfway up the mountain, you will be able to see the white sand beach where the boat drops off tourists.

Life is like a journey across a mountain, with ups and downs, which is normal and helps us become stronger.

Travel map

11:00 AM: Explore Phraya Nakhon Cave

After descending from the mountain, we washed our faces and eyes, rested for a while, and left our bags at the tourist service center. We then continued our journey into the cave for about 500 meters, passing by the Phraya Nakhon Pool. According to historical records, during the reign of King Rama I, Phraya Nakhon, the ruler of Nakhon Si Thammarat, sailed past Khao Sam Roi Yot and encountered a severe storm that prevented him from continuing his journey. He anchored his ship and took shelter from the storm on this beach for several days. He also built a well for drinking water, which is called "Phraya Nakhon Pool".

The walking path is a rocky staircase, making it a bit difficult to walk.

After walking for a while, we reached the mouth of the cave and could feel the temperature getting cooler.

Inside the cave, there is a large hall with small and large air vents that allow sunlight to reach the bottom at several points.

Most of the trees inside the cave will have tall trunks to lift their branches and leaves to photosynthesize as much as possible.

The rays of the midday sun gradually streamed through the ceiling opening, illuminating the majestic Khao Kuha Krihasana pavilion situated in the heart of the cave. The sight was truly breathtaking.

"The Kuthakrishna Pavilion" is a four-faced pavilion built during the reign of King Rama V on June 20, 1890. It was designed by Prince Khun Charoen Charaswong and built in Bangkok before being transported to the site for assembly. Phraya Chaloeyuthayothin was the construction supervisor. King Chulalongkorn himself presided over the raising of the gable apex.

On the right side of the stone wall of the Khuha Krihasna Palace, there are the royal monograms of King Rama V and King Rama VII in large, eye-catching white letters.

After fully exploring the cave and feeling refreshed, it was time to move on to the final destination, the "Glass Cave".

01.00 PM: Final Destination

After exiting Phraya Nakhon Cave, we retrieved our belongings and walked back the same way. We stopped for lunch at the foot of the mountain, washed our faces, and rested for a while before continuing our journey on a local's motorbike. We were dropped off at the entrance to Kaew Cave, which is located on the way to Phraya Nakhon Cave.

Continue walking along the red gravel path for about 1 kilometer until you reach the entrance of the cave. There will be villagers waiting to rent you flashlights.

As there is no lighting inside, you must bring a flashlight with you every time. However, we brought our own flashlight, so we didn't have to pay to rent one.

The interior is about 128 meters long. When we went, there were no other tourists at all, so we were lonely.

The inside of the cave is very dark. There are stalactites and stalagmites of various sizes alternating all the way.

In some places, you have to bend down and crawl through large stalactites. In some places, you have to walk through small rock crevices. In some places, you have to walk up and down bridges, which are deep, dark chasms below that you can't see the bottom of even with a flashlight.

Halfway through our exploration, the flashlight we brought with us started to dim, making it almost impossible to see the path ahead. We tried tapping the battery terminals and twisting them to make better contact, but to no avail. It flickered on and off for a while before finally going out completely. We stood there in the pitch darkness, unable to move forward because we were surrounded by stalactites and stalagmites. We stood there for about 15 minutes, which felt like an eternity, fearing that we would be trapped in the cave because it was rarely visited by tourists.


But then, a light of hope shone through. At that moment, I felt an immense sense of relief that I can't describe. It was the flashlight of a tourist couple, husband and wife, who shone it on me standing alone in the darkness. They were a little surprised to see me standing there alone in the dark, so I told them what happened and asked if I could follow them out.

Following the guide, we arrived at the spot that inspired the cave's name. As we shone our lights on the cave wall, a dazzling display of shimmering particles, resembling tiny shards of glass, reflected back at us. It felt like gazing at a starry sky amidst the cave's darkness.

We finally made it out of the cave. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to both of you. Thank you, fate, for bringing us together.

I almost ended my trip by sleeping in a glass cave.

There was actually another place I wanted to visit, the "Trai Cave", which wasn't too far away. But it was getting close to dusk and I didn't think I'd make it in time, so I decided to skip it and head back. I walked out of the cave and back to the three-way intersection where I had been dropped off earlier, about a kilometer away, to wait for a ride back to Phetkasem Road. I hitched a ride with a pickup truck carrying Chinese banquet tables for a wedding. I stood on the roof of the truck, holding on and enjoying the wind in my face. It was a lot of fun.

However, I didn't reach my destination because the house was before the event, so I hailed another car and got a ride with a kind grandparents' pickup truck to the entrance of the park on Phetkasem Road. Then I took a bus to Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan District. That's the end of my trip to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park.

Travel map

This trip was the first time we had ever traveled alone, and the truth is that the decision to do so was very difficult. We had no idea what to expect, and we imagined that it would be lonely, difficult, and dangerous. These thoughts were like a wall that we had built around ourselves to keep us safe, and they prevented us from venturing out into the world beyond.


However, there is one thing that can break down that wall: "courage." The courage to make decisions, the courage to go out and learn, the courage to accept the changes that will occur. If we can do and accept these things, it will be very worthwhile. Because what awaits us behind that wall is invaluable experience that cannot be bought anywhere. We will gain friendships, learn new things around us, and get to know and understand ourselves better. And once we have taken the first step, I believe there will definitely be more steps to come.

" A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." – Lao Tzu

" The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step."

Expense summary: This trip cost approximately 500 baht, with 50% spent on transportation, 40% on food, and 10% on other expenses.


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