Whenever we start to feel tired, we want to travel to relax both physically and mentally.
'The sea' is often the first choice that comes to mind.
Which sea should we choose? Cha-am, Hua Hin? No way! There are too many people there.
Let's go here instead, a place that doesn't just have 'the sea'... Let's go on an adventure without a private car...
Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park

Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park is located in Kui Buri District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. It is the 4th national park and the first marine national park in Thailand. Legend has it that this area was once a sea with many large and small islands. At that time, a Chinese junk ship sailed through and encountered a monsoon that caused the ship to sink. The survivors went to live on various islands, a total of 300 people, so it was called 'Ko Sam Roi Rot' (Three Hundred Survivors Island). Later, it was corrupted to 'Khao Sam Roi Yot' (Three Hundred Peaks Mountain).

Routh Plan: A 2-Day, 1-Night Trip to Sam Roi Yot

Day 1:

• Morning: Arrive at Sam Roi Yot National Park and check into your accommodation.
• Afternoon: Visit the Khao Daeng Viewpoint for stunning panoramic views of the park.
• Evening: Take a boat trip to the mangrove forest and watch the sunset over the water.

Day 2:

• Morning: Hike to the Phraya Nakhon Cave and marvel at the natural rock formations.
• Afternoon: Relax on the beach or go swimming in the sea.
• Evening: Enjoy a delicious seafood dinner at a local restaurant.

Additional Activities:

• Visit the Sam Roi Yot Floating Market.
• Take a cooking class and learn how to make traditional Thai dishes.
• Go birdwatching in the park.
• Visit the nearby town of Pranburi.

Accommodation:

There are a variety of accommodation options available in Sam Roi Yot, from budget-friendly guesthouses to luxury resorts.

Transportation:

The easiest way to get to Sam Roi Yot is by car or bus. The park is located about 2.5 hours south of Bangkok.

Tips:

• The best time to visit Sam Roi Yot is during the dry season, from November to April.
• Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothing, as you will be doing a lot of walking.
• Bring sunscreen, insect repellent, and a hat.
• Don't forget to pack your camera!

Note: This is just a rough plan, and you can customize it to fit your interests and budget.

Day 1 : Departure > Check in and leave luggage > Lunch > Bueng Bua Nature Study Center > Khao Sam Roi Yot Mangrove Forest > Khao Daeng Viewpoint > Khao Daeng Canal Cruise > Dinner

Day 2:

• Sunrise: Witness the breathtaking sunrise.
• Personal Mission: Complete your personal mission.
• Phraya Nakhon Cave: Explore the stunning Phraya Nakhon Cave.
• Lunch: Enjoy a delicious lunch.
• Tham Sai Cave: Discover the wonders of Tham Sai Cave.
• Tham Kaew Cave: Marvel at the beauty of Tham Kaew Cave.
• Return Trip: Embark on your return journey.

First day of travel: May 28, 2016

We set off on another journey, this being our second trip this month. Earlier this month, we went on a beach trip to Trat province (http://pantip.com/topic/35171708). Please allow me to promote it, hehe. At the end of the month, we went to the beach again, but this time it wasn't just the beach. We took you on an extreme adventure. Let's see how far these two slender girls can conquer Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. Let's go! Let's set off on a journey.

6:00 AM Departure

6.30 AM Arrival at Victory Monument

We chose to travel by van from the Win Chorakhe Pran van stop, which is located on the south side of the Phahol Yothin Expressway in the outbound direction. This van goes all the way to Lotus Pran, and the fare is 180 baht. It runs on the bypass road and does not pick up passengers along the way (except for pre-booked trips). However, we chose this van because they offer pick-up and drop-off services directly to your home or accommodation (except for Khao Thanarat Camp), with an additional charge depending on the distance. For example, Pak Nam Pran is 200 baht, Khao Kalok is 240 baht, and Tham Phraya Nakhon is 350 baht.

We took a van straight to Sam Roi Yot for 300 baht, so we didn't have to rent a songthaew ourselves.

Victory Monument : 089-170-4340 , 083-006-8870

Silpakorn University: 086-343-3370, 091-557-9395

Pranburi: 089-171-4844, 083-007-8863

We would like to commend the driver at the Victory Monument van stop. We didn't get his name, but we were very impressed with his service. He asked us where we were staying, and when he found out that we didn't have accommodation yet, he recommended a place for us to stay. He even asked us while we were waiting for the van, "Did you charge your phone? You can charge it here first." When the van arrived, we were about to get on, and he said, "If you have any problems, you can call or consult me." We felt very good.

10.00 AM arrived in Hua Hin and stopped to fill up gas at a PTT gas station.

11.00 AM Arrival at Sam Roi Yot

It took us about 3 and a half hours to get there. The van dropped us off at Sam Roi Yot Beach, near Juniper Tree. But we didn't stay there. We saw a sign that said 'Private Property, Not a Hotel', so we didn't dare to ask. We decided to walk around and find another place to stay. And then, luck was on our side. We hadn't walked even three steps when a strange woman called out to us, 'What are you looking for?' We replied, 'We're looking for a place to stay.' The woman, whose name we later learned was Nune, said, 'I have a room available. Are you interested?' We didn't want to waste any time, so we asked to see the room first. We decided to stay there. Less than ten minutes after getting off the van, we had a place to stay. Yay!

Our accommodation is called Baan Kiang Talay. Here is the contact number: 086-411-2550 or 085-725-1060. If anyone wants to book a room or inquire for more information, feel free to call. Oh! You can also book through Agoda. This accommodation has just been renovated for 2-3 months. The room condition is quite new. It is made of cement and the door lock is quite tight, very safe. We like this place. We loved it from the first time we saw it. The owner is also very friendly and lovely. The room we got is room number 8 (we didn't have the right to choose because there was only one room left, haha). The bed is a twin bed, which is good! We came with two people, so we can sleep in separate beds and don't have to fight over the blanket. I'm a restless sleeper, shhh. The price of this room is 1,200 baht per night, including toast, tea, and coffee in the morning. This place also accommodates families (Family Room) that can sleep 4 people. The Wi-Fi is strong and can be connected in every room without a password.

The bathroom was clean and odorless, and there was a hot water heater available. Excellent!

The bathroom entrance lacks a wardrobe, but instead offers a clothes rack and hangers. In front of the mirror, a steam generator fills the room with a faint lavender scent. A small set of soap and shampoo is provided, along with two towels.

The room has a cable TV with many channels, but none of them are channels we can watch. Haha! (We don't know what to watch.) There is also a mini-fridge in the room. The two bottles of water in the room are free to drink. Just put them in the fridge! ~

The corner of the room has a versatile table that can be used for various purposes.

Our accommodation is located near Sam Roi Yot Beach, offering stunning sea views at an affordable price. It's a great deal! Although the room is not particularly spacious, it's comfortable and well-equipped with everything we need. This is a place we highly recommend, and we're not receiving any compensation for this review. We simply enjoyed our stay and wanted to share it with others.

The fun doesn't stop there! Baan Kiang Talay also offers a variety of exciting water activities, including squid fishing, coral diving, and kayaking. Kayaking rentals are available at the following rates: 50 baht per hour for one person and 100 baht per hour for two people. Some visitors choose to kayak to the two islands opposite Hat Sam Roi Yot, Ko Kham and Ko Nom Sao. The journey takes about an hour, depending on the tides and wind direction.

Koh Kham is an island shaped like a person lying on their side with their feet pointing down. It is located not far from the coast and is larger than Koh Nom Sao. Therefore, it has beautiful shallow coral reefs. In front of the island, you can go snorkeling to see the coral reefs. There are also many monkeys living on this island. They survive by eating oysters and leaves on the island. Tourists who visit the island will sometimes bring food for them. However, the monkeys here have a habit of exploring tourists' belongings, so be careful. If you are lucky, you might see a pod of white dolphins chasing schools of small fish around the island.

Nomsaw Island This island has a shrine to the Milk Maiden, which is revered by sailors and villagers in the area. Anyone who wants something, they will usually get it. This island has many legends, but one thing is for sure, the offering for this island is a bra. ..If you don't want to read, just skip it. According to legend, ... [Spoil] Click to see hidden textThis beach has a unique legend that has been told since ancient times. It is said that a long time ago, there was a family living in Ao Noi, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. This family consisted of 3 people: the father named Ta Mong Lai, the wife named Nang Ramphueng, and a daughter named Nang Yomdoi. It is said that Nang Yomdoi was a very beautiful woman and was the object of desire of young men, both near and far. The beauty of Nang Yomdoi was so famous that it reached the city of Phetchaburi. Chao Lai, the son of the Lord of Phetchaburi, also heard of this reputation and disguised himself as a fisherman to meet Nang Yomdoi. They fell in love and Chao Lai asked for Nang Yomdoi's hand in marriage from Nang Ramphueng, Nang Yomdoi's mother. Nang Ramphueng agreed to the marriage without telling Ta Mong Lai. Meanwhile, Ta Mong Lai was out fishing near Ao Bang Saphan and met a fleet of Chinese merchant junks. He invited them to visit his home. When the son of the Chinese lord saw Nang Yomdoi, he immediately fell in love with her and asked for her hand in marriage from Ta Mong Lai, who also did not tell Nang Ramphueng. On the wedding day, the procession of Chao Lai and the fleet of junks of the son of the Chinese lord arrived at Ta Mong Lai's house at the same time. This caused a big problem because both Ta Mong Lai and Nang Ramphueng wanted different sons-in-law. When they couldn't agree, they started fighting. Nang Ramphueng couldn't take it anymore and ran away and died. She became "Khao Mae Ramphueng" protecting "Ao Mae Ramphueng" from that day on. When his wife died, Ta Mong Lai went crazy and tore Nang Yomdoi's body into two pieces. He threw one piece to Chao Lai, which became "Nomsaw Island" in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. He threw the other piece to the son of the Chinese lord, which became "Nomsaw Island" in Chonburi Province. This has continued to this day.

The house by the sea offers motorbike and taxi rentals. As planned, today we intended to visit the lotus pond first and then continue to Khao Daeng. But P'Noom said it was too far to drive a motorbike, so we decided to hire a taxi today and rent a motorbike tomorrow. P'Noom was very kind and gave us a special promotion: a round-trip taxi to the lotus pond for 1,200 baht, but she also let us visit Khao Daeng with a limit of 5 pm. We immediately agreed. The taxi in this case is her own private car that took us there. The price is based on the distance, but the lotus pond we went to was quite far, so the price was a bit high. Before we set off, we had to refuel by finding something to eat. We chose a simple and time-saving option: minced pork with fried egg with rice from a local restaurant by the sea near our accommodation for 50 baht per plate. After we were full, we headed to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. Let's see, without a private car like other people, what places can we visit in this national park? The Bueng Bua Nature Study Center (on a day with no water and no lotus).

It is a nature study center located in the area under the responsibility of Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, located on the west side of the park office. There is a high mountain range in the middle. To get to Bueng Bua, if you come from Phetkasem Road, enter Soi Rong Je, a distance of about 9 kilometers. But if you travel from the Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park office, you will have to go around the mountain range for a distance of about 35 kilometers (depending on which route you take).

Fees:

Thai adults 40 baht, children 20 baht

Foreigners: Adults 200 baht, Children 100 baht

We have 1 car with us. The officer charged another 30 baht for the vehicle.

Note 1: If you stay at a resort, you can pay once to enter all tourist attractions in Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park on that day.

Note 2: If you purchase a ticket to enter the park at Hat Sam Phraya, it will be valid for 5 days.

If you are a national park hunter, you must have this book. The National Park Passport can be stamped at any tourist service center in the park.

Bueng Bua, once a prominent feature of the Thung Sam Roi Yot wetlands, has been devoid of its namesake lotus flowers for years. The once-thriving blooms have succumbed to the increasing salinity of the water, a consequence of nearby shrimp farming practices. The influx of brackish water has rendered the environment unsuitable for the delicate lotus, leading to their gradual demise. Exacerbating the issue is the changing climate, which has brought about prolonged droughts, further stressing the already fragile ecosystem.

The villagers who used to make a living by rowing boats on the lotus pond have had to stop their services. The number of tourists visiting here has also dropped significantly. All that remains is one of the most beautiful sunset viewing spots in Sam Roi Yot... But we probably won't be here until sunset.

On a dark moonlit night, Bueng Bua is another good spot for photographing the Milky Way because it is relatively dark and can be seen with the naked eye.

We walked for a while and couldn't go any further because the bridge was damaged. I thought out loud that they should use some of the money collected as park entrance fees to repair it. The officer replied that the area belongs to the park, but the bridge was built by the province. The bridge is not under the park's care, so there is no budget to repair it. I see now. I understand. Hehe. Sorry I thought out loud a bit.

In addition, a large number of migratory birds from foreign countries come to live in the park area from early December to the beginning of the year.

From our visit to the lotus pond this time, we learned that it is not advisable to visit during this month. This is because there is nothing left to see in the lotus pond, not even water. There are only incense trees and some birds. The best season to visit is during the late rainy season and early winter. The lotus pond will be most beautiful even without the lotus flowers.

On the way back, we stopped by the Luang Im Yee Shrine, an ancient architectural structure. Inside the shrine is a statue of Grandfather Sam Roi Yot, a deity of virtue, goodness, and honesty, who is revered by the general public. Therefore, the Sam Roi Yot Festival is held every year, around the middle of March.

Lian Yi Temple is open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Mangrove forest behind the Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park office

We drove back to the Khao Daeng viewpoint. Before we arrived, our driver, P'Nune's boyfriend, told us that there was a mangrove forest behind the Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park office. So we stopped by to gather some information.

At this point, you can have your park passport stamped.

The office will also feature a showcase of the Javan rhinoceros skeleton.

For those who are thirsty, the park also has a rest area and drinks available at affordable prices. On a hot day, a cold drink is refreshing. ~

When you're ready, let's go for a nature walk in the Pa Sai Forest.

The walkway is a wooden bridge that stretches through the mangrove forest, similar to the one at Ao Kung Kraben in Chanthaburi Province.

If we're lucky, we'll get to see the Southern Spectacled Langur, which is the local animal here. Some days they come, some days they don't. Today, unfortunately, we didn't see the langur, but we did see this monkey instead. Let's call it 'Jork', shall we? Look, its hair is standing on end! The park ranger told us that usually on Buddhist holy days, you won't see monkeys here because they go to the temple. Wow, monkeys are smart, aren't they? They know that today is a holy day. And 'Jork' is just hanging out here. I guess it's full and going back to sleep, haha.

We absolutely love the mountain views of Sam Roi Yot. The limestone mountains are so beautiful, and they even look a bit like Liang Shan!

Today's weather is quite hot. When we come to the mangrove forest, we must think of the 'walking fish', right? We tried to find it, but we couldn't find any. It must be because of the hot weather. Even the fiddler crabs that like to live on the mangrove trees didn't come up for us to see. So sad~

Did you know? There is a viewpoint here called Khao Hin Toein, but the entrance is very well-hidden. It's a small path leading in, just follow the arrow signs (I wandered around looking for the entrance for a long time).

At first, I secretly thought that I would be able to climb a small mountain and see a high-angle view, but in the end, the viewpoint of Khao Hin Toei is this point, on the edge of the mangrove forest. Oops~

The mangrove forest in this area is not directly connected to the sea. Most of it is "Tung Don Takat", which is dry, elevated land. Therefore, a canal has been dug, which will have water levels that rise and fall with the sea level.

The roots of the mangrove tree provide shelter for small aquatic animals. The hard wood of the mangrove tree can be burned to make charcoal.

On the way here, there were no other tourist groups. This place is probably not very well known. Even the bird watching tower, the way up is broken and cannot be climbed to the top without repair. .. Walk for about 30-40 minutes and you will complete the loop and return to the starting point. .. Don't forget to stock up on drinking water before you go hiking up to Khao Daeng viewpoint.

Red Mountain Viewpoint

Perched atop one of the peaks of Khao Daeng, this viewpoint offers stunning 360-degree panoramas of the Khao Sam Roi Yot mountain range and the Gulf of Thailand.

At the Khao Daeng viewpoint, the road is a bit bumpy and uneven after the turn. There is a parking lot for cars.

Precautions: During the hike to the viewpoint, there are a lot of mosquitoes that are quite aggressive. Before you start your hike, you should apply insect repellent. Drinking water is also essential.

The path to the viewpoint is not as comfortable as the Phraya Nakhon Cave. It's a rough path with sharp and pointed rocks. It's recommended to wear sneakers when climbing to the viewpoint.

The best time to enjoy the view is early in the morning, around 5:30 AM, when the sun rises between the horizon. The walking distance is approximately 725 meters, and it takes about 30 minutes or more to walk. If you come early in the morning, it is recommended to have an officer guide you and don't forget to bring a flashlight. Because our observation point is quite small, it is a yellow arrow carved on the rocks. So we have to observe it carefully.

As we were climbing, I turned around and saw the sunlight shining through the clouds, like a spotlight on a stage. I couldn't resist taking a picture.

The first view we saw was the limestone mountains of Khao Sam Roi Yot, which were stunningly beautiful. In addition to the saying that the higher you go, the colder it gets, I would like to add another phrase: the higher you go, the more beautiful it gets.

The harder we work, the more we can hear our hearts beating in our ears. It's a symptom I've never had before. It's strange... Have any of you ever experienced this before?!

Before reaching the summit, the higher you climb, the steeper the path becomes. What you see in the picture may not seem like much, but in reality it's almost 90 degrees. However, it's not as scary as you might think. You might get tired, but you can stop for a sip of water every now and then. The weather is quite hot and humid, but when the wind hits your body, you feel incredibly refreshed.

We finally conquered ourselves and brought our fragile bodies to the top of the mountain. The driver who drove us up kept asking, "Are you sure you want to go up? Can you handle it? It's tiring, you know?" I just want to tell him that even though it's tiring, it's worth it to be up here. ^^

This is an old sign at the Khao Daeng viewpoint. Look, people have carved their names all over it. It's not very nice. If you bring a water bottle up here, please take it back down with you. Some people leave them here, and it's not a pretty sight. If you want our tourist attractions to be beautiful, we all have to help keep them that way.

The front view from above is of the sea and shrimp farm, while the back view is of the limestone mountains. It's a pity that at that time, the Facebook app couldn't post 360-degree images. Otherwise, I would have been able to show my friends more beautiful pictures.

On the way back, we walked down following the gravitational pull of the earth, making it faster than the way up. But even though it was faster, we still had to be careful. When we arrived, there weren't many tourists, so we were able to get pictures without any tourists in them. It was like the viewpoint was all ours, haha. In the end, we returned to the ground level at 5:00 PM, taking 30 minutes to descend, which was a little less than the ascent.

Exploring Khao Daeng Canal

You can rent a boat at the pier in front of Khao Daeng Temple. The boat trip takes about 1.5 hours and covers a distance of 3-4 kilometers along the river. The ideal time for a boat trip is in the late afternoon (4:30 PM - 5:00 PM) because the weather is not too hot, animals are more likely to be seen along the way, and you can enjoy a beautiful sunset. The boat rental fee is 500 baht per boat, which can accommodate up to 6 people. However, since we were unable to find enough people to share the cost, we decided to skip the Khao Daeng Canal boat trip. Instead, I took a picture of the pier area. The picture is not very clear because my camera battery died, so I had to use my iPhone to zoom in from the bridge. I apologize if the picture is not good, but I just wanted to share the view with you. ^^

Khao Sam Roi Yot Beach

While waiting for dinner, I took a walk along the beach of Sam Roi Yot. I love this place so much. It's peaceful, not crowded, and doesn't seem dangerous.

As you walk along, you will come across fishing boats that the villagers use as tools to make a living. For those who have purchased a squid fishing tour, the fishermen will take you out to fish for squid at night. The time for squid fishing is around 7:00 PM - 12:00 AM. The return time is flexible and the price is based on the agreed rate.

This point is the mouth of the canal connecting to the sea, making the water here brackish.

Here it is, the hermit crab. It's easy to find them along the beach, but this group is huge! Their homes are no joke, though. Those pagoda shells, aren't they heavy?

We'll end this part with a picture of the beautiful sunset sky for our Pantip friends. Then we'll head to the restaurant, my stomach is already protesting, haha.

Sea View Kitchen Restaurant

Krua Chom Talay Restaurant is a Thai restaurant that has met international standards. It is recognized by both Thai and foreign tourists. It is a model restaurant in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. Krua Chom Talay Restaurant has received awards from many organizations, such as the Tourism Service Standard Award from the Department of Tourism Development, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, and the Health Promotion and Environmentally Friendly Award from the Green Leaf Project. The price of food per dish is around 100-150 baht. If it is seafood such as grilled shrimp, squid, and crab, it is calculated per kilogram at around 300-400 baht.

Inquire for more information

Phone 032-599-364 , 081-934-4501 , 081-988-9288

Website http://www.chomtalay300.com

Map of Krua Chom Talay Restaurant

Data: http://www.chomtalay300.com

Menu 1: Oysters with Spicy Dressing

Large oysters, size L, no fishy smell, fresh, with generous portions. Served with a variety of side dishes.

Menu 2: Fried shrimp cakes. We love this menu. The shrimp cakes are packed with shrimp meat. Served with plum sauce. It's delicious ~

Dish 3: Shrimp in fish sauce. The shrimp were crispy and not fishy. The dipping sauce was mainly sour, but not very spicy (we usually eat spicy food).

Menu 4: Tom Yum Seafood with Coconut Milk. For us, this dish was just okay. The Tom Yum flavor was average and not very spicy.

After having a savory meal, I was going to have some dessert, but my stomach wouldn't allow it, so I had to skip it. The service at this restaurant is well-deserved, and the food is not bad either. Overall, we were quite satisfied. We would rate this restaurant 8/10. For today, I'm going to take my leave to prepare for tomorrow. Our journey is not over yet. We are physically and mentally ready. We can do it! Good night everyone. zZ **Last day of the trip: May 29, 2016**

Today I woke up early to catch the sunrise. I got out of bed at 5:45 AM. I had a little pain in my foot from the sprain I got from walking up to the viewpoint yesterday, but it's okay. I can still do it. Let's go!

What a disappointment! Today, the sky is full of clouds, the air is gloomy as if it's about to rain, and the sun is nowhere to be seen. So, I could only capture some morning scenes from Sam Roi Yot Beach instead.

Before heading to Phraya Nakhon Cave, we rented a motorbike from P'Noom for 300 baht per day, 24 hours. But we wouldn't be renting it for that long, as we had to return to Bangkok in the afternoon. P'Noom was kind enough to give us a 50 baht discount, so we ended up paying 250 baht for the motorbike rental to visit the remaining attractions. Don't forget to check the fuel! As far as I remember, we only saw one community gas station before reaching Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. It's a good idea to fill up there for peace of mind, so you don't run out of gas. ^^Laem Sala Beach - Phraya Nakhon Cave

Located on Khao Thian, near Bang Pu, 16 kilometers north of the national park. History tells that Rama I, while the Lord of Nakhon Si Thammarat, sailed through Khao Sam Roi Yot. By chance, a big storm occurred, making it impossible to continue the journey. He then anchored the ship to avoid the rain at this beach and discovered a large cave. The cave's ceiling has a skylight that allows light to pass through, so it was named "Phraya Nakhon Cave".

The entrance to Phraya Nakhon Cave is the same as the entrance to Wat Bang Pu Temple.

The park entrance fee collection point is also located here. If you choose to take a boat to cross the first hill, you can rent a boat from here. The round-trip boat fare is 400 baht, and the one-way fare is 200 baht. One boat can accommodate 6 people. We chose to save money, so we walked across the first hill both ways.

There are two ways to get to Phraya Nakhon Cave:

1. Hike 1 kilometer across two small hills from Bang Pu Beach to Phraya Nakhon Cave.

2. Take a boat from Bang Pu Beach to Laem Sala Beach, a distance of 530 meters, and then walk up the hill to the cave for another 430 meters.

The path up the first hill is easier than the path to the Khao Daeng viewpoint. This is because most of the path has been made into steps, so you can easily climb it with just your strength.

Bang Pu Beach: This beach serves as a departure point for boats that circumnavigate the first hill and drop passengers off at Laem Sala Beach.

This was his first peak before the descent to Laem Sala Beach.

Yay! I've already descended the first hill. I'm not even tired yet. Easy peasy.

After descending the first hill, we came across a sign that read "Your health is still good." We took a moment to capture the scene. It took us about 20 minutes to cross the first hill, which was roughly the same amount of time it took to cross by boat. We noticed that the group who had taken the boat with us arrived at Laem Sala Beach at the same time as us, even though they had set off at the same time. However, we optimistically viewed it as a way to save money on the boat fare. Haha.

Laem Sala Beach is located near Khao Thian. It is a drop-off point for tourists who choose to take a boat instead of walking up the first hill. If you are going to take a boat, it is recommended to wear shorts and sandals, as you will have to wade through the water to get to the beach. The beach has a tourist service center and freshwater showers. The beach is located in front of the entrance to Phraya Nakhon Cave. It is a beach that resembles a cape jutting out into the sea, with mountains on both sides. Because the waves and wind are not strong, you can swim in the sea. This is because Ko Satakut blocks the wind and waves along the entire stretch.

Yot Kaew Kitchen is the only restaurant on Laem Sala Beach. On this beach, you can also contact the park's accommodation or tent sites.

The path from the beach to the cave is lined with pine trees on both sides. The path looks smooth and comfortable, but the way up to the cave is definitely 'not'.

Along the way, there is the Phraya Nakhon Well, which was dug during the reign of King Rama I of Rattanakosin by Phraya Nakhon Si Thammarat, the governor of Nakhon Si Thammarat, during his journey to Bangkok by boat. Once, when he took his boat to shelter from a storm in the area of Laem Sala Beach, he stayed for several days and dug this well for use. The villagers therefore call it the Phraya Nakhon Well. It is 1 meter wide and 4 meters deep.

Finally, I met the local animal 'Southern Spectacled Langur'. I met it up close. It was cute, not fierce, and playful.

In addition, I also encountered a 'bamboo rat'. As I approached, it scurried down its hole stubbornly.

People with underlying health conditions should consider before climbing. Children, the elderly, and people with underlying health conditions should be especially careful.

The path to Phraya Nakhon Cave is approximately 430 meters from Laem Sala Beach, with an elevation gain of 130 meters. The hike takes about 30 minutes. It is recommended to return before 5:00 PM and stay on the designated trail.

The first zone's walkway is still quite chill and not too strenuous.

The path to zone two is a bit steeper than the path to zone one.

The path to zone three, I must say, is the most difficult part.

There is 1 rest stop. Rest until you are refreshed and then we will continue. Drinking water is still necessary as always.

Gulf of Thailand

The sign before reaching the cave. Seeing this sign, I started to feel relieved. It's not far now.

As we approach the cave entrance, we can feel the cool, damp air of the cave against our skin, providing a welcome respite from the heat of our climb.

Phraya Nakhon Cave is a large cave in the Laem Sala area. The cave ceiling has a skylight that allows light to enter. Below is a forest with tall, slender trees. Phraya Nakhon Cave was discovered over 200 years ago.

The waterfall is truly dry, living up to its name. In the past, this place was a real waterfall, but due to changes in the geographical landscape, the waterfall has dried up, leaving only traces of rocks that were eroded by water, forming layers that resemble a waterfall today.

The name "Death Bridge" may sound frightening at first, leading to various speculations about its origin. However, the truth behind the name is that wild animals frequently fall to their deaths from the bridge.

This map shows the various points of interest within the Tham Phraya Nakhon cave.

- Dry waterfall

- Death Bridge

- Crocodile Ridge

- Pagoda-shaped rock

- The Royal Pavilion of the Kuthakrishna Throne Hall

- Royal autograph

- Ashes of Luang Pho Ngoen

- Twin Archway Tree

- Crocodile stone

- Poisonous trees

Finally, we reached the entrance of the cave. It took us a total of 1 hour to cross the two mountains to reach Phraya Nakhon Cave, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

Do not collect rocks. There is a sign, please follow it.

King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) and King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) visited Phraya Nakhon Cave in 1926, leaving their royal signatures on the cave wall. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) also visited the cave twice, on June 22, 1958, and May 31, 1981.

The cave is filled with stalactites and stalagmites. In some places, water drips down from the ceiling.

Inside the cave, there is an important historical site: the Phra Thinang Khuha Kharuehas Palace, a four-sided pavilion built during the reign of King Rama V.

The cave ceiling has a chimney that allows light to pass through. The best time to visit is between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM, when the light shines directly on the throne.

The Phraya Nakhon Cave is therefore of great importance, so much so that this royal residence is currently used as the emblem of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.

Behind the throne

We spent quite a while at this point, and then we walked back to where we came from. On the way back, we passed people who were coming up to see the view, and they all asked the same question: "How much further?" From answering "We're almost at the cave entrance," we gradually made our way to the foot of the second hill, until the answer became "It's a long way. Hang in there." Sometimes I wonder how we got to this point. Two days, three hills, but this is just a small hill. Let's keep racking up trekking points. It took us about an hour to get down, the same as it took us to go up. It's a little past noon now, and I'm hungry. We've used up a lot of energy. We're going to have lunch at the Yoksod restaurant, as recommended by the staff at the resort. They said the food is delicious. Let's go! Yoksod Restaurant

Eating is a big deal. The sun is right above our heads. Before heading back to Bangkok, let's stop by here for lunch. The staff at the resort where we stayed recommended it. They said the crab here is amazing! But we didn't eat it. We had a soft meal of 3 dishes because we didn't have much time, so we just ordered this much. If we have the chance next time, we'll definitely order the best dishes. The food prices are similar to those at Krua Chom Talay restaurant, 100-150 baht. We really like the atmosphere of the restaurant here. The roof is made of thatch, close to nature (mangrove forest). There are plenty of mud crabs and walking fish. Finally, I found them! I ended up finding them at a restaurant, haha.

Menu 1: Spicy and refreshing "Poh Taek" with a fragrant aroma of basil and a generous serving of seafood.

Menu 2: Deep-fried shrimp. This dish was not very good. The batter coating the shrimp was burnt and had a bitter taste.

Dish 3: Steamed squid with lime. Three huge squid with roe, absolutely delicious!

Tham Sai

Located near Baan Kung Tonad, the cave is not far from the road. You can park your car at the foot of the hill. Inside the cave is quite dark, so a flashlight is necessary. Lanterns are available on weekends, but if you visit on weekdays, you should contact the Baan Kung Tonad village to borrow a lantern or bring your own flashlight. Tham Sai is named after the tree that grows in front of the cave entrance.

Crystal Cave

Located in the area of Khao Chan, on the way to Bang Pu village (3 km before reaching Bang Pu village), from the foot of the mountain, you have to walk for another 15 minutes. It is a very beautiful cave. Inside, there are stalactites and stalagmites, most of which are quite clear and translucent. Walking around the cave is quite difficult because the inside of the cave is very dark. Therefore, it is necessary to have a flashlight and a guide. The name "Khao Kaeo" comes from the sparkling light when exposed to light. ..

As the raindrops began to fall, we quickly rode our motorbike back to our accommodation through the rain, returning the key to P'Nune. That's all the sightseeing we could do for our Saturday-Sunday break this time. This trip gave us a different perspective of Prachuap Khiri Khan province, unlike the bustling beaches of Hua Hin or Cha-am. The beaches here were peaceful and uncrowded. It's time to say goodbye to this place and return to being a salaryman, resuming our usual routine. ...

P.S. Thanks to Iphone 6s and SONY A6000 + Lens 16-50 /F3.5-5.6 OSS PZ
for giving us beautiful pictures throughout this trip

Edit photos in PS + Snapseed

Thank you to everyone who follows. If there is any mistake, I apologize here. I am happy to accept all comments and suggestions.
Thank you to my sister who joined the trip and offered this good trip for us to travel together.

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Summary of expenses for this trip (for 1 person)

The fare for a van from Win Jorakhe to Pran (one way) is 300 baht.

The cost of staying at Baan Kiang Talay is 600 baht.

The cost of renting a car to Bueng Bua and Khao Daeng is 600 baht.

Entrance fee to the park is 40 baht.

Motorcycle rental fee 150 baht

Entrance fee 40 baht

The cost of a van from Win Krok Pran (return trip) is 300 baht.

Other expenses + food expenses 500 baht

Total 2,530 baht