Readme before you journey
Hello everyone, this is my first post on Pantip. I've been wanting to write a review for a while now, but I've been too lazy to do it. ^^
Let's get straight to the point. During the recent holiday, I had the opportunity to take a solo trip to Prachuap Khiri Khan and climb Khao Lom Muak, a mountain I had heard about for a long time. I took some pictures and would like to share my travel experience with you.
Visit my page "Let's Journey" to chat and explore my various trips.
Day 1: I started my journey from Bangkok at 11:00 AM. I drove alone for 319 kilometers, which took approximately 4.30 hours.
Around 3:30 PM, I arrived in Prachuap Khiri Khan city. I stopped by the hostel I had booked, De Hostel, to drop off my belongings. The hostel cost 440 baht per night and had shared bathrooms, which wasn't a problem for me as I was traveling solo. The accommodation was quite decent and conveniently located near Prachuap Khiri Khan Hospital. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of the hostel, so I apologize for that. After settling in, it was time to explore the city.
The first place I visited was the Prachuap Khiri Khan City Pillar Shrine. Upon arriving in Prachuap, I felt it was necessary to pay respects at the city pillar shrine.
The City Pillar Shrine, which houses the city pillar, is built in the Lopburi architectural style. It has a nine-tiered prang with four faces, following the Siamese Lopburi style. The top tier houses a Buddha statue, while the remaining tiers house various deities. The first gable features the emblem of Rahu, the eclipse demon, swallowing the moon. The remaining gables feature deities surrounded by a double-layered wall. The top is carved with a four-headed, four-faced figure in the Srivijaya art style and is covered in gold leaf and adorned with gemstones.
We then continued to Khao Chong Krachok, which is located nearby.
Khao Chong Krachok, a modest mountain rising 245 meters above sea level, stands on the shores of Ao Prachuap, near Wat Thamikaram Worawihan. The mountain's summit features a transparent opening resembling a glass frame. A concrete staircase with 396 steps leads to the top.
Atop the mountain, a replica of the Buddha's footprint and a stupa enshrining a relic of the Buddha are enshrined. His Majesty the King bestowed the relic and ascended the stairs to the stupa on the mountaintop, where he performed the enshrinement ceremony on June 12, 1958. He also planted a Bodhi tree in the area above. However, along the way up, you will encounter a large number of monkeys, so please be careful with your belongings.
Statue of Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse, Duke of Chumphon
From the top, we can clearly see the panoramic view of Ao Prachuap, Khao Lom Muak, and the city of Prachuap Khiri Khan.
The tall mountain you see is Mount Mong Lai.
The monkeys were feeding each other, which was incredibly adorable.
Looking westward, one can see the Tanaosiri Mountains in the distance, as well as the city of Prachuap Khiri Khan.
After enjoying the panoramic view until the sun began to set, it was time to descend. We decided to park our car near the hostel and walk to the "Saranwithi Bridge." This bridge was once the Prachuap Bay Fish Market, located about 1 kilometer from our accommodation. The evening atmosphere at the bridge was fantastic, with people strolling, taking photos, and enjoying meals together. The ambiance was truly remarkable.
A long bridge extending into the sea of Ao Prachuap.
Across from the Saranaphirom Bridge stands the Phra Upakut Shrine, where the statue of Phra Upakut sits facing the sea. According to Buddhist scriptures, Phra Upakut meditated while staring directly at the sun, which was an obstacle to his spiritual practice. Therefore, worshipping Phra Upakut is believed to be a way of seeking strength to overcome obstacles.
On Friday, I had the opportunity to visit the walking street located along the beachfront road near the bridge. This street market is only open on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 pm to 11 pm. I decided to have dinner there, and after satisfying my hunger, I returned to my room to rest and prepare for my climb up Khao Lom Muak the next morning.
Day 2: An Early Ascent to Khao Lom Muak
Waking up before dawn at 5:45 AM, I quickly showered and dressed before driving to Khao Lom Muak, located within the 5th Air Force Wing in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. This limestone mountain, standing 902 feet above sea level, separates Ao Manao and Ao Prachuap Khiri Khan bays. Arriving just after 6:00 AM, I found around 10 other people preparing to ascend the mountain. Before embarking on our climb, we registered with officials at a nearby tent.
Registration for climbing Khao Lom Muak opens from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM. However, those who wish to climb must register before 10:30 AM to be eligible. It is recommended to arrive early for a less crowded and more comfortable climb, especially as the morning sun is not as intense.
After registering, visit the Shrine of the Father of the Hat to pay respects before starting the climb.
Inside the shrine is a statue of Chao Pho Khao Lom Mo Wak, a Chinese man with a long beard and mustache, exuding kindness. A stone inscription in front of the shrine describes Chao Pho Khao Lom Mo Wak as a Chinese immigrant who settled in this land during the Ayutthaya period. During his lifetime, he performed many good deeds, earning the respect of the people. He lived to the age of 97. His accumulated virtue and charisma transformed him into a sacred spirit, a powerful deity residing at Khao Lom Mo Wak. He continues to bless and bestow happiness and prosperity upon all living beings.
Things to prepare before climbing:
1. These gloves are essential because we need to grip the rope and climb up.
2. Water, please. I'm sure I'll be thirsty upstairs.
3. Sneakers are required for entry. Visitors without sneakers will not be allowed access.
4. Long pants are recommended as the rocks above can be quite sharp and can cause cuts. They can also provide protection from the sun.
5. Sun protection gear, such as arm sleeves and hats, is essential as the sun becomes intense in the afternoon.
The hike begins around 6:30 AM with a steep staircase climb that lasts for 20-40 minutes. The trail then transitions to a dirt path with ropes for support, requiring an additional 1-2 hours of climbing depending on individual fitness levels.
Certain sections here require rock climbing skills. Gloves would be extremely helpful.
The closer you get to the summit, the steeper the climb becomes, with an incline of almost 90 degrees. However, there is no need to worry, as there will be soldiers along the way to assist you, ensuring your safety. However, it is important to remember to remain vigilant and avoid complacency.
Upon reaching the summit, we were greeted with a breathtaking view. The sun began to rise majestically from the horizon, casting a golden glow over the ocean. The atmosphere was truly magical.
The view is beautiful, so I'm going to take a short break here. We're not at the summit yet, so we need to keep walking for a bit longer.
The advantage of waking up early in the morning is that you can see the sunrise. Plus, the sun isn't too hot, and there aren't many people around.
Finally, we reached the summit of Lom Muak Mountain. The top is covered with many sharp rocks, so please be careful.
The view from here encompasses the entire Gulf of Prachuap. From this vantage point, you can enjoy a 360-degree panorama, taking in all three bays of the city.
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The wind was very strong at the top, so be sure to hold on to your hat. There is also a Thai flag at the top that you can hold for a cool photo. However, be careful when taking photos, as there is a steep drop below. Do not take any risks.
The upper level features a replica of the Buddha's footprint, as well as statues of the Buddha in various postures, including the meditating posture, the reclining posture, and the concentrated posture. Numerous smaller Buddha statues are also present.
Let's move on to the other side of the viewpoint, where you can see Ao Manao Bay. On the right side, you'll find the 5th Air Wing. Please be aware that taking pictures of the airport from Khao Lom Muak is prohibited due to national security concerns.
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As I arrived early in the morning when there were few people, I was able to take photos from various angles at my leisure. When I checked the time again, it was already 9:00 AM. The sun was getting stronger, and more and more people were coming up. So, I decided to go down. The descent route was the same as the ascent route, so we had to take turns going up and down for safety reasons.
On the way down, we also encountered a spectacled langur. As soon as it saw us reaching into our pockets, it stared intently.
The descent took approximately half an hour, and upon reaching the bottom, we encountered another spectacled langur. This time, we managed to snap a selfie together before embarking on our return journey. During the drive back, we realized we had ample time to squeeze in another sightseeing stop, especially since we were already in Prachuap Khiri Khan. Determined to make the most of our trip, we decided to visit a place I had never been to before: the Phraya Nakhon Cave. With that, we fired up Google Maps and set off on our adventure.
Driving straight ahead, I arrived at Bang Pu at 11:30 AM. You can park your car at Bang Pu Temple. There are two routes to reach Phraya Nakhon Cave.
This refers to traveling by boat. You can rent a boat from Bang Pu village to Laem Sala Beach for around 400 baht per boat, which can accommodate approximately 7-8 people. The journey takes about 20 minutes, going around the mountain. This is a good option for those who do not want to walk.
Another route is to walk, which requires crossing two mountains to reach Phraya Nakhon Cave. You must first walk across Khao Thian, which is about 530 meters long, to reach Laem Sala Beach. Then, you must climb another 430 meters to reach the cave. Of course, as a budget-conscious adventurer, I chose to walk.
The trail across Khao Thian is a scenic path that hugs the mountainside. On the left, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the sea. The path alternates between paved sections and natural terrain.
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Continue walking. If you start to see Laem Sala Beach, you'll know you're halfway there.
Descending from Khao Thian, we encountered a serene and secluded beach teeming with foreign tourists. As we ambled past the pine trees, we noticed a signpost indicating the path to Phraya Nakhon Cave.
Before reaching the mountain trail, a sign warns: "Individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, please consider carefully before ascending." This serves as a safety precaution for those embarking on the trek to the cave.
At that moment, seeing this sign and looking up the mountain, I exclaimed "Oh!" There were still 430 meters to go, and it was around noon at that time.
My legs are very tired from climbing Khao Lom Muak to Tham Phraya Nakhon, but since I've come this far, I'll keep going!
The climb takes about half an hour, depending on one's physical strength. Upon reaching the cave entrance, a cool breeze can be felt blowing from above. Looking up at the cave ceiling, one can see a skylight that allows light to filter through. A stone bridge can be seen at the mouth of the skylight, known as the "Bridge of Death".
Continuing our journey, we encountered our unseen Thailand destination: the "Phra Thinang Khuha Kharuehasan." This pavilion, built in the reign of King Rama V, is a four-sided structure. It was constructed in Bangkok and later assembled on-site during the King's visit on June 20, 1890. Prince Khun Charoen Charaswong designed the pavilion, and Phraya Chaloeyuthayothin oversaw its construction. King Chulalongkorn himself raised the gable finial.
Unfortunately, we arrived too late to witness the light hitting the Phra Thinang Khuha Kharueha Pavilion directly. The light only shines on the pavilion between 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM, and we missed that window.
After that, we walked around taking pictures from different angles and then asked to sit down and rest for a long time before heading back. The way back was... the same way we came!
This concludes our trip to Prachuap for 2 days and 1 night. If there are any new trips, I will share them with you again.
Tae's Journey
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 9:15 PM
