T.I.C.D.: Prachuap Khiri Khan coast & islands (Part II: Mueang Prachuap & Thap Sakae)
Part two of the islands and coastal shores of Prachuap province, condensed.
Welcome back to the Thai Island & Coastal Directory, a book-in-progress that promises to be the most complete guide to coastal Thailand ever written in English, covering more than 800 islands and all 24 coastal provinces.
For info on how to use the T.I.C.D. and a working Table of Contents, paddle here.
T.I.C.D. ticker: So far, we’ve covered 371 islands and 140 notable mainland areas in 29 sections, including this one.
(To view all previously published sections of the T.I.C.D. and many other articles, see the welcome page.)
Resuming Prachuap Khiri Khan province…
Now we’re in the far SW reaches of the Upper Gulf coastal zone; so far, in fact, that whether these areas fall into Thailand’s S or C regions is up for debate.
Prachuap’s four N districts (covered in the previous section) draw the bulk of travelers thanks largely to the popularity of Hua Hin. Those who venture to the four S districts (covered below and in the next section) tend to attract more seasoned and/or domestic travelers in search of quieter beach areas and perhaps a stay in the scenic provincial capital, Mueang Prachuap.
Mueang Prachuap & Thap Sakae district coasts
The provincial capital is nicknamed “city of three bays” after Ao Prachuap, Ao Noi and Ao Manao, all of which are well worth a visit. The city’s seafront area is about as scenic as Thailand’s 77 provincial capitals get — watch fishers unload their catches from petite boats as a few travelers peddle bicycles through the salty air and limestone massifs tower over a photogenic pier and several offshore isles. This city with a small town feel also has some terrific food and sightseeing, making it a less touristy alternative to Hua Hin.
Further S, Hat Wanakorn NP in A. Thap Sakae is home to the province’s longest protected beaches along with a sizable and notably well-preserved reef set between the park’s two obscure islands, Ko Chan and Ko Tai See.
Coastal areas and islands below are arranged from N to S.