T.I.C.D.: Prachuap Khiri Khan coast & islands (Part III: Bang Saphan & Ko Thalu)
Part three of the coastal shores and islands 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 379 islands and 145 notable mainland areas in 30 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…
The length of the Prachuap coast — more than twice that of most other coastal provinces — prompted me to break it and the accompanying islands into three sections. This final leg of the Upper Gulf covers subdued beach areas that have developed a fan club of retirees, long stayers and kite surfers who don’t mind being at least an hour’s drive from the nearest city.
Bang Saphan & Bang Saphan Noi district coasts
Some of the province’s best beaches are found in these two closely related districts, where the arcadian feel is conducive to renting a bungalow or house by the week or month, and relaxing to the bone. Head further S to find some strikingly red-hued sandstone cliffs within view of the Ko Thalu group, which is part of Ao Siam NP and probably the most notable scuba-diving spot in Prachuap province.
Coastal areas and islands below are arranged from N to S.