PATTAYA HOTEL REVIEWS

If you’re an avid beachgoer who enjoy the classic beach elements of sun, sea, sand and warm, clear waters, Pranburi is not going to disappoint. Throw in a beautiful setting against the backdrop of verdant forests, a national park with mountains and an estuary, and you start getting the picture. On route to Pranburi from Hua Hin – about a 30-km drive – you will pass several quiet bays which are good for swimming. South of Pranburi is Khao Sam Roi Yot (‘three hundred peaks’) National Park with its rugged limestone hills, part of the Tenasserim Mountains, which line the coast. These are full of ravines and caverns, some of which can be reached by the park’s network of roads and trails.

Whether you’re looking for a completely isolated and quiet spot or a place that offers water sports, you’re likely to find a piece of beach heaven in Pranburi. On the main beach there are some vendors too who ensure that you won’t go hungry or thirsty, while most resorts have direct beach access with activity programs and facilities for guests. Pranburi’s beaches are never really crowded – even on weekends when there’s a big influx of visitors from Bangkok.

Facilities on Pranburi Beach
Public facilities like restrooms and showers do not exist at any of Pranburi’s beaches. However, if you’re on the main beach there are restrooms close by at restaurants in the town or of course at resorts – the latter intended for the exclusive use of guests.

Beach Vendors
A ‘quick fix’ to quench your thirst or fill that gap between meals is well taken care of by beach vendors found on popular beaches. Snack-type meals typically consist of fresh fruit (sliced up in bite-sized pieces), deep-fried squid and shrimp, as well as other small delicacies. There are also some vendors who sell handicrafts, and ones you can rent beach chairs and parasols from. The vendors are cheerful and friendly, and seldom cause an irritation.

What to Eat
Other than light snacks you can buy from beach vendors, your choices are limited to the restaurants of resorts and a few small Thai-style eateries that set up shop in some open areas along the beach. There are some fantastic seafood restaurants that can be found too, but these are not necessarily within walking distance from the beach. Heading to the village on foot from the beach is also not an option. Unless you plan to enjoy lunch at your hotel, a good idea might be to pop into the new supermarket in town to buy picnic eats and goodies.

Water Sports and Beach Activities
Pranburi’s beautiful and serene beaches are not only perfect for soaking in the sun and enjoying the scenery, but there’s also lots to do when you get bored – if not at the beach, certainly close by. Popular water sports and activities include canoeing, kayaking, snorkeling, speed boats trips, jet skis, banana boats, beach volleyball and football.

Thanks to its long and peaceful coastline on the Gulf of Thailand, hotels and resorts are thinly spread out to make for a clutter-free area that’s never over-crowded, and most have direct beach access. The beach is clean and the water is clear, void of the busy activities that are often found on Thailand’s popular beaches. Even so, some activities are offered to make the beach here a fun experience for those who seek a little bit more than just a deck chair and umbrella for the day (these are either provided by the hotels or can be rented from vendors at some popular spots).

From pony rides on the beach and thrilling banana boat rides for the kids (and grown-ups!) to waterskiing, windsurfing and parasailing for adventure-seeking beach lovers, Cha-Am’s long beach offers something for everyone. If it’s a peaceful spot you’re after to bury your nose in a book, or a traditional Thai massage under a parasol, you’re easily covered too. It’s a great place to take a long stroll too – or for a jog – especially at sunrise or late in the afternoon when it’s cooler. All along the beach are patches of trees fringing it (not palms), and a humorous aspect of Cha-Am is that these are the spots where you’ll find Thai visitors, while tourists seek out open areas to bronze up. A beach holiday wouldn’t be complete after all without a tan to show off when arriving back home.

Facilities on Cha-Am Beach
Don’t expect any facilities like washrooms, showers or mooring for boats on Cha-Am’s beach. Other than renting deckchairs and beach umbrellas from vendors at some popular areas, beach facilities that do exist are provided by resorts and exclusively for the use of guests.

Beach Vendors
Beach vendors can be either a nuisance or a blessing. In Cha-Am, the latter applies. There aren’t many, and you won’t get harassed as often as it happens on popular beaches elsewhere in Thailand. From fruit, Thai-style snacks like deep-fried shrimp and crab, to cold refreshments, ice-cream, beach gear and some handicrafts perhaps, these vendors are friendly locals who go about their business in a polite and discreet fashion, and won’t bother you at all unless you show an interest in their merchandise.

What to Eat
Other than light snacks you can buy from beach vendors, your choices are limited to the restaurants of resorts and a few small Thai-style eateries that set up shop in some open areas along the beach. There are some fantastic seafood restaurants that can be found too, but these are not necessarily within walking distance from the beach. Heading to the village on foot from the beach is also not an option. Unless you plan to enjoy lunch at your hotel, a good idea might be to pop into the new supermarket in town to buy picnic eats and goodies.

Water Sports and Beach Activities
Cha-Am perfectly balances beach activities and water sports without compromising the serenity of its peaceful beach. If you’re looking for a fun activity, you’ll find plenty to do: water-skiing, jet skis, sailing, windsurfing, and parasailing are all popular, or how about a game of frisbee or beach volleyball? For kids there are pony rides and banana boat rides, and many resorts also offer activity programs. The seabed at Cha-Am is mostly sandy (no coral reefs).

Well-known for its spectacular sunrises, Hua Hin’s main beach is a 4km white, sandy strip that fringe the Gulf of Thailand, and stretches from the town centre to Khao Takiap. As a result it is never over-crowded, and lots of family-friendly activities are on offer – the likes of pony rides, banana boat rides, or rent deckchairs and umbrellas for a few lazy hours of sun-worshipping in between testing the water with your big toe. The town’s name – meaning ‘stone head’ – is derived from the rock formations that can be seen towards the end of the main beach. Other than that it is a sandy beach with a sandy sea bed, making it ideal for swimming.

One of the most popular pastimes on the beach is to take a long stroll – or even a jog, if you’re so inclined – along the seashore. Further south, behind Khao Takiap, lies Suan Son Beach, named after the many pine trees found along the beach. It’s even more isolated than Hua Hin Beach, mostly frequented by guests staying at nearby hotels and some locals. The main emphasis at Hua Hin’s beaches is on rest and relaxation, and they do not have the crowds often found on Thailand’s popular beaches. Water-skiing, jet ski, windsurfing and parasailing are other popular beach activities, but in no way disrupt the overall peace and tranquility of these beaches. And since you’re in Thailand, chances are good that you’ll find an ‘al fresco’ massage shop somewhere on a beach.