We are around half an hour south of Hua Hin and 3 1/2 hours from Krungthep (Bangkok) by car, depending on traffic. To get here, you can take one of the daily trains from Bangkok's Hua Lumpong Station then get a taxi or car to Pranburi, or organise for us to pick you up before hand.You can drive directly from Krunthep (Bangkok) or take one of the many government and private buses that go from Bangkok to Pranburi from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal. There are also private mini buses that make the trip from Bangkok to Pranburi on a daily basis. These are run by various companies, much like airport shuttles. We can help you organise this.
In Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park lies the Phraya Nakhon Cave, which shelters a gorgeous royal pavilion. The cave is actually two sinkholes that collapsed, creating a sunlit cavern. Roots dangle down from above and trees grow up from the bottom. The cave was first discovered about 200 years ago by its namesake, the Thai ruler Phraya Nakhon, who was forced ashore during a storm.
Atop the more than 500 foot tall peak of Khao Dang you can get a breathtaking view of the surrounding coastline. This is the best way to experience the beauty of the hidden gem, "The mountain with 300 peaks". The various easy walking trails that cris-cross the park lead to the summit of many of the limestone monoliths, the highest of which, at 605 metres, is the Khao Daeng viewpoint. Up here, Pran Buri is a topographical wonder; a mesmerising patchwork of fields, shrimp farms and epic coastline.
Khao Sam Roi Yot’s dramatic backdrop of endless limestone peaks festooned in lush greenery inspired its name (Khao Sam Roi Yot means "the mountain with three hundred peaks"). Peppered with marshes, wetlands and mangrove swamps, the mountains house an abundance of wildlife, including barking deer, crab-eating macaques and serow, an Asian goat-antelope. Bird-life is vibrant and there have been over 300 species recorded, many of which migrate from China, Siberia and Northern Europe. The best times to see them is between November and May as they firstly fly southwards and then back north as the park is on the main Asian-Australian flyway of birds. You can also enjoy the magnificent of lotus lake!
Pak Nam Pran or Pran Buri Estuary is blessed with picturesque scenery. It covers the area from Pranburi Forest Park to Pranburi Beach. Where Pranburi River flows into the Gulf of Thailand, the area is home to a lush mangrove forest and a small fishing community. At the fishing village, there's a market where you can buy fresh seafood, sun-dried shrimps, squids and seafood based condiments. Take a stroll on a 1km long wooden boardwalk that crisscrosses through a dense mangrove forest and section of the Pranburi River. Emerge at the eastern end of the forest and find the casuarina (she-oak) fringed beach stretching as far as your eyes can see.
Located about 5km west of the Pranburi Estuary (Pak Nam Pran) and set on a low hill, Tabtim Shrine offers spectacular panoramas of the Pranburi Estuary (Pak Nam Pran), the river and surrounding villages. The shrine features carved walls and columns in Chinese style, painted in bright colours. Inside, it houses the spirit of the Goddess Tabtim, Chinese Goddess of Good Weather, highly respected by Chinese fishermen. Legend has it that an old Chinese merchant came from China and built the shrine atop the hill. Local villagers have come to respect the Goddess, for her miraculous protective powers. Many of the local shop houses in Pranburi Town feature Chinese script over their doors, implying a strong Chinese influence in the area.