Break In Between Phuket-bangkok

[mayuri]

we are driving from Phuket to bangkok and would like to take 1 day stopover in between, not able to decide which place would be good to take a stopover (scenic beauty)

i thought of chumphon.. but please share some ideas..

[chiang mai]

Cha Am is my first choice, Hua Hin is my second, the former is inexpensive and has a nice laid back feeling to the place.

[MegaMik]

Khao lak south but then again, you are almost in Phuket.

I stopped by Hua hin on my way to Phuket at one time, the beach is beautiful but I can't say the scenery is tremendous.

I think it's worth it though, I quite like Hua hin.

[123ace]

I have made this trip by car twice but non stop. The best stop though is Pranburi, as it is another 45 mins travel time from HH. It is nicer and far more green than HH. The strectch from HH to bangkok is the hardest going part of this journey, and I do recommned breaking it up.

Also I noticed it is far better to make the drive on a saturday / sunday, as weekdays during school time leads to an almost endless stream of motorbikes with kids riding, all day and the entire length of the trip. Without these helmet-less obstacles it is far safer driving.

[fredob43]

If you like sea food CHA-AM

[keestha]

There is a string of small beach resorts between Chumporn and Hua Hin which would all be a pleasant 1 night stopover.

From South to North: Bang Saphan Noi, Bang Saphan Yai, Ban Krut, Thap Sakae, Ao Manao, Sam Roi Yot, Pranburi.

Have a nice trip.

[realfunster]

Agree with Keestha (and others) I would recommend Ao Manao (or vicinity), Sam Roi Yot and Pranburi for a relaxed and scenic stop over. Cha-am and Hua Hin are not without their charms but are certainly more developed resort towns.

[SpaceKadet]

Chumpon is just a small, pretty boring provincial town. There are a few nice beaches around, but you have to know where and how to get to them. We live close to Chumpon and go shopping there occationally, but the town doesn't do much for me.

Coming from Phuket, you'll probably find HuaHin rather uninteresting, unless farang style tourist town is your thing.

You might want to try BanKrut ( บ้านกรูด ), 100km north of Chumpon, just after BangSaphan. The beach is lined with inexpensive bungalows and eateries, and you'll be lucky to see two farang tourists on the 10km strech of the beach. BanKrut is becoming popular with Bangkok Thais, so there are some upmarket resorts as well. Some Thai soap operas were filmed there. The area is full of coconut plantations and the views from Thang Sai temple are just stunning. It probably is what Patong was before Soi Bangla was built.

From there you'll have around 400km to Bangkok.

Edited April 19, 2010 by SpaceKadet

[Ricardo]

I'm slightly surprised, nobody mentioned Prachuap Khiri Khan yet ? The town itself is small & the beach muddy, but the seafood is good, and there are some nice beaches/resorts north/south of town. Oh, and watch out for the monkeys, in the park !

[SpaceKadet]

Like you said Ricardo, It is small and it is muddy... better stay in Chumpon then. Seafood, on the other hand, is excellent anywhere in PakThai, never being further than 30 minutes from the sea

[mayuri]

Thanks a ton guys, i will check resorts in the places mentioned..

Edited April 20, 2010 by mayuri

[Nana]

I'm slightly surprised, nobody mentioned Prachuap Khiri Khan yet ? The town itself is small & the beach muddy, but the seafood is good, and there are some nice beaches/resorts north/south of town. Oh, and watch out for the monkeys, in the park !

I am always stopping in Prachuap Kiri Khan when driving from Phuket. Unbelieveable cheap seafood. And the hotels on the Beach road will give you some of the best views in Thailand. Get up before sunrise and have your camera ready.

Cheers

Nana

[hkt83100]

I am always stopping in Prachuap Kiri Khan when driving from Phuket.

Same for me. I normally stay at the Prachuap Beach Hotel (on your early morning picture). Spotless clean and good wireless internet connection for free.

[madmitch]

I am just back in Phuket and did a stop in each direction: Prachuap Kiri Khan on the way up. Stayed at the Sun Beach Guesthouse on the beach road. Highly recommended. Good price, nice swimming pool, free wifi and very clean. Thai/German run. Ao Manao is a short drive away as is the aquarium at Waghor. No dual pricing here, 20 baht for everyone.

On the way back I stopped at Thung Wua Laen, a beach resort just outside Chumphon, signposted from highway 4. Very laid back beach. Plenty of small bungalow resorts (we paid 600 baht at Golden Bungalows; no wifi and only Thai TV channels) and a couple of nice beach bars. So different to the main beach areas of Phuket.

I would stay at both places again next time we make the trip but will also try Ban Krut and Bangsaphan on other occasions.

In the past I have always stopped at Hua Hin but it doesn't have any charm at all but if you like farang orientated places then this is the place for you.

[jackdawson]

Break In Between Phuket-bangkok

who do u think did it. i mean broke into your ride ?