Lonely Planet’s single paragraph dedicated to Prachuap Khiri Khan isn’t very enticing. They describe the region as a rest stop. A place to go if you have time to kill between the bigger island and city destinations.

But the little coastal town turned out to be one of my favorite trips of the year. The best thing about living in a country instead of just traveling through is the opportunity to visit places you never would have considered on a tighter schedule. Prachuap is a perfect example.

 

Khao Lom Muak Hike

A small mountain on the city’s airforce base provides the best views in in the area.

It only takes about an hour to get up but the trail is steep. The trail is only open on holiday weekends because airforce members need to be stationed along the route to help hikers keep their footing.

If you aren’t interested in the view, the best part is at the bottom on the mountain anyway. The cutest monkeys you have ever seen.

Thammikaram Worawihan Temple

In contrast, the this temple has the scariest monkeys you have ever seen. The little scavengers circle the tourists like they are hunting you for dinner. If you dare to go, don’t make eye contact and don’t run away. It only eggs them on. This photo is as far as we made it up the steps before giving in and accepting that we are the inferior primates.

Elephant spotting: Kui Buri National Park

The elephant reserves in Chiang Mai and Kanchanaburi are fun but there is nothing like seeing an elephant in it’s natural habitat. The down side? You can’t get too close.

Ao Manao Beach

Full of amazing food, inner tubes and banana boats. The beach is less picturesque than the diving destinations on Koh Tao and Koh Samui, but it’s just as fun.

Just driving around.

The best part of every trip is always just wandering around with no plan at all. We rented bikes and drove through the back roads to take in the scenery and farmland. Warning: you will get a shorts tan.