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Located 63 kilometres south of Hua Hin in the
vicinity of Kui Buri district, this coastal national park covers an
area of 98 square kilometres with limestone mountains, mangrove swamps,
and beaches. It is also home to various kinds of local and migrating
birds, which are plentiful from November to February. With a large
number of ridges, Khao Sam Roi Yot (or the mountain of 300 peaks)
stands as a landmark for seamen and also provides a good shelter for
ships during a storm. To get to the park, follow the direction signs
marking the remaining distances of 38 and 15 kilometres at Km. 256 and
Km.286.5, respectively. Admission is 200 baht per person.
Attractions within the park area include:
Hat Sam Phraya, located 3.5 kilometres north of the park office, is a beautiful beach lined with pine trees. Accommodation is available.
Tham Kaeo is situated some 23
kilometres from Pran Buri or 15 kilometres north of the park office.
This cave is full of stalactites and stalagmites. Oil lamps can be
rented at a nearby village for exploring the cave.
Tham Sai, is 9 kilometres north
of the park office. Exploration inside the cave takes about half an
hour. Oil lamps can be rented at nearby Khung Tanot Village.
Hat Laem Sala is located 16 kilometres north of
the park office. It can be reached by boat or walking across a hill
from Bang Pu Village. Walking up a beachside mountain for a while,
visitors will arrive at a famous cave called "Tham Phraya Nakhon". The
cave has a big hole through which a shaft of light reaches and permits
the growth of various kinds of plants. Phra Thi Nang Khuha Kharuhat, a
Thai style pavilion, lends the most attractive sight to the cave and
has become the symbol of Prachuap Khiri Khan. It is a four-porched
building first constructed in Bangkok in 1890 during the reign of King
Rama V, then dismantled and moved to the cave where it was
reconstructed. Its gable tops were raised by the King himself.
In addition, there is a viewpoint on Khao Daeng,
400 metres from the park office and Ban Khao Daeng, a canalside
village, which is the starting point for a 1 hour boat trip to watch
wild birds.
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