Prachuap Khiri Khan: A Wonderful Thai Town   Recently updated!

Prachuap Khiri Khan: A Wonderful Town – Our New Favorite Place in Thailand

We arrived at the Prachuap Khiri Khan minivan station around 5 p.m., unfolding ourselves from the cramped confines of the van after the long, hot journey. A smiling tuk-tuk driver greeted us enthusiastically, and we climbed aboard, grateful for the fresh air and the short ride to our accommodation. Our destination was The Grand Hotel Prachuap, located right in the heart of town. The hotel itself was pleasant—best described as a functional business hotel—but its location was unbeatable, putting us in the perfect spot to explore the town.

After enduring the stifling heat and close quarters of the minivan, we were in no mood to venture far for dinner. Luckily, the hotel’s restaurant provided an easy solution. It was there that we met Tom, a warm and welcoming member of the restaurant staff. He recommended a local specialty that we simply had to try—a dish featuring a hot and spicy fish sauce, served with dried mackerel and an assortment of fresh greens. The flavors were bold, fiery, and deeply satisfying, making for the perfect introduction to Prachuap’s culinary scene.

The next morning, we set out to explore the town, and what a discovery it was! Prachuap Khiri Khan turned out to be an absolute gem—beautiful, laid-back, and blissfully free from the usual crowds of tourists. The town stretched along a picturesque coastline, boasting a lovely beach framed by dramatic limestone karsts in the distance. The absence of mass tourism gave it an authentic, welcoming feel, and we immediately felt at home.

Tom had mentioned that despite its small size, Prachuap was home to several government offices, a university, and a technical college. This gave the town an unexpectedly lively and bustling atmosphere. There was a vibrant restaurant scene, a fantastic local market, and a steady flow of activity, yet it remained peaceful and unspoiled.

One of the highlights of our stay was the incredible variety of food we experienced. We enjoyed an outstanding Japanese (Japanese Restaurant Fuji San) meal at a small but authentic eatery, indulged in excellent Greek (Greek Taverna Prachuap) cuisine at a seaside restaurant with stunning views, and, of course, savored plenty of fantastic Thai dishes. Every meal was a delight, reaffirming our belief that this town was a hidden treasure for food lovers.

One of the main attractions in town is a towering hill with a temple perched at the top, accessible via a steep staircase of around 300 steps. However, what made the climb particularly daunting was not just the incline, but the large population of mischievous monkeys that resided in and around the temple grounds. At the base of the stairs, sticks were provided for those who dared to make the ascent, meant to ward off overly curious (or aggressive) monkeys. After much consideration, we decided to admire the temple and its mountain backdrop from afar, opting for a peaceful beachside stroll instead.

Our days in Prachuap were spent wandering the charming streets, soaking in the relaxed atmosphere, working on various projects, and, of course, eating amazing food. The town’s slow pace and welcoming vibe made us realize that this was a place we could easily see ourselves settling into for an extended stay. A month or two here, we mused, would be the perfect way to truly experience its charm.

After four blissful days, it was time to leave our newfound paradise and make our way back to the minivan station for the next leg of our journey. As expected, there was the usual wait, and as had become customary, we had to purchase an extra seat for our luggage. Finally, we climbed aboard another packed minivan for the five-hour journey to Bangkok. As we drove away, we couldn’t help but feel a tinge of sadness—our time in Southeast Asia was drawing to an end, but at least we had discovered one of Thailand’s best-kept secrets along the way.