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For too long the resorts of Cha-Am and Hua Hin have been linked
with a "&" for no valid reason. There is no reason
why they should be linked, they are both in different provinces,
Cha-Am in Petchaburi and Hua Hin in Prachuab Kirikhan and each has
their own sector of the travel market. "Cha-Am is a retreat,
it's an escape from Bangkok," explained Danny Chan, General
Manager of The Regent Cha-Am, "The guest who likes to come
here will not enjoy Hua Hin and most definitely not Pattaya. The
appeal of Cha Am is that it has no night life!"
The charm of Cha-Am is what it can offer families with young children
or those in the golden years of their life that are either close
to retirement or are already enjoying it, a quiet well ordered lifestyle
free from the hassle of beach vendors.
WHAT TO SEE IN CHA-AM
In addition to having a great beach, there are many places of interest
in the area that are no more than 45 mins away by car. Phra Nakom
Khiri or Khao Wang is a hilltop palace, built by King Rama IV in
1859. The style is mainly European with some Thai and Chinese influences.
Sitting on three peaks, the temple of Wat Phra Khew is to the east;
the main stupa of Phra That Chom Phet in the middle and the residential
Grand Palace to the west.
Both Kings Rama IV & V used the palace at their leisure and
to entertain their visitors. After the death of King Rama V, it
was used less and less and sadly slipped into a state of decay.
In 1935 it was registered as a national momument by the Fine Arts
Department and was restored to be a National Museum and National
Park. Open daily 9am-4pm. It can be conveniently reached by funicular
railway roundtrip B40. Once at the top entrance to the Museum is
B30 for foreigners and B10 for Thais. It is an excellent half-day
excursion and takes a couple of hours to walk the path linking the
three peaks. The views are spectacular.
Phra That Chom Pet was renovated by Rama IV by covering the existing
one and is 40 meters tall and 20 wide. He was also responsible for
constructing Wat Phra Kaew in the same style as the building of
the Temple of the Emerald Buddha at the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
Being a keen and knowledgeable astronomer, the King also built Chatchawan
Wiangchai Observatory to study the stars and constellations. A statue
of the King is housed in Wechayan Wichien Prasat; a temple built
in Prang style that was typical of the period. The King's bedroom
was in an interesting two storey Chinese building Pramot Mahaisawan
Hall.
To complete the full walk linking the three peaks can be tiring
and visitors are advised to take enough fresh drinking water.
Have gone back down the hill, Phra Ram Ratchaniwert Palace is close
by in the Army compound. King Rama V was frequently sick during
the rainy season, especially in the month of September, at this
site was chosen as it was the best place for him to stay when the
rains came. Building of the south facing palace started on 19th
August 1910, designed by a German architect Karl Dohring, with Dr
Bayer responsible for the projects engineering. The two-storey building,
with two domes and a brown tiled roof from China, was styled on
Kaiser Wilhelm's Palace in Germany. Sadly, King Rama V died before
the building was completed. Rama VI finally completed the construction
in 1916.
The simple looking exterior hides its elaborate interior. On the
east side, there is a perfect geometrically symmetric circular staircase
with tiled pillars decorated with cherub statues. The upstairs circular
hall is art nouveau.
The Royal Dinning Room is a blend of modern German and French art
nouveau with a statue of Poseidon, the Greek God of the Sea.
Thailand's first ever known Badminton Court was laid in what is
now a small courtyard with a fountain. The Queen's Bedroom above
had an uninterrupted view of the former court. From the Kings Bedroom,
there is an unobscured view of Khao Wang.
Another must see is Mrigadayavan Palace the "royal home of
love and hope" of King Rama VI. This site was chosen when the
fresh water supply at the existing royal residence at Khai Luang
became scarce. Not only did Huay Sai Nua have an abundance but it
was also close to a railway station. The King decided to dismantle
the former palace and reassemble it on the more desirable site.
The palace is built of Thong (Golden) Teak with empty space under
the building in the style of a traditional Thai house. The building
is supported by 1,080 concrete columns, all of which have their
base immersed in water at ground level to prevent ants and insects
entering the building. All the buildings are by airy walkways. There
is a Gatsbyesque quality to wonder with bare feet on polished teak
and feel the cool sea breeze in your hair.
While staying, the King on their first visit in 1924 Phranangchao
Intharasak Sachi, the royal consort fell pregnant and the King was
delighted with the thought that he might soon have a son. But his
hopes faded fast when it was discovered that the royal consort could
not give birth. The King nursed his wife with concern and sadness
at the Palace.
Rama VI returned to Mrigadayavan Palace with Phranangchao Suwattha,
another royal consort and were in residence from 12 April until
20 June 1925. It was as if the King had come back to say farewell
to the royal residence that he loved as he died shortly after returning
to Bangkok.
Mrigadayavan Palace, Rama VI Camp, Cha-Am Petchburi 76120
(66-32-471401, 4711300).
Phra Ram Ratchaniwet Palace, Royal Thai Army Camp, Petchaburi
(66-32-428506-10).
Entrance to both Palaces is free of charge.
GETTING AROUND
Tours and transport to the many sights around Cha-am can be arranged
by the major resort hotels. Alternatively, there are regular and
inexpensive bus services between the main centres. In the resorts,
the most common means of transportation is the trishaw which can
accommodating two passengers.
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
Resort hotels offer an excellent choice of restaurants serving a
variety of cuisines. In addition Cha-am has several simple but good
restaurants where the local specialty is deliciously fresh seafood.
ATTRACTIONS IN CHA-AM
Cha-Am Beach
It is a very beautiful beach. The access road to the beach is two
kilometers long.
NEIGHBORING ATTRACTIONS
Kaeng Krachan Dam
This dam is located in Amphoe Tha Yang, 51 kilometers from Cha-Am.
One can go two ways: First is to travel to Amphoe Tha Yang; then
30 kilometers beyond Tha Yang is the dam site. Another way is to
travel by Highway No. 4 where a right turn in made between Km. 186-187;
travel 30 kilometers more.
Chao Samran Beach
This beach, 51 kilometers from Cha-Am, used to be a famous seaside
resort in the old days. Legend says that King Naresuan the Great
and King Eka Thotsarot used to make royal visits there. They enjoyed
the beauty of this beach so much that they spent many nights there
causing the villagers to call it the "Beach of Royal Leisure"
Four kilometers from Chao Samran Beach is Laem Luang Beach - a
white sandy beach some two kilometers in length. Seven kilometers
from Chao Samran Beach is Pukitian Beach which is the latest popular
beach in Phetchaburi.
Khao Wang
This hill is located in the vicinity of Amoghoe Muang Phetchaburi,
36 kilometers from Cha-Am is 92 meters high. King Mongkut was very
fond of Khao Wang so he commanded a palace built on top of it in
the year 1860 to be used for vacationing; he named it Phra Nakhon
Khiri. However, Phetchaburi inhabitants have called it "Khao
Wang" until now. At present, Khao Wang is established as Phra
Nakhon Khiri National Museum, open to the public from 09.00-16.00
hours every day. The entrance fee is 10 baht per person.
Khao Luang Cave
The cave is located in Khao Luang hill which is only 92 meters high,
and five kilometers from Khao Wang. Khao Luang Cave is regarded
as the most important cave of the province because it houses a Buddha
image cast by the royal command of King Chulalongkorn as a dedication
to King Nang Klao and King Mongkut.
On the right hand of Khao Luang access road at the foot of the
hill there is a large monastery called "Wat Tham Klaep"
or Wat Bun-thawi which has a very large multipurpose hall. The Sala
Kanparian and wooden door panels of the Ubosot are beautifully carved.
Khao Bandai It
This is a rather small hill, 121 meters high, located two kilometers
from Khao Wang. An ancient monastery built in the Ayutthaya period
is named Wat Khao Bandai It. There are several caves on this hill
such as Tham Prathum, Tham Phra Chao Sua, and Tham Phra Puttha Saiyat.
Khao Yoi Cave
This cave is located on Khao Yoi hill,67 kilometers from Cha-Am.
Various Buddha images are housed in the cave. Khao Yoi Cave was
the place where King Mongkut practised meditation while he was in
the monkhood.
NEIGHBORING ATTRACTIONS
Sam Roi Yot National Park
This park is 58 kilometers from Hua Hin town ship. It occupies an
area of 61,300 rais (some 24,520 acres) and was designated as a
national park on June 28, 1966. The geographical characteristics
of the park consist of high limestone mountains, wide Marshland
near the sea shore, and islands. In addition, it is also the center
of various species and families of plants and trees as well as the
home of wild animals. There are three caves worth visiting within
the park: Keaw Cave, Sai Cave and Phrayanakhon Cave.
There are bungalows and a camping area for those who require an
overnight stay in the park. Reservations can be made at the National
Park Division, Forestry Department Tel. (02) 5790529
Prachuap Bay
This bay is situated in the vicinity of Prachuap Khiri Khan township,90
kilometers from Hua Hin. Its beach is long and pleasant. There are
bungalow accommodation operated by both the Provincial Administration
Organizations and the Municipality for public service. Details can
be obtained by telephoning (032) 611204
Manao Bay
This bay is located five kilometers from Prachuap Khiri Khan township
area and is administered by the Royal Thai Airforce. A permit should
be obtained from the commander of the 53rd Squadron, Prachuap Khiri
Khan, prior to a visit.
Mirror Mountain
Klai Kangwon Palace Or Khao Chong Kra Chok stands near by Prachuap
King Phra Plokklao commanded. It is built in the year Khiri Khan
provincial office (Chang Wat Hall), is a small 1926. The palace
is located 3 kilometers from Amphoe hill. At the top you may enjoy
the view of Prachuap Hua Hin Office. A permit must be obtained from
the Khiri Khan Bay and town.
Wanakon Beach
This beach is 22 kilometers from Prachuap Khiri Khan township. Travel
to Km. 345, make a right turn and go 3.5 kilometers to the sign
board saying "Huai Yang Arboretum". The seven kilometers
long beach is lined with sea pines. Accommodation facilities can
be reserved at the Faculty of Forest Affairs, Kasetsart University,
Tel. (02) 5790520 Huai Yang Waterfall Forest Park A few kilometers
from Wanakon Beach, this is an ideal place for picnics and natural
sight-seeing
TRANSPORTATION
By Bus
Air-conditioned buses leave Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal (Tel.
(02) 435-5032, 435-5097, 4357455) 36 times daily between 4.20 a.m..
and 4.20 p.m. (40 minute intervals).
Non-air-conditioned coaches leave from Bangkok's Southern Bus terminal
on Petkasem Road 19 times daily.
By Train
Trains depart daily from Bangkok for Cha-Am.
Express Diesel Railcar leaves Bangkok daily at 9.15 p.m.
Express trains leave Bangkok 5 times daily at 2.00 p.m., 3.15 p.m.,
5.05 p.m.,7.20p.m.and 10.35 p.m.
Rapid trains leave Bangkok 4 times daily at 12.35 p.m., 4 p.m.,
5.45 p.m., and 6.30 p.m.
Diesel Railcars leave Bangkok twice daily at 9.00 a.m. and 1.40
p.m.
LIST OF GOLF COURSES
Cha-Am Villa And Golf Club Tel. (032) 471 -973
Palm Hills Resort And Country Club
Tel. (032) 520-800.
Royal Hua Hin Golf Course
Tel. (032) 511-585
Sawang Resort Golf Club Tel. (032) 499-555
Springfield Royal Country Club Of Cha-Am
Tel (032)471-324.
Lake View Golf Course and Yatch Club
Tel.(02) 440-0230-9
Majestic Creek Country Club Tel. (032)520- 162
Kang Krachan Country Club
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