Day 4 - Tuesday 31 January 2017

Mini tour........Having declared that Prachuap Khiri Khan is a mini-tour I may as well make the most of it. For the third day running I awake with the ocean on my doorstep but at three different locations less than 50 kilometres apart. Yet it’s not been about how I’ve spent the nights that have caused me stay longer than expected in the area but how I’ve spent the days. This morning we find ourselves pretty well on our own but have managed without the nearby conveniences we often have but the situation is always the same. You don’t move on because things are not perfect because you know wherever you move to won’t be perfect too. You move because things will be different. At 11am we’re ready for that.
Ban Krut Beach........Google Map. Knowing something about this coastline I know the coastal road runs along the beach in places but often moves inland to cross rivers or other natural barriers. Sometimes the barriers are manmade. For the best part of an hour we move south, still in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. On the way I’m keen to travel along Ban Krut beach road where I stayed on my last visit here. This location has been wedged in my mind ever since as a place I would like to return to. The force that makes me always go for something different has prevented my return when it would have been so easy to do. As I pass Proudthai Resort, nothing has changed so why must I change? Unless something spectacular happens at my next location I promise myself I will stay here on my way back to Bangkok. Hmmmm! As I leave the beach road it’s as if time has stood still here except that this area must have suffered in the recent floods. Structural repairs are underway where streams have burst their banks and damaged property.
Prachuap Khiri Khan exit........It’s still not quite lunchtime but we stopover in Bang Saphan before heading back to the Petkasem Road. The road between Prachuap and Chumphon is just about the worst stretch of national highway in Thailand. I know it’s 180 kilometres long but it’s been this way for many years. There are still diversions in place where it’s quicker to use coastal roads. By now Katoon has taken the driving and I get some sleep. When I wake up we’re finally out of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province and not far from a major intersection near Chumphon. At this point this section of my blog ends so put the kettle on and I’ll see you the other side of the break.
Petkasem Road........Now in the second section of the last tour of this winter having departed Prachuap Khiri Khan Province we’re now nearing Chumphon where we have to negotiate a major intersection. We need to proceed along the same Petkasem Road, Highway 4 (AH2) that originated on the outskirts of Bangkok. However it’s a close neighbour, Highway 41 that continues south to Surat Thani and Thailand’s southern provinces and is the most developed of the two. The Petkasem Highway runs west now, crossing the peninsula towards the Andaman Sea over what’s known as the Isthmus of Kra. Understandably crossing the spine of the peninsula means roads that are not dual carriageway for much of the distance despite some serious efforts of civil engineering in places. However we have just 120 kilometres or so to travel and will arrive at our destination by 4pm. Apart from the road works and scenery, there is little to report until something catches the eye.
Wat Suwan Khiri........Google Map. On a hill visible on the left hand side of the road is the pagoda of Wat Suwan Khiri. It can be reached along a narrow road on the left. The pagoda is now complete but they are still working on embellishments of the salas, tower and surrounds. This pagoda is a replica of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon and the Buddha image is in Burmese style. As with all new religious structures in Thailand, you are invited to make a contribution towards materials. You can add your name if you wish. Presumably as this is a new temple there is limited information available for it but I managed to add a comment on Google Map.

Isthmus of Kra........Google Map. From Wat Suwan Khiri we head towards the Isthmus of Kra. This is the narrowest part of the Malay Peninsula. The distance between the estuary of the Kra River and the Bay of Sawi near the city Chumphon is 44 km (27 mi) wide with a maximum elevation of 75 m (246 ft) above sea level. It is the southern part of the Tenasserim range called the Phuket chain. The isthmus lies literally on the Thai/Myanmar border ......more From the isthmus the road winds steeply down the valley. We make a brief stop to take photographs of the estuary and the Punyaban Waterfall Google Map / more but very soon we’re in Ranong.

Ranong........Google Map. The provincial town of Ranong .....more is not new to the pages of this website. I’ve used Ranong on a couple of occasions in the past for a visa run, most recently in March 2011. The secondary reason for being in the town then was as a jumping off point for the island of Koh Phayam but neither of these reasons applies today. We just need to find accommodation. When you arrive in Ranong you instinctively turn off the highway to the right into the old town where I’ve stayed before. But then I didn’t have a car. After a brief excursion into the town, we head back to the highway as this is the best place to find more modern accommodation. For once Google map directs me towards a turning to the Hot Spring and there on the left is a small but inviting three story building known as Smile Boutique.
Smile Boutique........Google Map. Tucked away on the road to the Hot Spring, Smile Boutique has been tastefully renovated but slightly out of place in a block containing derelict buildings which is a shame. Ignoring this we find the build modern, airy and clean. The price is just 600 baht with all conveniences. Perhaps the only thing they could improve on is to provide a more substantial work surface instead of a glass table but for normal use the Koncept furnishings are pleasing enough. On the corner is a 7Eleven convenience store but only one restaurant offering basic Thai food. I’m happy to take the room for the moment to help with my budget but of course there will be no golden sands to greet me in the morning.
Hot Spring........Google Map. Thinking the Hot Spring would be an obvious site visit tomorrow, I’m surprised to find that it’s less than a kilometer from the main road. With still an hour and a half of daylight we decide to walk up the picturesque Hat Som Paen river valley and there on the right is Raksa Warin Hot Spring or at least one of them. Here in the relatively cool air this open facility is free. I shall definitely have a paddle tomorrow. Otherwise there is a park and pleasing walks along the riverbank .....more. As it’s now getting towards evening we check out the restaurant here but after some deliberation I decide it’s not what I need right know even though it wouldn’t damage my budget too much. We head back to the main road and go for the cheaper option where I can get a welcome beer with that without worrying about the cost. As I head back to Smile, all in all it’s been a pleasant day and something I can build on tomorrow. Next Page.