VISITED MARCH 2017
The mainland coast southward of the DONSAC FERRY PIERS (to the islands) is pretty set dorsum as well as means less developed than farther north. However at that topographic point are a divulge of squeamish beaches, largely split upwards betwixt the KHANOM as well as SICHON districts. There is a scattering of resorts roofing most budgets inwards both areas, but mainly used past times Thai vacation makers. Western visitors are pretty scarce, peculiarly around SICHON.
I've ofttimes looked at the rugged, mountainous mainland coast to the southward of DON SAC pier when coming inwards on a ferry from SAMUI, PHANGAN or TAO as well as thought "Whoa, looks interesting - bet at that topographic point are some neat picayune beaches along there." So latest trip instead of hopping on a SURATHANI bound double-decker at the pier I hung around for a minibus traveling past times KHANOM. I flora myself a beach, although it was non all that little.
About one-half KHANOM BEACH (aka NA DAN) looking north. Turn 180degrees....
....for the other half. In total 7km. There are others inwards the district.
GETTING THERE
From Don Sac
If you lot are coming from the islands, select grip of a SEATRAN ferry - it has minibuses heading southward from its DONSAC pier. I made the fault of arriving past times LOMPRAHAH on accounnt its Earth connections are normally really proficient - sure they had a bunch of buses at the pier to SURATHANI, KRABI, PHUKET but none heading south. I was relying on motorbike taxis beingness at that topographic point - but NO. A few minivan taxis wanted 700 to KHANOM, western prices for the 25km.
But i dude would accept me 10km across to the SEATRAN pier for 100b from where he knew I could pick upwards a minibus heading southward to NAKON SI THAMMARAT. The latter took off 20 mins after (120b - I intend this is the fare to NAKON or anywhere along the way). They dumped me at the chief route intersection abt 2km from KHANOM VILLAGE.
Probably no to a greater extent than expensive but perchance a fleck to a greater extent than fourth dimension consuming is to select grip of i of the buses (price normally included inwards the ferry ticket) from the DONSAC PIERS into SURATHANI as well as grab a minibus to KHANOM. An payoff is you lot volition hold out dropped at the MINIBUS STATION inwards town, non 2km due west at the crossroads.
From Surathani
The minibus station is at TASET 2 BUS STATION inwards the middle of town as well as the cost is currently 100b from the minibus counter inwards the southward eastward corner - to a greater extent than from following agents.
From elsewhere - if I was coming inwards from BANGKOK, PHUKET, KRABI etc past times double-decker I'd caput for TASET 2 inwards a higher house as well as select grip of the minibus.
Alternatively - at that topographic point is at to the lowest degree i large double-decker per twenty-four hr catamenia from BANGKOK's Southern Bus Station direct to Khanon.
FLYING - you lot tin forcefulness out wing into NAKON (100km to Khanom) or SURATHANI as well as and thus grab a minibus. I'm non sure which is the meliorate option.
TRAIN - you lot tin forcefulness out also rail it into SURAT AND NAKON. The quondam volition receive got to a greater extent than frequent trains but the railway station is a few km out of town. Frequent shuttle vans run to the double-decker station.
When I jumped out of the minibus at the intersection of Main Rd 4142 as well as the busy route into KHONOM I thought I'd pick upwards a motorbike taxi quickly. Nope, I walked the 2km into town. 35C degrees.
Didn't consider whatever motorbike taxis around the chief intersection of my route as well as the chief street, but after searching for person who spoke English linguistic communication I was told the quickest means to the beach was to continue going straight ahead. After some other 1.6km stroll....
I arrived at GOLDEN BEACH RESORT - to a greater extent than or less where the route from town hits the beach.
This is a squeamish older mode Thai lower-midrange hotel. Although the styling is 60s western, I'm thinking it's in all likelihood nearly 20 years old, as well as is foremost to demo a fleck of apparel as well as tear. I reckon it was the foremost house of this measure built on long NA DAN BEACH aka KHANOM BEACH - when I after walked the 3km or thus upwards to the northern headland at that topographic point were some other v or half dozen of similar measure but newer looking. I wasn't inwards the mood on arrival to walk some other km or 2 for a newer place.
Despite beingness a fleck older, my room was spacious, clean, had proficient aircon, fully equipped. The house has a gym, beachfront rim pool, squeamish world areas, nifty staff, gratis shuttle upwards to town as well as okay gratis wifi. Price 1100b a nighttime (pretty proficient for this type of place) - breakfast 200 extra.
Breakfasts were inwards the large dining room - my foremost on a Fri was a prepare American (continental option) summation unlimited coffee/tea, toast as well as juice. Not bad for 200b. On the weekend a large Thai corporate grouping moved inwards as well as alongside 50%+ occupancy the hotel bunged on a total buffet. While non every bit take away heed blowing every bit some to a greater extent than expensive western orientated joints' buffets, it was pretty proficient - peculiarly because I was withal paying 200.
Breakfast for some argue isn't a teach by inwards Thailand. This was.
For other meals I went across the parking lot to the hotel's beachfront BAR AND GRILL. There was a huge hit of dishes hither including lotsa budget materials which was a teach by after relatively expensive isle budget meals as well as drinks. btw if you lot desire to become upmarket, fine: the seafood looked tantalizing. Staff excellent.
Outlook from the forepart tables.
Spacious entrance hall had Bangkok News English linguistic communication edition as well as stronger wifi.
Room non shabby
The beachfront puddle was a rim type - department alongside Sun lounges closest the sand was genuinely on a lower level. Not precisely crowded. My foremost twenty-four hr catamenia was a Fri - house exclusively 15% total split upwards evenly betwixt westerners as well as Thais. Thais are non beach/pool people (okay, Thai kids taste the puddle as well as most Thais you lot consider are kids alongside mom).
Thai corporate grouping gets into some bonding stuff
AROUND GOLDEN BEACH RESORT
The resort had a proficient map showing district attractions.
On Fri afternoon I decided to walk the northern one-half of the beach which has at to the lowest degree a one-half dozen similar measure resorts as well as several to a greater extent than budget oriented places - but such is beach length that all are nicely spaced. It took nearly an hr i means but I exclusively saw 2 other walkers as well as 2 sun-bathers, all westerners, on what was a really squeamish sunny afternoon. Sand is a fleck coarse but I was surprised past times its relative cleanliness - eastward facing beaches similar this normally receive got a lot of flotsam blown onshore past times the prevailing westerlies.
Right upwards on the far headland is an ore unloading facility. This side at that topographic point are several beach bar/restaurants lining the parallel route but all were deserted. I got the thought this may non hold out the instance Fri evenings as well as on weekends - these form of places are local Thais' thought of how to pass fourth dimension at the beach. btw - this far northern business office of the beach is known every bit HAD KHO KHAO.
I walked dorsum via the beach route - at that topographic point were a few to a greater extent than accomm joints on the inland side summation on or 2 restaurants as well as pocket-size stores. But evolution along hither is pretty scattered as well as depression key.
On Saturday, I grabbed a wheel from my articulation (100b a day) as well as took a hold off at places to the south.
Bicycle route - downward the coast to Ao Thong Yi, as well as thus inland via the waterfalls to town, dorsum to GBR
First on the agenda was to cheque the other one-half of NA DAN beach, at to the lowest degree from the route - things were fifty-fifty less developed along this section.One or 2 mid-rangers, ditto budget places as well as a duet of squeamish looking beach bar/restaurants.
It is really apartment riding the behind beach route but at the end, the route starts to climb as well as and thus undulates along the coast to the south. Luckily I cycle every twenty-four hr catamenia inwards a really hilly town. Nevetherless the 35degrees+ was a tad enervating.
There were a duet of pocket-size beaches at nowadays southward of NA DAN (background). Then after a few killer hills is....
...NAI PHLAO, a longer strip of sand dominated past times this abandoned project. Some smaller resorts far destination as well as to a greater extent than on the headland behind photographic goggle box camera (I took this from a beachfront seafood restaurant/bar - at that topographic point was to a greater extent than than i inwards this squeamish area).
It's existent RAINFOREST BY THE SEA province southward of NAI PHLAO. After 2.5km as well as a few to a greater extent than killer hills the route terminates at....
....compact AO THONG - to a greater extent than correctly known every bit AO THONG YI/YEE (I'm sure at that topographic point are dozens of Ao Thongs inwards Thailand).
This is most people's thought of a tropical beach.
Behind the beach is a budget resort as well as restaurant. The house has bungalows, camping, fifty-fifty an attractive looking dorm expanse on the hillside behind (pictured). My type of house but a motorbike would hold out needed for access (public songthaews don't come upwards downward here). I'm non a motorbike guy.
Well the PAVED coastal route terminates at AO THONG YI, but a brusk distance uphill from the beach a novel dirt department heads farther southward - I after read it meets the SICHON COAST's northern most beach PHIAI DAM after a few crude oil undulating kms. (3.0) My mount bicycle is but the affair for such weather condition - but inwards the estrus as well as after 2 hours riding, summation a bunch of waterfalls I planned to cheque out, this 71yo was inwards no mood to seek a crude oil steep inwards parts bush track. In retrospect I should receive got - I didn't teach a run a endangerment to cheque PHIAI DAM when inwards SICHON a few days later.
THE WATERFALLS
So I backtracked on the paved coastal route a few km - inwards the middle of NAI PHLAO I saw a good sign-posted side route leading inland to HIN LAT WATERFALL This paved route was knocked nearly past times moisture flavor drainage problems inwards a few places but otherwise pretty good. It went inland on a gentle slope for nearly 2km - at the destination a work-gang was busy on a novel span - I parked the bicycle as well as took the sign-posted rails farther uphill (never steep or every bit good crude oil underfoot) for perchance 400m to the falls.
HIN LAT WATERFALL
Thai waterfalls may underwhelm westerners used to some VERTICALITY at such places. The Thais seem to shape whatever autumn of a meter or thus a waterfall - all the meliorate if at that topographic point are multiple drops. Nevertheless I receive got flora most falls inwards LOS pretty squeamish places - including this one.
SAMET CHUNG WATERFALL
I had to retrace my ride to the due north destination of NA DAM beach, plough inland, accept the fist left as well as continue an oculus out for the side route after a duet of kms. Once in i trial again it was clearly sign-posted. The side route was paved most of the means as well as gradually climbed for a few kms until the chief puddle of the falls expanse was clearly visible beside the road.
This would hold out a squeamish spot for a hot twenty-four hr catamenia dip - Thai solid unit of measurement making the most of it. However I couldn't consider whatever falling H2O thus I took a poorly defined rails to the right as well as after v minutes...
....reached this area. This was i of a cluster of similar - I could consider why the rails was poorly defined: non every bit good many people corporation past times the squeamish puddle close the road.
My proposition is that if you lot are looking for a squeamish swimming spot, come upwards up as well as role the roadside pool. But the "falls" are non worth the effort.
BACK TO THE HOTEL VIA TOWN
I retraced my steps to the chief route which shortly turned due north as well as headed towards town nearly 5km away. This inland route runs parallel to the beachside route - apartment gradient, scattered businesses etc. More sheltered from the potent onshore easterly winds.
Khannon town fundamental - it is non a large house every bit regional chief towns go, but sure enough busy. I called inwards at the 7/11 for supplies as well as rode around to locate the MINIBUS STATION for the following day's trip to SICHON.
Main street runs due north southward - major line of piece of employment organisation expanse extends due north of intersection of beach route abt 350m - past times at that topographic point is a discontinuous ribbon of town development. Ditto after 150m southward of the intersection.
The 7/11 is but southward of the intersection on the right. My ride indicated some motorbike taxis hanging nearly this area. The minibus station is means due north of the intersection (abt 800m) on the right, but the vehicles volition pick upwards as well as drib inwards town central.
MISSED ATTRACTIONS
My map indicated that past times heading straight due north on the chief street I would achieve the FISHING PORT as well as RIVER inwards abt 3km. Across the other side the chief route (4142) initially turns inland but past times staying on that I would hold out able to access some northern beaches via side roads (one of these has the famous PINK DOLPHINS pier) - summation some caves, viewpoints as well as at to the lowest degree i to a greater extent than waterfall on the mountainous inland side.
But I gave them a immature adult woman - past times this fourth dimension I'd been cycling to a greater extent than than v hours inwards the estrus as well as felt a fleck used up. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 squeamish mutual depression temperature beer past times GBR's cool puddle would become downward well. And it (um...actually they) did.
Okay, I could receive got stayed an extra twenty-four hr catamenia as well as explored the north, but I had the following twenty-four hr catamenia penciled inwards on my trip the calorie-free fantastic toe carte for SICHON.
IF YOU HAVE EXTRA INFORMATION OR SEE MISTAKES PLEASE POST BELOW. BUT IF YOU HAVE Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 QUESTION, PLEASE ASK information technology ON THE FORUM - I CHECK THE FORUM MOST DAYS WHEN NOT TRAVELING BUT I RARELY REVISIT INDIVIDUAL PLACE PAGES LIKE THIS ONE.
Sumber http://tezza-thailandbeachesandislands.blogspot.com/
I've ofttimes looked at the rugged, mountainous mainland coast to the southward of DON SAC pier when coming inwards on a ferry from SAMUI, PHANGAN or TAO as well as thought "Whoa, looks interesting - bet at that topographic point are some neat picayune beaches along there." So latest trip instead of hopping on a SURATHANI bound double-decker at the pier I hung around for a minibus traveling past times KHANOM. I flora myself a beach, although it was non all that little.
GETTING THERE
From Don Sac
But i dude would accept me 10km across to the SEATRAN pier for 100b from where he knew I could pick upwards a minibus heading southward to NAKON SI THAMMARAT. The latter took off 20 mins after (120b - I intend this is the fare to NAKON or anywhere along the way). They dumped me at the chief route intersection abt 2km from KHANOM VILLAGE.
Probably no to a greater extent than expensive but perchance a fleck to a greater extent than fourth dimension consuming is to select grip of i of the buses (price normally included inwards the ferry ticket) from the DONSAC PIERS into SURATHANI as well as grab a minibus to KHANOM. An payoff is you lot volition hold out dropped at the MINIBUS STATION inwards town, non 2km due west at the crossroads.
From Surathani
The minibus station is at TASET 2 BUS STATION inwards the middle of town as well as the cost is currently 100b from the minibus counter inwards the southward eastward corner - to a greater extent than from following agents.
From elsewhere - if I was coming inwards from BANGKOK, PHUKET, KRABI etc past times double-decker I'd caput for TASET 2 inwards a higher house as well as select grip of the minibus.
Alternatively - at that topographic point is at to the lowest degree i large double-decker per twenty-four hr catamenia from BANGKOK's Southern Bus Station direct to Khanon.
FLYING - you lot tin forcefulness out wing into NAKON (100km to Khanom) or SURATHANI as well as and thus grab a minibus. I'm non sure which is the meliorate option.
TRAIN - you lot tin forcefulness out also rail it into SURAT AND NAKON. The quondam volition receive got to a greater extent than frequent trains but the railway station is a few km out of town. Frequent shuttle vans run to the double-decker station.
Didn't consider whatever motorbike taxis around the chief intersection of my route as well as the chief street, but after searching for person who spoke English linguistic communication I was told the quickest means to the beach was to continue going straight ahead. After some other 1.6km stroll....
This is a squeamish older mode Thai lower-midrange hotel. Although the styling is 60s western, I'm thinking it's in all likelihood nearly 20 years old, as well as is foremost to demo a fleck of apparel as well as tear. I reckon it was the foremost house of this measure built on long NA DAN BEACH aka KHANOM BEACH - when I after walked the 3km or thus upwards to the northern headland at that topographic point were some other v or half dozen of similar measure but newer looking. I wasn't inwards the mood on arrival to walk some other km or 2 for a newer place.
Despite beingness a fleck older, my room was spacious, clean, had proficient aircon, fully equipped. The house has a gym, beachfront rim pool, squeamish world areas, nifty staff, gratis shuttle upwards to town as well as okay gratis wifi. Price 1100b a nighttime (pretty proficient for this type of place) - breakfast 200 extra.
Breakfast for some argue isn't a teach by inwards Thailand. This was.
AROUND GOLDEN BEACH RESORT
The resort had a proficient map showing district attractions.
On Fri afternoon I decided to walk the northern one-half of the beach which has at to the lowest degree a one-half dozen similar measure resorts as well as several to a greater extent than budget oriented places - but such is beach length that all are nicely spaced. It took nearly an hr i means but I exclusively saw 2 other walkers as well as 2 sun-bathers, all westerners, on what was a really squeamish sunny afternoon. Sand is a fleck coarse but I was surprised past times its relative cleanliness - eastward facing beaches similar this normally receive got a lot of flotsam blown onshore past times the prevailing westerlies.
Right upwards on the far headland is an ore unloading facility. This side at that topographic point are several beach bar/restaurants lining the parallel route but all were deserted. I got the thought this may non hold out the instance Fri evenings as well as on weekends - these form of places are local Thais' thought of how to pass fourth dimension at the beach. btw - this far northern business office of the beach is known every bit HAD KHO KHAO.
I walked dorsum via the beach route - at that topographic point were a few to a greater extent than accomm joints on the inland side summation on or 2 restaurants as well as pocket-size stores. But evolution along hither is pretty scattered as well as depression key.
On Saturday, I grabbed a wheel from my articulation (100b a day) as well as took a hold off at places to the south.
First on the agenda was to cheque the other one-half of NA DAN beach, at to the lowest degree from the route - things were fifty-fifty less developed along this section.One or 2 mid-rangers, ditto budget places as well as a duet of squeamish looking beach bar/restaurants.
It is really apartment riding the behind beach route but at the end, the route starts to climb as well as and thus undulates along the coast to the south. Luckily I cycle every twenty-four hr catamenia inwards a really hilly town. Nevetherless the 35degrees+ was a tad enervating.
It's existent RAINFOREST BY THE SEA province southward of NAI PHLAO. After 2.5km as well as a few to a greater extent than killer hills the route terminates at....
This is most people's thought of a tropical beach.
THE WATERFALLS
So I backtracked on the paved coastal route a few km - inwards the middle of NAI PHLAO I saw a good sign-posted side route leading inland to HIN LAT WATERFALL This paved route was knocked nearly past times moisture flavor drainage problems inwards a few places but otherwise pretty good. It went inland on a gentle slope for nearly 2km - at the destination a work-gang was busy on a novel span - I parked the bicycle as well as took the sign-posted rails farther uphill (never steep or every bit good crude oil underfoot) for perchance 400m to the falls.
HIN LAT WATERFALL
SAMET CHUNG WATERFALL
I had to retrace my ride to the due north destination of NA DAM beach, plough inland, accept the fist left as well as continue an oculus out for the side route after a duet of kms. Once in i trial again it was clearly sign-posted. The side route was paved most of the means as well as gradually climbed for a few kms until the chief puddle of the falls expanse was clearly visible beside the road.
My proposition is that if you lot are looking for a squeamish swimming spot, come upwards up as well as role the roadside pool. But the "falls" are non worth the effort.
BACK TO THE HOTEL VIA TOWN
I retraced my steps to the chief route which shortly turned due north as well as headed towards town nearly 5km away. This inland route runs parallel to the beachside route - apartment gradient, scattered businesses etc. More sheltered from the potent onshore easterly winds.
Khannon town fundamental - it is non a large house every bit regional chief towns go, but sure enough busy. I called inwards at the 7/11 for supplies as well as rode around to locate the MINIBUS STATION for the following day's trip to SICHON.
The 7/11 is but southward of the intersection on the right. My ride indicated some motorbike taxis hanging nearly this area. The minibus station is means due north of the intersection (abt 800m) on the right, but the vehicles volition pick upwards as well as drib inwards town central.
MISSED ATTRACTIONS
My map indicated that past times heading straight due north on the chief street I would achieve the FISHING PORT as well as RIVER inwards abt 3km. Across the other side the chief route (4142) initially turns inland but past times staying on that I would hold out able to access some northern beaches via side roads (one of these has the famous PINK DOLPHINS pier) - summation some caves, viewpoints as well as at to the lowest degree i to a greater extent than waterfall on the mountainous inland side.
But I gave them a immature adult woman - past times this fourth dimension I'd been cycling to a greater extent than than v hours inwards the estrus as well as felt a fleck used up. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 squeamish mutual depression temperature beer past times GBR's cool puddle would become downward well. And it (um...actually they) did.
Okay, I could receive got stayed an extra twenty-four hr catamenia as well as explored the north, but I had the following twenty-four hr catamenia penciled inwards on my trip the calorie-free fantastic toe carte for SICHON.
IF YOU HAVE EXTRA INFORMATION OR SEE MISTAKES PLEASE POST BELOW. BUT IF YOU HAVE Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 QUESTION, PLEASE ASK information technology ON THE FORUM - I CHECK THE FORUM MOST DAYS WHEN NOT TRAVELING BUT I RARELY REVISIT INDIVIDUAL PLACE PAGES LIKE THIS ONE.
Sumber http://tezza-thailandbeachesandislands.blogspot.com/