Welcome to Ban Krut
     
Imagine a place that is truly devoid of the foreign tourist population. Lined with a 30 km strech of white sandy
beaches and plush tropical forest. No bars, no crowds, no noise. This is Ban Krut. Located
just 300km south of Bangkok, Ban Krut is certainly one of the least frequented best kept secrets Thailand
has to offer.
The area has been a popular weekend and holiday destination for middle and upper class Bangkok families
for several years. It is due to this that the area has retained its true Thai cultural identity without the exploitation often associated with overdeveloped tourist area's.
For those requiring more than pure relaxation, outdoor activities such as scuba diving, and snorkeling are available. Visitors seeking sightseeing locations can choose from, national parks, waterfalls,
and an impressive temple overlooking the undeveloped coast.
How do I find this secret place anyway?
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Ban Krut is located on the coastal mainland near the narrowest area of Thailand's eastern coastal stretch. Only 300km south of Bangkok, (150km from Hoa Hin) and 000km north of Chumpon, Ban Krut is convienently accessible by car, bus, train, and air. The village is close to a town called Bangsapan in the Prachuapkirikhan Province.
In comparison to other popular destinations, Ban Krut can be effortlessly visited without the hastle often associated with trendy tourist destinations.
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Train: Daily departures from Hua Lampong station in Bangkok include rapid, and overnight trains. Booking and schedule information can be obtained "in Thai" by calling this number: 02 220 4334.
Car: From Bangkok , take highway 35 to highway 4 ( Phetchasem Road ). Follow the Ban Krut turn off, veer left, and follow the road for 9km into Ban Krut Town . Shortly after crossing a railway line, you will come to a T-Junction. Turn right towards the beach, proceed until you reach the coastline. Turn right and follow the coast.
Bus: A large number of private operators as well as the government line depart from Bangkok on a daily basis. Buses depart Bangkok 's southern bus terminal, ( Sai-dai-mai) in Pin Klao, (pin-gao), which is located about 4km south and over the river from the royal palace. Bus number 511 (11) air- conditioned bus will take you there from Sukhumvit Road, the World Trade centre and near Kao San road. Tickets may be obtained for the blue/white 1st class air- conditioned buses from the terminal to Ban Krut.
The Coastline
Ban Krut offers visitors a gently curving coastal beachfront stretch of 12 kilometers. Looking down from the nearby Khao Thongchai - honorary Kings Temple , the bay is lined with sandy beaches which are shadowed by overhanging coconut trees. The calm
sea presents perfect swimming conditions for the whole family. A quite paved road runs parallel to the beach and is perfect for cycling. |
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The undeveloped coast is lined with coconut tress, fine grain sandy beaches and tranquil blue ocean - the perfect setting for long walks, swimming, or sunbathing.
Scuba Diving
Amongst an atmosphere of relaxation, privacy and tranquility. Ban Krut offers visiting divers the possibility of a unique underwater experience. As the surrounding ocean and islands are not overexploited, scuba divers can experience pristine diving conditions without the crowds and large groups encountered at popular dive regions.
| Koh Ran Pet & Ran Gai
Starting at 30m depth, these two islands host several small penetrable cave systems. Marine life found at these sites include Queen fish, Rainbow runners, Tuna and Barracuda,
snappers, fusiliers, and damsels. Occasionally Whale Sharks can be encountered while feeding on plankton. |
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Koh Talu:
Situated south of Ban Krut, Koh Talu's shallow reef accommodates for students, divers and snorkels alike. With hard corals in excellent condition, Blue Spotted Stingrays, Blotched Rays and schools of Damsels hovering over the healthy stag horn crops. This site is ideal for the whole family.
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Ao Bo Thong Lang
0-12m 3-14m Minimal
Shore dive around hard coral boulders and rocky outcrops. Marine life includes, Box and Butterfly and Clownfish, Cobia, Snappers, Trevally, Turtles and Rays. |
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Koh Sang
3-9m 3-15m Can be strong
Limestone wall with anemone outcrops on the South side and coral reef on the north.
Box, Clown and Porcupine fish mix with a variety of Stingrays. |
Koh Sing
3-9m 3-15m Minimal
Emperor snapper and Harlequin Sweetlips, Pharaoh Cuttlefish, Groupers and Fusiliers. |
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Koh Talu offers a beautiful white-sand beach lined with shallow clear blue sea. A setting for perfect diving conditions, and exploration of the kaleidoscope of colors found amongst the coral reefs.
Snorkeling
The small islands in the area make for pristine snorkeling conditions. Magnificent healthy hard corals and an abundant mix of varied pelagics make the area a snorkelers paradise.
Nearby attractions of Prachuap Khiri Khan
Bang Saphan:
Ao Mae Ramphung: This is a scenic bay in Amphoe Bang Saphan. Travel about 75 kms. south of Phrachuap Khiri Khan to
Km. 399, turn left and continue for another 17
kilometers
via Bang Saphan Market.
Accommodation and seafood restaurants are available.
Ao Bo ThonglangThis is located 4
kilometers
beyond Ao Mae Ramphung along a beach road. There is a clean and white sandy
beach suitable for swimming.
Pran Buri and Kui Buri:
Sam Roi Yot National Park:This park is located 63 kilometres south of Hua Hin. It occupies an area of 98 square kilometres with undulating ranges of 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.
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: 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.
4/56 Moo 7, Tambon Khuk Kak, Amphur Takua Pa,
82190 Phang Nga, Thailand
Phone +66 (0) 76 485 610 or +66 (0) 76 485 367
Fax +66 (0) 76 485 610
em@il Roman@similan.net
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