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Cha-Am: general information

Things to see in and near Cha-Am

Cha-Am's main attraction is its long and beautiful beach. But you can also go and see the fishing pier, the market and some temples. North of Cha-Am are other beautiful beaches and the city of Phetchaburi, and south of Cha-Am is Hua Hin, the famous seaside resort.

 For more ideas, please also check out our pictures gallery

In Cha-Am

Statue of King Naresuan and Neranchararam temple

King Naresuan the Great reigned from 1590 to 1605, during the Ayutthaya period. He used Cha-Am as a meeting place before going to war against the Burmese in 1593. His statue can be seen in a small park overlooking the sea, at the end of Cha-Am north. If you are wondering why there are so many cocks at the base of the statue, it's because King Naresuan was into cockfighting!

If you go on for just a few meters, you will find Neranchararam temple on the left of the road. There you can admire a six-armed Bouddha image, with the hands closing all channels of the body, to show the cutting off of passion.

Statue of King Naresuan the Great

Wat Neranchararam

 

The fishing pier

The fishing pier is at the north of Cha-Am. Go north along the beachfront and keep going straight through the gravelled road that starts from Wat Neranchararam (i.e. don't follow the road that veers left). You will find the pier, and many seafood restaurants.

The road leading to the pier

You can buy seafood or eat there in a restaurant

A seafood restaurant close to the beach

Fishing boats

 

Saphan Hin

Saphan Hin "walking street" is a long pier built on the sea. People go there to fish, take a walk before the sunset or ride a bicycle. Cars are not allowed, unfortunately motorbikes are. This is Cha-am most recent tourist attraction, as this 13 million baht project was completed in 2011. To reach the pier, follow the beach and enter the dirt road leading to the fishing pier, then go to the end and turn right.

 

Wat Cha-Am

It is a temple located west of Cha-Am, with a cave on a small hill. The image of Buddha inside the temple was built in the period of Ayutthaya. Follow the sign that indicates "Wat Cha Am Cave" and you will find the stairs that climb to the cave.

Directions: from the beachfront, take Narathip Road and turn right at the traffic lights (junction with Phetkasem road). Follow the road, pass the flyover over the railway, then look for the entrance of the temple on your left.

 

Khao Nang Phanthurat National Park

This park is a limestone mountain with many caves. There is a large garden at the entrance, then you can follow the trail and climb up the mountain to discover some caves and enjoy a view of the coast. There are steps all the way up, but you still need to wear proper shoes.

Directions: there are three possible ways to go to the park. 1. Take the "hospital road", pass the bascule bridge then go straight (don't turn right) for about 2 km. Turn left at the end of the road, then left again after 2 km. The entrance to the park will be on your right. 2. Take Phetkasem road in the direction of Bangkok, pass the flyover, pass the interchange as if you were going to Bangkok, then follow the road for 4 kilometers and make a U-turn. Turn left at Nikhom market (there is a sign in Thai indicating the park) then follow the signs. 3. Take Phetkasem road in the direction of Bangkok. Pass the flyover above the railway, then turn right at the entrance of Jalaprathan Cement Co. Ltd. Beware of the road, it is in bad condition.

 

San Chao Por Khao Yai

This is the shrine ("San") of the guardian spirit ("Chao Por") of Cha-am ("Khao Yai" being the sub-district it is located in). It is highly revered, and people stop by all the time to make offerings. If you pass by without stopping, make sure you honk your horn just like everybody does!

Directions: when coming from Hua Hin or Cha-am, take Phetkasem road in the direction of Bangkok, pass the flyover above the railway and turn right after 1 km. The shrine is at the entrance of Jalaprathan Cement Co. Ltd and Khao Nang Phanturat park.

 More pictures in our photo gallery

 

Cha-Am Forest Park

Located on Phetkasem road, on the right when going south (turn left at Narathip junction when coming from the beach, then go straight and you will find the park on your right, a few hundred meters after the fire station). It's not breathtaking but it's a quiet and relaxing place. You can go there for a picnic, play football with the kids, ride your bicycle, exercise, go for a jog... Unlike any other place in Thailand you won't be annoyed by dogs, as they are kept away from the park. There are monkeys (gibbons) but they are on a small island so they can't come near you. There is also a Thai restaurant.

 

Cha-Am fresh market

Cha-Am market is on the other side of Phetkasem Road, in the direction of the train station. Turn left before the train station and go straight.

 

Cha-Am Wednesday night market

If you are in Cha-am on a Wednesday, don't miss the night market near the train station. You'll find plenty of food, clothes, bags, household goods, DVD, electric and hifi accessories, etc. The beer bars on the left side after the main entrance are also a well known meeting point for the expats.

 

Going south

Maruekhathayawan Palace

Also written "Marukhathaiyawan" or "Mrigadayavan" Palace. Built in 1923 on the coast between Cha-Am and Hua Hin, it was King Rama VI's seaside summer palace. Rama VI, who reigned from 1910 to 1925, had been advised by his doctors to restore his health in a cool and dry place. He went to the royal residence at Chao Samran beach, in Phetchaburi, but he was dissatisfied with the unhealthy conditions and he then decided to have another summer palace built. The new place was better ventilated, with niches for water around the pillars to prevent ants from entering the building. Referred to as "the Palace of Love and Hope", it is a two-storey golden teak pavillion with a series of halls connected to each other.

Location and admission: 9 km south of Cha-Am, at km 216. Open everyday except Wednesday, from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. Admission is 30 baht (no overcharge for "Farangs").

Rules to follow: Make sure you are properly dressed, just like when you visit a temple (no short pants or sleeveless top). But if you forget, they can provide you with long pants and shirts. They also provide plastic bags in which you have to carry your shoes, so don't go there with your hiking boots! Also please be aware that you can't take pictures of some rooms (especially the King's bedroom and bathroom, as they are considered too intimate). Please mind the signs. Finally, if you go there by motorbike, turn off the engine and get down from the bike when passing the entrance gate. Don't forget that this is a royal palace and that Thai people have a great respect for the monarchy!

 More pictures in our photo gallery

 

Hua Hin

Hua Hin is a very popular seaside resort. King Rama VII built a summer palace there, creating a vogue among high society for Hua Hin to become the favourite retreat from Bangkok's summer heat. Today the Royal Family still resides in Hua Hin for part of the year. Like Cha-Am, Hua Hin can be quite crowded during the week-ends. Make sure you go and see the railway station, which is said to be the most beautiful train station in Thailand, and the night market.

A small street in Hua Hin

Hua Hin beach

 

Pala-U waterfalls

A beautiful waterfall 60 km west of Hua Hin. It has 15 levels, but reaching the first three or four levels is already rewarding (and could be exhausting if you're not in a good physical shape).

 More pictures and information about Pala-U waterfall in our blog

Going north

Hat Puek Tian

 

Hat Chao Samran

Chao Samran beach is very popular among Thai people. It is located 6 km north of Hat Puek Tian (just follow the road and turn right at the traffic lights). The beach is much cleaner than Puek Tian, though, and there is more sand and less rocks. There are very few Western tourists, but also very few restaurants, activities, etc. So it's a nice place to relax, or a nice destination if you go for a ride in the area (the road is very pleasant). But to be honest, Cha-Am is not that noisy and busy so that you need to "get away from it all" and find a peaceful place to relax...;-)

 

Kaeng Krachan national park

Kaeng Krachan National Park, in the province of Phetchaburi, is about an hour's drive from Cha-Am (follow road 3499). It's the largest natural park in Thailand and a paradise for trekkers and bird watchers. On the way to the park is a 45 sqm reservoir lake where you can take a boat tour.

 Maps to display or download: Location map - Tourist attractions map

 Brochure to display or download: General information - Attractions (1) - Attractions (2) - Activities

Boats to hire

On the lake

Beware of monkeys!

A suspended rope bridge

 

Phetchaburi