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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.
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 |
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.
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.
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, go for a jog... you got the idea. You can also see peacocks and monkeys. There is a small restaurant too (Thai food only), with a live singer, and they also have bungalows for rent and space for tents. I had read that they had ATV for rent, but in fact they have stopped doing it (maybe they will resume in a few months). There is no map of the park (but it's not that big), all signs are in Thai, and when I was there they had run out of brochures. No admission fee. Office open from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm, but the park itself doesn't close.
Khao Nang Phanthurat National Park
This forest park is a limestone mountain with many caves. At the entrance stand a spirit shrine and a big statue of Buddha. On the way to the park are a limestone quarry and a cement factory. Many people turn back at that point (that's what we had to do too), because the road is in bad condition. So make sure you have an appropriate vehicle (ATV) to get around. If you get to see the park, send us an email and tell us what it's like!
Directions: take Phetkasem road in the direction of Bangkok. Pass the flyover, then turn right at the entrance of Jalaprathan Cement Co. Ltd.
More pictures in our photo gallery
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 almost a monument, and the night market.
A small street in Hua Hin |
Hua Hin beach |
Going north
Hat Puek Tian
Puek Tian beach (also spelled Puk Tian) is a popular photographic spot with many sculptures of fictional characters invented by Thailand's most famous poet, Sunthorn Phoo. The sculptures are quite impressive, unfortunately the beach itself is very dirty. If you are on your way to Chao Samran beach, or if you are just going for a drive or a ride, then Puek Tian is a nice place to stop. But if you want to spend the day at the beach outside of Cha-Am, we would recommend Hat Chao Samran instead.
Directions: follow the beachfront in the direction of the north, pass the bridge above the canal, then turn left after the temple and follow the road which veers left and right a few times. At the end of this road, turn right and pass the bascule bridge. OR, from the beachfront, take Narathip Road and turn right at the Family Mart, then go straight. Pass Cha-Am hospital, then pass the bascule bridge. After the bascule bridge, take the second road on the right (Puk Tian is well indicated), then go straight for about 15 km until you see the big sign that says Puk-Tian beach. Turn right at the sign (you will see a big dinosaur on the right side of the road), then go straight towards the sea.
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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. It is a very nice place, with 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...;-)
Phetchaburi
The city of Phetchaburi is about 30 km north of Cha-Am, on Phetkasem road, on the way to Bangkok. The historical park covers a hilly area (Khao Wang) with an old palace and ancient temples. The province of Phetchaburi also has beautiful beaches and caves.
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.
