The
drive goes to Laem Ngop, the mainland port for passenger
or car ferries to the lovely island of Ko Chang. Laem
Singh beach may be visited on the way and Namtok Phliu
Falls are a short distance from the highway. A long
side-trip may be made to Hat Lek and Cambodia.
Park
in front of the TAT office in Laem Ngop town for passenger
ferries or drive to the car-ferries to cross to the
island. The National Park HQ and a me-morial commemorating
when the French sank two Thai ships in January 1941
are on the sea front road just west of town.
DAY
3: SIDE TRIPS
LAEM
SINGH - ST 8
(25
kms return. H3 KM.345 turn onto H3348 and then left
(south) at sharp bend after almost 3 kms. Follow fish
signs to Oasis Sea World dolphinarium and butterfly
farm. One hour shows 09:00, 11:00,13:00,15:00,17:00.
Adults 90 Bt. From Oasis Sea World, the first sealed
road right (south) leads to inland roads parallel
to the beach and H3149, an alternative route to H3
at KM.347)
Oasis
Sea World offers family entertainment, after which
you may drive to Laem Singh where there is a sandy
beach with local restaurants. Nearby is a fishing
port located at the end of the spit. Sights include
Tuk Daeng, a former French officer's quarters and
Khuk Khi Kai (chicken excrement prison)/ where the
French jailed Thai prisoners beneath a chicken coop
with a grill floor (on parallel inland road approx
400 m. from fishing port). Both were built in 1893.
NAMTOK
PHLIU FALLS - ST9
(KM
346 left turn to Phliu Water-fall 1.7 kms) From the
entrance the falls are a 300 m walk. In 1876 King
Rama V (Chulalongkorn) built the moss covered chedi
and the pyramid housing the remains of his beloved
Queen Sunantha, who drowned in an accident on the
Chao Phaya two years after their visit to the falls. A 1
km. nature trail goes round and above the falls. Note
the Chinese temple (Wat Mangkol Buppharam) by H3 between
KM.345 and 346.
MU
KO CHANG NATIONAL PARK
Ko
Chang is the largest of 40 islands in the national
park. A jungle clad ridge peaking at 743m runs the
length of the island. Against this backdrop the western
side of the island has three very fine sandy beaches
providing ample opportunity for idyllic moments.
From
Ao Sapparot west the road is sealed for 10 kms (4WD
beyond). Be careful on the very steep, tight turns
south of Khiong Son village. The long sandy beach
of Khiong Phrao (12 kms.) offers the greatest isolation,
but deep inlets must be forded/swum if walking. Khiong
Phlu falls at the back has a natural pool 400 metres
walk from the parking area. Kai Bae Beach (19 kms.)
has lower density development than White Sands Beach.
On
the east side of the island a dirt road (4WD. 28 kms.
from Ao Sapparot) goes to fishing villages on scenic
Ao Salak Petch bay. Good seafood restaurants are found
at Ban Rong Than. On the way Than Mayom falls offers
isolated pools at the upper levels for those willing
to scramble up.
SPECIAL
SIDE TRIP TO HAT LEK. 89 kms.
To
gamble at the Casino just across the border from Hat
Lek, you will need a visa from the Cambodian Embassy
in Bangkok (185 Ratchadamri Rd. Tel: 254 6630, Fax:
253 9859) together with a re-entry permit/visa for
Thailand. You must leave your car on the Thai side.
The
drive on H318 from Key Point 17 ends at the small,
but interesting border market at Hat Lek. It passes
a small museum exhibit at a former refugee camp at
Khao Lan Ratchakarun (KM. 48) and the long undeveloped
beach at Hat Chuen (KM. 58).
The
old style fishing town of Amphoe Khiong Yai (74 kms.)
and Muslim communities established by Thai-Malays
who came by boat across the Gulf are not without interest.
Corporate
Housing
