Serving as a gateway to Thailand’s more southerly provinces along the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, Prachuap Khiri Khan’s income comes mainly from fishing and agriculture, while tourism is largely focused on Hua Hin, the country’s oldest resort town.

Although the province is not a major tourist spot, it is certainly rich in natural resources, including mountainous areas, islands and relaxing beaches. The province is an attractive alternative destination for visitors who want to avoid overcrowded resorts, while it is easily accessible from Bangkok. There are plenty of peaceful lesser-known attractions, particularly as you venture away from the main town. It is also a popular destination among Thais so the province can perhaps give travelers a greater insight into the “real” Thailand.


Geography and history

Located towards the southern part of the country’s central region, about 200 km south of Bangkok, Prachuap Khiri Khan occupies an area of 6,367 sq km that stretches 212 km along the Gulf of Thailand.

The narrowest part of Hua Hin province covers just 11 km from the Thai-Myanmar border to the West across to the Gulf of Thailand. Along the coast are lots of fishing villages, lines of steep limestone mountains and numerous bays.

During the early part of the Rattanakosin era (1782-present), King Rama IV merged three small towns in the area, namely Ban Narom, Kui Buri and Klongwarn and declared them as the province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, which means “a province with groups of mountains”.