Hua Hin & the Upper Gulf - Thailand's Islands and Beaches - page 321

even the border with Myanmar, just 11km away. Don't bring food, drink or plastic bags
with you as the monkeys will assume it is a prize worth having.

Ao Prachuap
The town's crowning feature is Ao Prachuap (Prachuap Bay), a gracefully curving bay
outlined by an oceanfront esplanade. In the cool hours of the morning and evening, locals
run, shuffle or promenade along this route enjoying the ocean breezes and sea music.
On Friday and Saturday evenings, the esplanade hosts a Walking Street market OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP , selling food, souvenirs and clothes.
North of Khao Chong Krajok, just over the bridge, the bay stretches peacefully to a
toothy mountain scraper with less commercial activity than its in-town counterpart. There
is a good sandy beach here though it does lack privacy due to its proximity to passing
motorists. Nonetheless, weekending Thais often visit because there is no breakwater and
it is a pleasant beachcombing spot. At the far northern end is a traditional fishing village
decorated with colourful wooden trawlers and a visible sense of a hard-working life.

BAY

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN IN WORLD WAR II

Prachuap, and specifically Ao Manao, was one of seven points on the gulf coast where Japanese troops landed
on 8 December 1941 during their invasion of Thailand. The air-force base at Ao Manao was the site of fierce
skirmishes, with the Japanese unable to capture it until the Thai government ordered its soldiers to stop fighting
as an armistice had been arranged.
Several street names around town refer to that time, such as Phithak Chat (Defend Country), Salachip (Sacri-
fice Life) and Suseuk (Fight Battle), and an annual memorial service commemorates the soldiers and civilians
who died in the battle.

Wat Ao Noi
From Ao Prachuap, follow the coastal road 8km north as it skirts through the fishing vil-
lage to reach this beautiful teak temple that straddles two bays (Ao Noi and Ao Khan
Kradai). Limestone mountains pose photogenically in the background, while a dramatic
nine-headed naga protects the temple's exterior. Inside are unique bas-relief murals de-
picting the jataka (stories of Buddha's previous lives).
The temple grounds are forested with a variety of fruit trees (jackfruit, pomegranate,
mango and rose apple) and a lotus pond filled with ravenous fish, eager to be fed by
merit-makers. You'll catch an unpleasant odour nearby indicating that the temple is in the

BUDDHIST TEMPLE