A Day at Sam Roi Yot and Phraya Nakhon Cave

During our first trip to Thailand, we decided to split our month into 3 parts: a few days in Bangkok, followed by an equal division between the lush north and the paradise-like south of the country... and we were not disappointed! From the capital, we headed towards the islands in the Surat Thani region (Koh Tao and Koh Samui), stopping along the way in the Prachuap Khiri Khan region at Hua Hin to discover the jewel of Sam Roi Yot National Park: Phraya Nakhon Cave!

To me, Hua Hin is a few pleasant streets for strolling and a pretty cool night market for eating with our eyes, savoring with our noses, and filling our bellies with street food. But Hua Hin wasn't our main objective: we only went there to access Sam Roi Yot National Park, located on the coast 60 km south of Hua Hin, specifically to discover Phraya Nakhon Cave.

From Hua Hin, after taking a bus, we found ourselves on Bang Pu beach boarding small fishing boats. But the adventure truly begins upon arriving at Laem Sala beach when the hike to the cave starts: it's a steep climb among the rocks on a path of uneven stone steps. The trail is enchanting: we find ourselves in the middle of a forest, watching for monkeys that we can hear before we see them swinging between the branches. Then comes the moment to descend into the belly of the stone: the path flips, our knees cushion the descent, and our eyes search for the destination... What are we doing here? It feels like we are in a movie, we almost expect to see a pterodactyl fly by. And then, the path darkens: we leave the daylight behind to enter the lair of a dragon. After a few steps, fumbling in the gloom, my eyes adjusting to the change in light, I am breathless. Did I say >, or was it my hiking companion? Either way, my mouth is wide open, just like my eyes that seem to want to photograph this image and engrave it forever in my memory. My initial thought was that the beginning of this expedition was enchanting, but I find myself speechless in front of this royal pavilion in the cave, bathed in a ray of sunshine penetrating through the light well several meters above.

indeed, and even more than that! A vision of an Asian fairy tale...

The highlight of Phraya Nakhon Cave, the royal pavilion, was built in honor of King Rama V's visit in 1890. If this pavilion is as stunning for its beauty as it is for its location, it is particularly the play of light that gives the place its magical aura.

We wander around this cave always keeping an eye on the pavilion, as if it might move or change color under the divine rays illuminating it; and with the other eye, we observe the uniquely shaped rocks, the prayer corners, and the kings' signatures.

The return path to the beach seemed much quicker than the way there... After a meal with our feet in the sand at the beach restaurant, we decided to walk back rather than take the boat: a lovely stroll with magnificent views of the sea and coast, but also a fabulous close encounter with the local monkeys!

But Sam Roi Yot National Park is much more than that! Literally meaning > in Thai, this park is the country's very first marine national park and boasts a landscape shaped by the limestone hills lining the Gulf of Thailand. While the royal pavilion of Phraya Nakhon Cave has become the emblem of this park and the Prachuap Khiri Khan province, it still holds many beauties waiting to be explored, such as a freshwater marsh, mangroves, and deserted beaches... You can learn more about it on Romain's blog (Thailand and Asia), who advises spending at least 2 days in this park.

In practice Travel: we took a tour from Hua Hin, but you can also access it by your own means from Bang Pu beach, where you can either take a small boat for less than ten minutes to Laem Sala beach for 300 baht round trip, or walk there in about half an hour, taking the path that climbs along the rock, overlooks the sea, and descends towards Laem Sala. Fee: The entrance to the national park is paid at Laem Sala (200 baht). Itinerary: Once there, follow the signs at the foot of the cliff. Be careful, the path is steep and often slippery; the path has an elevation of 130 meters. Expect it to take about half an hour. Remember to wear good shoes, bring water (you can also buy it at Laem Sala restaurant), mosquito repellent, and sunscreen. At Laem Sala beach, besides the restaurant-grocery and restrooms, there are also bungalows and a camping area.

One thing is for sure, Sam Roi Yot remains one of our best memories from this first trip to Thailand... and we would love to return to continue our exploration! But the rest of this trip also held beautiful surprises in the islands of Thailand...

And you, have you ever set foot in this region of Thailand? Feel free to share your experiences and questions in the comments!

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