Buzz
Being only 250 km away from Bangkok, Hua Hin is increasingly becoming a renowned tourist destination. Apart from its long beaches, this place also offers countless other fascinating attractions.
When mentioning Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, Thailand, most people think of its 5 km long sandy beach, horseback riding, Hua Hin railway station, floating market on the river, and parks. However, little do they know that this place also boasts vast lush forests and untamed nature, providing visitors with many exciting experiences.
Pa La-u Waterfall and the natural forests in Hua Hin are ideal for travelers to enjoy the fresh air and the beauty of the wilderness. If you're lucky, you may encounter wild elephants and indulge in unique fruits such as durian, rambutan, and mangosteen grown in this area.
Pa La-u Waterfall, Kaeng Krachan National Park
Nestled in the tropical rainforest with an area of approximately 437 km² and located over 70 km away from the center of Hua Hin city, Pa La-u waterfall is divided into two parts: Pa La-u Yai and Pa La-u Noi, under the management of Kaeng Krachan National Park.
You can follow the natural trails around Pa La-u to admire the majestic beauty of cascading waterfalls and explore the diverse wild vegetation.
There are two camping areas and eight wooden houses here, with a cost of about 750,000 Vietnamese dong per night. All experiences of fishing, hunting, and any activities that harm nature are strictly prohibited here.
The cool green forests here are home to hornbills, dusky langurs, and paradise birds. Beneath the streams, there are plenty of carp and crabs, and in the forests, there are countless butterflies, including rare species. The best time to admire the colorful butterflies fluttering in the sky is in the early morning from April to July every year.
Ban Pa La-u Village, Huay Sat Yai Town
Located 69 km west of the center of Hua Hin city, 159 km from the center of Prachuap Khiri Khan city, and about 18 km east of Myanmar, Ban Pa La-u is a small village in Huay Sat Yai town with 250 Thai and Karen families.
This is a valley surrounded by the Tanao Sri mountain range with evergreen tropical forests all year round. The attractions in Huay Sat Yai include: Karen village, elephant watching tower, dairy farms, cotton weaving center, and orchards of durian trees. Huay Sat Yai also serves as a gateway to the Karen village in Pa Deng.
Local residents live very simply and still preserve their traditional customs. The Karen people often wear traditional costumes on many occasions. Travelers who want to experience the Karen way of life can stay in an old-fashioned homestay at Ban Fa Prathan (Moo 2) and La-u Home Stay, or they can enjoy cultural performances in Moo 3 village.
One of these houses belongs to Sakda Panyaharn, the son of the first village headman and spiritual leader of Kha. The house has wooden floors, bamboo walls, and thatched roofs, without the use of nails. The highest area of the house is reserved for men, except for little girls.
The Karen people worship the Rice Goddess - the provider of food and their protector, believing that the spiritual leader of the village will fall ill and die if women enter it.
This region has about 70 tropical fruit gardens, but not all are open to tourists. Among them, durian orchards are popular destinations for many tourists, not only to learn about the local cultivation methods and varieties of durian but also to personally select ripe and fragrant durians to enjoy, with prices ranging from 62,000 to 87,000 Vietnamese dong per kilogram.
Wild Elephant Watching
If travelers want to go elephant watching, they must seek permission and guidance from the National Parks here or they can opt for designed wild elephant watching tours, experiencing the lives of tribal communities from the TAT Office under the Thailand Tourism Authority.
Pa La-u features five towers built by local residents for elephant watching. The 10 km road leading to Pa La-u runs through part of Kaeng Krachan National Park, so tourists will have the opportunity to see wild elephants moving in the forest.
Elephants often come near the towers located near the edge of the national park to lick salt and bathe in a nearby reservoir. The best time to see elephants is at dusk or at night.
According to Thongbai Charoendong, head of the Elephant Conservation and other Wildlife Project at Kaeng Krachan National Park, there are currently about 250 elephants in the forest, including 150 in Pa La-u and 50 near Pa Deng, with the remaining number in several other areas.
After periods of exploration and nature discovery here, tourists can stop and relax at La-u Homestay area - consisting of six houses, accommodating up to 30 people to enjoy dishes such as rice, stir-fried vegetables, fried fish, soup, coffee, and fresh milk, or they can stay overnight before embarking on a new exploration journey. The homestay price here is about 125,000 Vietnamese dong per person per night and meals are about 62,000 Vietnamese dong per person per meal.
Transportation
- By private car: It takes about 3 hours from Bangkok to Hua Hin. Many cars run from the city center and the airport. From Hua Hin, drive along Hin-Pa La-u highway (National Highway 3219) about 54 km to Huay Sat Yai town.
- By bus: The bus route to Hua Hin Pa-La-u (opposite Jee Un Tung pharmacy near Chatchai market junction) departs at 11:00 and 13:00.
From Ngoisao.net
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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourDecember 11, 2015
