Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park: Phraya Nakhon Cave and the Marsh
Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park ("the mountain of three hundred peaks") runs along the Gulf of Thailand in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, about 255 km south of Bangkok and some 60 km south of Hua Hin. Created in 1966, it was Thailand's first marine national park. It combines limestone cliffs, almost empty beaches and the country's largest freshwater marsh, a refuge for hundreds of bird species. The star visit is **Phraya Nakhon** Cave, whose collapsed roof lets a shaft of sunlight fall on a royal pavilion. This is a nature destination rather than a city excursion: it is a long day trip from Hua Hin, or better with a night nearby.
Highlights
Phraya Nakhon Cave and its pavilion
King Rama V visited this cave in 1890. In 1926 a four-spired royal pavilion, Kuha Karuhas, was built here for the visit of Rama VII. It stands beneath an opening in the cave roof: the sunbeam that hits it around the middle of the day makes the park's famous photograph.
Bueng Bua marsh and the cliffs
Sam Roi Yot's freshwater marsh is the largest in Thailand. A wooden boardwalk crosses it at Bueng Bua: you can see herons, rails and, depending on the season, migratory birds. January and February are the best months for birdwatching.
Laem Sala beach
A long sandy beach backed by cliffs, at the foot of the cave trail. It is quiet, with a camping area and a few food stalls. The start of the trail and the arrival point of the boats from Bang Pu are here.
Practical info
Tips
- Park entry cost 200 baht for a foreign adult and 100 baht for a child (prices seen in October 2026; Thais pay less). Phraya Nakhon Cave is included in this ticket. There are two ways to reach it: a longtail boat from Bang Pu village to Laem Sala beach (about 20 minutes; expect 400 to 500 baht per boat, for about six people) or the trail on foot over the headland (about 30 minutes). From Laem Sala to the cave the path is steep and rocky (430 m long, 130 m climb): bring good shoes, water and allow 20 to 40 minutes uphill. There is no shade on the trail before the cave. Monkeys are common along the way: keep food out of sight. Check the state of the trail at the entrance after rain. For another nature stop on the road to Hua Hin, see Phetchaburi and our guide to Hua Hin from Bangkok. See also: nature trips from Bangkok.
How to get there
From Bangkok allow about four hours by road (255 km): minivan or bus to Pranburi or Hua Hin, then a taxi or songthaew to the park. The easiest way is to sleep in Hua Hin or Pranburi and take a taxi or a car with driver to Bang Pu (about an hour from Hua Hin). There is no regular public transport to the village: plan a round-trip taxi or a rented scooter. Address: Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, Sam Roi Yot, Prachuap Khiri Khan 77160.
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