Pranburi Forest Park

Hua Hin & the Upper Gulf


Just north of the Pranburi River is an extensive natural mangrove forest. A 1km-long boardwalk with interpretive signs, some in English, lets you explore it from the perspective of a mud-dweller, while an observation tower gives you a bird's-eye view. At high tide fisherfolk will take visitors on 40-minute boat trips (500B) along the river and small canals.

You'll see hundreds of crabs, and usually a fair number of birds, mudskippers and water monitors. In some areas you'll hear snapping shrimp. There's quite a bit of variety within this forest – the ecosystem is different enough from the young, replanted mangrove across the river at Sirinart Rajini Mangrove Ecosystem Learning Center that nature lovers will appreciate visiting both.

It's a 14km drive from Pak Nam Pran via Rte 1019, passing very near Hat Sai Noi on the way. A more direct route half this length is shown on many maps, but it's not passable any more.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Hua Hin & the Upper Gulf attractions

2. Hat Sai Noi

2.78 MILES

A small resort and a couple of restaurants operate here. Weekends bring the expected crowds, but it's fairly quiet on weekdays.

3. Khao Tao

2.95 MILES

The next headland after Khao Takiab is Khao Tao (Turtle Mountain). It protects an idyllic little cove where Hat Sai Noi beach drops off quickly into the…

4. Ratchaphakdi Park

6.08 MILES

Standing 14m high and weighing in at 30 tonnes each, the beautiful bronze statues of Thailand's most revered kings tower over this park with an impressive…

5. Khao Takiab

7.08 MILES

About 7km south of Hua Hin, monumental Chopstick Mountain guards the southern end of Hua Hin beach. A steep road curves to the top of the 77m-tall…

6. Cicada Market

8.41 MILES

Vastly better than the city-centre Hua Hin Night Market, this popular place 3.5km to the south is a fun mix of food, shopping and performing arts. It's…

7. Hat Hua Hin

10.78 MILES

Hua Hin Beach is a pleasant, but not stunning, stretch of fine white powder lapped by calm grey-green waves. Remarkably shallow, it's made for strolling…

8. Hua Hin Train Station

10.78 MILES

Probably the most beautiful train station in Thailand, this red-and-white icon was built in 1926 to replace the original station. It has a Victorian…

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