Sirinart Rajini Mangrove Ecosystem Learning Center

Hua Hin & the Upper Gulf


Along the south shore of the Pranburi River, right on the edge of Pak Nam Pran town, is this large, successful mangrove restoration project. Begun in 1994, the forest was hand planted over nine years on land that had been cleared for shrimp farms, which are a huge ecological scourge in this part of Thailand.

The muddy ground is full of many species of crab and you'll probably also see birds, mudskippers and water monitors, and hear snapping shrimp. There are good displays about nature and local life, in Thai and English, in the visitor centre and along the 1km-long elevated walkway. At the back end an observation tower takes you high above the trees. Though there are some similarities with the nearby Pranburi Forest Park the two reserves are different enough that visits to both are rewarding.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Hua Hin & the Upper Gulf attractions

1. Pranburi Forest Park

1.35 MILES

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…

2. Hat Sai Noi

4.09 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

4.23 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

7.34 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

8.39 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

9.67 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. Khao Hin Lek Fai

12.01 MILES

In the hills west of the city, a winding drive up Flintstone Hill takes you to several viewpoints of Hua Hin and the gulf. Viewpoint #4, across from the…

8. Hua Hin Train Station

12.02 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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