Scenic Route - Chumphon Town to Wat Kaew Prasert

October 30, 2023

Scenic Route - Chumphon Town to Wat Kaew Prasert

The Department of Rural Roads has classified certain roads as 'Scenic Routes'. The one in Chumphon runs along the coast from the Surat Thani boarder up to the Prachuap Khiri Khan boarder. This coastal route is only close to the beach in a few places, so not many views of the sea. However there are many attractions to visit on route. The road is well maintained and suitable even for cyclists. There are these signs marking the route so if you fail to see them for any time you know you have made a wrong turn.

Recently the Government has proposed The Riviera Thailand Project which includes part of the Chumphon Scenic Route, that running north of Chumphon town.

The following are suggested attractions along this route north of Chumphon, which can also be easily tried in reverse order if traveling south from say Bangkok. All along the way there are beaches, some better than others. Those mentioned here are considered the better ones, but sometimes that's down to personal choice.

Nong Yai Tang Chang Public Park

Location - https://goo.gl/maps/bhKMWxqCYLLkWHJv7

Detailed Blog - https://chumphonplaces.blogspot.com/2016/02/nong-yai-development-project.html

Take Road 3180 north out of Chumphon for 8 km. Just before the big bridge over the diversion canal there is a slip road which takes you down to the road that runs parallel with the canal. Follow this road round on both banks to see all the attractions within this Park, created under Royal Initiative as a system to control flooding.

Thung Wua Laen Beach

Location - https://goo.gl/maps/G6AagqFheXWVHqEQ8

Detailed Blog - https://chumphonplaces.blogspot.com/2020/07/thung-wua-laen-beach_23.html

Continue along Road 3180 for 16 km till you reach the beach. It is well signposted. Thung Wua Laen Beach (Running Bull Beach) is the main tourist beach of Chumphon. It is a large curved sandy beach lined with trees. This beach has plenty of restaurants, places to stay and shops to buy that beach stuff. If you need a place to stay this is it.

Wat Pa Yang

Location - https://goo.gl/maps/QjfR2LEY8yJbSsnu9

Detailed Blog - https://chumphonplaces.blogspot.com/2017/06/wat-pa-yang.html

Continue north along Road 3180 and just after the roundabout for the 3201 you will see the temple entrance. There are a number of temples on the Scenic Route but what makes this one a little different is that nearly everything is painted in gold. Don't forget your sunglasses. 😎

Khao Dinsor (Pencil Hill)

Location - https://goo.gl/maps/o3LPswW5dZhQNAu9A

Detailed Blog - https://chumphonplaces.blogspot.com/2020/09/khao-dinsor-chumphon-raptor-centre.html

Travel up the 3201 for 3 km and the road up the hill is on the left. This road takes you half way up to where there is a Raptor Centre. The views from here are very good however if you have a bit of energy there is a trail up to the summit where on a good day the views are spectacular.

Nang Thong Cave

Location - https://goo.gl/maps/wb46Cze2GwMnJhBX8

Detailed Blog - https://chumphonplaces.blogspot.com/2018/07/nang-thong-cave.html

Continue up the 3201 for 3 km and the road to the cave is on the left. It is very difficult to find this cave (very small opening) but worth it. Some amazing stalagmites. As this cave is not associated with a temple it is in an untouched form. Not suitable for children though.

Laem Thaen Headland

Location - https://goo.gl/maps/iffWaAnTkVJuyYv5A

Detailed Blog - https://chumphonplaces.blogspot.com/2020/08/laem-thaen-headland.html

Continue along the 3201, then on the 4004 and after 8 km the road to the headland is on the right. From the headland you get some nice views.

Khai Nao Beach (Coral Beach)

Location - https://goo.gl/maps/Cu9p4ThgDU5EvR186

Detailed Blog - https://chumphonplaces.blogspot.com/2023/12/khai-nao-beach.html

Continue up the 4004 for 10 km and the road to the beach is on the right. Khai Nao Beach is a crescent shaped sandy beach between two large rock outcrops. Also nearby is Yai I cave which is worth exploring.

Thung Sang Beach

Location - https://goo.gl/maps/SV5dDVb1QjaN6pbU7

Detailed Blog - https://chumphonplaces.blogspot.com/2018/02/thung-sang-beach.html

Continue along the 4004, then on the 3253 and after 2 km the road to the beach is on the right. Nice sandy beach with a large headland to the south. A big plus here is that there is a toilet block and a place to shower. Water pressure was strong, being ideal to wash off the salt.

Khao Por Ta Hin Chang

Location - https://goo.gl/maps/B97d4px6rUP3SR648

Detailed Blog - https://chumphonplaces.blogspot.com/2018/02/khao-por-ta-hin-chang-viewpoint.html
Continue along the 3253, then on the 4015 and after 20 km the road up to a large Buddha statue is on the left. Being on the top of a hill the view out towards Thung Maha Bay is rather nice.

Wat Kaew (Kaeo) Prasert

Location - https://goo.gl/maps/cSBkfMJfh4JqySmu5

Detailed Blog - https://chumphonplaces.blogspot.com/2015/06/wat-kaew-kaeo-prasert.html

Continue along the 4015 and after 2 km the road to the temple is on the right. Rather a big temple complex and not often found they have a heaven and hell garden. On the hill beside the temple you will find a large monk statue from where you get good views out towards Thung Maha Bay.