Spectacular Viewpoints along the Gulf Coast

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Khao Hin Lek Fai is a small park 2 km west of the city. You can enjoy a beautiful view of the city and its surroundings. Dozens of high rise buildings catch your eye, among them many half-finished and ruined buildings, the unfortunate result of 'false speculation'.

Impressive temples with huge Buddha statues are under construction in the north-western part of the city, just before the elephant camp and opposite a Chinese cemetery.

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The name Khao Chong Krachok, the “mirror mountain”, is derived from a hole inside the mountain that can be seen from afar. The hillside is populated by numerous pesky monkeys which often can only be kept away with a stick.

If you climb up the 396 steps to the small temple on the summit, you will be rewarded with a very beautiful view. Besides an overview of the bay with its offshore islands and the city, you can see even mountain chains in the west in Myanmar. In this region, the width of Thailand is only a few kilometers. Pineapple plantations stretch in the distance to the vast hills.

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The 3-km-long beach is located in the picturesque bay Ao Manao. It lies 3 km south-east of the city, situated on military grounds.


In Wing 53 Historical Park is a hero statue, a replica of an air force soldier standing on a propeller holding a flag and facing the sea. A large engraved stone refers to the fight between the Thai and Japanese armies at Ao Manao. There is an annual ceremony to commemorate the heroic deeds of 8 December, 1941.

The atmosphere here is relaxed and non-commercial. Langur monkeys live in the trees at a small temple behind the landing field. There are showers, toilets, changing rooms, and restaurants. It is best to enjoy the beautiful scenery during a boat tour (300 Baht per boat).

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Khao Thong Chai Mountain stands south of Thang Sai Beach. There is a huge Buddha statue overlooking the pristine, white sand Ban Krut Beach and the coconut plantations that stretch as far as the steep mountains of Myanmar.


This beach front hill sits between two splendid beaches - Ban Krut and Thang Sai. It is the finest scenic point in Bang Saphan District. There is a large Buddha statue worth seeing at the top of the hill called Pra Phu Takitti Siri Chai, as well as the new temple Pra Maha Tat Chedi Pukde Prakad.

Khao Thong Chai Mountain is 13 km from H4.

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Khao Din Sor is a mountain beside the road leading from Chumphon to Pathio, about 7 km before reaching Pathio. A big wooden signboard marks the new paved access road which after about 1 km ends at a fairly beautiful viewpoint.

The really fantastic viewpoints are further up the mountain along a well maintained trail. Five huts on various levels offer some shade to enjoy the beautiful coastline towards the north and the south as far as Chumphon. An avid mountain hiker can reach the flat top within half an hour. Walking through the brush leads to various viewpoints that offer a 360 degree view from the plantations below as far as the mountains towards Myanmar.

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