Traveling by car from Bangkok to Ban Krood takes about 3  ?  to 4 hours. There are many interesting tourist spots along the Petchkasem Road. We would like to recommend some of the most interesting tourist attractions within Prachuab Keereekhan Province, among which you can choose one or two spots to visit before you arrive at Keeree Waree.

1. On the Hua Hin Bypass, you may stop by at Wat Huay Mongkol, which is situated at Tubtai sub-district, Hua Hin District. The temple is open from 5.00 a.m until 10.00 p.m. everyday.  In this temple, there is the country’s largest image of Luang Poh Tuad,  who was one of the most venerated Buddhist monks in Thai history.  A native of the Southern Region of Thailand, the venerable Luang Poh Tuad lived in the mid Ayutthaya period or in the late 16th century. He was highly respected by the Kings and Thai people for his extensive knowledge on the Buddhist scriptures and meditation practice.  People also believed that he had magical powers to protect them from all dangers and evil influences.  The image is made of mixed metal, and is 11.5 meters high, with a lap span of 9.9 meters.  There is also another image of Luang Poh Tuad in this temple which was carved from iron wood. The wood itself is believed to be more than 1,000 years’ old. The wooden image was made in reference to one of legends surrounding his life. It refers to the story of how he turned seawater into fresh water to save some local fishermen from dying of thirst after they ran out of supplies of fresh water for several days.

2.  At Km. 286, one can visit the Khao Sam Roi Yod National Park which is situated in the Sam Roi Yod sub-district. The Park is the first marine national park in Thailand. It is registered under the Ramsar Convention  as one of the world’s important wetlands. You may follow the trails of coastline vegetation and aquatic plants and watch various marine birds in their natural habitat. The scenic lookout point on Khao Dang Mountain offers a spectacular view of the surrounding area. Then you can go to visit a stalactite and stalagmite cave called Tham Sai Cave, before moving on to Tham Phraya Nakorn, where the smallest royal pavilion is situated. The pavilion is called Khooha Kharuhaad Pavillion. It is a pavilion with four gable ends, which was constructed in 1890 to be used as a temporary resting place for King Chulalongkorn when he went to visit the area.  On the stone wall, there are the initials of the names of King Chulalongkorn and King Prachadhipok that were inscribed there to mark the royal visits to the cave.

3. At Km. 290, you may visit the Kui Buree National Park in Kui
Buree District, which is part of the fertile Ta Nao Sri mountain range. The Park is a suitable spot for hikers. They can see many trees that are over 200 years’ old, and several waterfalls, e.g. Nam Tok Dong Ma Fai Waterfall, which is a 15- tier cascade, with abundant water all the year round, and Nam Tok Pa Sawan, which consists of 5 tiers.  There is also a large variety of wildlife, such as the wreathed hornbills (Rhyticeros undulates) that make noises like airplanes when they fly about over the tops of the trees. There is a special spot where one can observe wild elephants from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

4. At Km. 320, you can visit Khao Chong Krajok, or the Mirror
Mountain, which is a sanctuary of a large number of stump-tailed or crab-eating monkeys (Macara irus). Climb up the 396 steps to the top of the mountain and you will come to a stupa where a replica of the Buddha’s footprint is enshrined. His Majesty the King visited the place to personally perform a ceremony to enshrine the sacred Buddha’s relics in this stupa.  On the top of the mountain, there is a natural aperture that appears to reflect the sky like a mirror. It is an excellent spot where one can enjoy the magnificent view of all the three bays’ areas.

  5. At Km. 335, you will reach the King Mongkut Memorial Park of
Science and Technology at Wa Kor, which is the largest open-air memorial park in Thailand. It is a significant place in Thai history, as King Mongkut (1804-1868) came for a visit with foreign scientists and dignitaries to watch the total solar eclipse of August 18, 1868, which King Mongkut himself had calculated two years earlier. Within the park, there are several facilities such as an astronomy and space building, an aquarium, and a butterfly garden.

6. At Km. 350, there is a national park called Huay Yang National
Park, which is situated in the narrowest part of Thailand. There are several beautiful waterfalls such as the Nam Tok Huay Yang Fall, where one can observe the beautiful sunrises and sunsets on the sea from its fourth tier.  On Khao Luang Peak, which is the highest point of the park, there are certain areas where you can see wild Siam tulips ( Cercuma alismatifolia Gagnep) that are in full bloom  in the early rainy season. A large variety of wild animals live in this area.  Poo Chao Fa, the Crown Princess crabs, or Panda Crabs (Phricotelphusa sirindhorn Naiyanetr, 1989), the newest kind of waterfall crabs that was discovered by Thai biologists in 1986, can also be found in this park.