Following our visit around Kung Wiman, we went to the neighboring beach of Chao Lao, separated by the large bay of Ao Khung Kraben. From Hua Laem, it is more than 10 km to go around the bay, on the edge of which is a protected area with mangroves. We did not go to the western part bordering the bay, just in front of the Hua Laem pagoda, where there are several small resorts and restaurants, preferring to concentrate on the things to see along the beach.

The mangroves of Ao Khung Kraben

This wasn't my first time visiting mangroves (we'd seen some near the town of Ranong, for example). So, there was obviously a somewhat repetitive aspect to what we saw. Namely, a boardwalk leading you through the vegetation, composed of mangrove trees and other tree species typical of mangroves. Often, if you look down at the ground, you can see small crabs going about their business.

Normally, places like this are set up to make a loop trail, leading to the edge of the mangrove, with a view of the bay here, and another path to come back. Normally. At the time of our visit, it was being redeveloped, which is good in a way, but a bridge spanning a canal was then impassable, we had to turn back.

Afterwards, apart from not having to see the exact same trees again, it wouldn't have changed much on this visit because the area at the edge of the mangrove is about halfway so the overall distance would have been the same. By hanging around a lot taking pictures (true to my habit), it took us 20 minutes to reach the edge of the mangrove and a good ten to return to the parking lot.

Chao Lao Beach

Just a stone's throw from the mangrove lies the long Chao Lao beach. It stretches for 7 km, though not continuously, as some sections lack sand (and therefore beach). While the whole area seems to share the same name, it is actually divided into several parts. Essentially, there's a long 5 km stretch of beach, ending at a small temple nestled against the hillside of the peninsula.

Chao Lao is one of Chanthaburi's most developed beaches, boasting dozens of establishments and restaurants along its shores. The sand is quite fine and, importantly, wide enough to sit on even at high tide. However, it's nothing like a seaside resort; there are no buildings in sight, just trees stretching as far as the eye can see. Nevertheless, it was the most crowded spot we encountered, despite the gloomy weather (not ideal for photos...). 

With the beach stretching out before us, we continued along the road to explore further. We stopped to see the jetty where the small fishing boats of the local villagers set out. Some fished there with lines or nets, the jetty allowing them to venture further out into the sea, when the tide was low and a wide beach was exposed, extending over 120 meters deep.

It was windy and overcast, which is pretty ideal weather for this activity, because otherwise no one would really risk standing in the direct sun here. It's less ideal for photography, because a gray sky is the photographer's enemy...

Kung Krabaeng Wildlife Sanctuary (Pink Stone)

And our next visit, and the last of the day, was to the Kung Krabaeng Sanctuary. To be honest, why this tiny piece of land jutting out into the sea is a sanctuary, I don't know, because given its size, apart from monkeys, it probably isn't teeming with animals. But that wasn't why I went there anyway. I was intrigued by a marker on Google Maps indicating "Pink Stone."

From the photos I'd seen, you could tell that the coastline of this peninsula is bordered by pinkish-hued rock, even if it wasn't immediately obvious. Hence my desire to go and see for myself what it was like. The big disappointment was discovering that despite the site's small size and secondary importance, the area charges an entrance fee, just like a national park ( 200 baht per adult , free for Thais, however...).

But since I was already there, I decided to take the "see for yourself" concept to its logical conclusion and went, paying the required fee. So there we were, following a path that started from a deserted stretch of beach next to the parking lot. Just beyond, another section of beach had a few people around, but we didn't stop there (time was getting on) and continued along the coastal path.

Honestly, the place remains aesthetically interesting, the rocks have a mixture of colors, between shades actually tending towards pink, those covered with algae and therefore rather green, plus the more "neutral" color of brown / black rock. After that from there to it being paid (only for foreigners especially) ...

In practical terms, our short walk today was incomplete due to lack of time. Normally, you can walk along the coast to the end of the peninsula (you should pass a small shrine with a Buddha statue along the way), where there's a large cluster of pinkish rocks. There, a path leads up the hill, offering a panoramic view of the peninsula, surrounded by nature and the sea below. The path then descends on the other side towards the parking lot, forming a loop. Looking at Google Maps, I estimate the complete loop to be about 2 km.

For our part, we barely went more than 300 meters. We crossed a small bridge, where just beyond was a tiny beach, with two trees on it, their roots intertwined and firmly anchored in the ground. The place is photogenic; a couple was taking pictures there, and Jitima didn't want to go any further (she wasn't feeling well that day), so she did the same while I continued on.

I only had time to pass another small beach, partially filled with pebbles, but above all, and more surprisingly, a house! Leaning against the hillside, I don't know if it was part of the sanctuary's infrastructure or if a private individual had made their little nest there, what is certain is that the place is now closed and unused.

Wat Pak Nam Khaem Nu

The temple is located shortly after the Kung Krabaeng Shrine peninsula, if you're heading towards Laem Sing. To give you some context, we checked out this temple the day before, in relation to the sites mentioned in this article, as we were finishing our visit to Laem Sing and heading back to our hotel (located on Kung Wiman Beach). I had spotted it while driving nearby. While on Route 4036 (Chaloem Burapha Chonlatit Road), we passed a 7-Eleven and then a junction with a small road (Khum Nu Alley) just before reaching the bridge over the river. Looking quickly to my right, I saw a large blue and white temple rising above the water.

It intrigued me. Enough to make me turn around, even though I was just continuing on my way for a few hundred meters. We didn't stop for long, of course, because I had one last place to visit that day to see the sunset (and it was almost time). But it was definitely worth the short stop. It's a beautiful temple, admittedly recent, but indeed decorated with striking blue and white tiles, a bit unusual; in addition to the rather imposing size of the elevated building, which stood out from the road.

And since I mentioned the sunset, I positioned myself from a spot on the same peninsula as the Kung Krabaeng shrine. However, it's not a public area… While scouting the location, I saw an open area resembling a beach, with a path leading to it from the roadside, opposite the area containing the shrine.

In the end, I don't know if it's also part of the sanctuary or if it's private property, but as I was walking along the path, I found myself in front of a gate… that was open! The temptation was great, and a motorcycle with two local fishermen passing by at that very moment, so I went along and parked 50 meters further on…