Where the Gulf of Thailand meets coconut groves and quiet shore — a coastal village untouched by mass tourism.
Find a place to stay→The best pizza I have ever had — pure quality. Jim's little black pizza stand on the beach road — opposite the whale statue — bakes authentic Neapolitan pizza in a proper oven. When you fancy a break from rice and curry, this is the village answer. Jim is a friend of the house, and the pizzas speak for themselves.
★ 5.0 on Google (46 reviews) · Opens 16:30 · Eat in, takeaway & delivery · +66 82 194 5059
Refill sits right at the market and opens at 6 in the morning, opposite the old railway station. The coffee is genuinely good, the place is cosy, and the owners speak good English. Come while the market is still humming — this is where you meet the other travellers over the first cup of the day. At 9.30 they close again.
Open 6.00–9.30 every morning · At the morning market · Opposite the old railway station
Ban Krut — also written Ban Krood or Ban Grood — sits in Prachuap Khiri Khan province. Its name comes from the Kaffir lime trees that once grew along the shores. Today, it remains one of Thailand's best-kept secrets: calm waters, empty beaches, fresh seafood, and authentic village life far from the tourist trail.
It sits south of Hua Hin and north of Chumphon — roughly halfway between Bangkok and the southern islands — but still feels far away from mass tourism and party hubs. Most visitors discover that two or three nights turns into a week.
"The sea here doesn't roar — it whispers. That's what makes Ban Krut unforgettable."
— Travel journal, 2023
Long stretches of sand with calm, swimmable waters. No jet skis, no beach vendors — just the sea, the palms, and you. The beach splits into two parts around Thong Chai hill.
Hilltop temples with sweeping Gulf views. Wat Thang Sai offers nine golden chedis, a massive Buddha overlooking the bay, and panoramas that stop your breath.
Lobster, crab, and grilled fish pulled from the Gulf hours before reaching your table. Local restaurants serve generous portions at very reasonable prices.
Rent a bicycle and explore at your own pace. Coconut groves, fishing piers, road-side fruit stalls, and cave temples await around every corner.
West-facing beach with unobstructed horizon sunsets. The sky turns burnt orange and deep violet every evening — grab a beachside chair and watch.
Real Thai coastal life. Morning markets, fishing boats heading out at dawn, monks collecting alms — a Thailand that hasn't been packaged for tourists.
From beachfront bungalows to boutique guesthouses nestled between coconut trees — Ban Krut offers accommodation for every kind of traveller. Wake up to the sound of the Gulf and fall asleep under tropical stars.
Browse all stays →If Ban Krut gets under your skin, Livinghouse Thailand builds and sells homes in the village. Behind it is Swedish designer and builder Mats Olofsson, who has been building here since 2003: Scandinavian design, bright open rooms and generous terraces. Phase 1 is five architect-designed villas, Phase 2 a low three-storey condominium. Friends of this site.
Scandinavian design since 2003 · Baan Krood, Thong Chai · Villas & condominiums
Daily social ride from 7/11 at 07:30. Visitors welcome — just show up a few minutes early and introduce yourself. All fitness levels, relaxed pace.
Join the Ride→Follow on Facebook
Step-by-step transport guides for this stretch of the Gulf coast.