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GENERAL INFORMATION :
Chumphon's
coastal area is our latest discovery. Off the beaten track this is a
beautiful unspoiled area on the east coast of Thailand about
450km south of Bangkok. During the north east monsoon, (from
November to mid-January), this spot has the best wind conditions in
Thailand. For nature lovers, people who want to get away from it all
and for those who want to experience real Thai culture, this is the
place.
Chumphon's most
famous beach is "Thung
Wa Laen" beach or as it is often called "Cabana beach". As a result
of it's geographical position, during the north-east monsoon, (November
to the middle of January), this is the place with the best wind
conditions in Thailand. Upwind of Thung Wa Laen beach there is a
large mountain, the north-east monsoon wind accelerates as it
funnels past
this mountain. This wind is given a further push by a sea breeze
that kicks in every afternoon. This area is at a trade wind
latitude.
Our kitesurf
beginners spot is right next to Tung Wa Laen beach, this is in a
large bay with a big sand bar going across the front of it, this
stops all the waves. Behind the sand bar the water is dead flat and
waist to chest deep. A perfect place for learning.
Thung Wa Laen
beach itself is a good place for intermediate to advanced
kitesurfers. Near the beach there are small waves to play in and
further out there are nice rolling swells. The wind at the beach is
straight sideshore.
At Thung Wa Laen
beach there are nice bungalows right next to the beach. It's a very
laid back place. In the area there are several very good restaurants
looking out over the sea. Chumphon town is a 12 minute drive away
from Thung Wa Laen beach, there are small buses going there.
This town is a typical Thai town, every night there is a night
market at which you can buy some really nice food.
When you go
kitesurfing at the beaches in this area, a large part of the village people
will come out and watch you, they have never seen something like
this before.
You can rent a car
or motorbike to explore the area. The coastal area around Chumphon is
very beautiful. Small roads wind past coconut tree plantations,
small scenic bays, fishing villages and some beautiful offshore
islands. A little further inland the scenery changes to forrests and
rice fields interspersed with pine tree covered mountains.
Riding a bicycle is also very nice here, the roads are very quiet.
Our school is in
Chumphon:November and December
ACCOMMODATION:
Right beside Tung Wa
Laen Beach you can find bungalows of various comfort and prices:
Low to middle range
priced accommodation:
The price for most
bungalows at Tung Wa Laen Beach ranges between 200 and 600 baht. If
you stay for longer than one night, it is possible to get a
discount.
Sea Beach Bungalows
at the Northen end of Tung Wa Laen Beach has nice bungalows with air
conditionning and TV for 400 bath a night. The cheaper rooms with fan
go for 200 to 300 baht a night. Our Kitesurfing school is based at
these bungalows.
Middle to high range
price accommodation:
At the southern end of
Tung Wa Laen Beach, is the
Cabana
Resort.
Their bungalows and rooms have air conditionning / fan and cable TV.
There is also a swimming pool. Every morning they have a big buffet
breakfast open for anybody for 150 baht / pers.
<<link for
Cabana Resort>>
GETTING THERE AND AWAY
:
At the moment, the
airport is temporarily closed, so the way to get there is by road or
train.
|
By Bus
: Bangkok - Chumphon 3 times daily |
| |
|
| Departure
time |
Arrival
Time |
| 9:00
AM |
3:00
PM |
| 2:00
PM |
8:00
PM |
| 9:40
PM |
3:40
AM |
Buses leave from
the south bus terminal in Bangkok.
The bus company name
is 'CHOKEANAN'. Phone : 02 433 0723 or 02 435 7429
or 02 435 5027
|
By Bus
: Chumphon - Bangkok 3 times
daily |
| |
|
| Departure
time |
Arrival
Time |
| 10:30
AM |
4:30
PM |
| 2:00
PM |
8:00
PM |
| 9:30
PM |
3:30
AM |
In Chumphon, they
can be contacted at the following numbers: 077 511 480 or
077 511 757
Buses also go to Surat Thani and Phuket.
ORGANISED TOURS
Several travel agencies and guesthouses
organise outdoor tours to the surrounding areas.Infinity Travel
Service {tel 077501937}is one of the best.
Tri Star Adventure Tours offers a series of
interesting jungle treks,local cave trips and island tours lasting
from 2 to 5 days and starting at 1250 per person.A one day cave
exploration costs 400 baht and up,depending on the number of
people.Tri Star can be contacted through any travel service or
guesthouse.
Club Paradise{077
503331,077570114,014767760}offers all day boat trips around the
islands for 450 baht,and camping and fishing tours for 600 baht to
700 baht.Again any guesthouse or travel agency can hook you up with
club paradise.
GETTING AROUND
Motorcycle taxis around town cost a flat 10
baht per trip.Songthaews{small pick up buses}cost 20 baht to thung
wa laen beach.You can rent motorbikes for 200 baht a day and cars
for 1000 baht a day.
Information on trains
coming soon. |
