Thailand: Khao Chong Krajok (Mirror Mountain), Prachuap Khiri Khan

Prachuap Khiri Khan means ‘town among the mountain chain’. Although little more than a fishing port, the town – which, depending on who you speak to, is either the last provincial capital in Central Thailand, or the first provincial capital in the south – has a distinct charm to it, and is well off the beaten tourist track. That is, tourists pass through all the time, but they rarely stop.

In historical terms, Prachuap is significant as one of the seven landing points where Imperial Japanese troops stormed ashore in 1941, on their way south to occupy Malaya and Singapore. Today, however, the town is a pleasant, laid-back fishing port with colorfully-painted fishing vessels at anchor in the harbor and an attractive waterfront walking street with some very good and reasonably priced restaurants. These aside, there is no nightlife worth speaking of. The town is ringed on the land side with rugged limestone mountains, one of which – Khao Chong Krajok, or ‘mirror tunnel mountain’ – is pierced with a natural opening that appears not unlike a giant mirror, and which is perhaps the town’s most famous natural landmark.

Perched atop Khao Chong Krajok, high above the town, and at the top of a long flight of stone stairs, a revered temple called Wat Thammikaram serves as Prachuap’s most revered site, and offers – besides spiritual enlightenment – fine views across the town and the bay.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia