Perfect vacations in Bankrut (Thailand)

Here I got another idea of a perfect vacation. Imagine swinging in a hammock underneath the shade of palms, sipping pina colada and listening to the sound of exotic birds singing near the warm crystal blue ocean. Soaking your skin in suntan lotion and doing absolutely nothing. Just switch your cell phone off and unplug yourself from the world. Is that your idea of a perfect vacation?

Beautiful Beach of Bankrut.

Then I got some great news for you. Here is what you can do for your perfect vacation.

I have just returned from a perfect spot in Thailand for a vacation like this. Palms, sand, nature, warm ocean water and a good book possibly. Easy living with no stress and no need to think about nothing else, but waking up on time to meet a red sun coming up out of far horizon of the ocean to great yet another day of total bliss and relaxation.

Bankrut beach.

Now let’s talk how to get to this blissful paradise. There are several ways getting there. First, you got to go to Thailand. Land in Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. Now you can choose from taking a taxi – limousine, bus, train or a car.

If you want to take a taxi just go to Siam Resort Group limousines. The so-called limousines are in fact nicer Toyota Camry’s with friendly English speaking; very experienced safe driving chauffeurs. These taxi’s are most suitable for 2 persons with luggage. The current rate for a one way transfer from Suvarnabhumi airport to Bankrut / Ban Saphan is 4400 baht ($133). This rate includes toll for express- and tollways and all taxes. The ride will take between 5 and 6 hours, depending on traffic and number of stops along the way. Although there usually is one of these limousines on standby at the airport we strongly recommend to always book in advance to prevent disappointment after an exhausting flight of 12+ hours and the journey before that..

Rachavadee Beach Resort bungalows.

If you decide to go by train , you will need to go to taxi stand on the first floor of the airport to get to Bangkok Railway Station. All the taxis leaving from Suvarnabhumi Airport are legal and work with the airport. All must use meters, unless you agree the price with driver before getting in. (I prefer the meter.) Make sure you get the car with good air conditioning and enough space for your luggage. Most of them have very little storage place in a back. You don’t want to be stuck in a car for an hour with suitcase on your legs. Catch the morning sprinter to Surat Thani at 08:05 from Hua Lamphon train station to arrive at Bankrut station a little after 12:45.

If you want to take a bus take taxi from the airport to The southern bus station on Phutthamonthon Soi 1 in the Taling Chan district in Bangkok. The most convenient of all buses is the one that is operated by the Ban Saphan Tour. It leaves from Bangkok’s southern bus station at 12:30 and will not just drop you off at the highway: it even takes you the last 10km to the village. If this departure time in not convenient: There are hourly government buses departing from the southern bus station to Ban Saphan. Buy a ticket until Bankrut and make sure that the driver knows you want to get off in Bang Krut. You will be dropped off next to the highway near the junction.

Or like in this case we did – drive a car. But that is much more adventurous and energy consuming way of traveling. Of course if you are interested in trying it out, I am pretty sure you will enjoy it as much as we did.

Long driving on road 4 to Bankrut.

It took us about 3.5 hours to drive from Bangkok to the shore of Bankrut (sometimes spelled Ban Krud), a secluded place in Upper Southern Gulf region (Hua Hin) region of south Thailand. We woke up early before the sunrise to get out of Bangkok before the streets filled up with heavy traffic. It was yet dark. About 6 am. Getting out of Bangkok highways was much easier then we thought it would be. We bought a navigation system and upgraded it with Thailand maps. And I have to say, it is a real life saver in this huge town. Not only in our daily routine but like in this case driving out of Bangkok for a little perfect vacation of doing nothing.

The sun was rising as we were following our GPS system directions from Rama 4 into highway gates. I cannot remember if it was 25 or 45 baht to use this highway lane for a car containing up to 4 people. After driving quite a while our road merged and became road number 35, which later took a left turn to highway number 4 going all the way to the southern tail of Thailand. Road number 4 is easy to drive. It simply goes down the map with no sudden turns or other big crossings, passing by one town after another, just like one long street.

Welcome to Bankrut!

As you drive this road you pass many little and some bigger towns easy with no turns or stress. First you hit Phetchaburi then Hua Hin later Prachuap Khiri Khan town with many little towns and villages in between. Road number 4 is wide, good quality and little traffic. As you drive you can enjoy little everyday mom and pop stores on the left hand side of the road selling seasonal fruits, or shadows of Burma mountains on the right. After we reached Prachuap Khiri Khan we asked for some road directions, and we were told that we need to drive another 76 km on road 4 and then keep our eyes open for a junction with road number 3459, which takes you right to the seaside. All you have to do then is to take a turn to the right on a beach road number 1050 and simply drive looking around. The place I am about to recommend you is almost the last one on this beautiful road, surrounded by beautiful palm trees. You will not miss it if you will memorize the looks of little bungalows of “Rachavadee Beach Resort”.

Driving Bankrut Beach Road.

This beach street has many beautiful bungalow resorts with great restaurants, but I have to say, that the nature around Rachavadee Beach Resort was most beautiful and looked like paradise. I did not go around counting, but I think this resort has about 14 different size bungalows for rent. Prices are very affordable. One thing they do not mention on their website however is that you got to pay a 50% deposit by credit card to make sure the booking is confirmed. Also very important thing is to remember that you can only pay with cash once you get there. (There is an ATM at the neighbors resort close-by, so you will be able to get more cash at any time, don’t worry).

Beach at Rachavadee Beach Resort.

This resort has beach side hammocks hanging from the palms, beautiful nature; it is surrounded by a palm forest. Rachavadee Beach Resort is the only one of this kind in all of Bankrut. All meals in their menu were incredibly delicious. They even made it not spicy if you asked for it. Or even better you could bring your own fish and they would cook it for you free of charge. It was easy to get fish in a nearby fisherman village.

Freshly cooked fish of the day, just brought from the ocean.

The main building of Rachavadee resort does not look very fancy, but we were pleasantly surprised as we stayed there for dinner. The food turned out to be to die for. And even those who are not big fans of Thai cuisine, had really great experience in Rachavadee. Prices in menu were much cheaper then what you would normally pay in Bangkok, and food was much better quality. Very fresh and nicely presented.

Shrimps in Tamarind sauce.

Resort rents out bikes and a motorbike to its guests; it has tuk-tuk style taxi that will pick you up at the train station or by the bus stop.

Bikes and motorbike are available for rent in Rachavadee.

It’s incredibly peaceful in Bankrut village; this place is meant for relaxing and doing nothing, clearing your head from everyday troubles, forgetting about the world…

What can you do while you are there? If you need just a little bit of action, here are some ideas for you to try out:

Relaxing by the beach and drinking pina colada.

1. Rent a bike to ride.

2. Rent a motorcycle and drive around the area. It’s beautiful 10km long beach road that goes along the water.

3. Visit Wat Tan Sai temple, that looks like a Disneyland castle.

4. Try a night squid fishing trip.

5. Snorkeling and diving in nearby islands.

6. Chill by the swimming pool.

7. Have a nap in hammock.

8. Collect a beautiful collection of sea shells for your bathrooms.

9. Practice yoga and meditation.

10. Do absolutely nothing.

It was our perfect holiday of doing nothing. It was more than we ever thought it would be.

Happy traveling,

Ingrida LaMadrid

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