Ao Mae Ramphueng

Ao Mae Ramphueng is a quiet Gulf-coast beach in Bang Saphan district, Prachuap Khiri Khan — not to be confused with the much larger, better-known Hat Mae Ramphueng near Ban Phe in Rayong province on Thailand’s eastern seaboard. This one sits about 72 km south of Prachuap Khiri Khan town, a working fishing beach that stays low-key even in peak season.

The bay’s sand runs for close to 3 km, backed by casuarina trees that give shade along much of its length. The water is sheltered and generally calm — locals and Thai holidaymakers from nearby towns come here to swim and picnic rather than surf, and the shallow shoreline suits families with young kids better than it suits anyone chasing waves. Longtail fishing boats work out of several points along the beach, and the daily catch shows up at a handful of simple seafood restaurants strung along the shore — grilled fish and fresh prawns rather than a curated menu. Rocky outcrops break up parts of the coastline, adding a bit of variety to what’s otherwise a long, flat stretch of sand.

Facilities are basic: toilets, a lifeguard presence on the patrolled section, and roadside parking rather than a formal lot. This isn’t a beach built for tourists — it’s a Bang Saphan community beach that happens to be pleasant enough for visitors to use too, which is both its appeal and its limitation. Don’t expect beach bars, sunbed rental, or watersports operators; bring your own shade if you plan to stay through the middle of the day.

Watch out: Because the province shares its “Mae Ramphueng” name with the far more famous Rayong beach, search results and even some maps can point you to the wrong coast entirely. Confirm you’re heading to Bang Saphan, Prachuap Khiri Khan — not Ban Phe, Rayong — before booking transport.

Bang Saphan’s better-known beaches, Hat Ban Krut and Hat Thang Sai, are both within easy driving distance if you want more choice of restaurants and places to stay. The Prachuap Khiri Khan hub page covers the rest of the province.