Kho Khao Beach

Kho Khao Beach is a small pocket of sand tucked between rocky headlands in Na Phaya subdistrict, Lang Suan district, on Chumphon’s southern coast. It’s worth being explicit about what this isn’t: it is not Koh Kho Khao, the much larger island near Takua Pa in Phang Nga, roughly 200 km further south — the shared name is a coincidence of geography, not the same place. This Kho Khao is a mainland viewpoint-and-beach combination, small enough that locals refer to it as “Jut Chom Wiw Hat Kho Khao” — the Kho Khao Beach viewpoint — as often as they call it a beach outright.

The sand here runs golden to light brown, coarser than the powder-fine sand of Thailand’s famous islands, mixed with rock fragments along the waterline and shallows. Headlands break the coast into small coves rather than one continuous stretch, which keeps the setting quiet and largely undeveloped. The main built feature is on the hill above: Wat Thep Nimit, known locally as Wat Kho Khao, holds a large Guan Yin statue seated on a lotus-leaf perch instead of the dragon more commonly seen at Thai temples, and a large blessing-pose Buddha image at the summit with sea views out over the bay. A shrine to Admiral Prince Chumphon, built onto a replica of the warship Ruea Luang Chenthale, sits nearby — a reminder that this stretch of coast carries the same naval-hero reverence found throughout Chumphon province.

Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources has logged sea turtle activity along this section of coast, so it’s a working piece of shoreline for marine wildlife as well as a lookout point, though sightings aren’t something to plan a visit around.

Watch out: This is a small, low-key site with no restaurants, shops, or rental gear on the beach itself — treat it as a short stop for the view and the temple rather than a full beach day, and bring your own food and water.

Insider Tip: Climb to the temple’s hilltop Buddha image before or after the beach — the elevated sea view over the bay and headlands is the actual highlight here, more so than the sand itself.

The Chumphon hub page covers the wider province, including better-known swimming beaches such as Hat Sai Ri near Chumphon town and Pharadonphap Beach, if open sand and swimming are the priority rather than a quiet viewpoint stop.