Ao Manao Bay (Prachuap Khiri Khan) [อ่าวมะนาว]

On Ao Manao beach

Ao Manao is one of the three bays of the city of Prachuap Khiri Khan. Literally, its name means Lime (Manao) Bay (Ao). It is under the supervision of the Thai Royal Navy base. The Military has made a good job of preserving this area and its ecosystem. In order to get there, one needs to go through the Navy security at both ends.

Ao Manao is a closed bay comprised between two isthmuses and even barred by a few rocky islets between the bay and

the Gulf of Thailand.

The area is made of two sections outside the Navy base.

• A long, curving sandy beach that attracts lots of people on weekends. A stretch of trees provides natural shade. They are pine-trees or casuarinas with a few coconut trees as well. Since the area is quite popular, mostly with locals, there are many facilities along the coastal road: food courts, shops, coffee shops, and restaurants, as well as toilets and showers. Being Asia, the beach remains empty during the daytime, because the Thais fear the sun rays in order to keep their skins white! Some more, long chairs are provided in the shade for a very reasonable price. So, this is a great place to come and relax away from the usual tourist traps.
• The other interesting side is what is called the “historical section” of the Navy base isthmus. To get there, you must leave an ID with the military guard in a faction at the booth. He will provide you with a number card to collect your paper on your way back.

  

  On the historical road

  

  Standing on the sandy beach
  
  

  

  
  

The coastal road leading to the forested hill rock at the tip of the isthmus is absolutely superb and extreme well-tended with a line of coconut-trees and many flowery bushes.

At the end of the road, just below the hill, the densely forested area is home to an unexpected tribe of langurs. These friendly and adorable primates are also known as Dusky Leaf Monkeys (Trachypithecus obscurus). They usually come out in the evenings and they are great fun to watch. 

This bay is a very scenic area, probably one of the most beautiful places on the Eastern coast of the Malay Peninsula.

The langur area

A young langur

An adult dusky leaf monkey

Baby langur on a tree

Fishing boats at sunset.