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According to every motoring map I have, there are more than one shortcut you
can take from the famous Kaeng Krachan Dam,
Phetchaburi Province, to Pa La-u Waterfall in
Prachuab Khiri Khan Province further south. But ask the locals there
about a shortcut, and chances are most of them would tell you to just forget
it and instead drive back out to Highway 4 (Phetkasem), go all the way to
Hua
Hin and take a road from there straight to the waterfall.
Why would these folks want you to take a detour rather than saving 60
kilometres?
No, the hidden route is not dangerous_not at all. Road condition isn't
bad either. And it's not that the locals do not know that such a route
exists.
The truth is, they tend to find the alternative route too hard to
explain. There're a number of intersections along the way and the villagers
just don't want you, a stranger, to get lost.
Well, sometimes it pays to be stubborn. Follow me!
Let's begin from the headquarters of Kaeng Krachan National Park near the
dam. From there take Highway 3242 for seven kilometres or so to Ban Wang
Won, then turn left towards Ban Nong Puen Taek which is about five and a
half kilometres away. Now the trick is instead of asking villagers for the
direction to Pa La-u which is still pretty far away, you should just ask
them about the next villages. Another important thing is you have to make
sure you remember all the village names you see in today's column.
From Ban Nong Puen Taek, there are two ways to get to the next stop, Ban
Yang Chum. (Look at the map.) At the village's main intersection I chose to
make a right turn and take a route that goes up the hill past Ban Dan Ngo,
Ban Nong Nam Dam, Huai Mae Priang, Huai Phai and Tago Aen before it reaches
Ban Yang Chum.
At Ban Yang Chum intersection, turn right onto Highway 3301 towards Nong
Plub 24 kilometres away. At Nong Plub, the 3301 ends at a T-junction where
it meets with Highway 3219 that comes from Hua Hin. Now you have to turn
right and follow the 3219 over a steep hill and down to Huai Sat Yai where
you'll find another T-junction. There, turn right and Pa La-u Waterfall is
just 10 kilometres down the road.
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