An alternative to Petchkasem Rd when heading up to Bangkok

[Terry]

I’ve been meaning to try a new route up to Bangkok ‘along the coast’ from Cha Am to km 72 just short of the bridge at Samut Songkhram for a long time.

I took this route yesterday afternoon / evening
From Cha Am head North on 4033, to Bang Kao 1016, 3177, 4028, Bang Laem, 3178 and finally 4012 which brings you out onto Rama II southbound at km 72 adjacent to a police station and a PTT fuel garage.

The road – all the way – is very well surfaced – no pot holes and a joy to drive if you have the extra 30 – 45 minutes that it adds to the journey. Mostly through salt farms and aquaculture areas, there are virtually no other users except local traffic. However – no fuel stops – toilets or ‘convenience’ stores.

Rather refreshing I thought………….

One and only bad bit was right at the end when you reach Rama II. You take a sharp left to join the small stretch of ‘frontage’ road that then veers right to go under a low headroom bridge – with Rama II over the top of you. When reaching the other side and turning right to head Northbound there is a 200m pot-holed obstacle course to get you back onto the man Northbound Rama II. OK in a truck but quite a bum scraper in a saloon.

Well worth the adventure though – and I should think, a very good ride on a bike – pedal powered or motorized!

I will try the return trip some time when I’m not in a hurry to get back to HH

Check it out

[buksida]

Yep, taken this route a few times, very scenic.

Going south its a shame there is no similar alternative from Pranbui to Bangsaphan, that crater surfaced strip of shit they call highway 4 is getting worse by the day ...

(Going through SRY is nice but adds a lot of time and kms to the journey)

[hhinner]

One and only bad bit was right at the end when you reach Rama II. You take a sharp left to join the small stretch of ‘frontage’ road that then veers right to go under a low headroom bridge – with Rama II over the top of you. When reaching the other side and turning right to head Northbound there is a 200m pot-holed obstacle course to get you back onto the man Northbound Rama II. OK in a truck but quite a bum scraper in a saloon.

You can avoid the bum scrape by going south on Rama II for a couple of hundred meters to where there is a U-turn.

[Gérard]

This little map to avoid Pak Tho when coming from BKK.

You will find the road to BAN LAEM about 6 km after crossing the SAMUT SONGKHRAM bridge (Km 72 from BKK)

you can follow the sea-side to Cha-Am as well.
Usually a very quiet road, I suppose it is now quite busy.

[Terry]

Came up to Bangkok this evening on this route again - a joy.

Happy to report that the 'underpass' beneath Rama II to turn right towards Bangkok is finally open - so you don't have to risk life & limb doing the 'U' turn any more.

[NOKYAI]

For some reason my Tom Tom sat nav sends me this way to the airport ....actually I don't mind as it breaks up the journey a bit

[oakdale160]

Anybody taken a mino bus from VicMon to HH recently. Are they functioning as normal. Kamikazi drivers not withstanding.

[Nereus]

Scenic route it is, and should not be regarded as anything else. Please do NOT attempt this road after dark, especially if you have not used it previously. The Petchkasem Rd end, with all those twists and turns, should be approached with extreme care!

If trying to avoid where the road was blocked I think it would be better to take one of the many roads that end up in / start in Petchaburi from Petchkasem Rd.

That huge "WAT" being consructed is worth a stop to look at. Anybody know just what is stored in that huge tank farm? Is it crude, petrol, diesel or whisky?

There are several resorts along the way, together with several abandoned ones! Worth a halfday excursion from Hua Hin if you are not in a hurry.

[MwD]

The mini vans to Vic. Mon. are running as usual, have been all the time, except when Phetchkasem rd was blocked by the farmers a couple of weeks ago.

The stage at victory monument has been removed and is heavily congested with traffic again.

This week should be interesting as the police have been given their orders to remove the stages....