Hat Sai Ri Beach

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: The beach area is accessible throughout the day, while the main memorial zone opens from 06.30 – 20.00

 

Hat Sai Ri Beach in Chumphon Province is one of the most meaningful seaside destinations in southern Thailand. It combines a long white-sand beach, clear coastal scenery, seafood restaurants, seaside resorts, and one of the most important naval memorial sites in the country. Travelers come here not only to relax by the Gulf of Thailand, but also to pay respect at the memorial of Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse, Prince of Chumphon Khet Udomsak, widely honored as the Father of the Royal Thai Navy.

 

Located in Hat Sai Ri Subdistrict, Mueang Chumphon District, the beach is about 20 km from Chumphon town. The route is convenient by private car, rental car, or local transport from the city. The beach stretches in a graceful curve along the coast, with a road running parallel to the sea. This makes it easy for visitors to stop for photos, walk along the shoreline, enjoy seafood, visit the memorial area, or stay overnight at one of the nearby resorts.

 

Hat Sai Ri is often described as a calm and accessible beach rather than a crowded resort destination. Its charm lies in the balance between nature and local life. Along the beach, visitors will find restaurants, accommodations, souvenir shops, and small local businesses serving travelers who come for both leisure and pilgrimage. The atmosphere is relaxed, especially in the morning and late afternoon, when the light softens, the breeze is cooler, and the shoreline becomes ideal for walking and photography.

 

The most important cultural landmark at Hat Sai Ri is the memorial complex dedicated to Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse, Prince of Chumphon Khet Udomsak. Known affectionately by many Thai people as “Sadet Tia,” he played a decisive role in modernizing Thailand’s naval forces and is deeply respected by naval officers, fishermen, seafarers, and the public. Because Hat Sai Ri is closely connected with the final period of his life, the beach has become a place of remembrance, faith, and national maritime history.

 

The memorial area sits near the northern end of the beach and includes the old shrine, the newer shrine on the hill, HTMS Chumphon, and the Mor Phon Herbal Garden. The old shrine is closer to the beach and remains a place where many visitors stop to pay respect. The newer hilltop shrine is built in the form of a warship facing the sea, creating a symbolic connection between the prince, the navy, and the Gulf of Thailand. From the hilltop area, visitors can enjoy a wide view of Hat Sai Ri and the surrounding coastline.

 

HTMS Chumphon is one of the most impressive highlights of the site. This large torpedo vessel is 68 meters long and 6.55 meters wide. It was decommissioned on 26 November 1975, and in 1979 the Royal Thai Navy presented the vessel to be placed at Hat Sai Ri as a memorial to Prince Chumphon. Seeing the ship in person gives visitors a more tangible sense of Thai naval history, as the vessel stands beside the beach as both an educational landmark and a tribute to the development of the Royal Thai Navy.

 

The Mor Phon Herbal Garden at the foot of the hill adds another layer of meaning to the memorial complex. The name “Mor Phon” refers to Prince Chumphon’s association with traditional medicine and his reputation for helping people through healing knowledge. The garden preserves the memory of this compassionate role and gives the site a softer, more reflective character. Together, the shrine, the ship, the garden, and the beach create a destination that is much deeper than an ordinary seaside stop.

 

From the beach, visitors can see Koh Maphrao, a small island located not far from the shore. The island is known for its clear water, white sand, and surrounding coral reef. Boat trips can be arranged locally or through relevant tourism operators when sea conditions are suitable. Hat Sai Ri is also close to Mu Ko Chumphon National Park, one of the province’s most important marine nature areas, with islands, mangrove forests, snorkeling sites, nature trails, and coastal activities. This makes Hat Sai Ri a practical base for travelers who want to combine beach relaxation with island exploration.

 

For photography, Hat Sai Ri offers several strong compositions: the long curving beach, the sea with Koh Maphrao in the distance, the white shrine on the hillside, HTMS Chumphon, and the everyday atmosphere of local seaside restaurants. Morning is suitable for quiet walks and soft light, while late afternoon is ideal for a meal by the sea or a viewpoint visit near the memorial. Travelers who plan their timing well can experience both the peaceful beach and the spiritual atmosphere of the memorial within the same visit.

 

Activities at Hat Sai Ri are simple but rewarding. Visitors can walk along the beach, rest by the sea, swim when conditions are calm, enjoy seafood, visit the shrine, view HTMS Chumphon, and plan boat trips to nearby islands. Families and older travelers should consider visiting in the morning or late afternoon to avoid strong heat. Anyone entering the water should observe waves, wind, and local conditions, as sea conditions on the Gulf of Thailand coast can change with weather and seasonal monsoon patterns.

 

Visitors who come to pay respect at the Prince Chumphon shrine should dress politely and behave respectfully. Red roses, incense, candles, and other offerings are commonly associated with devotional visits, and firecrackers may be used by some visitors as part of vow-fulfillment practices. These activities should be done only in the designated areas for safety and consideration of others. The memorial is an active place of faith, not merely a sightseeing spot.

 

Getting There from Chumphon town is straightforward. Travelers can follow Highway 4119 and Highway 4098 toward Hat Sai Ri, covering a distance of about 20 km. Road signs to the beach and the Prince Chumphon memorial are easy to follow. A private car or rental vehicle is the most convenient option because it allows visitors to stop at nearby viewpoints, restaurants, the national park area, and other coastal attractions. Local transport from Chumphon town is also available, but return timing should be checked in advance.

 

Hat Sai Ri works well as either a half-day or full-day trip. For a half-day plan, visitors can travel from Chumphon town, pay respect at the shrine, see HTMS Chumphon, walk along the beach, and enjoy a seafood meal before returning. With a full day, the route can be extended to Mu Ko Chumphon National Park, Koh Maphrao, Khao Matsee Viewpoint, or Lomprayah Pier. This flexibility makes Hat Sai Ri one of the best starting points for discovering coastal Chumphon in a way that includes nature, history, and local life.

 

The lasting appeal of Hat Sai Ri is its combination of simplicity and significance. It remains a working local beach with food, accommodation, and community life, but it also carries deep historical and spiritual value. Travelers who take time to walk slowly through the area will see more than sand and sea: they will find a naval memorial, a decommissioned warship, a herbal garden, local restaurants, island views, and a coastal atmosphere that reflects the identity of Chumphon. For anyone who wants to understand Chumphon beyond its role as a gateway to the south, Hat Sai Ri is one of the most worthwhile places to begin.

 

 

A: Hat Sai Ri Beach is located in Hat Sai Ri Subdistrict, Mueang Chumphon District, Chumphon Province, about 20 km from Chumphon town.

 

A: It is known for its long white-sand beach, clear sea views, seafood restaurants, seaside resorts, the Prince Chumphon memorial, HTMS Chumphon, and the Mor Phon Herbal Garden.

 

A: No. The beach and the main memorial area have no admission fee.

 

A: Follow Highway 4119 and Highway 4098 from Chumphon town for about 20 km. A private car or rental car is the most convenient option, while local transport is also available.

 

A: Yes, it is suitable for walking, relaxing, and swimming when the sea is calm. Visitors should always check wave and weather conditions before entering the water.

 

A: The memorial is located near the northern end of Hat Sai Ri Beach and includes the old shrine, the newer hilltop shrine, HTMS Chumphon, and the Mor Phon Herbal Garden.

 

A: Morning and late afternoon are the best times because the weather is cooler, the light is pleasant for photography, and the beach atmosphere is more comfortable.

 

A: Nearby places include Mu Ko Chumphon National Park, Koh Maphrao, Khao Matsee Viewpoint, Lomprayah Pier Chumphon, and seaside restaurants in Hat Sai Ri Subdistrict.