Prachuap Khiri Khan, Prachuap for short, separates Bangkok to the north and the islands and beaches to the south, making it perfect for lazy road trips following the coastline in either direction.

The most popular tourist destination is Hua Hin, a well developed city with plenty of family-friendly resorts overlooking miles of beaches. The centre is cramped and noisy, but the southern part of town is a relaxing base for attractions such as the Black Mountain Water Park and Wat Khao Takiab, the Chopsticks Hill Temple, where you can meet monkeys and enjoy the sea views. Hua Hin is also a golfing centre and tour companies offer club rental and transport to any one of 10 courses, some very scenic.

Further south, Pranburi is a more laid-back seaside city with a mangrove-forest walkway and some of the best wind and kite-surfing in Thailand. It's also close to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park with quiet beaches, magnificent limestone caves and a wetland rich in birdlife.

Prachuap town is a kid-friendly destination in its own right. It has a monkey-filled hilltop temple at Khao Chong Krachok, a family-oriented beach at Ao Manao, and a seafront walkway where fishers offload their catch. And within striking distance are the refreshing Huai Yang waterfall and the Kui Buri National Park, the best place in Thailand to spot elephants in the wild.

Note for all travellers, but especially those with kids, road safety in Thailand leaves a lot to be desired and a high degree of caution is advised.