4x4 to a secluded beach in a Thai National Park + Drone video

National parks in Thailand are always full of hidden treasures. Sometimes an unmarked view point, cave or waterfall will surprise you, but it isn't often you find a secluded beach at the end of a narrow spit.

This is the second time I have visited this national park in the south of Thailand- the first time was so good, I had to go back with my drone.

Filmed with Mavic Pro

National parks usually limit or restrict the areas you can go. Large signs and paved roads led visitors around the park to designated areas, usually the main waterfall or beach area. This is of course an effort from the park to protect its land and wildlife.
However, there are a few national parks that allow 'extended' travel through the parkland. Such areas can only be reached in 2 ways:

With a park ranger and park vehicle, or
With your own 4x4. Updating the front desk of your intended route is usually required.
As we reached the last car park 12 km into the national park, a sign stating '4x4s only' was what I was hoping to see- the sand dune track was still open!

Testing 2wd through the sand caused us to dig down and get stuck, clearly this is why they only allow 4wd vehicles.

The sand dune track extended out along the natural spit- ocean on one side and mangroves on the other. The total distance was almost 10 km. We had already passed signs forbidding any camp fires or wild camping but did stop to explore some of the forest paths on foot- a chorus of birds and rustles in the bushes were constant.

The further along we got the softer and more uneven the sand track became. In addition to this, some of the bends were 'somewhat' tight as they weaved in and round the larger trees. Since I was sat in the passenger seat trying to fly the drone and get it to follow us, my dad drove.

Normally dads are pretty good at driving- slow, safe and cautious! Well on this drive, my dad was pretty good at hitting almost every single tree stump! An on going joke from last year about how many stumps he would or wouldn't hit became less and less funny with every bump! Shortly after, we had to swap seats when he managed to wedge the truck on top of one stump and another larger stump that took a bit of a beating blocking the vehicle from going forwards!

Sure enough we made it back to our favourite spot. The last open grassy stretch of track took us down to a golden sand beach. The water was clean and clear and perfect for swimming.

A lone yacht had dropped its anchor just off shore, but other than them and us, there was no one else around. Climbing up over the rocks, led us to more beaches and small coves.

Huge black crabs scaled the rocks clinging on with every wave, as soon as anyone walked by or tried to get up close to take a photo, they would scatter and hide in nooks and crannies.

If they allowed camping here, this would be a perfect place for it. I'm not sure what rules or guidelines yachts need to follow, but they left just before sunset.