"We do not realize the extent of the energy we are losing until we find where it is seeping from... " - Elliot Page
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| (Visiting an old friend in Khun Sarai) |
Date: 04 October 2026, Sunday
Route: Prachuap Khiri Khan – Thung Song
Hotel: Smile Resort, Thung Song
The Saan Rak Resort provides on-site parking right outside our room, making loading and unloading our luggage especially convenient. We left the resort early this morning and continued our journey south towards Thung Song, our next transit town.
Before leaving Prachuap Khiri Khan, we stopped for breakfast. One of the things we appreciate about travelling through Thailand is how easy it can be to find halal options at many 7-Eleven stores. We usually look out for the official Central Islamic Council of Thailand Halal Logo when choosing ready-to-eat food.
There were plenty of choices this morning. We settled for shrimp burgers and crabstick sandwiches, accompanied by our current favourite drink - cappuccino hazelnut. A simple breakfast, but enough to fuel us for the long drive ahead.
By the time we reached Chumphon, it was time for lunch. We stopped at Khun Sarai R&R, where the Muslim food section has several vendors. As usual, we had our familiar combination of white rice, extra spicy beef soup and omelette with a full platter of complementary ulam and sambal belacan.
We noticed that the payment system has changed. Instead of paying cash directly to the individual vendors, we now purchase cash cards or coupons from the counter and use them to pay for our meals. Any unused balance is refunded immediately when the coupons are returned to the counter. TNG QR payment is also available as an alternative.
At PTT Tha Chana, we stopped to refuel the Hi-Lux. This was our fifth of the seven refuellings we had budgeted for our Thailand journey. Judging from the remaining mileage, this should be our final refuelling in Thailand for this trip.
As we approached Thung Song, we made a short detour to Muslim Satun Halal Restaurant, located at the PTT Thung Song Southbound station. We ordered takeaway fried meehoon for our dinner later that evening - one less thing to worry about after another long day on the road.
We checked in at Thung Song Smile Resort, our second stay here. It is a simple, down-to-earth chalet-style accommodation with free Wi-Fi, free parking, an on-site restaurant and a pleasant garden area. Most importantly for us, the Hi-Lux could be parked right beside our chalet door, making it easy to unload our luggage and settle in.
We had our takeaway meehoon for dinner before retiring early.
Somehow, our bodies seemed more tired today. More than seven hours on the road had taken its toll, both physically and mentally. The long stretches of driving, road works, traffic and pouring rain all added to the fatigue.
After so many days of travelling, perhaps our bodies were simply reminding us that even seasoned road trippers need to slow down and rest.
Tonight, it is time to recharge.
Thankfully, tomorrow's drive to Hat Yai will be only about three hours. We are getting closer to the end of our long journey, one final stretch at a time.
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