At home with Mike

POLLAPAT “Mike” Welsh, who played a supporting role in the recently ended “King Naresuan” film series, shows how crisis can be turned into opportunity at his resort, Lakaza de Pran, in Pran Buri, Prachuab Khiri Khan Province.

Unlike the mushrooming resorts and hotels along the road running parallel to the beach, Lakaza de Pran, which consists of two |buildings with 15 rooms, is tucked away on a side soi yet is still less than five minutes on foot to the beach. The resort will definitely appeal to cycling enthusiasts as Mike offers guests his |eight bicycles to ride at |no cost.

“I like to surprise,” says Mike, who has been running the resort for five years. “So I’ve tried to do something that really makes a difference in this area. First off, I provide a choice of high quality and large-sized seafood, because I’m associated with a number of small fishing boats and fishermen. My Banana Shrimp and Zebra Shrimp are as big as the palm of my hand and I don’t charge a fortune for the dishes. 

“My second strength is the bicycle activity. Thais who come here on holiday always want to visit a temple and they are particularly fond of Wat Ban Mai, which is home to an image of Buddha’s victory over Maras and is believed to keep those who worship there free from danger and difficulty.

“Tubtim Tong Joss House is another attraction and because of its location on top of a hill near the Pran Buri River, it offers a spectacular view. Of course, you can drive to these tourist destinations, but we offer you a taste of the slow life by cycling there.”

Mike is a long-time cyclist himself and says he loves to share new routes. “I’m crazy about IT and technology too. I don’t only save the location on the| Line app but also in GPS. |I use longitude and |latitude to ensure it’s |more accurate.”

Our group recently joined Mike’s “Bike Finder Share Experience and Balance” activity, which our host introduced to us over lunch. It involved hiking to the top of Thao Kosa Forest Park, one of Thailand’s “unseen” attractions but one that is definitely worth seeing as it offers a spectacular view of the coastline. We also spent time with Yuttapong Chatchawanwan, aka The Kuii Flat Bike, who instructed us in a simple breathing exercise to balance our minds.

After a seafood dinner, we were entertained by Neati “Puen” Jaydee, a folk guitarist who was happy to play our requests as well as his own song, “Kwamsuk Khong Khonsod.” Puen, 30, can be seen on TV this weekend in the first episode of “The Voice Thailand Season 4”.

“My father told me if I wanted to be a professional musician, I should take part in the competition. But even if I don’t get through the blind audition, I will continue to work on my songs,” says the young man, who admires Singto Numchok and John Mayer.

The following morning we are up early to offer food to monks in front of the resort and then ride to the market to tuck into a local breakfast of khao tom pla horapa (porridge with fish and sweet basil).

Later we ride along the road parallel to beach – the Coastal Road Network – covering 19 kilometres between Ban Nong Kham Noi and Sam Roi Yod beach. We stop off at Wat Khao Kalok then at La A Natu Bed and Bakery for a snack and fresh fruit frappe. Lunch is arranged at Jim Dang seafood restaurant and we spend the afternoon driving back to Bangkok.

“Tourists come here often and in all seasons. In winter, the strong wind is suitable for kitesurfing, windsurf ing and sailing. In the rainy season, Pran Buri is just only 30km away from Hua Hin but it doesn’t flood,” says Mike, who is planning to extend the property by building some pool villas.

 

Healthy holiday

- For more information and reservations, call (085) 661 2244 or (081) 828 1450 or visit Facebook.com/ lakaza.depran.