Cha Am beach has remained quiet and unpopular with partying beachgoers, but it is this distinct absence of tourism and all its frills and action that makes Cha Am so charming. You won't find rows of bars or a night market, but Cha Am does sport a nice clean beach, clear waters and enough amenities to have a great holiday.
The highlights in Cha Am include lounging on the sand and making brief excursions to nearby nature parks. A traditional fishing village still hauls in the goods every day just next to the tourist section of town, making a nice diversion. But if you really want a dose of culture then head north about an hour to Petchaburi, an ancient Thai town loaded with royal, religious and military history.