At home in Ratchaburi

Baan Suan Hong Hern is the perfect choice for green environment.

Fleeing Bangkok is a tossup these days between high gas prices and the need for a relaxing weekend. The latter consideration usually wins, thanks in large part to terrific destinations like Ratchaburi's Suan Phung district.

It's two hours away, but hey, that's only going to cost you 50 litres of petrol.

The hilly area proffers several resorts, starting with the mammoth Phupha Phueng at the mouth of the small road leading to Khao Chone Waterfall.

Next comes Scenery Resort and Farm, which fascinates visitors with its white bungalows nestled amid lush forest and lawns kept trimmed by grazing goats.

Our destination is three kilometres from Scenery: For budgetconscious travellers seeking a tranquil, green environment, Baan Suan Hong Hern is the perfect choice.

The resort, opened a few years ago by a family that had recently bought the land, has a pair of bungalows big enough for two, another for up to six, and a twostorey building housing 10 studiosized rooms.

All accommodations are airconditioned, which is a good thing in this notoriously hot region.

Once settled in, grab a mat and pillow and head out back to the clear, clean stream. A stroll along its smoothgravel bed - or just paddling your feet from the bank - is wonderfully reinvigorating.

But go ahead and get soaked - there's no one around. The other side of the stream belongs to the resort too.

I spent another half a day at Kao Chone Waterfall eight kilometres away. You can spend a few hours trekking and climbing to the top layer.

The most enjoyable part was on the way back: There were several shops selling somtam, roasted chicken and local delectables, all of which we could take back to the resort for a riverside picnic.

The district is small, so there's only a few restaurants. Aside from Vichien Kaiyang which does not live up to its reputation, there's Scenery, a better choice among the few fancy restaurants here.

Baan Suan Hong Hern's own restaurant is also recommended. The menu is nothing special, but all the dishes are palatable. And you can have a few drinks in the small dining area and walk to your room without fear of an accident.

One warning, though: They turn up the karaokeequipped TV to an unbearable level. But if you're there earlier than others, you have the right to turn it down.

It's just the right place to visit, if peace and simplicity are what you're looking for.

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At a glance

High point: Serene, natural environment, complete with its own stream

Low point: Not much to do

Pay for it: Rooms for two start at Bt1,000. The larger bungalows cost up to Bt4,000.

Find it: Suan Phung district, Ratchaburi

Book it: (086) 688 5359, (081) 705 9508 or (089) 836 0278

Browse it: www.BaanSuanHongHern.com