Pak Nam Pran is the coastal face of Pranburi: a fishing community at the river mouth, with boats pulled up near the water and seafood restaurants scattered along the road. It is more workaday than polished, which is exactly why it is worth a wander.
The village is also the practical base for the beach and mangrove park. Early morning is best, when boats are active and the light is soft over the estuary. By lunch, head for one of the simple seafood places and order whatever came in that morning.