Last visited Apr 2012 
Best eating theater sentiment in addition to surprisingly, some of the cheaper nutrient inwards the Khao Lak surface area - outlook from the balcony tabular array at MUAN LAI eating theater side past times side the chief route every bit it drops towards Ban Nang Thong/Khao Lak town. This eating theater is at nowadays the 2d eating theater at the BAAN KRATING RESORT but is pop alongside passing tourists in addition to locals. That's Sunset Beach below.
The surface area known every bit Khao Lak is truly a 20km stretch of mainland beaches starting nearly 75 km northward of Phuket airport. There are five unlike beach areas along this stretch - some separated past times headlands or rocks, others exactly merging into the next. I modified the Google epitome below to exhibit the beach sequence. Might live worth clicking to expand.
Most old-timers think of Khao Lak every bit the NANG THONG-SUNSET BEACH surface area exactly northward of the NATIONAL PARK headland bottom of epitome - but the truthful KHAO LAK BEACH is to the due south of the same headland.
Heading northward from Nang Thong nosotros receive got BANG NIANG, KHUK KHAK, PAKARANG CAPE in addition to PAK WEEP.
The 2 major towns are BAN NANG THONG close the southern headland which I receive got labelled KHAO LAK TOWN in addition to the slightly less busy BANG NIANG a few km to the north.
It powerfulness live worth-while clicking this epitome to expand it.
This in addition to next map-images modified Google Earth.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 GOOD MAP of the surface area showing most accommodation tin dismiss live constitute here.
THE BEACHES
KHAO LAK BEACH
The Khao Lak strip starts inwards the due south on the Phuket side of the high National Park headland at the truthful in addition to less visited Khao Lak beach.
This is a really squeamish stretch of sand alongside lovely clear H2O for swimming. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 handful of mid-range to high cease hotels including THE MERLIN are situated at the left closed to the headland.
Heading correct on the beach at that spot are a pair of little changes of administration which brand for carve upward stretches of sand in addition to hence at far correct of shot nearly 300m of sand which is the body of body of water beach for POSEIDON BUNGALOWS (see pic below). The resort itself is situated exactly out of shot on a lovely fiddling estuary alongside views upward some other long beach farther due south to the long headland at Thap Lamu where the Similans Islands transfer boats depart.
Poseidon Bungalow's body of body of water beach - at that spot is truly to a greater extent than the other side of that stone -image Poseidon Bungalows.
This is a shot I took of roughly the same surface area close the top of a really high tide inwards March '11
One criticism of the truthful Khao Lak beach is that it's a fleck isolated - town inwards some five km northward over the headland. True, a fiddling service/restaurant surface area has developed on the inland side of the beach hotels about MERLIN in addition to if you lot walk due south along the beaches towards Poseidon (takes fifteen minutes - hey, ane morning time I saw an elephant beingness walked along here) at that spot are a few little places laid upward past times local villagers selling fruit, drinks, massages in addition to hiring beach chairs/umbrellas etc.
The truthful Khao Lak Beach due south of the National Park headland.
NATIONAL PARK WHITE SAND BEACH
Next northward is some other beach in all probability a minority of Lak visitors encounter - a little stretch one-half way along the National Park headland.
This tin dismiss live reached past times a not-too-easy rock-hop northward from Khao Lak beach (warning - don't live tempted to short-cut along promising-looking jungle paths that peter out - I was 2 hours overdue from a fiddling trip to this beach for which Lady Tezza gave me hell). But the easiest access is an interesting rail from within the National Park entry gate close the eating theater really closed to the highway at the top of the headland - the sign says 1.5km but it seemed a fleck to a greater extent than - slopes mainly moderate, whatever steep ones quite short. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 viewpoint is nearly ane tertiary the way along this track.
Note inwards my March '11 see I also saw a signposted rail WHITE SAND BEACH leading off the highway some 300m due south of the National Park entry gate. I haven't had fourth dimension to sweat this rail yet, but its seat promises it to live a fleck shorter.
The beach is deeper than it appears inwards shot. Behind at that spot were picnic tables in addition to a construction looked similar it could live used every bit a little cafe inwards peak flavor - deserted when I visited inwards belatedly Nov 2010.
SUNSET BEACH
Sunset Beach from BAAN KRATING RESORT on the slopes of the National Park headland.
IF I HAD TO PICK ONE OF THESE BEACHES (that is if I was staying midrange or upmarket) I reckon I would go for Sunset. The beach hither is really attractive - tucked inwards against the towering headland alongside squeamish sand in addition to some outcrops of stone for character, at that spot is a host of squeamish places to remain in addition to to consume at, some correct on the beachfront, others built upward the headland side alongside panoramic views - in addition to it has the neat wages of entirely beingness a 10-15 infinitesimal walk upward to town for shopping, other restaurants etc.
Well, I did remain midrange (late Nov 2010) in addition to did go for this beach - in addition to truly BAAN KRATING mentioned above.
Looking due south over Sunset Beach from the Nan Thong cease - large headland inwards dorsum has BAAN KRATING in addition to several other resorts, in addition to top correct you lot tin dismiss encounter the radio aerial at National Park HQ.
Sunset Beach, the National Park headland in addition to white sand beach. My labels are a fleck small, click to expand.
NANG THONG BEACH
The northward cease of Sunset Beach is near-right. Around the slight corner it becomes NANG THONG BEACH. I don't think at that spot is whatever geographical characteristic separating beaches farther northward - NANG THONG only merges into BANG NIANG BEACH nearly 2/3rds the way across epitome moving left (although at that spot is some other fifty-fifty smaller kink inwards the beach which may live the edge - or a little creek estuary a fleck farther north).
Some parts of Nang Thong in addition to northern Sunset receive got little rocky sections which give the beach added character.
Nang Thong is in all probability the most used beach section. There are a divulge of fine resorts both beachfront in addition to beween the beach in addition to the town which is mayhap 500m inland. Lots of restaurants in addition to bars inwards this zone too. Nang Thong has a greater concentration of budget rooms than others - although to a greater extent than inwards the town surface area - the days of beachside budget digs are long gone.
Moving northward into BANG NIANG at that spot are some really squeamish in addition to spacious top-end in addition to mid-range places accessed past times long lanes from the highway alongside considerable unbuilt gaps between.
Nang Thong Beach in addition to Khao Lak town (Ban Nang Thong)
BANG NIANG in addition to KHUK KHAK BEACHES
BANG NIANG occupies nearly the middle 70% of this shot alongside KHUK KHAK the far LEFT 15-20 %.
About one-half way along BANG NIANG where the 1km long access roads larn inwards from Ban Bang Niang chief street on the highway, at that spot is a cluster of midrange resorts, restaurants in addition to bars. This designing continues along the access roads from the highway - alongside a few budget rooms in addition to many shops every bit well. The chief describe of piece of work concern surface area upward on the highway has a proficient attain of retail in addition to other services but is non every bit large or comprehensive every bit Ban Nang Thong/Khao Lak town.
This is shot looking due south from where the access route hits the beach from Bang Niang town.
Back on the beach moving northward towards in addition to into KHUK KHAK nosotros receive got a repeat of really squeamish in addition to spacious top-end in addition to mid-range places but these are fifty-fifty to a greater extent than dispersed than to the south.
Khuk Khak is also know every bit KHUK KHAN. It is in all probability the most upmarket surface area alongside several large novel developments nether construction when I lastly visited.
If you lot similar your beaches loooong in addition to uninterrupted the Bang Niang - Khuk Khak strip would live exactly the thing. To me they are less attractive - a fleck featureless in addition to kinda exposed - I similar my beaches alongside headlands, sections of stone yada yada. But hey, some of the resorts inwards these places are veeery flash - totally gorgeous - in addition to people staying at that spot would in all probability receive got no complaints at all.
Bang Niang beach correct in addition to Khuk Khak beach left.
This squeamish fiddling inlet could live the edge betwixt Bang Niang in addition to Khuk Khak beaches.
Khuk Khak beach appears pretty undeveloped - its mainly upmarket resorts are widely spaced in addition to mainly behind the tree line.
LAEM PAKARANG
KHUK KHAK merges to the northward into a longish headland at CAPE PAKARANG. This seems to live the lastly frontier development-wise fifty-fifty though the beach continues about most of the cape to PAK WEEP BEACH which is slightly to a greater extent than built up. There are a pair of high cease joints on the cape looking this way, alongside undoubtably to a greater extent than to come.
I shot this from my BAAN KRATING bungalow balcony on the headland due south of SUNSET BEACH - the 3x telephoto on my mighty indicate in addition to shoot Canon (the flash failed 2 seconds after the warranty finished in addition to the bastards would non repair it gratis) banging upward against the rev-limiter. That white articulation towards the cease of the cape is some sort of seismic sea wave tower co-ordination centre - was deserted when I called past times inwards March '11.
Those line-fishing longtails inwards the foreground fanged about the bay off Sunset in addition to Nang Thong beaches most of the hateful solar daytime - they receive got front-loader line-fishing nets - seemed to operate pretty well.
I shot these waxheads side past times side the seismic sea wave centre inwards March '11 (expand shot to encounter dudes 'out the back') - believe it or not, there's a surf schoolhouse operates hither (I uncovering it difficult to believe dry out flavor swell is consistent plenty to back upward a surf school).
This is shot from close the tip of the Cape southwards dorsum towards Khuk Khak, Bang Niang, Nang Thong in addition to Sunset etc. Baan Krating in addition to the National Park are to a greater extent than or less where the yellowish arrow caput is. Furthest headland is at ane time due south of Thap Lamu where the Similans Islands transfer boats depart.
PAK WEEP/ BANG SAK BEACHES
The PAK WEEP beach at Similana, looking onto Cape Pakarang Similana Resort .
Note the first-class in addition to oft-praised Similana closed downwardly some years agone for redevelopment, hence that link may non operate well. It was yet closed alongside no sign of whatever operate inwards March 2011 but a novel Lak directory inwards 2012 features the house hence it looks similar it has finally re-opened. Unfortunately I didn't receive got fourth dimension to larn out in addition to banking concern friction match it personally.
North of Pakarang Peninsula the beaches go along - the commencement is PAK WEEP, an surface area I idea when I called past times inwards February 08 every bit 3rd best to SUNSET BEACH in addition to the truthful KHAO LAK BEACH. Still truthful when I visited inwards 2010. Very attractive alongside a handful of midrange in addition to amend accommodation, some local beach restaurants in addition to other services. Some of these truly extend onto the north-facing beach surface area of the cape.
Ang Thong Resort eating theater in addition to bar on a squeamish department of Pak Weep - photographic telly camera looking towards the cease of the cape. This purpose of the beach is truly called WHITE SAND BEACH, in addition to yes, the sand seemed whiter than most other beaches on this page.
Other resorts in addition to bars stretch farther northward into what is known every bit BANG SAK beach, but are non cheek past times jowel.
Cape Pakarang, Pak Weep in addition to Bang Sak
Thing is, the beaches hither go along some other 15km or hence until KO KHO KHAO - every bit you lot move the chief coastal highway along this stretch you lot encounter non inexpensive signs pointing to at to the lowest degree one-half a dozen resorts. AGODA in addition to SAWADEE COM - PHANG NGA HOTELS (yep, Phang Nga tell extends all the way from due south of Phuket to Takua Pa) volition uncovering them.
Similana resort dorsum at Pak Weep has gained some praising posts over the years - when I checked it inwards 08 I constitute a pretty squeamish lower-midrange articulation spilling downwardly a not-too-steep hillside inwards a higher house the beach. But exactly after this they closed to redevelop - in addition to every bit reported above, non operating inwards March 2011. Update February 2012 - this website lists details of Similana
Lotsa squeamish sand betwixt the Khao Lak strip in addition to Ko Kho Khao
KHAO LAK TOWN
This is a Nov 2010 shot of Ban Nang Thong which most people think of every bit Khao Lak town.
The 800m of 4 lanes addition parking is a fleck of an overkill, but if the seismic sea wave relief funds were there, why non brand the most of them for time to come needs, mayhap every bit an emergency landing strip or for when the entire highway is finally 4 lanes?
Lots of convenience stores, shops, move agencies, restaurants, bars, banks/atms/money changers etc along hither - addition quite a few cheaper upstairs rooms (warning - a fair few long distance trucks in addition to buses thunder thru at night).
Less noisy are some rooms behind restaurants close the charabanc halt for vehicles heading due south - signs out front end denote them. I had ane behind Gekko Restaurant inwards March '11 - at 400 non neat value for a basic articulation - but clean, had hot water. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 nicer budget spot was Jai in Apr 2012 (300baht) which is a fiddling farther northward of Gekko. More information in addition to pix on both downpage.
More of the same inwards streets leading away on both sides, especially correct of pic towards the beach.
I was disappointed inwards eating theater prices on my latest visits - seems this house is nether the influence of cashed-up northern Euro midrange in addition to amend travellers alongside their still overvalued for the 2d but non for long EURO (I wrote that inwards Apr 2011; it's at nowadays June 2012 in addition to the Euro is yet overvalued. Although the Greeks, Italians in addition to Spaniards may think differently) - chief street restaurants inwards towns similar this are unremarkably the price-effective places to consume in addition to yet I constitute none alongside mains below 100 (I'm used to paying fourscore or hence inwards budget bungalow restaurants - less inwards chief street joints).
Similarly the brusque 2km taxi trip from BAAN KRATING into town was costing 300 baht. Hell, I desire to go 20km for 300 inwards other Thai places. But no doubtfulness 300 for 2km is inexpensive inwards Germany. Not to squall Sweden in addition to Norway.
2km? I walked.
THE NATIONAL PARK - RESTAURANT AND MORE.
Speaking of nutrient prices, the cheapest past times far inwards the surface area are at the NATIONAL PARK HQ RESTAURANT high on the headland due south of Khao Lak town. Here nosotros are talking chief courses at 4o baht + rice - typical of Thai NP restaurants which cater for lots of domestic travellers who are non going to pay inflated Farang tourist prices. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 large Chang beer was xl inwards Nov 2010 from memory. I'm unremarkably existent happy alongside seventy although you lot Bangkok hangers may non agree.
Note though that the size of courses at the NP is Thai orientated - nearly 75% of what westerners prefer.
National Park HQ is alonside the chief route high on the headland straight due south of Khao Lak town - nearly a 2.5 km moderate-slopes good-views walk. The eating theater is a brusque distance from the entrance gates - if you lot tell the guys at the NP gate you lot are going to the eating theater they won’t accuse you lot the 200baht NP entrance fee. Which way you lot tin dismiss hence freeload the rail to the viewpoint in addition to fifty-fifty trek downwardly to that little white sand beach I exhibit fifth epitome from top of page.
The few bungalows at the NP HQ looked okay, but seemed to receive got staff staying inwards them. NP also had nearly a dozen tents laid upward exactly within the entry gates ane fourth dimension I visited.
Note the National Park also has sections on the mount side of the chief route both due south in addition to northward of HQ where you lot tin dismiss trek to waterfalls etc. Intrepid visitor that I am, I've been also lazy to banking concern friction match these (so far). But crocodrilo has a waterfall shot down-page.
ACCOMMODATION
Two of the places I've stayed at over the years no longer operate.
HAPPY LAGOON, an ultra cheapy correct on the beach at what must live southern Bang Niang (it took me quite a walk to lug my handbag upward from Nang Thong - I squall upward crossing a little estuary where an onetime Thai guy was charging 10baht to ferry people across on the world's smallest skiff) was wiped out past times the tsunami. There is at nowadays a new Happy Lagoon on the route downwardly from town to Nang Thong Beach - a pretty squeamish flashpacker into lower midrange house which has attracted some proficient reports, but I don't know if at that spot is whatever connection.
NATURE RESORT, some other proficient value house smack inwards the woods exactly the Phuket side of National Park HQ where I stayed inwards 06 closed downwardly inwards 09. Seems people were non prepared to go the 3km downwardly the headland route to the chief beach areas. Sad - a squeamish joint.
POSEIDON BUNGALOWS
I stayed hither also on my commencement trip lastly century in addition to over again on my 3rd Lak see inwards 08 when the house had changed a fair bit, getting hitting moderately past times the tsunami. Moderately because thankfully most of the house is built upward on a headland overlooking a little estuary - across which is a large expanse of beach leading abt 8km all the way upward to Thap Lamu which is the port for the Similans trips, for line-fishing boats in addition to a base of operations for naval vessels from patrol boats thru to large destroyer/small cruiser types.
All of Poseidon’s onetime bungalows were at to the lowest degree 8m over the estuary, but the lower ones were cleaned upward past times the megawaves in addition to receive got been replaced past times amend character ones on the higher side of the path from eating theater to beach. Note at that spot are a few household unit of measurement type ones sleeping 4 or to a greater extent than - non all that mutual inwards the Andaman.
The bungalows also extend farther towards the beach at nowadays hence that from lastly bungalow to sand is entirely nearly 2 minutes vs. five dorsum then.
The onetime eating theater was a wonderful place, correct downwardly OVER the estuary on piers. It got destroyed (no-one hurt) - the novel eating theater is way upward top, arguably alongside an fifty-fifty amend outlook northward than before.
Restaurant prices hither are mayhap 30-50% higher than many budget restaurants in addition to maye 20% higher than inwards town, yet really proficient value past times western standards. And this is a flashpacker touchstone place, non backpacker. At the same time, I've constitute some similar flashpacker joints similar Sukorn Beach Bungalows in addition to Ko Libong Beach Resort receive got been no dearer than backpacker for nutrient in addition to drink. And mid attain BAAN KRATING'S MUAN LAI pictured at top of page was non much to a greater extent than than these.
Poseidon picked me upward at Phuket airdrome - the 1 hr trip cost 1200baht. My bungalow was ane of the cheaper 800baht fan jobs (with bathroom). At commencement glance it looked a fleck Spartan, but it was spotless, inwards proficient condition, cosy alongside sufficient room for 2 in addition to their gear but no more, a comfy queen bed in addition to large non also difficult pillows, proficient screens on windows in addition to doors, tranquillity fan, privy paper+soap+towels, wearing clothing rack in addition to moderate shelf space, proficient lights including reading low-cal at bed-head, proficient H2O pressure, tranquillity (no roads nearby, few long tails except ane local fisherman who came downwardly the creek at 5am!), squeamish balcony except mine #17 was ane of the few cheapies on the inland side of the path without panoramic views (although at that spot were partial views of the bay).
Bayview shot across path from balcony of Chez Tezza at Poseidon
No problems, 100m got me to the eating theater for my viewing time. Which is where I headed every bit shortly every bit I stored my handbag on arrival - the estuary in addition to that looooong beach leading upward to the cape past times Thap Lamu certain looked squeamish inwards the moonlight, particulary after the first-for-the-trip Chang or four.
A March '11 shot from Poseidon's restaurant. Full high tide hither shortly after total Moon (king/spring tide time). Interstingly, the casuarinas across the inlet had grown considerably since my lastly see to block views of nearly 6km of sweeping beach, but the headland due south of Thap Lamu port volition never live blocked out. Bungalows closer the body of body of water beach such every bit the ane below yet receive got the total view.
Some of the cheapies at Poseidon overlooking the estuary which has fiddling H2O inwards this depression tide shot. Beach inwards background stretches some 8km northward to a large cape. Poseidon's ain body of body of water beach is straight behind the camera.
BTW - Poseidon is a pop house in addition to is heavily booked, partly because it is a class human activeness in addition to partly because it is the base of operations for their Similans Islands snorkelling overnight trip (see SIMILAN ISLANDS link below). This is ane house I would non risk a walk-in. It is Swedish-Thai owned in addition to has a large proportion of Swedish visitors. Staff are friendly in addition to efficient.
Something you lot don't encounter everyday. Well mayhap you lot do on the access route into Poseidon which also leads to a local baan close where I receive got inwards previous trips elephants beingness exercised on the beach.
BAAN KRATING
Mid attain BAAN KRATING has several dozen pretty squeamish bungalows built on a steep gradient inwards thick rainforest exactly due south of Sunset Beach. The biggest edifice is its MUANG LAI neat value-fantastic views eating theater (see shot top of page). If you lot click to expand, some of the bungalows volition live clearer. Reception is out of shot correct of frame.
Lady Tezza (Julie) tagged along on my Nov/Dec 2010 trip to Thailand - nosotros decided commencement halt from Phuket airdrome on the way to Ko Kho Khao would live BAAN KRATING for iii nights. I love it when The Lady comes - I larn to remain inwards some pretty sugariness places. Baan Krating didn't disappoint.
Julie has a TRIP REPORT of Khao Lak HERE with a fair fleck of information in addition to pix of the resort.
OTHER ACCOMMODATION
Khao Lak is mainly a midrange in addition to amend location in addition to has a vast array of such places to stay. Of these my entirely experience is the inwards a higher house Baan Krating but booking sites similar Agoda, sawadee.com etc listing heaps in addition to are the places you lot should live looking. Hopefully my beach descriptions etc volition brand deciding betwixt them a fleck easier.
JimmyK who has contributed accommodation information to other pages visited Khao Lak inwards belatedly Nov 07. Jimmy tends to remain mid-range to high cease which gives a proficient contrast to much of my information:
"Flew into phuket in addition to took i hr taxi to Khao Lak Resort--its nearly the same drive fourth dimension hither every bit it is to patong beach, but much to a greater extent than scenic, in addition to hotels inwards khao lak are much amend value than inwards phuket (though non a neat house for backpackers who desire to party). Khao lak Resort is magnificent (5000 baht for beach sentiment bungalow) it is built into hillside hence you lot experience similar you lot are inwards the jungle (monitor lizards were are frequent guests). This is a special hotel-maybe neat for honeymoon. this is the most scenic purpose of "khao lak". nearby hotels were priced same or higher but non every bit nice. convenient town of khao lak exactly a twenty infinitesimal walk or xl baht songthaew away. Moved to Chong Fah Resort. Luxury beachfront unit of measurement on Bang Niang beach was also nearly 5000B. the units behind us were tightly packed but our beachfront was almost on top of the water. Great, pricey food. Frankly this beach is non every bit squeamish every bit the ane inwards front end of khao lak resort. We hence moved to Similana Resort nearly 8 km to the north. Great depression density "treehouses" for nearly 4000B (mind you lot at all these house you lot tin dismiss pay less if you lot dont opt for beachfront.) Rooms non luxurious similar lastly places--but really nice. This has ever been my favorite hotel inwards thailand---very isolated--though 2 5-star affairs at nowadays portion this really long beach. Again at this house you lot experience you lot are inwards the jungle----but larn at that spot at nowadays every bit predictably this cozy spot volition live closed inwards april to opened upward a luxury resort---they paved paradise in addition to seat inwards a parking lot..
Thanks Jimmy. My personal involvement has been to a greater extent than budget orientated. Besides the cheaper places I squall inwards a higher house I've collected a fleck of information on cheaper Lak places over the years:
The NATIONAL PARK HEADQUARTERS entry in addition to the POLICE BOX high on the approach headland to Khao Lak town has 2 independent restaurants roadside (the chief NP eating theater is within the common nearly five minutes). I ate inwards the ane closer to Nature Resort in addition to the nutrient hither was quite proficient in addition to the common Thai depression toll proficient value. The daughter hither told me she had ane room for 300 (06 price), in addition to NP Headquarters also receive got some budget bungalows.
The entirely other house I saw budget rooms that trip was downwardly inwards the novel town where some of the chief street businesses were advertising upstairs rooms for 400 in addition to 500. I don’t fancy a hot room alongside large trucks roaring closed past times all night.
In afterwards trips I receive got seen similar rooms on the quieter streets leading away from both sides of the chief street.
I receive got seen some positive posts nearly FATHER AND SONS (NOM'S) which is behind Nom's eating theater downwardly inwards the hamlet away from the highway towards the sea.
Good reports also re JAI, which is behind a eating theater inwards the same surface area every bit the afore-mentioned GEKKO (just northward of the bus-stop at the start of the iv lanes heading north). SEAFOOD RESTAURANT is some other alongside quiter rooms inwards dorsum inwards this area. FAMILY HOUSE is associated alongside it.
Rooms upward this alley behind Gekko Restaurant exactly due south of the charabanc halt on the inland side of the chief street next to the 7/11. Sign partially hidden past times tree suggests this is truly called Khao Lak Inn. No matter, Ghekko staff volition exhibit you lot the room. If eating theater is closed inwards a.m, walk upward the alley to people inwards back. Number of other similar places a fiddling farther due south of here. When looking for these places, if you lot are northward of the Siam Bank you lot are also far north.
UPDATE APRIL 2012 - on my latest see I noticed the eating theater is at nowadays an fine art shop. The rooms upward the alley where yet beingness advertised.
Main street eating theater surface area of Jai Bungalow where I stayed a few nights inwards Apr 2012. Bungalows are spread about a garden surface area behind restaurant. Basic but create clean 300 baht jobs, spacious, towels, lather but no bottled water, okay bath alongside western toilet, mutual coldness shower. Quiet area. Jai is towards the northern cease of the shopping strip on the inland side. Walk mayhap 200m dorsum northward from where the due south jump buses stop. From buses heading northward mayhap 250-300m farther on the other side of the road. Jai has a 7-11 in addition to a bigger supermarket straight across the street, several ATMs in addition to coin changers nearby. Restaurant had proficient food, huge card list, attracted lots of outsiders, prices pretty average for Khao Lak which is mayhap 20% higher than you lot would pay inwards Trang or Krabi town.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 existent squeamish looking house which appears flashpacker - lower midrange is the afore-menioined novel HAPPY LAGOON midway betwixt the chief purpose of the township in addition to the beach on the chief beach access route - its website shows aircon rooms for 1200 (Dec 08) high season, but several posters receive got said the fan rooms are really proficient value. Got a pool.
SimilanDiver gave this information nearly budget places inwards 07:
"Right hither inwards Khao Lak on the chief route at that spot are several choices, ranging from budget places similar SRI GUESTHOUSE (make certain you lot don't remain at that spot on the nights when the bar nearly 10m away has it's DJ's playing). There are also some squeamish places alongside large rooms inwards a higher house the stores along the chief road. With a fleck of haggling you lot tin dismiss uncovering proficient rooms alongside air-conditioning in addition to TV for 500 a night."
In nov 09 SimilanDiver praised cheapie PHU KHAO LAK every bit the electrical flow best deal, laid inwards a kokosnoot grove in addition to meticulously maintained, ane of the best restaurants inwards town
Matt in addition to Suzzie sent me this information on cheapies inwards January 09:
Cheap house to remain at Ban La-On (Nang Thong Beach) - Opposite Jai Restaurant there's a family-run mini-mart across the road, they receive got a few fiddling chalets behind the shop. Some are amend than others. We stayed a calendar month inwards ane post-tsunami fer 300baht patch nosotros were working inwards Lak . Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 yr afterwards (2006) nosotros went dorsum over again in addition to blagged them downwardly from 350 to 300 again. Again, some are shabby hence it's worth checking a few out. They're basic (bed, fan, table, bath alongside mutual coldness shower, western privy in addition to bucket for flush), but suitable plenty fer a remain of a few days (we were closed to going insane inwards at that spot after a month!), in addition to a proficient inexpensive alternative for Ban La-On. You tin dismiss utilisation yer ain padlock on the outside, hence they're quite secure too. They are neither named or sign-posted; inquire them at the mini-mart. The guy (he is ever shirtless) is a fleck grumpy, but you lot tin dismiss lighten him upward alongside a express joy or two.
Jai themselves receive got a few chalets that are quite squeamish but a fleck pricier. Again, if you lot programme a longer remain they'll give you lot a amend price.
Khao Lak Seafood next door is a neat house to consume alongside a fantastic menu.
Another nod goes to Lemuan Seafood farther downwardly the route (opposite D-Supermart) - the ladies at that spot are proficient fun in addition to a fleck dotty. If yer a regular they'll brand a lot of fuss over you.
KHAO LAK SEAFOOD - Cocodrilo spent fourth dimension inwards Lak prior to her live-aboard snorkelling trip to the Similans inwards dec 09 (see READERS' TRIP REPORTS) in addition to sent me the next pix in addition to info:
I stayed at Khao lak Seafood household unit of measurement house. While I loved the nutrient there, they were ever hence busy the service was marginal. Also lots of people alongside babies inwards strollers dining there, which I do non desire to encounter (nor hear) patch on vacation.
The guesthouse was great, though, in addition to correct next to a mount where you lot could listen all sorts of cool insect, gecko in addition to plane sounds at night.
Inland from Bang Niang is Chong Fa Falls.
Tezza shot snuck inwards hither to exhibit the area's other chief falls - the ane farther due south at Tong Pling a brusque distance inwards from the chief highway behind the truthful Khao Lak Beach. In typical Thailand falls style, less than whelming. Note an overhead span hither leading to a trekking rail on the northward side of the puddle The span was closed inwards March '11 because of disrepair - manifestly the rail follows the river downstream.
This is the abandoned patrol boat washed some 500m+ inland during the tsunami. It is side past times side the highway (inland side) a brusque distance northward of the chief Khao Lak shopping area.
AMSTERDAM RESORT - Surins Trip Report author boleslav stayed inwards this budget/flashpacker house upward from the beach a fleck inwards Bang Niang - it seems this articulation tin dismiss organise pretty proficient carry to the Surins. There is a link to Amsterdam's website on boleslav's report.
UPDATE FEB 2012 - I was exactly shown this website compiled past times the Sea Dragon Dive Center which has details of most Lak surface area accommodation over all toll ranges - ane of the best I've seen.
THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND LAK
SIMILANS ISLANDS TRIPS - Lak is the base of operations for both daytrips in addition to to organise transport/overnight stays on the Similans a proficient 40km offshore. Boats truly leave of absence from the busy little port at Thap Lamu nearly 10km south.
SURINS TRIPS - you lot tin dismiss also organise visits to the Surins from Lak but they are a long way northward - the chief mainland base of operations in addition to pier is at Kuraburi nearly 50km upward the coast.
DIVING - is a large activeness out of Lak alongside several dive operations inwards town in addition to at diverse resorts. Most dive boats also leave of absence from Thap Lamu.
SNORKELLING - the Similans are arguably the best snorkelling sites inwards Thailand. Back on the coast things are pretty ordinary but novices volition uncovering plenty fish about the rocks off Sunset in addition to Nang Thong beaches to hold them interested. The rocks of the National Park headland likewise receive got a fleck of fringing coral in addition to fishies. I read somewhere that the large reef off the tip of Pakarang Cape has okay snorkelling but I haven't checked this fairly isolated from other Lak areas place.
NATIONAL PARK VISITS - I receive got already mentioned the trek downwardly to the headland white sand beach from NP HQ. The inland sections of the common to the northward in addition to due south also receive got treks in addition to a pair of okay waterfalls for a splash around.
KHAO SOK NATIONAL PARK is mayhap 60km away in addition to tin dismiss live daytripped from Lak.
PHANG NGA BAY MARINE NATIONAL PARK daytrips are also offered past times all hotel in addition to chief street tour desks.
OTHERS - I've seen elephant rides offered, at that spot is a large golf game class exactly due south of the truthful Khao Lak beach, deep sea line-fishing trips are possible. My favourite is to hire a motorbike in addition to cruise the diverse beach areas.
GETTING TO LAK FROM BANGKOK - easiest access is to wing to Phuket in addition to brand your way the 80km or hence northward every bit below. Some buses run Bangkok-Phuket via Ranong in addition to Lak, but to a greater extent than go the near/Surathani route which goes nowhere close Lak.
From PHUKET - whatever Takua Pa in addition to Ranong charabanc passes Lak. Some but non all Surathani jump populace buses also pass. Note these Surathani buses also go along on to top Khao Sok National Park nearly 90-120 minutes upward the road. Some Bangkok jump buses (those that go via Rangong rather than close Surathani) top thru Lak.
Buses starting due south of Phuket for Ranong in addition to Takua Pa tend to bypass Khao Lak on direct mount roads to Takua Pa.
Access from PHUKET AIRPORT is a fleck tricky. No problems for upmarket travelers alongside heaps of taxis - in addition to the ever available limo service++. Lots of the costlier accommodation inwards Lak receive got a pick-up service - banking concern friction match their websites for electrical flow prices. But for budget travelers the Phuket charabanc station is nearly an hr inwards the contrary administration to Lak, which wastes a lot of fourth dimension in addition to some money. No problems. TT poster Tagemi said he got a motorbike taxi from the airdrome out the few km to the chief route charabanc halt - at that spot is a nutrient stall at that spot in addition to the vendors were happy to seat him on the correct charabanc (he was going to Krabi, but the Lak jump buses utilisation the same road). It would live proficient politics to purchase something from the stallholders to start alongside of course.
++ In belatedly Nov 2010 I approached the limo counter within ARRIVALS at Phuket Airport alongside 1500 b inwards my mitt. I knew the electrical flow website toll was 1700 - the guy showed me a toll listing alongside 2000 - I showed him my 1500 in addition to said I was heading exterior to the taxi counter. He accepted 1500 instantly. No Beemers or Mercs - my limo was a electrical flow Camry. Nice ride exactly on ane hr 9pm, would bring a fleck longer daytime. Going the other way I saw a desk, chief street inwards Khao Lak town Nov 2010 offering motorcar in addition to driver to Phuket airdrome for 1000.
Lots of people move upward from KRABI to Lak. Using populace buses sees an indirect chief route route in addition to oftentimes a postulate to modify buses. Good word is that a minibus goes a direct shorter route using proficient county back-roads, starting abt 1100 in addition to taking about iii hours including ane rest/eats stop. Cost inwards March 08 was 300 baht in addition to whatever guesthouse or move agent inwards Krabi town/Railay/Ao Nang etc tin dismiss volume you lot on, alongside a pick upward shuttle about Krabi town to the depot where you lot hold back about for 10-30 minutes patch they organize things. You tin dismiss also live picked upward at the novel Krabi pier if you lot receive got come upward off a PP or Lanta ferry. I’m non certain if they send a connecting shuttle out to Ao Nang for pick ups.
GETTING AROUND LAK
As said before, taxi prices tend to live geared towards European powerfulness to pay.
Regular songthaews sew together in addition to downwardly the strip, but mayhap non every bit regular every bit a lot of people would like. There are heaps of songthaews parked beside the route alongside their drivers hopeful you lot volition charter them every bit taxis.
Full size Takua Pa to Phuket in addition to Surathani to Phuket all-stops buses also come upward thru every 30-40 minutes.
I constitute ane of the best ways of accessing to a greater extent than far flung parts of the surface area is past times hire motorcycle. You tin dismiss mayhap double the 150 per hateful solar daytime you lot paid on Phuket.
If you lot see Khao Lak you lot powerfulness also live interested inwards nearby:
SIMILAN ISLANDS
SURIN ISLANDS
PHUKET
KRABI-RAILAY-AO NANG-TON SAI
KO KHO KHAO
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If you lot receive got whatever questions or comments, delight postal service them on THE FORUM rather than below. I don't larn a jeopardy to banking concern friction match all threads daily, but unless I'm travelling I'll sweat to monitor THE FORUM regularly. Sumber http://tezzasthaiinfo.blogspot.com/
Best eating theater sentiment in addition to surprisingly, some of the cheaper nutrient inwards the Khao Lak surface area - outlook from the balcony tabular array at MUAN LAI eating theater side past times side the chief route every bit it drops towards Ban Nang Thong/Khao Lak town. This eating theater is at nowadays the 2d eating theater at the BAAN KRATING RESORT but is pop alongside passing tourists in addition to locals. That's Sunset Beach below.The surface area known every bit Khao Lak is truly a 20km stretch of mainland beaches starting nearly 75 km northward of Phuket airport. There are five unlike beach areas along this stretch - some separated past times headlands or rocks, others exactly merging into the next. I modified the Google epitome below to exhibit the beach sequence. Might live worth clicking to expand.
Most old-timers think of Khao Lak every bit the NANG THONG-SUNSET BEACH surface area exactly northward of the NATIONAL PARK headland bottom of epitome - but the truthful KHAO LAK BEACH is to the due south of the same headland.Heading northward from Nang Thong nosotros receive got BANG NIANG, KHUK KHAK, PAKARANG CAPE in addition to PAK WEEP.
The 2 major towns are BAN NANG THONG close the southern headland which I receive got labelled KHAO LAK TOWN in addition to the slightly less busy BANG NIANG a few km to the north.
It powerfulness live worth-while clicking this epitome to expand it.
This in addition to next map-images modified Google Earth.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 GOOD MAP of the surface area showing most accommodation tin dismiss live constitute here.
THE BEACHES
KHAO LAK BEACH
The Khao Lak strip starts inwards the due south on the Phuket side of the high National Park headland at the truthful in addition to less visited Khao Lak beach. This is a really squeamish stretch of sand alongside lovely clear H2O for swimming. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 handful of mid-range to high cease hotels including THE MERLIN are situated at the left closed to the headland.
Heading correct on the beach at that spot are a pair of little changes of administration which brand for carve upward stretches of sand in addition to hence at far correct of shot nearly 300m of sand which is the body of body of water beach for POSEIDON BUNGALOWS (see pic below). The resort itself is situated exactly out of shot on a lovely fiddling estuary alongside views upward some other long beach farther due south to the long headland at Thap Lamu where the Similans Islands transfer boats depart.
Poseidon Bungalow's body of body of water beach - at that spot is truly to a greater extent than the other side of that stone -image Poseidon Bungalows.
This is a shot I took of roughly the same surface area close the top of a really high tide inwards March '11One criticism of the truthful Khao Lak beach is that it's a fleck isolated - town inwards some five km northward over the headland. True, a fiddling service/restaurant surface area has developed on the inland side of the beach hotels about MERLIN in addition to if you lot walk due south along the beaches towards Poseidon (takes fifteen minutes - hey, ane morning time I saw an elephant beingness walked along here) at that spot are a few little places laid upward past times local villagers selling fruit, drinks, massages in addition to hiring beach chairs/umbrellas etc.
The truthful Khao Lak Beach due south of the National Park headland.NATIONAL PARK WHITE SAND BEACH
Next northward is some other beach in all probability a minority of Lak visitors encounter - a little stretch one-half way along the National Park headland. This tin dismiss live reached past times a not-too-easy rock-hop northward from Khao Lak beach (warning - don't live tempted to short-cut along promising-looking jungle paths that peter out - I was 2 hours overdue from a fiddling trip to this beach for which Lady Tezza gave me hell). But the easiest access is an interesting rail from within the National Park entry gate close the eating theater really closed to the highway at the top of the headland - the sign says 1.5km but it seemed a fleck to a greater extent than - slopes mainly moderate, whatever steep ones quite short. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 viewpoint is nearly ane tertiary the way along this track.
Note inwards my March '11 see I also saw a signposted rail WHITE SAND BEACH leading off the highway some 300m due south of the National Park entry gate. I haven't had fourth dimension to sweat this rail yet, but its seat promises it to live a fleck shorter.
The beach is deeper than it appears inwards shot. Behind at that spot were picnic tables in addition to a construction looked similar it could live used every bit a little cafe inwards peak flavor - deserted when I visited inwards belatedly Nov 2010.
SUNSET BEACH
Sunset Beach from BAAN KRATING RESORT on the slopes of the National Park headland.IF I HAD TO PICK ONE OF THESE BEACHES (that is if I was staying midrange or upmarket) I reckon I would go for Sunset. The beach hither is really attractive - tucked inwards against the towering headland alongside squeamish sand in addition to some outcrops of stone for character, at that spot is a host of squeamish places to remain in addition to to consume at, some correct on the beachfront, others built upward the headland side alongside panoramic views - in addition to it has the neat wages of entirely beingness a 10-15 infinitesimal walk upward to town for shopping, other restaurants etc.
Well, I did remain midrange (late Nov 2010) in addition to did go for this beach - in addition to truly BAAN KRATING mentioned above.
Looking due south over Sunset Beach from the Nan Thong cease - large headland inwards dorsum has BAAN KRATING in addition to several other resorts, in addition to top correct you lot tin dismiss encounter the radio aerial at National Park HQ.
Sunset Beach, the National Park headland in addition to white sand beach. My labels are a fleck small, click to expand.NANG THONG BEACH
The northward cease of Sunset Beach is near-right. Around the slight corner it becomes NANG THONG BEACH. I don't think at that spot is whatever geographical characteristic separating beaches farther northward - NANG THONG only merges into BANG NIANG BEACH nearly 2/3rds the way across epitome moving left (although at that spot is some other fifty-fifty smaller kink inwards the beach which may live the edge - or a little creek estuary a fleck farther north).Some parts of Nang Thong in addition to northern Sunset receive got little rocky sections which give the beach added character.Nang Thong is in all probability the most used beach section. There are a divulge of fine resorts both beachfront in addition to beween the beach in addition to the town which is mayhap 500m inland. Lots of restaurants in addition to bars inwards this zone too. Nang Thong has a greater concentration of budget rooms than others - although to a greater extent than inwards the town surface area - the days of beachside budget digs are long gone.
Moving northward into BANG NIANG at that spot are some really squeamish in addition to spacious top-end in addition to mid-range places accessed past times long lanes from the highway alongside considerable unbuilt gaps between.
Nang Thong Beach in addition to Khao Lak town (Ban Nang Thong)BANG NIANG in addition to KHUK KHAK BEACHES
BANG NIANG occupies nearly the middle 70% of this shot alongside KHUK KHAK the far LEFT 15-20 %.About one-half way along BANG NIANG where the 1km long access roads larn inwards from Ban Bang Niang chief street on the highway, at that spot is a cluster of midrange resorts, restaurants in addition to bars. This designing continues along the access roads from the highway - alongside a few budget rooms in addition to many shops every bit well. The chief describe of piece of work concern surface area upward on the highway has a proficient attain of retail in addition to other services but is non every bit large or comprehensive every bit Ban Nang Thong/Khao Lak town.
This is shot looking due south from where the access route hits the beach from Bang Niang town.Back on the beach moving northward towards in addition to into KHUK KHAK nosotros receive got a repeat of really squeamish in addition to spacious top-end in addition to mid-range places but these are fifty-fifty to a greater extent than dispersed than to the south.
Khuk Khak is also know every bit KHUK KHAN. It is in all probability the most upmarket surface area alongside several large novel developments nether construction when I lastly visited.
If you lot similar your beaches loooong in addition to uninterrupted the Bang Niang - Khuk Khak strip would live exactly the thing. To me they are less attractive - a fleck featureless in addition to kinda exposed - I similar my beaches alongside headlands, sections of stone yada yada. But hey, some of the resorts inwards these places are veeery flash - totally gorgeous - in addition to people staying at that spot would in all probability receive got no complaints at all.
Bang Niang beach correct in addition to Khuk Khak beach left.
This squeamish fiddling inlet could live the edge betwixt Bang Niang in addition to Khuk Khak beaches.
Khuk Khak beach appears pretty undeveloped - its mainly upmarket resorts are widely spaced in addition to mainly behind the tree line.LAEM PAKARANG
KHUK KHAK merges to the northward into a longish headland at CAPE PAKARANG. This seems to live the lastly frontier development-wise fifty-fifty though the beach continues about most of the cape to PAK WEEP BEACH which is slightly to a greater extent than built up. There are a pair of high cease joints on the cape looking this way, alongside undoubtably to a greater extent than to come.I shot this from my BAAN KRATING bungalow balcony on the headland due south of SUNSET BEACH - the 3x telephoto on my mighty indicate in addition to shoot Canon (the flash failed 2 seconds after the warranty finished in addition to the bastards would non repair it gratis) banging upward against the rev-limiter. That white articulation towards the cease of the cape is some sort of seismic sea wave tower co-ordination centre - was deserted when I called past times inwards March '11.
Those line-fishing longtails inwards the foreground fanged about the bay off Sunset in addition to Nang Thong beaches most of the hateful solar daytime - they receive got front-loader line-fishing nets - seemed to operate pretty well.
I shot these waxheads side past times side the seismic sea wave centre inwards March '11 (expand shot to encounter dudes 'out the back') - believe it or not, there's a surf schoolhouse operates hither (I uncovering it difficult to believe dry out flavor swell is consistent plenty to back upward a surf school).
This is shot from close the tip of the Cape southwards dorsum towards Khuk Khak, Bang Niang, Nang Thong in addition to Sunset etc. Baan Krating in addition to the National Park are to a greater extent than or less where the yellowish arrow caput is. Furthest headland is at ane time due south of Thap Lamu where the Similans Islands transfer boats depart.PAK WEEP/ BANG SAK BEACHES
The PAK WEEP beach at Similana, looking onto Cape Pakarang Similana Resort .Note the first-class in addition to oft-praised Similana closed downwardly some years agone for redevelopment, hence that link may non operate well. It was yet closed alongside no sign of whatever operate inwards March 2011 but a novel Lak directory inwards 2012 features the house hence it looks similar it has finally re-opened. Unfortunately I didn't receive got fourth dimension to larn out in addition to banking concern friction match it personally.
North of Pakarang Peninsula the beaches go along - the commencement is PAK WEEP, an surface area I idea when I called past times inwards February 08 every bit 3rd best to SUNSET BEACH in addition to the truthful KHAO LAK BEACH. Still truthful when I visited inwards 2010. Very attractive alongside a handful of midrange in addition to amend accommodation, some local beach restaurants in addition to other services. Some of these truly extend onto the north-facing beach surface area of the cape.
Ang Thong Resort eating theater in addition to bar on a squeamish department of Pak Weep - photographic telly camera looking towards the cease of the cape. This purpose of the beach is truly called WHITE SAND BEACH, in addition to yes, the sand seemed whiter than most other beaches on this page.Other resorts in addition to bars stretch farther northward into what is known every bit BANG SAK beach, but are non cheek past times jowel.
Cape Pakarang, Pak Weep in addition to Bang SakThing is, the beaches hither go along some other 15km or hence until KO KHO KHAO - every bit you lot move the chief coastal highway along this stretch you lot encounter non inexpensive signs pointing to at to the lowest degree one-half a dozen resorts. AGODA in addition to SAWADEE COM - PHANG NGA HOTELS (yep, Phang Nga tell extends all the way from due south of Phuket to Takua Pa) volition uncovering them.
Similana resort dorsum at Pak Weep has gained some praising posts over the years - when I checked it inwards 08 I constitute a pretty squeamish lower-midrange articulation spilling downwardly a not-too-steep hillside inwards a higher house the beach. But exactly after this they closed to redevelop - in addition to every bit reported above, non operating inwards March 2011. Update February 2012 - this website lists details of Similana
Lotsa squeamish sand betwixt the Khao Lak strip in addition to Ko Kho KhaoKHAO LAK TOWN
This is a Nov 2010 shot of Ban Nang Thong which most people think of every bit Khao Lak town.The 800m of 4 lanes addition parking is a fleck of an overkill, but if the seismic sea wave relief funds were there, why non brand the most of them for time to come needs, mayhap every bit an emergency landing strip or for when the entire highway is finally 4 lanes?
Lots of convenience stores, shops, move agencies, restaurants, bars, banks/atms/money changers etc along hither - addition quite a few cheaper upstairs rooms (warning - a fair few long distance trucks in addition to buses thunder thru at night).
Less noisy are some rooms behind restaurants close the charabanc halt for vehicles heading due south - signs out front end denote them. I had ane behind Gekko Restaurant inwards March '11 - at 400 non neat value for a basic articulation - but clean, had hot water. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 nicer budget spot was Jai in Apr 2012 (300baht) which is a fiddling farther northward of Gekko. More information in addition to pix on both downpage.
More of the same inwards streets leading away on both sides, especially correct of pic towards the beach.
I was disappointed inwards eating theater prices on my latest visits - seems this house is nether the influence of cashed-up northern Euro midrange in addition to amend travellers alongside their still overvalued for the 2d but non for long EURO (I wrote that inwards Apr 2011; it's at nowadays June 2012 in addition to the Euro is yet overvalued. Although the Greeks, Italians in addition to Spaniards may think differently) - chief street restaurants inwards towns similar this are unremarkably the price-effective places to consume in addition to yet I constitute none alongside mains below 100 (I'm used to paying fourscore or hence inwards budget bungalow restaurants - less inwards chief street joints).
Similarly the brusque 2km taxi trip from BAAN KRATING into town was costing 300 baht. Hell, I desire to go 20km for 300 inwards other Thai places. But no doubtfulness 300 for 2km is inexpensive inwards Germany. Not to squall Sweden in addition to Norway.
2km? I walked.
THE NATIONAL PARK - RESTAURANT AND MORE.
Speaking of nutrient prices, the cheapest past times far inwards the surface area are at the NATIONAL PARK HQ RESTAURANT high on the headland due south of Khao Lak town. Here nosotros are talking chief courses at 4o baht + rice - typical of Thai NP restaurants which cater for lots of domestic travellers who are non going to pay inflated Farang tourist prices. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 large Chang beer was xl inwards Nov 2010 from memory. I'm unremarkably existent happy alongside seventy although you lot Bangkok hangers may non agree.Note though that the size of courses at the NP is Thai orientated - nearly 75% of what westerners prefer.
National Park HQ is alonside the chief route high on the headland straight due south of Khao Lak town - nearly a 2.5 km moderate-slopes good-views walk. The eating theater is a brusque distance from the entrance gates - if you lot tell the guys at the NP gate you lot are going to the eating theater they won’t accuse you lot the 200baht NP entrance fee. Which way you lot tin dismiss hence freeload the rail to the viewpoint in addition to fifty-fifty trek downwardly to that little white sand beach I exhibit fifth epitome from top of page.
The few bungalows at the NP HQ looked okay, but seemed to receive got staff staying inwards them. NP also had nearly a dozen tents laid upward exactly within the entry gates ane fourth dimension I visited.
Note the National Park also has sections on the mount side of the chief route both due south in addition to northward of HQ where you lot tin dismiss trek to waterfalls etc. Intrepid visitor that I am, I've been also lazy to banking concern friction match these (so far). But crocodrilo has a waterfall shot down-page.
ACCOMMODATION
Two of the places I've stayed at over the years no longer operate.
HAPPY LAGOON, an ultra cheapy correct on the beach at what must live southern Bang Niang (it took me quite a walk to lug my handbag upward from Nang Thong - I squall upward crossing a little estuary where an onetime Thai guy was charging 10baht to ferry people across on the world's smallest skiff) was wiped out past times the tsunami. There is at nowadays a new Happy Lagoon on the route downwardly from town to Nang Thong Beach - a pretty squeamish flashpacker into lower midrange house which has attracted some proficient reports, but I don't know if at that spot is whatever connection.
NATURE RESORT, some other proficient value house smack inwards the woods exactly the Phuket side of National Park HQ where I stayed inwards 06 closed downwardly inwards 09. Seems people were non prepared to go the 3km downwardly the headland route to the chief beach areas. Sad - a squeamish joint.
POSEIDON BUNGALOWS
I stayed hither also on my commencement trip lastly century in addition to over again on my 3rd Lak see inwards 08 when the house had changed a fair bit, getting hitting moderately past times the tsunami. Moderately because thankfully most of the house is built upward on a headland overlooking a little estuary - across which is a large expanse of beach leading abt 8km all the way upward to Thap Lamu which is the port for the Similans trips, for line-fishing boats in addition to a base of operations for naval vessels from patrol boats thru to large destroyer/small cruiser types.
All of Poseidon’s onetime bungalows were at to the lowest degree 8m over the estuary, but the lower ones were cleaned upward past times the megawaves in addition to receive got been replaced past times amend character ones on the higher side of the path from eating theater to beach. Note at that spot are a few household unit of measurement type ones sleeping 4 or to a greater extent than - non all that mutual inwards the Andaman.
The bungalows also extend farther towards the beach at nowadays hence that from lastly bungalow to sand is entirely nearly 2 minutes vs. five dorsum then.
The onetime eating theater was a wonderful place, correct downwardly OVER the estuary on piers. It got destroyed (no-one hurt) - the novel eating theater is way upward top, arguably alongside an fifty-fifty amend outlook northward than before.
Restaurant prices hither are mayhap 30-50% higher than many budget restaurants in addition to maye 20% higher than inwards town, yet really proficient value past times western standards. And this is a flashpacker touchstone place, non backpacker. At the same time, I've constitute some similar flashpacker joints similar Sukorn Beach Bungalows in addition to Ko Libong Beach Resort receive got been no dearer than backpacker for nutrient in addition to drink. And mid attain BAAN KRATING'S MUAN LAI pictured at top of page was non much to a greater extent than than these.
Poseidon picked me upward at Phuket airdrome - the 1 hr trip cost 1200baht. My bungalow was ane of the cheaper 800baht fan jobs (with bathroom). At commencement glance it looked a fleck Spartan, but it was spotless, inwards proficient condition, cosy alongside sufficient room for 2 in addition to their gear but no more, a comfy queen bed in addition to large non also difficult pillows, proficient screens on windows in addition to doors, tranquillity fan, privy paper+soap+towels, wearing clothing rack in addition to moderate shelf space, proficient lights including reading low-cal at bed-head, proficient H2O pressure, tranquillity (no roads nearby, few long tails except ane local fisherman who came downwardly the creek at 5am!), squeamish balcony except mine #17 was ane of the few cheapies on the inland side of the path without panoramic views (although at that spot were partial views of the bay).
Bayview shot across path from balcony of Chez Tezza at PoseidonNo problems, 100m got me to the eating theater for my viewing time. Which is where I headed every bit shortly every bit I stored my handbag on arrival - the estuary in addition to that looooong beach leading upward to the cape past times Thap Lamu certain looked squeamish inwards the moonlight, particulary after the first-for-the-trip Chang or four.
A March '11 shot from Poseidon's restaurant. Full high tide hither shortly after total Moon (king/spring tide time). Interstingly, the casuarinas across the inlet had grown considerably since my lastly see to block views of nearly 6km of sweeping beach, but the headland due south of Thap Lamu port volition never live blocked out. Bungalows closer the body of body of water beach such every bit the ane below yet receive got the total view.Some of the cheapies at Poseidon overlooking the estuary which has fiddling H2O inwards this depression tide shot. Beach inwards background stretches some 8km northward to a large cape. Poseidon's ain body of body of water beach is straight behind the camera.BTW - Poseidon is a pop house in addition to is heavily booked, partly because it is a class human activeness in addition to partly because it is the base of operations for their Similans Islands snorkelling overnight trip (see SIMILAN ISLANDS link below). This is ane house I would non risk a walk-in. It is Swedish-Thai owned in addition to has a large proportion of Swedish visitors. Staff are friendly in addition to efficient.
Something you lot don't encounter everyday. Well mayhap you lot do on the access route into Poseidon which also leads to a local baan close where I receive got inwards previous trips elephants beingness exercised on the beach.BAAN KRATING
Mid attain BAAN KRATING has several dozen pretty squeamish bungalows built on a steep gradient inwards thick rainforest exactly due south of Sunset Beach. The biggest edifice is its MUANG LAI neat value-fantastic views eating theater (see shot top of page). If you lot click to expand, some of the bungalows volition live clearer. Reception is out of shot correct of frame.Lady Tezza (Julie) tagged along on my Nov/Dec 2010 trip to Thailand - nosotros decided commencement halt from Phuket airdrome on the way to Ko Kho Khao would live BAAN KRATING for iii nights. I love it when The Lady comes - I larn to remain inwards some pretty sugariness places. Baan Krating didn't disappoint.
Julie has a TRIP REPORT of Khao Lak HERE with a fair fleck of information in addition to pix of the resort.
OTHER ACCOMMODATION
Khao Lak is mainly a midrange in addition to amend location in addition to has a vast array of such places to stay. Of these my entirely experience is the inwards a higher house Baan Krating but booking sites similar Agoda, sawadee.com etc listing heaps in addition to are the places you lot should live looking. Hopefully my beach descriptions etc volition brand deciding betwixt them a fleck easier.
JimmyK who has contributed accommodation information to other pages visited Khao Lak inwards belatedly Nov 07. Jimmy tends to remain mid-range to high cease which gives a proficient contrast to much of my information:
"Flew into phuket in addition to took i hr taxi to Khao Lak Resort--its nearly the same drive fourth dimension hither every bit it is to patong beach, but much to a greater extent than scenic, in addition to hotels inwards khao lak are much amend value than inwards phuket (though non a neat house for backpackers who desire to party). Khao lak Resort is magnificent (5000 baht for beach sentiment bungalow) it is built into hillside hence you lot experience similar you lot are inwards the jungle (monitor lizards were are frequent guests). This is a special hotel-maybe neat for honeymoon. this is the most scenic purpose of "khao lak". nearby hotels were priced same or higher but non every bit nice. convenient town of khao lak exactly a twenty infinitesimal walk or xl baht songthaew away. Moved to Chong Fah Resort. Luxury beachfront unit of measurement on Bang Niang beach was also nearly 5000B. the units behind us were tightly packed but our beachfront was almost on top of the water. Great, pricey food. Frankly this beach is non every bit squeamish every bit the ane inwards front end of khao lak resort. We hence moved to Similana Resort nearly 8 km to the north. Great depression density "treehouses" for nearly 4000B (mind you lot at all these house you lot tin dismiss pay less if you lot dont opt for beachfront.) Rooms non luxurious similar lastly places--but really nice. This has ever been my favorite hotel inwards thailand---very isolated--though 2 5-star affairs at nowadays portion this really long beach. Again at this house you lot experience you lot are inwards the jungle----but larn at that spot at nowadays every bit predictably this cozy spot volition live closed inwards april to opened upward a luxury resort---they paved paradise in addition to seat inwards a parking lot..
Thanks Jimmy. My personal involvement has been to a greater extent than budget orientated. Besides the cheaper places I squall inwards a higher house I've collected a fleck of information on cheaper Lak places over the years:
The NATIONAL PARK HEADQUARTERS entry in addition to the POLICE BOX high on the approach headland to Khao Lak town has 2 independent restaurants roadside (the chief NP eating theater is within the common nearly five minutes). I ate inwards the ane closer to Nature Resort in addition to the nutrient hither was quite proficient in addition to the common Thai depression toll proficient value. The daughter hither told me she had ane room for 300 (06 price), in addition to NP Headquarters also receive got some budget bungalows.
The entirely other house I saw budget rooms that trip was downwardly inwards the novel town where some of the chief street businesses were advertising upstairs rooms for 400 in addition to 500. I don’t fancy a hot room alongside large trucks roaring closed past times all night.
In afterwards trips I receive got seen similar rooms on the quieter streets leading away from both sides of the chief street.
I receive got seen some positive posts nearly FATHER AND SONS (NOM'S) which is behind Nom's eating theater downwardly inwards the hamlet away from the highway towards the sea.
Good reports also re JAI, which is behind a eating theater inwards the same surface area every bit the afore-mentioned GEKKO (just northward of the bus-stop at the start of the iv lanes heading north). SEAFOOD RESTAURANT is some other alongside quiter rooms inwards dorsum inwards this area. FAMILY HOUSE is associated alongside it.
Rooms upward this alley behind Gekko Restaurant exactly due south of the charabanc halt on the inland side of the chief street next to the 7/11. Sign partially hidden past times tree suggests this is truly called Khao Lak Inn. No matter, Ghekko staff volition exhibit you lot the room. If eating theater is closed inwards a.m, walk upward the alley to people inwards back. Number of other similar places a fiddling farther due south of here. When looking for these places, if you lot are northward of the Siam Bank you lot are also far north.UPDATE APRIL 2012 - on my latest see I noticed the eating theater is at nowadays an fine art shop. The rooms upward the alley where yet beingness advertised.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 existent squeamish looking house which appears flashpacker - lower midrange is the afore-menioined novel HAPPY LAGOON midway betwixt the chief purpose of the township in addition to the beach on the chief beach access route - its website shows aircon rooms for 1200 (Dec 08) high season, but several posters receive got said the fan rooms are really proficient value. Got a pool.
SimilanDiver gave this information nearly budget places inwards 07:
"Right hither inwards Khao Lak on the chief route at that spot are several choices, ranging from budget places similar SRI GUESTHOUSE (make certain you lot don't remain at that spot on the nights when the bar nearly 10m away has it's DJ's playing). There are also some squeamish places alongside large rooms inwards a higher house the stores along the chief road. With a fleck of haggling you lot tin dismiss uncovering proficient rooms alongside air-conditioning in addition to TV for 500 a night."
In nov 09 SimilanDiver praised cheapie PHU KHAO LAK every bit the electrical flow best deal, laid inwards a kokosnoot grove in addition to meticulously maintained, ane of the best restaurants inwards town
Matt in addition to Suzzie sent me this information on cheapies inwards January 09:
Cheap house to remain at Ban La-On (Nang Thong Beach) - Opposite Jai Restaurant there's a family-run mini-mart across the road, they receive got a few fiddling chalets behind the shop. Some are amend than others. We stayed a calendar month inwards ane post-tsunami fer 300baht patch nosotros were working inwards Lak . Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 yr afterwards (2006) nosotros went dorsum over again in addition to blagged them downwardly from 350 to 300 again. Again, some are shabby hence it's worth checking a few out. They're basic (bed, fan, table, bath alongside mutual coldness shower, western privy in addition to bucket for flush), but suitable plenty fer a remain of a few days (we were closed to going insane inwards at that spot after a month!), in addition to a proficient inexpensive alternative for Ban La-On. You tin dismiss utilisation yer ain padlock on the outside, hence they're quite secure too. They are neither named or sign-posted; inquire them at the mini-mart. The guy (he is ever shirtless) is a fleck grumpy, but you lot tin dismiss lighten him upward alongside a express joy or two.
Jai themselves receive got a few chalets that are quite squeamish but a fleck pricier. Again, if you lot programme a longer remain they'll give you lot a amend price.
Khao Lak Seafood next door is a neat house to consume alongside a fantastic menu.
Another nod goes to Lemuan Seafood farther downwardly the route (opposite D-Supermart) - the ladies at that spot are proficient fun in addition to a fleck dotty. If yer a regular they'll brand a lot of fuss over you.
KHAO LAK SEAFOOD - Cocodrilo spent fourth dimension inwards Lak prior to her live-aboard snorkelling trip to the Similans inwards dec 09 (see READERS' TRIP REPORTS) in addition to sent me the next pix in addition to info:
I stayed at Khao lak Seafood household unit of measurement house. While I loved the nutrient there, they were ever hence busy the service was marginal. Also lots of people alongside babies inwards strollers dining there, which I do non desire to encounter (nor hear) patch on vacation.
The guesthouse was great, though, in addition to correct next to a mount where you lot could listen all sorts of cool insect, gecko in addition to plane sounds at night.
Inland from Bang Niang is Chong Fa Falls.
Tezza shot snuck inwards hither to exhibit the area's other chief falls - the ane farther due south at Tong Pling a brusque distance inwards from the chief highway behind the truthful Khao Lak Beach. In typical Thailand falls style, less than whelming. Note an overhead span hither leading to a trekking rail on the northward side of the puddle The span was closed inwards March '11 because of disrepair - manifestly the rail follows the river downstream.
This is the abandoned patrol boat washed some 500m+ inland during the tsunami. It is side past times side the highway (inland side) a brusque distance northward of the chief Khao Lak shopping area.AMSTERDAM RESORT - Surins Trip Report author boleslav stayed inwards this budget/flashpacker house upward from the beach a fleck inwards Bang Niang - it seems this articulation tin dismiss organise pretty proficient carry to the Surins. There is a link to Amsterdam's website on boleslav's report.
UPDATE FEB 2012 - I was exactly shown this website compiled past times the Sea Dragon Dive Center which has details of most Lak surface area accommodation over all toll ranges - ane of the best I've seen.
THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND LAK
SIMILANS ISLANDS TRIPS - Lak is the base of operations for both daytrips in addition to to organise transport/overnight stays on the Similans a proficient 40km offshore. Boats truly leave of absence from the busy little port at Thap Lamu nearly 10km south.
SURINS TRIPS - you lot tin dismiss also organise visits to the Surins from Lak but they are a long way northward - the chief mainland base of operations in addition to pier is at Kuraburi nearly 50km upward the coast.
DIVING - is a large activeness out of Lak alongside several dive operations inwards town in addition to at diverse resorts. Most dive boats also leave of absence from Thap Lamu.
SNORKELLING - the Similans are arguably the best snorkelling sites inwards Thailand. Back on the coast things are pretty ordinary but novices volition uncovering plenty fish about the rocks off Sunset in addition to Nang Thong beaches to hold them interested. The rocks of the National Park headland likewise receive got a fleck of fringing coral in addition to fishies. I read somewhere that the large reef off the tip of Pakarang Cape has okay snorkelling but I haven't checked this fairly isolated from other Lak areas place.
NATIONAL PARK VISITS - I receive got already mentioned the trek downwardly to the headland white sand beach from NP HQ. The inland sections of the common to the northward in addition to due south also receive got treks in addition to a pair of okay waterfalls for a splash around.
KHAO SOK NATIONAL PARK is mayhap 60km away in addition to tin dismiss live daytripped from Lak.
PHANG NGA BAY MARINE NATIONAL PARK daytrips are also offered past times all hotel in addition to chief street tour desks.
OTHERS - I've seen elephant rides offered, at that spot is a large golf game class exactly due south of the truthful Khao Lak beach, deep sea line-fishing trips are possible. My favourite is to hire a motorbike in addition to cruise the diverse beach areas.
GETTING TO LAK FROM BANGKOK - easiest access is to wing to Phuket in addition to brand your way the 80km or hence northward every bit below. Some buses run Bangkok-Phuket via Ranong in addition to Lak, but to a greater extent than go the near/Surathani route which goes nowhere close Lak.
From PHUKET - whatever Takua Pa in addition to Ranong charabanc passes Lak. Some but non all Surathani jump populace buses also pass. Note these Surathani buses also go along on to top Khao Sok National Park nearly 90-120 minutes upward the road. Some Bangkok jump buses (those that go via Rangong rather than close Surathani) top thru Lak.
Buses starting due south of Phuket for Ranong in addition to Takua Pa tend to bypass Khao Lak on direct mount roads to Takua Pa.
Access from PHUKET AIRPORT is a fleck tricky. No problems for upmarket travelers alongside heaps of taxis - in addition to the ever available limo service++. Lots of the costlier accommodation inwards Lak receive got a pick-up service - banking concern friction match their websites for electrical flow prices. But for budget travelers the Phuket charabanc station is nearly an hr inwards the contrary administration to Lak, which wastes a lot of fourth dimension in addition to some money. No problems. TT poster Tagemi said he got a motorbike taxi from the airdrome out the few km to the chief route charabanc halt - at that spot is a nutrient stall at that spot in addition to the vendors were happy to seat him on the correct charabanc (he was going to Krabi, but the Lak jump buses utilisation the same road). It would live proficient politics to purchase something from the stallholders to start alongside of course.
++ In belatedly Nov 2010 I approached the limo counter within ARRIVALS at Phuket Airport alongside 1500 b inwards my mitt. I knew the electrical flow website toll was 1700 - the guy showed me a toll listing alongside 2000 - I showed him my 1500 in addition to said I was heading exterior to the taxi counter. He accepted 1500 instantly. No Beemers or Mercs - my limo was a electrical flow Camry. Nice ride exactly on ane hr 9pm, would bring a fleck longer daytime. Going the other way I saw a desk, chief street inwards Khao Lak town Nov 2010 offering motorcar in addition to driver to Phuket airdrome for 1000.
Lots of people move upward from KRABI to Lak. Using populace buses sees an indirect chief route route in addition to oftentimes a postulate to modify buses. Good word is that a minibus goes a direct shorter route using proficient county back-roads, starting abt 1100 in addition to taking about iii hours including ane rest/eats stop. Cost inwards March 08 was 300 baht in addition to whatever guesthouse or move agent inwards Krabi town/Railay/Ao Nang etc tin dismiss volume you lot on, alongside a pick upward shuttle about Krabi town to the depot where you lot hold back about for 10-30 minutes patch they organize things. You tin dismiss also live picked upward at the novel Krabi pier if you lot receive got come upward off a PP or Lanta ferry. I’m non certain if they send a connecting shuttle out to Ao Nang for pick ups.
GETTING AROUND LAK
As said before, taxi prices tend to live geared towards European powerfulness to pay.
Regular songthaews sew together in addition to downwardly the strip, but mayhap non every bit regular every bit a lot of people would like. There are heaps of songthaews parked beside the route alongside their drivers hopeful you lot volition charter them every bit taxis.
Full size Takua Pa to Phuket in addition to Surathani to Phuket all-stops buses also come upward thru every 30-40 minutes.
I constitute ane of the best ways of accessing to a greater extent than far flung parts of the surface area is past times hire motorcycle. You tin dismiss mayhap double the 150 per hateful solar daytime you lot paid on Phuket.
If you lot see Khao Lak you lot powerfulness also live interested inwards nearby:
SIMILAN ISLANDS
SURIN ISLANDS
PHUKET
KRABI-RAILAY-AO NANG-TON SAI
KO KHO KHAO
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