How to get from Phuket to Khao Lak. An excursion to Khao Lak National Park, Thailand - eventful, educational and entertaining. Map of Khao Lak in Russian
Hi all!
Our trip to Thailand in July 2013 began at the resort Khao Lak ( Khao Lak) or Khao Lak .
This is a "quiet" place on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula.
Large Thai resorts are famous for being crowded and lively, especially during the season. Tourists go there for parties and entertainment.
Khao Lak is one of the places where you can enjoy privacy, tranquility and nature. This is a more family-friendly holiday, with clean deserted beaches.
Located approximately 100 km from Phuket.
We flew on vacation with friends, a family with two children, we had our own company, there was no one else needed.
I wanted silence clean sea, exotic places and a minimum of people.
Khao Lak fit that description exactly.
Flight and road to the hotel
Long flight 9 hours.
We were lucky with our seats; we sat by the window, just the two of us with my husband. We had an overnight flight, we slept almost all of it, sitting more or less comfortably together on three seats.
You can also get there by taxi or public transport, saving significantly.
There were a lot of us, with children and suitcases, so this option was not suitable. In addition, such a journey would take three hours.
Hotel
Checked into a hotel Mukdara Beach Villa & Spa Resort .
In Phuket, hotels practically do not have their own territory. All beaches are public, there are a lot of people on them.
In Khao Lak, our hotel had a huge picturesque area with a bar, a large swimming pool and a restaurant by the sea.
Restaurant
There were practically no people in the hotel. Literally a few middle-aged Europeans. There were no Russian tourists except us in the hotel. Moreover, during our 9 days in Khao Lak, we met only one couple of Russian guys. Of course, we met.
There was also a hotel Gym, a beauty and massage salon with high prices.
During the season, prices at this hotel are very high, but in the summer they drop significantly.
Weather
The season in Khao Lak is from November to May. In June, most cafes and restaurants are closed due to heavy rains and the lack of tourists.
We went at the beginning of July, when cafes were just starting to open. But the prices are, of course, more favorable.
The first three days of our stay in Khao Lak there were torrential rains.
We managed to become depressed; walking through puddles is not the most interesting activity.
On the fourth day of our stay in Khao Lak, the sun appeared. Of course, it was happiness.
In 9 days we managed to swim and get a good tan. But still, it rained almost every day, there were many cloudy days, it was frustrating.
Khao Lak is more designed for a beach holiday; besides swimming, there is not much to do here.
Where to go in Khao Lak
Large shopping centers there is no. But there are many souvenir shops, clothing stores, many massage parlors and SPA.
There is a massage right on the shore of the wild beach.
A market where it is better to go early in the morning. After lunch, sellers begin to leave.
Near Khao Lak there is a picturesque lighthouse.
Everything is designed for a quiet, secluded holiday.
Sea
Khao Lak is located along the coast Andaman Sea.
It is very different from the sea in Phuket. In Phuket, these are bays with little or no waves. Here we hit big waves.
At first it was even a little scary to swim, but then we got used to it, I wanted to swim)
We frolicked in the waves, it was a lot of fun!
Once I even lost my swimsuit panties))). They were simply pulled together by a wave while I was trying to get out of it).
On some days there were no waves, the sea was calm and calm. And there were days with such huge waves that we didn’t risk getting in there, we swam in the pool.
The Andaman Sea captivated me. It's incredibly beautiful. In Khao Lak it is different from the beaches of Phuket. The sea is a magical gray color and the sand is red.
The beaches of Khao Lak are mostly wild and deserted. Our hotel beach was very clean and equipped with sun loungers.
There was no one else on the beach except us all these days. This is amazing, I have never seen anything like this anywhere else!
Very beautiful sunsets!
Nutrition
Only breakfast was included.
There is no point in taking all-inclusive in Thailand; it usually turns out to be expensive. There are a lot of cafes and restaurants where you can eat tasty and inexpensive food.
Khao Lak has many different cafes and restaurants, mostly with seafood.
The locals don’t understand English at all, let alone Russian. Unlike Phuket, where Thais understand and speak Russian well.
Sometimes in restaurants the waiters did not bring what they asked for.
We found a cafe where the owner is Swedish. He moved to Thailand a few years ago, married a Thai woman, opened his own restaurant business and lives happily for his own pleasure. He spoke English well, told and recommended a lot of useful things. We often went to his restaurant, he always came out to us, talked and tried very hard.
In Thailand you have to be careful with cocktails with ice. To be sure of the quality of the ice, it is better to choose more decent restaurants. In very cheap ones, ice can be frozen from tap water, which is not drinkable in Thailand! Only bottled!
But during our month of stay in Thailand, we were lucky enough to never run into poor-quality food or water.
In the last three days in Thailand, we bought sliced fruit at the market and caught some rubbish (((. We sat on the potty all three days. We ate all the supplies of pills that were brought from Russia, and even bought some pills there. My husband was released after three days, and upon arrival I was admitted to the hospital in the infectious diseases department. Fortunately, they didn’t find anything serious with me, but my fever lasted for more than two weeks.
So, be careful. You can and should buy fruits. But it is better to cut and wash them thoroughly yourself, especially if the intestines are weak.
Summer is fruit season in Thailand, and this is the time when you can try almost all the exotic fruits that can be found in these parts.
Huge selection of seafood! Shrimp, lobsters, crabs, scallops, various fish.
My favorite was the tuna.
All this is usually barbecue, very tasty and the price was very reasonable.
Of course, after the dollar jump, prices are no longer so pleasant, but still cheaper than in Russia. And most importantly, everything is fresh, just caught.
At low tide, locals catch crabs and immediately cook them in a cafe on the shore.
The famous Thai Tom Yam soup, which is famous far beyond Thailand! We ate it every day.
The waiter should always say “No spice” (no pepper) if you are not a fan of spicy things. Otherwise, they swell the pepper so much that it is often simply impossible to eat.
Thai cuisine is very spicy. The Thais themselves put a lot of chili peppers for themselves, they are used to it and this is how they are disinfected).
I was crazy about Thai rice. It is always served with fish and seafood dishes instead of bread. They cook it in such a way that it turns out very tasty on its own, I couldn’t help but finish it). Similar to the rice they put on rolls in Russia.
Duck is very popular and also very tasty. It is cooked in a special sauce and it turns out completely different from ours.
Thailand has several local beers. Sold in glass bottles for 0.33. The beer is very cool, soft, not bitter at all.
I liked Sinha the most, it is also the most popular.
Delicious and varied cocktails. Pina colada is served in coconut, the pulp of which I later also ate.
In 2013 (before the crisis) prices were 1/1 (1 ruble = 1 baht).
The cocktails, compared to ours, were more than half the price.
Excursions and attractions of Khao Lak
There are not many excursions in Khao Lak. We were only on two, we went to both “at our own pace”. They took knock Knock, You can also rent bikes.
Khao Lak Lam Rhu National Park
The route is not difficult, children aged 5 and 7 managed it well.
We spent several hours climbing in the park.
Huge trees.
Scenic view on the sea
Towards the end it became a bit difficult, very hot and humid. The paths are very slippery in places; comfortable sports shoes would be a good idea.
There is access to the beach, we swam.
The bar on the beach was not open, it was not the season, but there were no people except us.
There are a lot of people here during the season.
Ate at local restaurant, With beautiful view on the sea.
The trip took the whole day.
Lampi Waterfall .
Located 30 minutes drive from Khao Lak. The walk to it is not tiring, since it is located not far from the road.
The waterfall has three levels. If you're not too lazy, you can go up and see all the levels.
At the very bottom of the waterfall Lumpy you can swim. It's allowed and safe.
Khao Lak- a resort in Thailand on the shores of the Andaman Sea. This resort is not yet very popular among our tourists; mostly Europeans choose Khao Lak for their holidays (for some reason there are a lot of Scandinavians in Khao Lak). In this article I will tell you everything I know about Khao Lak: description of the resort, features, beaches, Khao Lak hotels, transport, weather. Perhaps after reading this article you will choose not the neighboring noisy Phuket, but the quiet, calm, Europeanized Khao Lak :)
Quiet, uncrowded resort of Khao Lak in Thailand
Khao Lak: general information
The resort of Khao Lak stretches for many kilometers along the coast and highway No. 4, which connects with the south of Thailand and goes to. Figuratively speaking, Khao Lak starts from the pier from which speed boats depart for Similan and stretches to the town of Takua Pa, and this is not much, but more than 30 km along the highway! But: when talking about Khao Lak most often they mean the area from national park Khao Lak to Cape Pakarang and a little further north.
Khao Lak is marked schematically on the map with a red square. Blue square - the central beaches of Khao Lak The first village you meet on the way from Phuket is called Ban Khao Lak, but the center Khao resort Lak is further north, behind the mountain. There is the village of Bang La On with Nang Thong beach, and further away the villages of Bang Niang and Khuk Khak with beaches of the same name. The most developed tourist infrastructure is on the first two beaches.
Map of Khao Lak beaches As I already said, a highway passes through Khao Lak, on the sides of which there is all the infrastructure: hotels, restaurants, shops. On Nang Thong beach, all the infrastructure is stretched along the road and the beach, and from the highway to the sea it is literally 500 meters. Inexpensive hotels are located either directly on the highway or across the road from the sea, closer to the mountains. But on the neighboring Bang Niang beach, basically all the hotels and restaurants are located on the streets that lead from the road to the sea. The distance from the highway to the sea in this place is about 1 km.
Route along the coast. Next to the highway is the entire infrastructure of the Khao Lak resort 
The main street of Bang Niang, which leads from the highway to the beach 
Bang Niang. On the way to the sea 
The central street leads to the sea In 2004, Khao Lak was very badly damaged by a tsunami; now there are signs everywhere around the resort telling where to run and what to do in the event of a tsunami; they say that the disaster warning system is working well.
In case of evacuation, run to the mountains By the way, just a few days before our arrival in Khao Lak, an earthquake occurred somewhere in the sea near Indonesia, panic began in Thai groups on social networks, everyone predicted a tsunami. Luckily nothing happened. During our trip, we met a couple who were vacationing in Khao Lak at the time of the tsunami talk. They said that one evening they were having dinner in a cafe and the tsunami warning system went off, everyone sat on their bikes and went to the mountains. We waited there for a while, realized that nothing was happening, and returned to the hotel.
On Bang Niang beach, near the highway, almost opposite the 7 Eleven store, there is now a monument to the victims of the tsunami and a police boat, which was washed ashore during the tsunami. Nearby there is a stand with information about the 2004 tsunami and a museum where they play documentaries in English about this terrible event.
A police ship that was washed ashore during the tsunami. All the people in it died 
Next to the boat there is a small museum where they talk about terrible tsunami 2004 NOT budget resort , prices here are on average higher than, for example, or, but comparable to prices in Krabi: and. More details here:
Khao Lak is quite well maintained and clean resort. European-style restaurants, cute bars, beautiful evening lighting, trimmed trees, flowers - it seems that you are somewhere in Europe. They say that it is also Thai Hua Hin a sort of Europe in Thailand, but we haven’t been there, so I can’t say anything.
There are sidewalks in Khao Lak! This is such a joy, especially after Samui, where there are no sidewalks at all, well, maybe a little on and off.
Important! NOT youth resort, don’t look for discos and bars here with dancing until the morning, mostly elderly foreign couples or families with small children relax here. Of course there are bars, but not like these and they close quite early.
Khao Lak is a very clean and well maintained resort 
Khao Lak even has sidewalks! This shady road leads to the beach 
Cozy European restaurants 
Restaurants near the sea with a gorgeous view Khao Lak: weather and seasons
There are two seasons in Khao Lak:
- rainy season from April-May to October
- dry season from November to April
In principle, the rainy season in Khao Lak is unpleasant not so much because of the rain (it mostly falls at night), but because the sea is stormy and becomes dirty, ugly and dangerous for swimming :) The last time we vacationed in Khao Lak was in September and we never swam at sea due to big waves and rip currents. And excursions to the islands are canceled for the summer. Since Khao Lak is not a very crowded resort anyway, and in the summer there are few people here at all, some hotels, bars, restaurants and shops simply close for the summer.
Should you go on holiday to Khao Lak in May-June-July? If you choose a hotel on the seashore with good infrastructure, then you can safely go! If the sea is very stormy, then you can swim in the pool and take pleasant walks along the seashore. Fortunately, the long beaches of Khao Lak allow you to walk for many kilometers in one direction or the other.
But at the beginning of March the weather in Khao Lak was very hot. I really love the heat, but even I didn’t want to leave the air-conditioned room of our hotel during the day :) But the sea in Khao Lak in March was perfectly smooth (completely calm!) and very warm. How I love it :)
Calm and warm sea in March 
Sea in September. It seems that the waves are not very big, but you approach the sea and the force of the elements simply knocks you off your feet! Swimming is dangerous! Khao Lak where it is and how to get there
Khao Lak is located approximately 60 km from the entrance to the popular island of Phuket. From Phuket Airport to Khao Lak it is about 80 km or an hour and a half by car. Another airport is located in Krabi, and in Surat Thani railroad station. The most convenient way to get from Russia to Khao Lak is through Phuket, where there are direct flights during the season. More information about how to get to Khao Lak:
Transport in Khao Lak
Transport in Khao Lak is represented by songthaews, taxis and buses passing along the highway. You can take a songthaew for 100-150 baht between neighboring beaches, and a taxi, for example, will cost from 1000 baht. It is easy to go by bus to Phuket town (100 baht) or to the neighboring town of Takua Pa.
For freedom and ease of movement, it is best to rent a bike (from 200 baht) or a car ().
Taxi prices in Khao Lak from Bang Niang beach (where the tsunami monument is) 
Prices in Khao Lak for renting bicycles and motorbikes Khao Lak Hotels
Khao Lak is the territory of expensive, comfortable hotels for a pleasant stay on the very seashore. There is no cheap housing (up to 1000 baht) on the first line! If you, like me, prefer to spend your beach holiday in a hotel first coastline, then be prepared to pay an average of +/- 3000 baht per day.
Inexpensive hotels (up to 1,500 baht) are concentrated along the highway and on the street running perpendicular to the sea in Bang Niang. When we stopped in Khao Lak for just a few days and not for a beach holiday, but for an excursion to the Similan Islands, we settled not near the sea, but in the center of the entire infrastructure of Bang Niang beach, in a cool inexpensive hotel Nautical Home 850 m from the sea and 150 m from the highway. Later, we chose Khao Lak for a holiday with a child good hotels on the first line with its own beach: Manathai Khao Lak and.
One of the hotels on the beach 
Our cool and inexpensive hotel Nautical Home ten minutes walk from the beach 
The Sands Khao Lak by Katathani Resort is a great choice for families with children! Special offers on Khao Lak hotels
Khao Lak hotels on the map
Beaches of Khao Lak
We were delighted with the beaches of Khao Lak: long, wide, almost deserted. The sand is yellow, coarse, clean. The entrance to the sea is smooth. True, there are strong low tides and sometimes storms. I won’t tell you much, I already wrote in great detail with photos and videos about the beaches of Khao Lak here:
Deserted beaches of Khao Lak. Khuk Khak beach in Khao Lak. People, ah! 
The central part of Bang Niang beach 
Khao Lak beach before sunset 
Pak VIP beach in the north of Khao Lak 
Swing for a photo shoot in the background turquoise sea on White Sand Beach Khao Lak infrastructure: cafes, shops, markets, etc.
The main infrastructure of Khao Lak is concentrated on two beaches, Nang Thong and Bang Niang. There are numerous cafes, bars, shops, massage parlors, and excursion bureaus. Beach restaurants along the coastline also attract tourists. You can have lunch there, watch the sunset over a bottle of beer, or simply rent a sun lounger and umbrella.
Beach restaurants with sun loungers on the seashore 
Cafes, restaurants, bars
There are many cozy restaurants serving European food in Khao Lak. We didn’t have time to go into them, but two evenings we had dinner in one of the Thai cafes. For dinner (one dish + one beer) we paid 280-320 baht. We didn’t see any Makashnits. For dinners on the seashore they paid ~700 baht.
This is what our dinner looks like (+ a bottle of beer didn’t fit into the frame) in a Thai cafe in Khao Lak for 280 baht It is believed that Bang Niang is a more expensive, but at the same time more developed beach, all the main bars with live music on Khao Lak are located here. Beach bars sometimes host parties with music and dancing on the sand. But you still need to understand that you won’t find much fun in Khao Lak, it’s not even on Samui, not to mention Patong. But there is somewhere to sit in the evening in Khao Lak :)
Bars and restaurants on the road near Bang Niang Beach 
Restaurants in the village center 
Beach bar party announcement Shops and markets
Of the chain stores in Khao Lak, there are quite a few 7 elven with normal prices. They are located on the highway at Bang Niang and Nang Thong beaches. As well as small shops with food, water, souvenirs, beachwear, etc. and so on. Prices for souvenirs and beach items are NOT low. There are many stores where they can sew you a suit or other clothes in a couple of days :)
Shop 7 Eleven and next to another supermarket with everything you need 
In small shops in Khao Lak you can buy beach items and some souvenirs 
A bunch of shops and workshops for sewing suits and other clothes On Bang Niang beach behind 7 elven opposite the turn to Tsunami Memorial every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from lunch until 10 pm there is a market where tourists come from all over Khao Lak. Here you can find some souvenirs, some beachwear, food, fruit, etc. at normal prices.
The market in Khao Lak on Bang Niang Beach is open three days a week. In the evenings there are many tourists here who want to try Thai food 
Market in Khao Lak There is a morning fruit market in Khuk Khak next to the small bus station, which is indicated on all maps of Khao Lak. This market is open every day from early morning until 11-12 noon.
But still, it’s better to go to Phuket for shopping. This will not be difficult to do: you need to take a bus to Phuket on the highway, 2-3 hours of travel and 100 baht and you are in the center of Phuket town. Then you can take a tuk-tuk or songthaew and get, for example, to the Festival Center (you can see what the Festival Center is using Samui as an example).
The closest Big C supermarket to Khao Lak is in Takua Pa, and Tesco is on the way to Phuket in Khok Kloi.
Attractions Khao Lak
Khao Lak is a convenient departure point for excursions to neighboring islands. Some tourists come to Khao Lak only to visit:
- Surin
- Tachai - on this moment, unfortunately, closed indefinitely
Important: in summer, during the rainy and stormy season (usually from mid-May to late October) these islands are closed to visitors!
- Deserted beaches
- Kao Lak National Park - Lam Ru
- Sai Rung Waterfall
- Ton Chong Fa Waterfall
- Ton Pling Waterfall
- Lampi Waterfall
You can also ride elephants or go diving in Khao Lak - any travel agency, of which there are a great many, will tell you more about all the tours and excursions in Khao Lak.
Khao Lak review and conclusions
Khao Lak left a pleasant impression. We liked the fact that there are few tourists in Khao Lak, wide deserted beaches, good sea, clean streets, cozy cafes, excellent 5-star hotels on the very seashore, where you can relax quite inexpensively in the low season and off-season. And the village of Bang Niang itself is so cute. From Khao Lak it is convenient to go on excursions around the islands. Khao Lak has magnificent sunsets: the sun sets directly into the sea. Khao Lak is a place where I want to return again and again, unlike, for example, Ao Nang.
Preparing for a romantic dinner on the beach at sunset 
Evening street lighting 
Sunset in Khao Lak If I were going on vacation to Thailand for 2 weeks and wanted to visit the south of the country, I would do this:
- 1 day. Arrival in Bangkok, overnight in Bangkok
- Day 2. By train or plane to Surat Thani
- Day 3. Transfer Surat Thani - Khao Sok
- 4 – 6 days. Khao Sok and Cheow Lan Lake
- Day 7 – transfer to Khao Lak
- 7 – 12 days. Holidays in Khao Lak + swimming for 2-3 people day excursion to Similan and/or Surin
- 12-14 days. Departure from Phuket Airport to Bangkok, Bangkok
The beaches attract many tourists every year. That's why resort towns, as a rule, are filled with people, and finding a secluded place is very difficult. But still, you can find there too quiet town where you can relax in a calm environment. One such place is a quiet Thai town called Khao Lak.
Location and general information
The small island of Khao Lak was previously just a small village. But over time, several small villages located nearby along the coast of the Andaman Sea merged into one large tourist center. With the development of the tourism industry in Thailand, the level of service developed, and new buildings were built, thus, from an ordinary village, Khao Lak turned into a tourist paradise, where developed infrastructure combined with unique natural landscapes.
Khao Lak resort is located next to the Andaman Sea. It is fenced off from the ocean high mountains. It is this favorable location that determines the climate of this Thai town. The weather here is warm throughout the year. The tourist season is officially open here from November to May.
The weather at this time is optimal for relaxation, since the tropical heat is diluted by the northeastern monsoons and sea breezes. At this time, the temperature in the city remains at 25 - 30 degrees. The rainy seasons are characterized by high temperature, and frequent showers.
The nature of this town is rich and varied. So that tourists can admire it without risk and take photos against the backdrop of bright flowers and tall trees, a beautiful national park Khao Lak Lam Ru. There, the wild jungle is combined with neat paths, walking along which guests of the kingdom can observe squirrels, exotic birds and other small animals of Thailand. There are also waterfalls that fascinate everyone with their pristine beauty.
Sights and recreation areas
Unlike most resorts in Thailand, tourists come to Khao Lak not for noisy fun, but to relax and retire.
Map of Khao Lak with attractions
There are a lot of spas, yoga clubs and all kinds of health centers built in the city. The whole atmosphere of the city encourages tourists to forget about their problems and, in a few days of rest, relax and improve their health both physically and mentally.
Khao Lak is a quiet and cozy holiday
In addition, there are many natural attractions near the city, against which tourists who come to Thailand like to take photos. For example, Lampi waterfall. It is located 30 minutes from Khao Lak, just off Route 4. You can get there by taxi or rented transport. The waterfall itself is just a short walk from the parking lot.
It's best to go there early in the morning to watch the sunrise. Against the backdrop of a morning waterfall one gets best photos. In addition, you can swim there at any time. This is allowed and quite safe.
Lampi Waterfall (Khao Lak, Thailand)
Another colorful waterfall near Khao Lak is Chong Fa. It's easy to find because there is a blue sign on Route 4 that shows the way to the waterfall. Entrance to the waterfall territory is paid, for adults a ticket costs 100 baht, for children - 50. Near the waterfall it is great to relax on hot days and take memorable photos.
Chong Fa is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Khao Lak
Another noteworthy natural asset of Khao Lak is the local national park. You can go there from 8:30 to 16:30. You can walk in the park all day long, because there is a restaurant on its territory where you can have a snack if necessary.
From the park you can go to the beaches of Nang Thong or Khao Lak, or walk to the famous Buddhist temple. Entrance to the temple is free for children under three years old, adults pay 100 baht for entry, children under 14 years old pay half that amount.
Khao Lak Lamru National Park is one of several popular national parks Thailand
Also not far from Khao Lak there is such an original attraction as Police Boat 813. At the beginning of the millennium, it was one of two police boats designed to protect the son of a former princess. During the 2004 tsunami, one of the ships sank along with its crew. The second boat washed ashore, and since then it has stood there as a historical monument.
Police boat washed up 2 km from the shore
In addition, you can go to Old city and Takua Pa. In the old quarter of Takua Pa there are still quaint examples of old Sino-Portuguese architecture, where tourists stop at literally every step to take photos. There are also plenty of quaint shops and a traditional local market.
Hotels, shops and markets
Despite the absence of large shopping centers and shopping malls in the city, resort town you can buy everything you need for comfortable rest. Prices for food in stores are not very high, and in the markets you can try all the exotic fruits without spending much. However, it is better to go to the market early, because after lunch the traders go home.
Tourist town opposite Nang Thong Beach, Khao Lak
As for souvenirs, it is better to buy them in the town of Baan La On, which is located next to Khao Laka. On main square The city has a large market where you can buy figurines of Thai gods, paintings, jewelry and even handmade musical instruments.
Souvenirs made of wood and coconut
But if you don’t want to travel that far, you can also find souvenirs in the Khao Lak Souvenir shop near Nang Thong Beach.
It is prohibited to export Buddha figurines larger than 15 cm. Thais consider this an insult to religion.
The most popular place among tourists is the Nang Tong supermarket. It presents a wide variety of goods, both household and grocery. And near each beach you can find small shops where, in addition to household items, you can also buy ready-made frozen foods.
Beach holiday
They are distinguished by their well-groomed and cleanliness. In this quiet resort town you can soak up the white sand and swim in clear sea water, which is not always possible on other beaches in Thailand. There is enough space for vacationers here. The coastline stretches along the sea for ten kilometers. True, the beaches are mostly wild.
Only two of them are developed by tourists: Nang Thong and Bang Niang. The first one is considered the most popular in the whole city. Near it you can find many cozy and inexpensive hotels and restaurants that provide a large selection of food and drinks. From the shore you can see many sea creatures that you previously only saw in photographs:
- Crabs;
- Turtles;
- Exotic fish, etc.
The southern part of Nang Thong Beach is also known among tourists as "Sunset Beach". Many tourists, coming to this resort, bring home photos with sea sunsets in the background.
Nang Thong Beach is also known among tourists as "Sunset Beach"
The beach called Bang Niang is more suitable for family vacation. A bunch of water attractions, cozy sun loungers and massage parlors will allow you to find entertainment to suit both children and parents. In addition, next to the beach there is a snake farm and Chong Fa waterfall, so in addition to beach holiday you will have something to do.
Less crowded, but therefore even more attractive beaches that are recommended for visiting are Pakwip and Khao Lak. The latter attracts with its natural beauty, which you just want to save in a photo as a memory of the trip. You won't find any sun loungers or umbrellas there, but the alternative is to relax in the shade of tall trees on the snow-white sand.
Pakwip beach, in turn, is almost deserted, but at the same time attractive. Nearby there are good five-star hotels and the Buddhist monastery of Baan Pakwip.
Pakwip Beach is the quietest and least developed in tourist destination resort beach
In general, the boundaries between individual beaches are quite arbitrary and they are all available for recreation throughout the whole year. They are protected from storms by high reefs, so even during the monsoons you can snorkel, dive, or simply ride the waves and take photos against the backdrop of the sea.
Transport
Most Popular vehicles to get around Khao Lak these are:
- Knock Knock;
- Motorbike;
- Automobile;
- Bike.
Tuk-Tuk can be hired at own route. At first, the price may seem high, but you can bargain and agree to travel for almost half the price. You need to agree on the cost before departure, so that upon arrival you do not have conflicts with the driver due to misunderstandings.
Check the cost of the trip, since payment can be made both per person and for the cost of the trip as a whole.
To explore the area on your own, it is better to rent a motorbike or scooter. There are two types of rentals: daily and monthly.
A day's rental costs approximately 200 baht, if rented for long term you will receive a significant discount. You can find transport near travel agencies, restaurants and internet cafes. To rent, you will need a passport (or at least a copy of it) - it is advisable to leave a cash deposit, which will greatly increase the likelihood of not becoming a hostage to circumstances.
You can also rent a car on the island. All offices provide a choice of cars different models behind different prices. Remember that to drive a car on the roads of Thailand you must have an international driver's license. The fine for driving without documents is 500 baht.
An international driver's license comes into force if you have a domestic driver's license, be careful and don't forget to take it with you.
How to get there
There are no direct flights to Khao Lak, but neighboring island Phuket has an international airport. Upon arrival in Phuket, you can already get to the tourist town by taxi. The trip will take just under an hour and cost approximately 1,200 baht.
But if you want to save money, you can take the bus. Direct flight, however, does not exist, so you have to go first to the bus station located in Phuket, and then change to another one that goes to Khao Lak.
In addition, Khao Lak can be reached from Bangkok. Traveling on a comfortable bus will cost approximately 500 baht. The journey from the Southern Bus Station to the resort takes approximately 10 hours.
Khao Lak can be reached by plane, bus, taxi and even by bicycle
The resort town of Khao Lak - perfect place, both for a family holiday and for visiting with a group of friends. Beautiful scenery, pure nature and a huge selection of entertainment options will make your holiday unforgettable.
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Khao Lak is located approximately 106 km north of Phuket city on the Andaman Sea coast and is, without exaggeration, one of the most beautiful tourist areas in Thailand. Located in Phang Nga province, the resort stretches along the Andaman Sea in a continuous strip of 20 km. On one side there are forested hills and mountains of the national park, on the other - 20 km beautiful beaches. It is popular for its serene surroundings, and serves as a base point for trips to nearby islands. Phuket International Airport is Starting point visits.
general description
There are 7 national parks within a 90 km area around Khao Lak. The coastal strip of deserted golden beaches is one of the longest and most picturesque in Thailand. From Khao Lak you can experience the diverse nature of the national parks, from mangrove forests to karst landscapes with their unusual landscapes of limestone rocks. From here you can visit the world famous Similan and Surin Islands and enjoy the colorful coral reefs and the richness of the underwater world. Khao Lak is also the starting point for hiking trails in one of the oldest rainforests on Earth. A great way to see nature is to take an elephant ride through the jungle. All this is possible during a day trip from Khao Lak.
Khao Lak is significantly different from its neighbors tourist regions, in particular Phuket. Its attractions include small, secluded coastal resorts, deserted beaches, a family atmosphere and a ban on building buildings taller than the height of a coconut tree.
Compared to places like Patong, Khao Lak can seem boring, especially during the low season (April-November). If exotic nightlife and related attractions are the main reason for your visit to Thailand, Khao Lak is not the place for you. It is designed, first of all, for a relaxing family holiday, nature lovers, as well as those who want to find something unusual for themselves.
When the catastrophic 2004 tsunami struck South Asia, Khao Lak was the hardest hit area in Thailand (over 4,000 dead and over 3,000 missing). Since then, it has made an impressive recovery of its economy and is welcoming tourists again.
2004 tsunami
Khao Lak was one of the coastal areas of Thailand most affected by the tsunami in late 2004. The earthquake that triggered the deadly Indian Ocean tsunami on December 26, 2004, was estimated by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to be equivalent to 23,000 atomic bombs, dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. A tsunami is one of the deadliest natural phenomena. A few hours after the earthquake, killer waves spread out in all directions from the earthquake zone at the speed of a jet airliner and hit coastline 11 countries Indian Ocean. Giant waves, the height of which in some places reached 15 m, irrevocably carried people out to sea, killing them in houses, beaches, streets, causing enormous damage to real estate along the coast. During the day, more than 150,000 people died or went missing (some estimates say 300,000) and millions were left homeless, making it perhaps the most devastating tsunami in history.
Within two hours or less, on the morning of December 26, 2004, Khao Lak, with a population of about 5,000, was reduced to a virtual ghost town by the storm, becoming the worst-hit area in Thailand by the tsunami. About 4,000 people died, about half of them tourists. The victims were Bhumi Jensen, the grandson of King Rama IX of Thailand, who were vacationing in Khao Lak, as well as the famous Finnish musician and TV presenter Aki Sirkesalo and his family.
Orientation
The entire Khao Lak area stretches on both sides of Phetkasem Road (or Highway 4). At 1,274 km long, it is the country's longest highway, from Bangkok to the Malaysian border, and one of Thailand's four major highways. The center of Khao Lak region is 106 km from Phuket town and 76 km north of international airport Phuket.
During their off-hours, songthaew drivers earn extra money as taxi drivers. They are waiting for their clients in central regions settlements of Khao Lak. Their tariffs are significantly cheaper than in a regular taxi.
Many hotels offer free transportation to their clients throughout the day. Contact your hotel's front desk for information. Additionally, some restaurants will offer free transportation within a reasonable distance if you are a regular customer.
Beaches
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| Khao Lak Map |
The main attraction of Khao Lak is the kilometers of beautiful, clean, long and practically deserted beaches. One beach imperceptibly merges into the next and stretches for about 20 kilometers. The boundaries between them are usually marked by streams flowing from the mainland to the sea. They are all small, but during high tide the water level rises, and wading on foot is not so easy. Unlike west coast Phuket islands, some Khao Lak beaches are accessible for swimming all year round thanks to a ridge of coastal reefs. The most popular beaches are Nang Thong and Bang Niang. The main tourist-oriented infrastructure is concentrated here.
Nang Thong Beach. Nang Thong Beach is the second beach of Khao Lak when traveling north from Phuket. This is the busiest beach, essentially. local tourism originated on this beach with the construction of the first small bungalows. The most beautiful and frequently photographed southern part of the beach is often called Sunset Beach, but this name is not generally accepted and is not indicated by this name on many maps. The beach is located opposite the village of Ban La On - the most popular tourist center of Khao Lak with the largest number of shops, restaurants and tour operators.
Bang Niang Beach. After Nang Beach Thong follows Bang Niang. Both beaches are separated by a small but quite deep river. It is unlikely that you will be able to wade it, but for a small fee the locals will transport you in their boat. After the catastrophic tsunami of 2004, Bang Niang beach turned into the most fashionable beach Khao Laka. Simple bamboo huts have given way to stylish resorts and exclusive private villas. These two beaches (Nang Thong and Bang Niang) are the most popular in Khao Lak, with the largest number of resort hotels and other tourist infrastructure.
Khuk Khak Beach. Further north is Khuk Khak Beach itself. If you look at the map, you will notice that there are no signs indicating the presence of hotels and resorts. Absence large quantity vacationers even during the tourist influx season is due to the lack of hotels and resorts. The beaches of Bang Niang and Khuk Khak are separated by a small stream; at low tide you can wade through it, otherwise you need to rent a bicycle, motorcycle or use a taxi.
Cape Laem Pakarang. Cape Pakarang is the westernmost point of the Thai mainland. Pakarang means coral in Thai. Due to the presence of corals and geographically interesting shape, Cape Pakarang is ideal place for hiking and snorkeling. When the sea recedes at low tide, small stones, fragments of coral and shells are revealed. For this reason, only a small part of the cape adjacent to Khuk Khak beach is suitable for a beach holiday. But the place itself is very beautiful, from the cape there is a beautiful panorama of the beaches of the south and north of Khao Lak, and dozens of species of beautiful tropical birds live in the adjacent green area.
Pak Weep and Bang Sak beaches. Pakarang Cape is followed by Pak Weep and Bang Sak beaches. These are the northernmost, quietest and least developed of all Khao Lak's beaches, with clearer water and calmer waves allowing year-round swimming. The beaches are separated from each other by small, but quite deep streams for wading. Along the promenade of Bang Sak Beach there are many typical Thai cafes and restaurants, and on weekends they are crowded with locals.
Khao Lak Beach. The above group of beaches is located north of Khao Lak National Park. The beach south of the national park (separated by a mountainous headland jutting out into the sea) is sometimes called the south beach, but more commonly Khao Lak Beach. But this name should not confuse you. When talking about the beaches of Khao Lak, we mean the above mentioned northern beaches. At about 2 km long, this granite boulder-covered beach is the smallest of all.
Interesting places
Lampi Waterfall(Lampi). Lampi Waterfall is located about 30 km south from Khao Lak towards Phuket on Highway 4. When you see the blue sign for the waterfall, turn off the road, after 2 km the road ends and a short trail stretches further to the waterfall. The waterfall is located in a beautiful green area, you will see many more locals here than foreign tourists. You can swim at the foot of the waterfall. This beautiful waterfall It is best to view it in the early morning, when the sun rising over the mountains illuminates it with its first rays.
Police boat 813. In an open field almost 2 km from the shore lies police boat 813 - a mute witness to the catastrophic force of the 2004 tsunami. Almost 10 years later, it remains the most famous reminder of the disaster of that time. Boat 813, along with the police crew, was in the harbor when the surging tsunami wave threw it almost 2 km from the coast. The entire crew of the boat died. The boat was left in the place where it was thrown by the tsunami wave and now serves as a reminder of that tragic event. Boat 813 is located very close to main street near the village of Bang Niang. Nearby there is an information board about the 2004 tsunami in Thai and English languages, work is underway to transform this place into a Museum.
Takua Pa City(Takua Pa or Takuapa) north on Highway 4. Takua means lead in Thai. But strangely, in the 1920s and 1930s the city was a center for tin mining - not lead. In the old quarter of Takua Pa you will find buildings of Sino-Portuguese architecture of that period, and you can wander around the shops (preferably early in the morning). Located about 30 minutes drive north of the center of Khao Lak. The traditional Takua Pa market and river square is located in the new part of the city, close to the bus station. The area has several good shops and riverside restaurants.
Thai boxing. Every Friday night there are fights at the Muay Thai Stadium in Bang Niang. The competition starts around 21:00, try to arrive 20 minutes early. Tickets can be purchased directly at the stadium entrance doors. http://www.khaolak-muaythai.com/eng.html
Khao Sok National Park. Khao Sok National Park (www.khaosok.com) is one of Thailand's most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries. It is located an hour's drive north of Khao Lak on Highway 4. Walking is the main mode of transportation, as the park has only 2 km of paved roads, and there are several tens of kilometers of hiking trails. Tours include jungle trekking, elephant rides, down-river tubing, kayaking, ziplining, caves and waterfalls. Possible options: hiking through the forest at night, night swimming on the lake and night rafting on the river in a canoe or rubber raft. Many tours include drinks, meals, and lodging. The nine hiking trails range in length from 2 km to 7 km each. The park's visitor center displays small displays of local flora and fauna.
When visiting Khao Sok National Park, first of all try to see rafflesias. These plants are notable for their huge unusual flowers, some of which reach a diameter of more than one meter and a weight of more than ten kilograms. This is the largest flower on Earth. The Rafflesia Trail is located close to Information Center national park on highway 401 in the area of the 111 km sign. But it’s not always possible to find a flower on your own. Take a local guide or, if you spot a group of tourists with a guide, follow them until they reach the flower. You don't really need a guide, but if you go without one, the chances of finding the flower are small, despite its enormous size.
All are located along the only paved road in the national park. guest houses. They all offer similar living conditions (mostly bungalows). Prices range from very cheap to luxury options. Most of them have restaurants, bars, internet and travel agencies. Even during peak season it is not difficult to find accommodation. Below are links to sites offering accommodation in Khao Sok National Park:
It is advisable to stay in the park and book a tour lasting 3-4 days. Choose a tour that includes at least one night on the lake in a houseboat, it will leave unforgettable experience. Below are links to sites offering tours in Khao Sok National Park:
Another famous attraction of Khao Sok National Park is Cheow Lan Lake. Extraordinary beauty The lake was formed as a result of the construction of the Rachaphrapha dam on the Phra Saeng River in 1982. Despite its artificial origin, the lake was formed very beautiful thanks to the many bays that were mountain valleys, and now the entire lake is surrounded by limestone cliffs.
Access to the Rachaphrapha Dam is open to everyone. Next to the dam there is a mountain with a recreation area, cafes and restaurants. The panorama of the lake from this mountain is amazingly beautiful. Bungalows have been built on the shore of the lake. All of them belong to Khao Sok National Park. You can stay overnight in these bungalows (for an overnight stay you must pre-book a room in Khao Sok National Park or book a trip through a travel agency) and book trips through this beautiful lake on rafts. Combination tours with jungle treks and cave visits are offered. Cheow Lan Lake and Rachaphrapha Dam is located 2 hours north of Khao Lak off Highway 401.
Khao Lak National Park - Lam Ru. The area immediately south of the village of Hat Khao Lak is included in the huge (125 km2) Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park. The name of the park gave the general name to the entire resort region - Khao Lak. The park's landscape consists of a combination of sea cliffs, 1000 m high hills, beaches, estuaries, valleys and mangrove forests. wild nature includes hornbills, drongos, tapirs, gibbons, monkeys and Asiatic black bears.
The park information center is located just off Highway 4. It has a nice restaurant under open air on a shady slope with beautiful views of the sea and surrounding mountains. From the restaurant you can walk along a fairly easy 3 km round trip trail that heads along the headland and ends at a deserted beach.
A popular attraction in the park is Chong Fah Waterfall. It is located 10 km from the coast opposite Bang Niang Beach. Getting to the waterfall is easy - there is a sign for the waterfall on Highway 4, at this point you need to turn off and drive to the parking lot. Further on there is a path leading to the waterfall.
The park's activities, in addition to visiting the waterfalls, include trekking through a tropical forest, which will undoubtedly make a strong impression on visiting vacationers. The forests of Khao Lak are not at all similar to the jungles of other Thai regions. Giant trees 50 m high, bamboo 20 m high, and vines stretching upward for tens of meters grow here. Relaxing on the beaches of Khao Lak and not visiting the forest of the national park of the same name would be a big mistake.
What to do, what to do, tours from local tour operators
The highlight of your stay in Khao Lak is an elephant ride. Asia Safari Camp serves as the starting point for a combined elephant trekking and bamboo rafting tour. After the elephant ride, a short stop, lunch and then rafting down the river on a bamboo raft. The construction of the raft is quite simple: a series of long bamboo poles are tied together with two cross sections for seating and the raft is ready. The boatman pushes off with a long pole, and the raft slowly floats downstream. The journey by water takes about 20 minutes. In addition to www.khaolaklanddiscovery.com, this tour can be booked on the Khao Lak Travel Center website www.khaolaktravelcenter.com
Diving
Khao Lak is the most convenient starting point for trips to the Similan Islands, home to some of Thailand's best coral and rich underwater world. This archipelago of nine islands is a Thai national park and is considered one of the best diving spots in Asia. The park is open from December to May, closed to visitors the rest of the year. The trip to the island usually takes 1-2 hours by speedboat. Several companies offer tours of 1, 2, 3 and even 5 days. There are also some good places near the coast, local companies offering a wide range of following tours.
Sea Dragon Dive Center. This is one of the few companies that offers tours all year round. The company specializes in multi-day tours with overnight stays on board a boat, trips to the Similan Islands, Ko Bon, Richelieu Rock, local reefs and wrecks, training and PADI certification. Since the popular Similan Islands are 60 km from the mainland (about three hours by boat), the company offers accommodation and overnight stays on board the boat. In this case, you will have the opportunity to stay on the islands when there is not a large influx of vacationers. More aimed at divers, this company offers interesting trips for snorkelers who can choose specialized tour with accommodation on board with a discount of about 40%. Website www.seadragondivecenter.com
Similan Dive Center. Offers tours all year round. Single and multi-day live-aboard trips around the Similan Islands, Ko Bon, Ko Tachai and Richelieu Rock. The company is managed local Khao Laka with 20 years of experience in the field of scuba diving. Website www.similandivecenter.com
Wicked Diving. Diving and snorkeling tours of 3 and 5 days to the Similan and Surin Islands with onboard accommodation options, swimming with whale sharks, manta rays, turtles and reef sharks. The company also offers PADI training and certification courses. Website www.wickeddiving.com
Similan Diving Safaris. A special feature of this company is four days of accommodation on board with a high level of comfort. The company has many years of experience in specialized trips to the Similan and Surin Islands, the islands of Bon and Tachai and the world famous Rock of Richelieu. If you don't have time to do multi-day trips, there is an option day tours diving or snorkeling in the Similan Islands and Koh Bon. Website www.similan-diving-safaris.com
IQ Diving. The company offers scuba diving, snorkeling tours on the coast of Khao Lak, visiting the Similan Islands, and diving in shipwrecks. Small and large groups, some tours are geared towards families. Website www.iq-dive.com
Kon-Tiki Khao Lak Diving & Snorkeling Center. Established in 1996, the company offers training and PADI certification, and overnight tours on board a boat. In addition to the coast of Khao Lak, it offers scuba diving tours to Krabi, Koh Lanta, Phuket. Website www.kontiki-thailand.com.
Manta Point Dive Center. Worked in Khao Lak since 1999. One-day and multi-day (with an overnight stay on board) trips to the Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock. Snorkeling in the Similan Islands, training and obtaining a PADI certificate. Website www.mantapoint.com
Octavia Dive Center. This company offers divers and snorkelers a number of trips to the Similan Islands. Website www.oktaviadivecenter.com
Snorkeling
Similan Dive Center. This is one of the most best companies, offering diving and snorkeling in Khao Lak. Snorkeling tours depart daily to the Similan Islands and Koh Tachai. Trips to the Similan Islands with an overnight stay for two or three days. Website www.similandivecenter.com
Similan Tour offers well-organized snorkeling only on board a boat lasting 3 days and 2 nights, departing on Tuesdays and Fridays. The company is managed by Swedish management. The Swedes have built their own bungalows (Poseidon Bungalows) and offer them for rent to their clients. They are at the very south beach Khao Lak. This company has been offering tours to the Similan Islands for over 20 years. Website www.similantour.com
Khao Lak Land Discovery. Snorkeling tours (day and overnight) in the Similan and Surin Islands. The guides are Germans, Swedes and Englishmen. Website www.khaolaklanddiscovery.com
Andaman Snorkel Discovery. The company offers snorkeling tours for 3 days and 3 nights in the Similan Islands, Ko Bon, Tachai and Surin Islands. The combination of trips to these islands can be considered unique for scuba diving enthusiasts. Website www.andamansnorkeldiscovery.com
Fantastic Similan Travel. A popular company offering snorkeling tours in the Similan Islands. Tours of this company received good feedback on the forums. www.fantasticsimilan.com
Surfing
OneTwoSurf(located on Bang Niang beach). Equipment rental and surf lessons with a certified instructor. Tour packages include best places in the Khao Lak area, provides accommodation, meets its clients at Phuket airport from May to November. Website www.onetwosurf.com
Pakarang Surf Shop gives surfing lessons, rental of surfboards, kayaks, rental of bungalows. Website www.pakarangsurfshop.com
Climate and best time visits
The climate of the Khao Lak region is influenced by the southwest and northeast monsoons. The southwest monsoons begin to blow in April. Streams of warm, moist air from the Indian Ocean move into the interior of the continent, bringing with them significant precipitation. Peak in October, this is the wettest month in Khao Lak. Subsequent months, under the influence of the prevailing northeast winds from China, make the weather much drier, March being the hottest month.
In simple terms, Khao Lak has two seasons:
Rainy season (April to October).
dry season (November to March).
Khao Lak receives a lot of rainfall per year (3558 mm). Even in the dry season it sometimes rains, especially at the beginning and at the end, sometimes the precipitation is heavy but mostly short-lived. On the other hand, the area is quite sunny and always warm during the rainy season, with high humidity.
From a tourist's point of view, the dry season is the ideal time to visit Khao Lak. Christmas and New Year especially popular and the most expensive in terms of accommodation prices. December, January and February are perhaps the peak months for visits. During the rainy season, the cost of living drops by 50%, many restaurants, bars and shops close, but some remain open as Khao Lak tries to attract tourists throughout all year round. Tours to the neighboring Similan and Surin Islands are also canceled from May to October inclusive due to weather conditions.
How to get thereAirplane. The nearest airport from Khao Lak is in Phuket (distance approximately 80 km). Alternatively, you can choose Krabi. Both airports accept international and domestic flights.
The cost of a taxi from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak depends on the landing time: the later you arrive, the more expensive the taxi will cost. Local taxi drivers offer rides around exorbitant prices Therefore, we strongly recommend that you make a reservation on the official website of Khao Lak taxi (www.khaolaktaxi.com) or arrange in advance with the administration of the hotel where you are going to rent accommodation to meet you at the airport. Otherwise, you will have to pay an indecently high cost for the trip, which lasts only 1 hour.
To save money, from the airport you first need to get to Highway 4 (about five kilometers from the airport), which has regular bus services to Takua Pa, Ranong or Surat Thani. Buses run only during the day, they all pass through Khao Lak and stop anywhere along the road where you ask.
Train. It's less convenient option travel compared to bus. The nearest railway station is at Surat Thani. From there you can take a bus to Khao Lak. By the way, the train is by far the cheapest way to get to Khao Lak. There are three classes of carriages - 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The first class is the most comfortable, has two beds and a sink, the 2nd class has bunk beds similar to our reserved seat. 3rd class carriages have slightly soft seats. There is no need to worry about food; hawkers at the stations offer many options for cheap food and drinks. The total trip (train and bus) will take about 12-14. For more information about trains, visit the official website railway Thailand (www.railway.co.th)
Bus. Khao Lak is on the main road between Phuket and Bangkok. The distance to Bangkok is approximately 750 km along Highway 4. All buses go through Khao Lak in transit, that is, there are no buses, Ending station which would be in this resort region. There are many buses passing through Khao Lak on Highway 4 from Bangkok, Phuket, Ranong, Surat Thani and Takua Pa. Most of them will stop at your request anywhere, VIP buses stop only at BKS bus terminals. BKS is a state-owned bus company. Its small terminal is located near the market in the center settlement Khuk Khak.
Sensimar Khaolak Beachfront Resort, description in Russian on booking.com at this link
Khaolak Laguna Resort, description in Russian on booking.com at this link
Le Meridien Khao Lak Beach & Spa Resort, description in Russian on booking.com at this link
Mukdara Beach Villa and Spa Resort, description in Russian on booking.com