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, they most often mean the area from Khao Lak National Park to Cape Pakarang and a little further to the 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 encounter on the way from Phuket is called Ban Khao Lak, but the center of the Khao Lak resort 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 documentaries in English about this terrible event are shown.
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 the terrible tsunami of 2004 NOT a 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 a very 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 Thai Hua Hin is a kind 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, mostly elderly foreign couples or families with small children relax here.
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-November
- 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 and ugly 🙁 And excursions to the islands are canceled in 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 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.
We were in Khao Lak at the beginning of March. The weather in Khao Lak at that time was very hot. But they say that this year is generally atypically hot for Thailand. 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 March in Khao Lak was perfectly smooth (completely calm!) and very warm. How I love it :)
Calm and warm sea in March 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 there is a railway station in Surat Thani. 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 3,000 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. We stopped by Khao Lak for just a few days and not for a beach holiday, but for an excursion to the Similan Islands, so we settled not near the sea, but in the center of the entire infrastructure of Bang Niang beach, in a cool hotel 850 m from the sea and 150 m from tracks.
One of the hotels on the beach 
Our cool and inexpensive hotel ten minutes walk from the beach 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 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.
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
There are several chain stores in Khao Lak 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 there is 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 is not 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 - currently, 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. And the village of Bang Niang itself is so cute. It’s convenient to go on excursions from Khao Lak, we visited the Similan Islands, next time I want to go to Surin. Khao Lak has magnificent sunsets, where the sun sets directly into the sea. Khao Lak is a place where I want to return, unlike, for example, or Krabi (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. Rest in Khao Lak + sail on a 2-3-day excursion to Similan or Surin
- 12-14 days. Departure from Phuket Airport to Bangkok, Bangkok
The distance between the extreme northern and extreme southern points on the map shown here is ~250 km, the scale is indicated on the map.
The islands indicated on this map of Phuket and Khao Lak are located at the following distance from the mainland:
- are 60 km away. from the coast of Khao Lak.
- located 40 km. from the coastal islands of Koh Kho Khao and Koh Phra Thong. The distance from Tachai Island to Kuraburi Pier is approximately 50 km.
- located 60 km. from Kuraburi Pier.
The distances between the main transport hubs are as follows:
- The distance from Khao Lak is approximately 80 km.
- The distance from Khao Lak is approximately 140 km.
Addition. Useful information on how to get from Phuket International Airport to Khao Lak can be found here:. You can find out about the best of Thailand's most famous national park by clicking on the link provided, where maps, price lists and all the necessary details are located. You can view the list of routes and bus schedules running from , in the corresponding description, where you can find, among other things, maps of all the main routes.
Where to see photos of Khao Lak beaches
Below are preview photos of one of the most interesting places on the Andaman coast of Thailand. Click on the preview to get a high-resolution image of the photo you are interested in.
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Khao Lak is considered one of the most quiet, picturesque and tranquil holiday destinations in the world. And for good reason, because the resort is located between a mountain range and the Andaman Sea. Tourists are attracted by the wild tropical jungle and its inhabitants, and the picturesque waterfalls captivate the eye.
The Thai resort of Khao Lak stretches for more than 30 km. It is located between the south of the country and Bangkok. It is here that there are piers from which boats depart to the most interesting tourist spots in Thailand.
How to get to Khao Lak, distance to Phuket
To fly to Khao Lak by airline, you need to get to the island of Phuket (the closest international airport to Khao Lak). Residents of Russia can get to the island by direct flight from Moscow.
Arriving in Phuket, it is better to take a taxi to the resort, which will cost 1,200 baht. The trip itself will take less than an hour. There is also an ideal bus connection between these resorts, but tourists need to note that buses do not depart from Phuket Airport, but from the bus station. Traveling by bus is much more accessible, but the journey takes about 2 hours.
From Bangkok (from the South Station) to Khao Lak you can take a comfortable bus. The cost of the trip is about 500 baht, the duration of the trip is about 10 hours.
Weather in Khao Lak: when is the best time to go?
In terms of weather conditions that will affect tourists’ holidays, 2 seasons can be distinguished:
- April-May, October-November – rainy season.
- November-April is a dry and hot season. The temperature on average rises to +35°C.
The rains at the resort are not so bad, since they are mostly at night. But sea water after a storm becomes dirty and unattractive. And the number of excursions, cafes, restaurants and hotels during this period is significantly reduced.
Is it possible to relax here in the summer? Many people do this by choosing a hotel right on the seashore. If you can’t swim in the sea, such vacationers should have a spare “airfield” - a swimming pool at the hotel, and the sea coast can be used for pleasant walks.
Beaches
Khao Lak is not a separate city, but the name of a resort, which includes several villages with their beaches and infrastructure. The main attention of tourists is focused on the palm fields, Khao Lak National Park and its amazing nature and clean beaches. The resort has 7 beaches that are really worth visiting.
The best beaches of the resort include:
- Khao Lak. Located in the southern part of the resort. There will be no umbrellas or sunbeds for tourists to use here, but there is an opportunity to hide in the shade of trees with dense crowns. Khao Lak is famous for its large number of unusual seashells and trees with unusually shaped branches.
- Nang Tong. One of the most visited beaches in these places. Near the beach there are a lot of comfortable hotels and cafes of different levels. The area is very picturesque and attracts photography lovers (especially during sunset). For lovers of scuba diving, there are rocky reefs that hide unusual marine inhabitants, turtles, crabs and dozens of species of fish.
- Bang Niang. One of the most comfortable beaches for tourists. On the beach you can always use sun loungers, umbrellas, and there are water attractions. You can also visit inexpensive cafes, massage and beauty salons, and visit local forest huts. There is no need to bypass the picturesque Chong Fa waterfall and snake farm.
- Pakwip. An ideal place for a secluded holiday in luxury hotels (although it is possible to rent middle-class housing). Mostly people come here for a relaxing holiday with friends or family. The main local attraction is the Buddhist monastery.
Entertainment and attractions of the island
Khao Lak resort can offer many excursions, both on its territory and in the surrounding area.
Places you must visit:
- Similan Islands.
- Tachai.
- Surin.
You can book excursions from Khao Lak:
- Lake Cheo Lan - visiting floating villages, a trip through the jungle and ancient forest, which people have not changed much. Here in the wild you can actually meet elephants, tigers, and monkeys. You can ride elephants for a fee. The excursion program also includes a visit to the most unusual caves.
- Khao Sok National Park. The excursion will help you understand the real life of the Thai people, plunge into the depths of their history, and enjoy the nature of untouched wild forests.
Attractions that you can visit in Khao Lak:
- Waterfalls: Sai Rung, Ton Chong Fa, Tong Pling, Lampi.
- Khao Lak National Park.
- Deserted beaches.
In addition, this area is considered the most optimal for lovers of eco-tourism. The Thai government is doing everything possible to preserve the uniqueness of nature and its pristine appearance.
For active recreation, you can go diving, book jeep tours, canoeing, rafting on a stormy mountain river, ride bicycles in the mountains, take hiking tours, ride elephants.
Diving in Khao Lak
Khao Lak is ideal for diving and other water sports. Just 40 meters from the coast you can see coral gardens of unusual beauty. Among them are soft corals, which look like a peacock's tail.
The coast in the east is best used for snorkeling. Khao Lak and nearby islands and their coastal waters are protected, since their territories are classified as national parks. To stop the impact of tourists on marine life, there are periods when diving is prohibited.
Already not far from the shore you can see a tiger shark, giant stingrays and rare species of fish.
Prices in Khao Lak
Prices for recreation, entertainment and housing in Khao Lak are not the lowest in Thailand.
Housing cost
A double room in a small hotel will cost at least 650 baht.
Double room in a good hotel - at least 1000 - 1500 baht (but not near the sea).
Double room in a hotel on the coast - from 2800 baht.
Travel costs and transport rental
From Khao Lak to Phuket - taxi - 1300-1700 baht.
Travel by public transport from beach to beach - up to 160 baht.
Taxi to the waterfalls - up to 650 baht.
Rent a bike – 120 baht.
Bike rental – 200 baht.
Rent a car - no less than 800 baht. It is advisable to book it in advance.
Prices for food and products
There are many Europeanized cafes and restaurants here. Prices vary, but some have “happy times” where alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks can be purchased for a nominal price.
There are stores where you can buy ready-made food. This can also be done at markets that open only on the beach on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. You can also buy vegetables, fruits, and souvenirs with them.
Food in Khao Lak establishments can be purchased on average at the following prices:
- Dinner in a cafe with Thai cuisine - up to 320 baht.
- Fruit juices – from 55 baht.
- Beer - from 60 to 90 baht.
- Lunch in a European cafe - from 270 baht.
- Lunch at a cafe with Indian cuisine – 300 baht.
- Rice with meat – from 100 baht.
- Soups – from 85 baht.
- Sandwich – up to 150 baht.
Cost of excursions and trips to the islands
Trip to the island Similan - 2200 - 5600 baht (depending on how many days you go - 1-3 days).
Trip to Tachai – 24 hours – 2400 baht.
Trip to Surin – 24 hours – 2500 baht.
Visit about. J. Bond - 2300 baht.
If you wish, you can negotiate the cost of tours.
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 is combined with unique natural landscapes.
Khao Lak resort is located next to the Andaman Sea. It is separated from the ocean by 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 stays at 25 - 30 degrees. The rainy seasons are characterized by high temperatures and frequent rainfall.
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, the beautiful Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park was created. 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. The best photos are taken against the backdrop of a morning waterfall. 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, a ticket for adults 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 in 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 the Old Town 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 many quaint shops and a traditional local market.
Hotels, shops and markets
Despite the absence of large shopping centers and shopping malls in the city, in the resort town you can buy everything you need for a comfortable stay. 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. In the main square of the city there is 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 families. Many water attractions, cozy sun loungers and massage parlors will allow you to find entertainment for both children and parents. In addition, next to the beach there is a snake farm and Chong Fa waterfall, so in addition to a 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 beach of the resort in terms of tourism 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 monsoon period you can snorkel, dive, or simply conquer the waves and take photos against the backdrop of the sea.
Transport
The most popular means of transport to get around Khao Lak are:
- Knock Knock;
- Motorbike;
- Automobile;
- Bike.
You can hire a tuk tuk for your 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 you rent for a long time, 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 selection of cars of different models at 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 there is an international airport on the neighboring island of Phuket. 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. However, there is no direct flight, so you have to go first to the bus station located in Phuket, and then change to another one, next 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 is a great place for a family holiday or for visiting with a group of friends. Beautiful scenery, pure nature and a huge selection of entertainment options will make your holiday unforgettable.
Updated: 2018-8-25
Oleg Lazhechnikov
11Not long ago I visited the resort of Khao Lak, which for some reason is still not popular among our compatriots. I’m sure many people still don’t even know where Khao Lak is on the map of Thailand, let alone have been there. In order to eliminate this injustice, I wrote this post; the town is nice and perfect for a relaxing holiday.
Short description
Khao Lak is a quiet and uncrowded resort even during peak season. Since there is little entertainment there, the contingent is mainly pensioners. Therefore, if you are looking for nightlife and constant activity, then Khao Lak is most likely not for you. There is only nature, waterfalls, a national park and that’s it. But for those who are looking for relaxation or come with children, I think they should like it here.
First of all, there are gorgeous beaches throughout the resort, and most importantly, they are not crowded. You can find smaller places (where it’s good with a small child), or deeper ones. And you can walk along the entire length of the beach, which is what many vacationers do, there are kilometers to walk. I already wrote mine, I won’t repeat myself.
There are 7 beaches/areas in total, but it makes sense to stay in only 4: Bang Niang, Nang Thong, Khao Lak, Khuk Khak. Arranged in descending order of infrastructure, and in the latter there is none at all, only the one that will be in your hotel. But in Bang Niang there is a 7/11, and plenty of cafes, and hotels for every taste, and in Nang Tong there is even a McDonald's :) Here's a selection for you.
Where is Khao Lak
Khao Lak is located on the mainland (not on the island) north of Phuket on the Adaman coast. And it’s easier to get there from Phuket. That is, you can fly to Phuket airport and from there drive to the resort. Moreover, the drive to Khao Lak from Phuket airport is about the same as to the southernmost point of Phuket, which is why there are often traffic jams in Phuket.
Look at the map at the very bottom of the post to make it clearer.
How to get to Khao Lak
There are several ways to get there. The easiest and fastest way when it comes to flying from Russia. If you fly to Bangkok, the journey will take much longer.
By car
The easiest way to get there is by car. Enter Khao Lak into your navigator (Google Maps or other program) and follow its directions. If you get from Phuket, then immediately after leaving the bridge over the bay you need to keep left along 402 and then continue to drive along the Adaman coast on highway 4. Then continue along the main road, without turning off, until you reach Khao Lak. The distance from Phuket airport to Khao Lak (Bang Niang) is about 80 km, and the drive takes no more than 1 hour 30 minutes, or you can get there in 1 hour if you don’t stop anywhere and drive quickly.
It takes much longer to get from Bangkok, as if you were traveling. After you pass Chumphon, you will need to turn right onto Route 4006 and follow it to the Adaman Coast to Route 4. Or drive through both Chumphon and Surat Thani, and immediately after Surat Thani turn right onto Route 401 and follow it past until Adaman coast and highway 4.
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By taxi
It's also easy to get there by taxi, but it costs more than the bus. You can take a taxi either immediately at the airport or simply on the island by contacting any street travel agency and ordering it. The price will be about 1800-2500 baht, depending on the car (a minibus is more expensive) and the impudence of the taxi drivers. In this regard, it is best to book with travel agencies; they have more or less fixed prices; they won’t name you out of the blue. Well, if from the airport, then all the prices are posted there at the counter. You can probably bargain and find someone who will take you cheaper, but I don’t know how realistic this is. I would be better off ordering online in advance, but more on that below.
Transfer online
Alternatively, order a transfer online through or. The price is the same as a regular taxi, but generally there is a minimum of body movements, you will be met with a sign and taken by the hand. And it’s convenient that you can book online in advance while sitting at home. I recommend!
I have already taken a transfer from this company and was completely satisfied with it. They met us with a sign, put us in a car and took us to the hotel. Here .
By bus
From Phuket airport you need to take a minibus to the bus station (cost 100 baht), where you can buy a ticket for the Phuket - Khao Lak bus (cost 100 baht). You need buses going to Surat Thani, Ranong, Chumphon, Takua Pa. Alternatively, from the airport, take a tuk-tuk to the highway where buses go and catch them there (this is faster than going to the bus station). But personally, I don’t like this method because from a distance it is completely unclear which bus is coming, and you may not have time to brake it. Yes, and when he passes by, the sign is not always clear, maybe in Thai.
In the opposite direction, to get from Khao Lak to Phuket, get on the highway and catch a bus towards Phuket. Everything is much simpler here, because all the buses will go there. If you need the airport, then tell the bus driver and he will stop near the turn, from where a tuk-tuk will take you to the airport itself.
Khao Lak on the map of Thailand
I specifically placed a map with beaches here, and not just one point indicating the city, because all these beaches belong to Khao Lak. You can immediately estimate the geographical location and approximate size of the resort. But! Let me remind you that it consists of several small villages and it is best to live in Bang Niang or Nang Thong. Moreover, the area called Khao Lak is not the most successful, but in principle the beach there is good, so you can stay there.
Life hack 1 - how to buy good insurance
It’s incredibly difficult to choose insurance now, so I’m compiling a rating to help all travelers. To do this, I constantly monitor forums, study insurance contracts and use insurance myself.
Life hack 2 - how to find a hotel 20% cheaper
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