Khao Lak (เขาหลัก) is a resort town in Phang Nga province on the western Andaman Sea coastline of southern Thailand, about 100 km north of Phuket Town. When the disastrous tsunami of 2004 struck South Asia, Khao Lak was the hardest-hit area in Thailand with over 4000 fatalities. It has since made an impressive recovery despite many hardships along the way, and is once again a popular tourist destination. Khao Lak mainly caters to families and those looking for R&R - party people prefer Phuket .
Khaolak is named after the national park (Khao Lak-Lam Ru). The park was declared a national park in August 1991. It occupies a vast area of 150 sq.km and covers Amphoe Thai Muang, Amphoe Kapong, Amphoe Takua Pa and Amphoe Muang. Khao Lak is becoming increasingly popular, mainly with European visitors. It's easy to reach, quite and, as yet, not overdeveloped. It is something like Phuket's past 20 years. You can walk northward along the sand for many kilometres, almost as far as Bang Sak beach.
Most larger hotels will run a shuttle bus service into Bang La On, often described as Khao Lak ‘centre’ although these may be at limited times and may be chargeable. There are plenty of taxis as an alternative. Bang La On is about 20 minutes by shuttle or taxi from, for example, The Sarojin.
Bang La On has the most shops, bars restaurants and banks. There are also many ATM machines. Bang Niang is smaller, but still has a good selection. You will find the majority of visitors to Bang Niang are couples whereas at Bang La On it’s mainly families. Khuk Khak is still quite small with a handful of restaurants and a few shops. In the High Season all of the restaurants will be open including a wide range of both independent and hotel based beachfront restaurants.
In Bang Niang there is a large range of accommodation from the 4.5 star Ramada to bungalow resorts like The Sanuk Bungalows. In Bang La On the accommodation is primarily 3 to 4 star, for example, the Baan Khao Lak on Nang Thong Beach and The Paradise on Sunset Beach, the next beach going south. Just south of Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park there is Khao Lak beach which has the popular Merlin Resort and the relatively new boutique Lukanawadee resort.
The easiest way to get to Khao Lak is to fly into either Phuket (the closest alternative) or Krabi and go to Khao Lak from there. Both airports serve international as well as domestic destinations.
A taxi from Phuket airport to Khao Lak costs between 1100 and 1600 baht. If you think this is too much and prefer to take a bus, you will have to get to the main road, Highway 4, about 5 kilometers from the airport. Hop on a bus headed towards Takua Pa, Ranong or Surat Thani, they all stop in Khao Lak. It's about 80 kilometers from Phuket airport to Khao Lak.
The nearest train station is at Surat Thani on the east coast, making this an inconvenient option.
From Bangkok , buses go to Khao Lak from the southern bus terminal (Sai Tai). The trip, which costs less than 500 baht, takes about ten hours and runs overnight. Don't buy bus tickets from Bangkok travel agents - they will most likely make you go via Surat Thani where you have to change bus.
From the bus station in Phuket , take a bus towards Takua Pa, Ranong or Surat Thani. It will set you back about 50 .
From Krabi there's a daily minibus to Khao Lak. All travel agents in Krabi sell tickets.
![[^]](http://static.explorra.com/img/link.png "External link to: www.saorithai.com"){kind=small}
A women's workshop which develops its own textile designs after a Japanese monk showed tsunami survivors how to weave and earn a living. You are welcome at the workshop on any working day - Monday to Saturday - to see how the designs and products are made and to examine them to see if you would like to purchase anything. Really nice products with designs individual to each worker.Diving - with the Similan Islands (home to some of the best diving in Asia) just offshore, this is one of the main attractions in the area. There are also several local dive sites to choose from.
Comfortable Daytrips and 'exciting but relaxing' Liveaboards to the Similan and Surin Islands and to Richelieu Rock, departing daily Diving in Khao Lak, visiting the Similan Islands, Richelieu Rock and local dive sites. Small groups, safety focused and family friendly Liveaboard departures daily, stay as long as you want. Manta Excursions to Koh Bon, Day trips to Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock. Offers one day trips to the Similan Islands with English, Swedish, Norwegian, Dutch, Belgian, Thai, Bahasa and German speaking guides. 5000 Baht. 9-5. Surf Shop in Khao Lak, Thailand. Board rental and good surf spot. 3 breaks on Cape Pakarang plus good beach breaks around Khao Lak. 300 Baht/hour. (8°43'38.04N,98°13'36.50E) Providing both group and private Yoga classes by a certified Yoga Instructor throughout the Khao Lak area. Italian Restaurant open all year. Hill Tribe Restaurant in Bang Niang is located next to RT Hotel, just 500 m from the market direction Khao Lak center. It offers regular Thai food and superb dishes from North Thailand. Lovely decorated with original items from Chiang Rai. edit 15.00 - 01.00. This new and modern bar has an exciting interior with a waterfall and creek running though it, cosy corners, and overlooks the weekly market in Bang Niang. Regular concerts with local and famous Thai Musicians are held in the beer garden. Jovel serves delicious food as well (Isan Hot Pot, Thai Table BBQ, Western Food, Seafood, etc.) and has more than 10 different beers with two on tap. Free WiFi, free international newspapers, and TV are provided. Relax&Refresh (8.39.59.20 N,98.15.09.68 E) Hill Tribe Restaurant in Bang Niang is located next to RT Hotel, just 500 m from the market direction Khao Lak center. It offers regular Thai food and superb dishes from North Thailand. Lovely decorated with original items from Chiang Rai. starting 400 Bath. A/C, pool., 46 Moo 2,Pakarang Cape,Takhuapa District,Phang-nga 82190, price 2500-20,000 Baht. Just open in 2008., a new 4 star hotel located in Khao Lak, the wonderful new destination in the South of Thailand, price 1,950-5,250 Baht.., 26/25 MOO 7, KHUKKHAK, TAKUAPA price: 2000-6000 Bht. 60 Moo2, Kukkak, Takuapa, Phang Nga, Room Rate: 6000-25000 Baht. Simple resort located in the middle of Khaolak. 10 minute walk to the beach.., newly Deluxe Resort in Khao Lak, Phang Nga, price 1400-2,300 Baht.. Resort featuring 70 rooms and villas. The resort is located on the mainland in Khao Lak about one hour North of Phuket International Airport.. Four star Thai design resort on Khao Lak Beach. Price 1,850-12,000 Baht.. Located a few kilometers away from the town centre and has a small beach of its own. A two-person bungalow is 800 baht per night, a four-person bungalow is 1400 baht per night (for 2 pax 1200 baht and for 3 pax 1300 baht). Arranges snorkeling trips to Similan Islands , see the Get out section., keeshuahinth@hotmail.com, telephone +66818575881. Modern Thai style beach retreat.No reviews yet! Be the first to add a review:
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Mike Groom, Ryan Holliday, koh tao scuba, Marc Heiden, hmu111, David, eim Juntima, Kees van Dobben, wiratm, Paul Land, Michele Ann Jenkins and Jani Patokallio, Similan diver, Globe-trotter, Burmesedays, Bluonions, Valtteri and Jake73
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