 Khao Lak Travel & Hotel Guide, Thailand
The beach at Khao Lak
Author: Vincent (public domain)
Khao Lak is a coastal town in Takua Pa District, Phang Nga Province, in southern Thailand. The town is given over to the tourism trade, with many hotels located near the beach facing the Andaman Sea.
Many tourists come to Khao Lak as their base for visiting the Koh Similan Archipelago, the top scuba diving spots in Thailand.
Khao Lak Beach
Author: Allen (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
Khao Lak was badly affected by the 26 December, 2004, tsunami, which brought massive devastation to the coast and claiming over four thousand lives (some unofficial estimates put the figure closer to 10,000), including Bhumi Jensen, grandson of His Majesty the King of Thailand.
The economy of Khao Lak has since bounced back from the tsunami devastation, with most of the resorts having been reconstructed.
Budget Travel to Khao Lak
You can go to Khao Lak by taking a bus from Phuket heading towards Takua Pa. Alternatively you may hire a taxi from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak for about ฿1100 to ฿1400.
From Bangkok, you can also take a bus to Khao Lak from the Southern Bus Terminal at Sai Tai. These overnight rides cost around ฿500.
Budget Travel within Khao Lak
It would be a good idea to rent a motorcycle to ride around on your own. Alternatively negotiate with a tuk tuk for a reasonable price to take you around.
The sea off Similan Islands (13 May 2006)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
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Accommodation in Khao Lak
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Places of Interest in Khao Lak
- Chong Fah Waterfall
A nice place to cool off on a hot day, about 10 minutes east of Bang Niang.
- Khao Sok National Park
National park with Cheow Lan Lake and Rachaphrapha Dam, surrounded by towering peaks and floating restaurant.
- Lam Ru National Park
A place of spectacular scenery along the winding coast.
- Lampi Waterfall
Waterfall located off Highway 4, about 30 minutes from Khao Lak.
- Police Boat 813
One of the two police boats looking after the vacationing Bhumi Jensen, grandson of the King of Thailand. The boat was shept inland, and is now left as a memorial.
- Saori Foundation Centre
Workshop for women to do textile weaving, as taught by a Japanese monk.
- Similan Island
Top dive spot in Thailand.
- Takua Pa
Experience a rural town in Thailand. Takua Pa has lovely Sino-Portuguese architecture.
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