Khao Lak, Phang Nga Province

Khao Lak is a seaside resort stretching for about 20 kilometres and a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches, national park, quiet atmosphere and as a gateway to Similan Islands National Park and Surin Islands National Park from Thap Lamu Pier.

Arriving from Phuket, the last few kilometres (about ten kilometres) take you along an overhanging, winding but excellent quality coastal road (enlarged and rebuilt after the 2004 Tsunami), and offer you splendid views of the first beaches of Khao Lak. It's not easy to park there, but we're getting there. It is from this place that I have taken the few photos above.... from this establishment (Muan Lai Thai Seafood) allowing you to refresh yourself or even taste a local dish. 

A few hundred meters further, after the last bend.... you are in Khao Lak... 

I hadn't been here for many years, and I have to say that everything has changed for me. 

The main road Phetkasem Road, which has been completely transformed into a 4-lane road, is very new, with houses and shops on both sides flourishing at an impressive rate. It must be said that Khaolak's main activity is along this road. It's a little bit like downtown....

Nang Thong Beach: The southernmost beach... the first one from Phuket is certainly the most accessible. From the road, walk about 500 to 600m. In this street you will find some small local restaurants, and then some resorts or hotels. However, the main commercial activity remains at the level of the main road. 

Bang Niang Beach... could be called Massage Beach... so much there are massages.

It must be said that the majority of the holidaymakers we see are rather people of retirement age or not far away... and far from them the idea of going on a parachute or jet ski trip... a small massage in the shade of the coconut trees is much less risky and much less tiring. 

Compared to the first two beaches visited today (previous photos), this one is quite far away. I would say that it is almost an expedition to go to Khuk Khak Beach. A small road, not very busy, but in the middle of nowhere, quite lost in nature, but well, we end up getting there anyway.... The beach of Khuk Khak extends over about 5 to 6km, so you will have ample opportunity to find the ideal place more or less desert, far from the crowd.... 

A means of locomotion is of course necessary: scooter, car... or simply small local taxis which are probably cheaper than in Phuket.    

This part is north of Khao Lak.... compared to the last crossing (to get to the previous beach) the mileage is 2.0 km on the main road. Then, at the crossroads, a small desert road will take you to Pakarang Beach (after 2.0 km) where you will find, for example, this establishment "White Sand Beach".

Welcoming, smiling staff, you will find plenty of time to enjoy good cocktails or some seafood with a look at the Andaman Sea right at your feet.

A report in Thailand would be incomplete without some pictures of a typical local place: a fishermen's corner for example. Cape Pakarang is west of White Sand Beach... the landscape is much more beautiful at high tide, but unfortunately when I found myself there, I had to settle for a few rare stranded fishing boats...

At high tide, the landscape is fantastic and shows just white sand nets....

It will be for another time....  

Phetkasem Road is, as you will have understood, the main road that has been divided into 4 lanes for several years following the 2004 Tsunami. This road crosses Khao Lak and actually connects Phuket to Ranong.... then Chumphon....

In relation to the different beaches in the area, this is where the "nerve centre" of Khao Lak is located. It is here that you will find the most useful shops, car and scooter rentals, travel agencies, tour operators, markets, hairdressers, restaurants etc...

Khao Lak was almost totally destroyed by the Tsunami of 26 December 2004. A memorial (the boat above) located on the side of National Road 4 and a Tsunami Museum remind us of what the region endured. Since this tragedy, everything has been completely rebuilt and has even been largely developed

These two photos to remind us of this disaster which occurred on the day after Christmas 2004... the police boat which at the time of the Tsunami was close to the beach... was swept away by the wave to this place. Since then, it has never moved.