Attractions

The white and clean sandy beaches of Khao Lak stretch along the blue Andaman Sea, and lie amongst the beautiful and unspoilt vegetation, starting from Lam Roo National Park office, Nang Thong Beach, Kuek kak Seaside, Pagarang Cape, Pak Vai Seaside, Bang Nhieng, until the end of Bang Sak Beach. Nang Thong Beach is the most developed and it is here you will find many of the resorts.

A few kilometres from Khao Lak is Thaplamu Port, where you can depart to the Similan Islands, which is famous as a world class dive site. There are all types of boats available; speedboats and pleasure boats which carry tourists from all over the world for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling and diving.

Ao Phang-Nga (Phang-Nga Bay) National Park This was declared a national park on April 29, 1981. It lies in the districts of Phang-Nga Town and Takua Thung and the total area is 250,000 rai (1 rai = 1,600 sq. metres). Most visitors wish to view Phang-Nga Bay's bizarre landscape, which includes over 120 strange looking islands. Boats can be rented from many places to travel to Phang-Nga Bay. Places of Interest within Ao Phang-Nga National Park include: Ko Panyee This small island has a picturesque village, which rests precariously on small pilings and extends out across the water. It is inhabited chiefly by Muslim fishing folk, whose unique culture has existed, as it has been cut off from the mainland and to most modern amenities for more than a hundred years. Souvenir shops and seafood restaurants cater to visitors.

Khao Ping-Gan
The name literally means leaning mount. It is really a huge rock split in two; the smaller half has slid down and the remaining one appears now to be leaning. Though Kao Ping-gan is a very small island, Khao Tapoo or James Bond Island, is in a little bay of Khao Ping-Gan where visiting boats pull up. Tapoo means nail, and this shoreless rock projects up from the sea as its name implies flat and wide at the top, and very narrow at the waterline. It is a striking sight. And the island became more famous after the James Bond adventure, The Man with the Golden Gun, which was partly filmed here.

Tham Lod Grotto
This cave in Takua thung has beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. The long tail boat can go through another side of the cave.

Hong
Hong means room, and entering this hollowed out island by boat is much like floating through a giant reception hall with two doors.

Panak Island
A cave with stagmites and stalactites, where a small stepped waterfall adds to the beauty and is the island's most prominent feature.

Khao Khien
The islet of writings is what the name means. Indeed, there are ancient depictions of animals and boats which the Fine Arts Dept. has dated back no less than 3,000 years. Low on the mountain walls just above the tideline of this shoreless island, they were presumably drawn by voyagers long ago who took refuge there during storms. The island lies on the way to Ko Panyee. Also of interest in Phang-Nga Bay National Park are the mangrove forests and swamps, cut by twisting channels that line the mainland shores.

Khao Lamphi - Hat Thai Muang National Park
This was declared a national park on April 14, 1986 and covers a total area of 45,000 rai. Thai Muang is a phrase indicating the end of the mining district, and indeed this area was formerly one of the great repositories of tin in the world. Mining has ceased, and little trace remains to the untrained eyes except in the name.

Sites of interest within the National Park.

Nam Tok Lampi
This waterfall is in Mu 6 of Tambon Thai Muang off Petch Kasem Rd. (Route 4) near km 32-33. Turn left at a gravel road junction and go about another 1.5 kms. The waterfall is medium sized and divided into three levels, each about 100 metres high. It flows year round.

Nam Tok Tone Prai
This is a large waterfall with water flowing year round. At km. 28-29 of Petch Kasem Rd. is a gravel side road. Turn left and go for 7 kms. Then continue on foot for another kilometre. The hike to the falls is most enjoyable during the dry season.

Hat Thai Muang
This is a spectacular stretch of sand, 13 kms. long with clear water and an adjacent golf course, . At the Sukhabhiban Thai Muang , turn right and about 1.5 kms on the asphalt road which leads to the beach. Follow the beach road for another 5 kilometres to reach the National Park Office. The beach is clean and swimming is excellent. From November to February, sea turtles come to lay their eggs on the beach. As a result, local inhabitants customarily go to view the turtles on moonlit nights.