HUAHIN HOTEL REVIEWS

Khao Lak’s Bang Niang Beach

Formerly a haven of backpacker bungalows, Bang Niang Beach is quickly moving into the boutique and upscale resort category.

Long stretches of beach to the north and south provide the visitor with good early morning beach combing strolls.

Bang Niang, for many years, played second team to Khao Lak’s Nang Thong Beach, but today we see a broad range of development that is now rivaling and may soon surpass the Nang Thong area.

New restaurants are popping up everyday as are small shopping centers - these and the local market out on the main road seem to be bringing greater numbers of people to the Bang Niang area every year.

An energetic person can literally walk from Bang Niang Beach down to Nang Thong Beach so continuous are the beaches here.

The thatch shelters on the photo top right of this page are typical of the small restaurants and massage services that are springing up - up and down the beach.

The Ayara Villas Resort is a favorite in the Bang Niang Beach area - partly due to its beachfront location.

Khao Lak’s Nang Thong Beach

Nang Thong is the area that was probably first developed and for a long time was the favorite of visitors - if the number of bungalows and resorts along its length are a good measure. Now though, Nang Thong Beach is starting to be rivaled by Bang Niang Beach to the north.

Aside from its gentle slope to the water, and the slow drop of the shelf once in the water - this area is also popular as it is an easy walk into Baan La On for the restaurants and shopping there.

Small shells are often found in abundance in the crooks and crannies of the rocky areas that are found up and down the beach. Not so many rocky areas though that they interfere with a quick dip or a prolonged float in the sea.

Nang Thong Beach is great for strolling, general beach combing and rocky area in the photo below has great snorkeling on the deep side of it.

The southern end of Nang Thong Beach is often called Sunset Beach and is home to some of the earlier resorts in the area - including the beautiful Khao Lak Paradise Resort.

Getting to Khao Lak from Bangkok and Phuket

Directions to Khao Lak

Getting to Khao Lak by Car:

From Bangkok: Khao Lak is about 750kms and approximately an eleven- to twelve-hour drive using Highway 4. Getting out of Bangkok without getting lost is the only difficult part - once you are out of town the drive is fairly straightforward. The roads are quite good and signage is in Thai and English. It would be difficult to get lost. The drive can be done in one day. Driving at night is not recommended due to poor highway lighting and unlit vehicles - as well as people and animals on the road. If you do drive at night, keep your speed down. If you leave Bangkok by 6am, you should be able to read Khao Lak before dark. There are plenty of petrol stations along the way and they often have shops and convenience store attached to them - as well as toilet facilities.

From Phuket International Airport: The drive is about 55 minutes using Highway 402 and connecting with Highway 4 just off the island. Keep left all the way and you can’t get lost. Good roads and signage is in Thai and English.

Getting to Khao Lak by Bus:

From Bangkok: VIP and first class overnight buses head to Phuket - but you can get off in Khao Lak - if they take the route through Ranong - DO ask.

From Phuket Town: Buses leave heading to Takuapa - you can easily get off in Khao Lak.

Getting to Khao Lak by Air:

There is no direct flight to Khao Lak, Phuket International Airport is the closest and most convenient airport.

Car rental agencies are situated right across the street from the airport - or a limousine, or taxi service can be arranged at a pre-negotiated price (typically in the range of B1500-1800, negotiate your price before getting in the car). Metered taxis are available at the airport - but may cost about the same amount.

Nang Thong Beach Area Resorts

Nang Thong Beach is probably the most popular destination in the Khao Lak area. Stroll its long beach and you will know why. It is an easy walk to beachside restaurants, great snorkeling is on offer in the rocky area and the sea invites you to just float around for a few hours. Most resorts are within a ten to twelve minute walk into the village area for even more restaurants, a few bars and shopping.

This beach is home to more resorts and options than the other beaches - but Bang Niang Beach is quickly catching up. The southern end of Nang Thong Beach is known as Sunset Beach.

Baan Khaolak Resort

Probably the most popular resort along Nang Thong Beach. Excellent location in the center of things - an easy walk into town - spot middle of a long stretch of beach - and a good restaurant right on the beach.

The beachfront bungalows are very nice.

Khao Lak Bayfront Resort

On the Sunset Beach portion of Nang Thong Beach, this resort provides you with 4 beachfront bungalows, 8 sea view bungalows, 48 deluxe rooms and 14 standard hillside rooms.

Part of the resort is built down the side of the hill on the south end of Baan La On.

Khao Lak Resort

Also set on Sunset Beach - built down a hillside to the sea front. Great new Jacuzzi and pool villas right on the beach.

Often overlooked - this resort is an “old standard” that has been very much brought up to date.

The Resort itself occupies a land area of some 12 acres, nestled in one of the most private and peaceful spots between the hills of Khaolak and the beach.

Baan Krating Resort

On the far south end of Sunset Beach, perched on a hillside, Baan Krating Resort has spectacular views down the length of Nang Thong, Bang Niang, and Khuk Khak Beaches - and even down to Cape Pakarang.

Lots of stairs here though and the beach immediately in front of the resort can be rocky.

But - still a very special place with modest pricing.