Destination Khao Lak in Thailand

Gorgeous beaches stretching for thirty kilometers along the Andaman Sea say welcome to Khao Lak. This resort area on the western coast of Thailand is known as the quiet cousin of party island Phuket. It will have indescribable appeal to any traveler seeking serenity and unspoiled beaches with white sand and an azure sea. The lively yet wholesome atmosphere and uncrowded beaches make it a Thailand vacation destination especially suitable for families.

From Disaster to a Bright Future

Of course, the world will never forget the day in 2004 that the awesome power of the sea was felt when Khao Lak was hit by a tsunami, a tremendous wave with destructive power. Now Khao Lak has rebuilt, and all physical traces of the seismic wave are gone. Life is back to normal – serene and carefree. However, the people of Khao Lak have responded by increasing their awareness of the necessity to protect the ecosystems such as mangrove forests and sand dunes that shelter the coastline. The Tsunami Memorial Park was founded to memorialize the victims of that natural disaster.

A multitude of activities in Khao Lak center around the beach. Naturally, swimming and stretching out in the sun on the clean white sand, with a gigantic straw hat on your head and the latest best seller and cool drink in hand, rank number one on the list of most tourists to this tranquil vacation spot. But once you have allowed the stresses of work and winter you brought with you to recede into the hazy distance, you may be ready for something a little more adventurous.

Explore the Waters

World class snorkeling and diving allow you to explore the amazing colorful coral reefs and exotic fish hiding below the surface of the sea. Never learned either of these sports? Don’t worry, these are two activities that can be enjoyed by fun loving people of all ages and all levels of ability (which makes them great for families!), and lessons for beginners are both reasonably priced and readily available. If you would like to go out with a group, you’ll have a choice of outings that last just a couple of hours or adventuresome excursions of several days. Wreck diving, exploring the shipwrecks that lie hidden at the bottom of the sea, is an exciting variation on a theme and a popular vacation activity in Thailand. Or why not rent a surf board and take on the great beach breaks in the Khao Lak area?

If you would prefer activities that take place on top of the water, rather than in the water, take a leisurely ride on a traditional Southeast Asian long tail boat, a large canoe like boat powered by an automotive engine (!) and shaded from the sun by a canopy. Or try your hand at paddling a canoe or bamboo rafting – skimming over the waves on a simple raft made of bamboo poles strung together and propelled by means of a long stick, another typically Southeast Asian conveyance.

Bamboo rafting is often combined with another rather unusual means of transportation – elephant. It may sound strange to Western ears, but riding on trained elephants is actually quite a convenient way to get around on the winding jungle trails of Khao Lak. It’s also a lot more comfortable than it may sound, since you will be sitting atop your elephant’s back in a padded chair like contraption built for two passengers. (Hmm … could be a romantic honeymoon idea.) This makes for a great photo opp to show the folks back home. And whether you are trekking by elephant or on foot, be sure to visit one of the many lovely waterfalls in the area. If you are warm from all your exertions, just jump in for a refreshing natural shower.

Sports on the Island

You may be surprised to learn that Thailand boasts a number of very respectable golf courses. Just 10 km south of Khao Lak, you will find Tap Lamu Navy Golf Course, where you can rent golf clubs and a cart, and hire a caddy. For couples with young children, or for the young at heart, mini golf may be the sport of choice. For that you will find an excitingly jungle themed course a few km north of Khao Lak.

Thai boxing (Muay Thai) is an extremely popular spectator sport, which is gaining in fame internationally. It resembles more of a martial art than Western style boxing, with elaborate ceremony and traditions. Watch a Muay Thai match as a spectator (try for a ringside seat) or take lessons with a pro to learn Thai boxing yourself.

Where to stay in Khao Lak? As this is a resort area, there are is a wide variety of accommodation. Khao Lak Town is easily accessible and has a number of upscale resorts, as well as simpler digs to suit any budget. Nang Thong is a large and popular beach area close to the main road, north of the national park; here you will find a well developed tourist infrastructure with hotels, restaurants, convenience stores and travel companies. To the north of Nang Thong is the lower key, yet tourist friendly, Bang Niang beach.

Hotels and Dining

In terms of food, once again there is something for everyone. Five start hotel dining will offer you a luxury experience, but there are also plenty of moderately priced restaurants on the beaches. Seafood is fresh and plentiful. Traditional Thai rice- or noodle-based dishes give you a quick meal in a bowl. For a different sort of foodie experience, check out the Sunday bazaar in Takua Pa, a 12th century market town, where you will find all kinds of tempting delicacies, both raw and cooked.