Lying within 25km of Thailand’s famous Phang Nga Province, on the Andaman Sea coast of Southern Thailand, Khao Lak has lots to offer to each and every guest, most notably the opportunity to dive amongst the beautiful fishes and underwater flora.
Khao Lak is easily accessible from Phuket and Krabi via taxi or bus, or direct buses from Bangkok, but this journey is over 10 hours long so really is not recommended. Phuket International Airport is directly connected to many international destinations via airlines such as Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways, but is also connected internally via domestic airlines such as Nok Air and Bangkok Airways to Bangkok.
The drive from Phuket along the Andaman Coast is one of the most scenic in the whole of Asia, with vast sea views, coconut trees lining the boulevards, and sky scraping sheer cliffs jutting off the coastline. When driving along the route one can easily understand why Khao Lak is a favourite of the locals.
The name ‘Khao Lak’ originates from the national park that the destination lies within, Khao Lak-Lam Ru, which is famous for being one of the lesser developed national parks within the country of Thailand. Khao Lak is popular with families, with many of the hotels and entertainment geared towards those with young children.
History and nature are evidently present when in Khao Lak, with famous tourist attractions including Chong Fah Waterfall, Police Boat 813 which protected the son of the former Royal Princess Ubol Ratana, and Takuapa Old Town which houses Sino-Portuguese buildings and quaint traditional shops. There really is something for everyone in this beautiful place, and the locals are just as welcoming as in all other parts of Thailand.
Diving is possibly the most popular attraction in Khao Lak with numerous diving companies such as IQ Diving, Khao Lak Diving, and Sign Scuba offering numerous diving lessons ranging from beginner courses to professional underwater tours, taking guests along the Andaman coast allowing them to visit the various whales, sharks, jellyfish, and underwater corals that live in the Asian seas.
Along with diving goes snorkeling which is also a popular activity in the Khao Lak region, with diving schools including Similan Tours and Khao Lak Land Discovery taking snorkellers to the famous Surin Islands and the Similan Islands which are just an hour’s speedboat away. This allows visitors to experience the underwater life for themselves and is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
A good thing about Khao Lak often being overlooked by tourism is that the hotels and resorts are relatively low priced, with major brands such as Le Meridien and Ramada standing side-by-side with locally owned boutique hotels such as the Riverside Guesthouse and The Sarojin. Every guest, especially those with families will find something to suit them, be that in the budget range, mid-range, or luxury range.
More information and to book: For guests who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the capital Bangkok and the party city of Phuket, the family and adventure orientated resort of Khao Lak is ideal. After visiting this amazing place you will never want to leave.
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