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Khao Lak

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Nang Thong and towards Phuket

Nang Thong beach (commonly referred to itself as Khao Lak) is the area's major hub and this is where you'll find the biggest concentration of dive shops, nightspots and accommodation to suit the broadest range of budgets. The tsunami reached up to the main road here, but didn't go further as the ground slopes upwards from the beach quite a bit. As of June 2006 there was still a lot of rebuilding going on along the beach path, and most projects were due for completion by October or November. The main road, however, wasn't affected as badly and quickly filled up with restaurants, bars, clothes shops and Internet cafes in 2005. Immediately south of Nang Thong is Khao Lak mountain, which has several excellent top-end lodgings and a good budget choice in the Khao Lak Lamru National Park. There's also a small, sandy beach (Pepe Beach) accessed by a 5 minute walk through the rainforest off the main road. A few kilometres further south is Khao Lak beach, with a smattering of top-end resorts, and the Thap Lamu pier, the departure point for the Similan National Park.

  • Khaolak Merlin Resort

    Khaolak Merlin Resort

    Extravagant

    7/7 Phetkasem Rd, Khao Lak beach, Takua Pa
    T: (076) 428 300; F: (076) 443 200

    The architects didn't hold back on this one -- with a fitness centre, games room, beauty salon, clinic, ballroom, conference room and no less than five pools, Merlin is the luxury traveller's idea of ... View details

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    4 stars 4,000B to 8,000B 1 vote Toprange
  • Khao Lak Palm Beach Resort

    Khao Lak Palm Beach Resort

    Well-equipped

    26/14 Moo 7, Nang Thong beach, Takua Pa
    T: (076) 429 200; F: (076) 420 095

    A lavish resort amid the national park, the buildings here are fairly packed in and it feels more run-of-the-mill than Khaolak Paradise Resort next door. The rooms are fully kitted out and come ... View details

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    4 stars 4,000B to 8,000B 1 vote Toprange
  • Khaolak Paradise Resort

    Khaolak Paradise Resort

    Terrific, but expensive

    26/24 Moo 7, Nang Thong beach, Takua Pa
    T: (076) 429 100; F: (076) 429 129

    A very stylish high-end resort on the hill at the southern end of Nang Thong beach, Paradise lives up to its name. The resort feels like it's set in the heart of the rainforest even though you also ... View details

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    4 stars 4,000B to 8,000B 1 vote Toprange
  • Khao Lak Sunset Resort

    Khao Lak Sunset Resort

    Good value but it doesn't quite fit

    26/7 Moo 7, Nang Thong beach, Takua Pa
    T: (076) 420 075-7; F: (076) 420 147

    Khao Lak Sunset is a cheaper option than most of the other resorts up the hill at the southern end of Nang Thong, with perhaps only a little less luxury. The stark, white buildings, however, don't ... View details

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    3.5 stars 1,500B to 4,000B 1 vote Midrange
  • Khao Lak Seafood

    Khao Lak Seafood

    Popular spot

    19/1 Moo 7, Nang Thong beach, Takua Pa
    T: (076) 420 318; F: (076) 423 311

    Behind its popular restaurant on the main street of Nang Thong beach, Khao Lak Seafood has a dozen relatively new, very solid bungalows around a semblance of a garden. This is quite a good location ... View details

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    3.5 stars Under 600B 4 votes Backpacker
  • Suwan Palm Resort

    Suwan Palm Resort

    Good choice on Nang Thong beach

    30/27 Moo 7, Nang Thong beach, Takua Pa
    T: (02) 9396 200; F: (02) 9396 499

    This redone resort used to be called the Khaolak Orchid Resortel before the tsunami, and reopened for business after rebuilding in October 2005. Accommodation is in three-storey buildings set around ... View details

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    3.5 stars 1,500B to 4,000B 1 vote Midrange
  • Nangthong Bay Resort

    Nangthong Bay Resort

    Central location

    Nang Thong beach, Takua Pa
    T: (076) 485 088;

    Nangthong Bay Resort has a great beach location at the end of the path that links Nang Thong's main road to the beach. Statues of women perpetually pour more water into the pool through pumps, a ... View details

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    3.5 stars 1,500B to 4,000B 1 vote Midrange
  • Father & Son

    Father & Son

    relaxing grounds

    Nang Thong beach, Takua Pa
    T: (081) 9560 662;

    Father & Son has group of bungalows on a huge lawn behind Nang Thong Supermarket. There are two styles to choose from -- cheap and cute bamboo jobs with mosquito nets and double beds, and better, ... View details

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    3 stars Under 600B 2 votes Backpacker
  • Happy Lagoon

    Happy Lagoon

    Not always so happy

    Nang Thong beach, Takua Pa

    Sometimes referred to as the Unhappy Lagoon because of the grumpy staff, the Happy Lagoon has a row of simply-furnished, semi-detached bungalows to one side of its excellent restaurant. A bit of ... View details

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    3 stars Under 600B 1 vote Backpacker
  • Khao Lak Bungalow

    Khao Lak Bungalow

    Once intimate

    26/3 Moo 7, Nang Thong beach, Takua Pa
    T: (076) 485 145; F: (076) 485 142

    Towards the northern end of Nang Thong beach, Khao Lak Bungalow had a breezy, intimate feel after it opened late 2005, but has since been turned into a construction site. Works are due for completion ... View details

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    3 stars 1,500B to 4,000B 1 vote Midrange
  • Jai Restaurant and Bungalows

    Jai Restaurant and Bungalows

    Getting on

    5/1 Moo 7, Nang Thong beach, Takua Pa
    T: (076) 420 390; F: (076) 420 390

    Jai's offers slightly less value for money than the similarly set-up Khao Lak Seafood nearby. The bungalows out the back of this restaurant are more expensive, but older and tattier, and the grounds ... View details

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    2.5 stars Under 600B 1 vote Backpacker
  • Khaolak Wanaburee Resort

    Khaolak Wanaburee Resort

    A river runs through it

    26/11, Moo 7, Nang Thong beach, Takua Pa
    T: (076) 423 333-5; F: (076) 420 750

    A good-looking resort wedged between the national park and the southern end of Nang Thong beach, Wanaburee was still rebuilding in June 2006 and planned to reopen in December. The beach is clean of ... View details

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    0 Stars 4,000B to 8,000B 1 vote Toprange

Bang Niang

Situated about two kilometres to the north of Nang Thong, Bang Niang beach bore the brunt of the tsunami. The ground here is flat and the wave penetrated up to four kilometres inland. Rebuilding in Bang Niang was very quick, and aside from the police boat sitting to one side of the main road there isn't a lot of physical evidence of the disaster that stands out. There are some wonderful top-end lodgings near the beach, at the southern end of Bang Niang. You'll also find some good mid-range options on the main road, a marketplace and the infamous police boat.

  • Mukdara Beach Villa and Spa

    Mukdara Beach Villa and Spa

    Well-designed luxury

    26/14, Moo 7, Bang Niang, Takua Pa
    T: (076) 429 999; F: (076) 420 099

    The best-looking resort on Bang Niang beach sprawls over 32sq kms of well-designed luxury. Accommodation is split into two hotel wings and clusters of villas, many set around an absolutely massive ... View details

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    4 stars 4,000B to 8,000B 1 vote Toprange
  • Spa La Flora

    Spa La Flora

    On the beach

    59/1 Moo 5, Bang Niang
    T: (076) 428 000; F: (076) 428 029

    Spa La Flora is one of many, large-scale, top-end resorts to open in the wake of the tsunami. Most accommodation is in three-story hotel buildings spaced amid well-maintained grounds. The rooms have ... View details

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    4 stars 4,000B to 8,000B 1 vote Toprange
  • Araya Villas

    Araya Villas

    Low-key villas

    53/2, Moo 5, Bang Niang, Takua Pa
    T: (076) 423 108; F: (076) 423 110

    Araya has reasonably-priced air-con villas with high-pitched roofs set in a low-key spot on Bang Niang beach. The resort opened on December 26, 2006, exactly one year after the tsunami. Other ... View details

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    3 stars 600B to 1,500B 1 vote Flashpacker
  • The Traveller's Inn

    The Traveller's Inn

    Small and friendly

    57/5 Moo 5, Bang Niang
    T: (081) 1716 891;

    Run by a very chatty British expat, The Traveller's Inn is a good budget option near the beach in Bang Niang. The rooms are simple, but well-done and sit above a mini-mart near Spa La Flora resort. ... View details

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    3 stars Under 600B 1 vote Backpacker
  • Emerald Guesthouse

    Emerald Guesthouse

    Good value near the beach

    67/26 Moo 5, Soi Haad Bang Niang, Bang Niang
    T: (076) 420 513; F: (076) 420 547

    In a tidy-looking emerald-green building, the rooms here are big and clean. While they aren't bursting with personality they represent good value in Bang Niang for a 5 minute walk to the beach. ... View details

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    3 stars Under 600B 1 vote Backpacker
  • Taveesub Apartment

    Taveesub Apartment

    New, but plain

    26/41 Moo 5, Bang Niang, Takua Pa
    T: (076) 420 770;

    Taveesub is in a big, lime green building on the main road, opposite the market in Bang Niang. It's not much to look at and sits on the busy main road, but everything's new and the beds are big and ... View details

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    2.5 stars 600B to 1,500B 1 vote Flashpacker
  • Ladda Resort

    Ladda Resort

    Cheap, and a noisy location

    56/46 Moo 5, Bang Niang, Takua Pa
    T: (076) 486 294;

    Ladda has around ten rooms in a two-story, motel style-building on a side soi about five minutes from Bang Niang beach. Unfortunately, a noisy construction site, to become a huge, top-end resort by ... View details

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    2.5 stars 600B to 1,500B 1 vote Flashpacker
  • Sinee Guest House and Cyberpoint Internet

    Sinee Guest House and Cyberpoint Internet

    Big, blue bungalows

    26/18 Moo 5, Bang Niang, Takua Pa
    T: (076) 486 772;

    Sinee has a small group of well-sized, blue bungalows behind an internet cafe on the main road of Bang Niang. They're good value, even if they are close to the main road and the balconies aren't ... View details

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    2 stars 600B to 1,500B 1 vote Flashpacker

Bang Sak beach and surrounds

North of Bang Niang lies Khuk Khak beach, Cape Pakarang, Pak Weep beach and Bang Sak beach, and there's some fantastic top-end resorts in this area. There's no tourist centre here of the likes of Nang Thong, just a few villages and some very relaxing landscape. There's also a couple of good bamboo-hut restaurants on the road that runs along Bang Sak beach.

  • Similana Resort

    Similana Resort

    Rainforest setting

    4/7 Moo 1, Bang Sak beach, Takua Pa
    T: (076) 420 166; F: (076) 420 169

    A mainstay on the Khao Lak accommodation scene for more than 10 years, the Similana escaped extensive damage from the tsunami thanks to its hilly location. It's just a two minute walk from the beach ... View details

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    4.5 stars 1,500B to 4,000B 1 vote Midrange
  • The Sarojin

    The Sarojin

    One of Asia's best

    600 Moo 2, Pak Weep beach,Takua Pa
    T: (076) 427 905; F: (076) 427 906

    Of all of the top-end resorts along the Khao Lak coast, the Sarojin has become the most famous, and many believe the best. With stunning villas, tranquil grounds and impeccable staff, it's hard not ... View details

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    4.5 stars over 8,000B 1 vote Luxury
  • Royal Bangsak Beach Resort

    Royal Bangsak Beach Resort

    Fortress-like

    2/4 Moo 8, Bang Sak beach, Takua Pa
    T: (076) 592 555; F: (076) 592 579

    The Royal Bangsak is a step down from the other high-end resorts in the area, with slightly smaller rooms and few extra facilities on offer, though there is a pool near a lovely section of beach. The ... View details

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    3.5 stars 1,500B to 4,000B 1 vote Midrange
  • Le Meridien Khao Lak Beach and Spa Resort

    Le Meridien Khao Lak Beach and Spa Resort

    Massive and impersonal

    9/9, Moo 1, Bang Sak beach,Takua Pa
    T: (076) 427 500; F: (076) 427 501

    Khao Lak's branch of the worldwide super-hotel chain Le Meridien is a massive world unto itself. Set on 50 acres of well-manicured grounds, the resort has clothes shops, a dive school, travel agent, ... View details

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    3.5 stars 4,000B to 8,000B 1 vote Toprange
  • Best Western Premier Palm Galleria Resort

    Best Western Premier Palm Galleria Resort

    Surprising

    27/102 Moo 2, Cape Pakarang, Takua Pa
    T: (076) 427 000; F: (076) 427 007

    Things Best Western and lavish beachside resorts don't immediately come to mind at the Best Western Premier Palm Galleria Resort. The company has done a fair job here, with a good selection of ... View details

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    3.5 stars 1,500B to 4,000B 1 vote Midrange
  • Khaolak Orchid Beach Resort

    Khaolak Orchid Beach Resort

    Isolated spot

    61 Moo 3, Khuk Khak beach, Takua Pa
    T: (076) 423 041; F: (076) 423 467

    Set on an isolated spot on Khuk Khak beach, Khaolak Orchid is a good spot to get away from it all if you're willing to splurge a little. Rooms are in a three-storey, semi-circular building set around ... View details

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    3.5 stars 1,500B to 4,000B 1 vote Midrange
  • No pic at the moment -- Sorry!

    Amnat's place

    Small and simple

    Main road, Bang Sak beach, Takua Pa
    T: (081) 2067 746;

    Amnat, a friendly Thai man, now lives alone after he lost family in the tsunami. He has a couple of simple bungalows behind the two-storey house charity group The Mercy Foundation helped him to ... View details

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    3 stars Under 600B 1 vote Backpacker
  • Pakarang Bungalows

    Pakarang Bungalows

    Coziness on the cape

    47/3 Moo 2, Cape Pakarang, Takua Pa
    T: (076) 423 666-9;

    Pakarang opened 20 bungalows in two neat rows amid a fairly rocky garden in December 2005. The rooms themselves are neat, with big balconies, but a bit more landscaping wouldn't go astray. It's not ... View details

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    3 stars Under 600B 1 vote Backpacker

Nam Khem village and Laem Pom

Few travellers stop in the pretty little fishing village of Nam Khem, about 7km south of Takuapa. While it's not really a place to stay it's worth a day trip of you've never seen an authentic Thai coastal village. Nam Khem was established as a tin-mining centre in the mid 1900s, attracting a lot of rough characters and earning a bad reputation for its illegal casinos and brothels. By the 1990s, the tin had dried up and Nam Khem reverted to a sleepy fishing port.

The village lost proportionally the most of its inhabitants in the tsunami of any village in Thailand. A stroll around the Nam Khem reveals two large fishing boats that were washed in by the tsunami sitting by the side of the road. They've since become local landmarks.

Just south of the village is the tiny enclave of Laem Pom, which has a decent beach and a tsunami memorial park. The area is safe to visit, but it's worth knowing that Laem Pom has been at the centre of a bitter land rights dispute. Several years ago thugs employed by a well-connected Thai developer erected a barbed-wire fence around the village and tried to force the locals off the land. All of the buildings here were destroyed or severely damaged in the tsunami, and most were rebuilt in 2006. But the battle over who has rights to the land (the developer or the villagers) still rages.

For an excellent account of the lives of four Nam Khem families before, during and after the tsunami, pick up a copy of Wave of Destruction by Erich Krauss.

  • Suni Guesthouse

    Suni Guesthouse

    Village living

    Ban Nam Khem ,Takua Pa
    T: (081) 7286 123;

    Suni Guesthouse consists of three semi-detached house off a side soi in Nam Khem village. The houses each have two bedrooms that you can rent separately or together. There's also a lounge room in ... View details

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    3 stars Under 600B 1 vote Backpacker


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