Ao Nang

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We've never been great wraps on Ao Nang. There is nothing particularly Thai about it, and the beach is pretty ordinary. The town is itself is full of tailor shops, travel agents, a scattering of girlie bars and really bad Italian restaurants. Sounds tempting?

Still, Ao Nang isn't quite as 'in your face' as Ko Phi Phi, which courts a younger crowd. The tourism industry here is focused on package tours and family vacations, and good deals on decent rooms for long-stays are their speciality. About 80% of the tourists taking advantage of such deals are Scandinavian and continental Europeans, so Anglophones might end up feeling a tad out of place.

The beach is situated along a westerly-facing stretch of Phra Nang Bay, named after an ancient, mythical Thai queen. There's a headland to the east, featuring a large, majestic lime stone mountain -- Phu Khao -- that gives the area much of it's scenic character. The mountain is protected by the National Park service, and completely off-limits to climbing and hiking. At the base of the mount lies the Central Krabi Bay Resort, a five-star outfit with a private beach which is accessible only by boat.

Further up the coast to the west lies Haad Nopphara Thara, which offers a terrific alternative to Ao Nang, especially if you've got a backpack on your back. Across the bay in the distance you can see the Poda Islands, and Chicken Island further in the distance. The beach is pretty decent at high-tide, but low-tide goes way-out to about 300 meters. If your travel agent tells you the sand here is white, get a new agent! Once a month you'll find locals combing the sand flats for clams -- it's a good time to order hoi at a local restaurant, as it's liable to be quite fresh and tasty.

 

The road that loops through town is called Moo 2 -- the eastern side of the loop travels up along the mountain, and the western side heads toward Haad Nopphara Thara. Moo 3 branches off from the western side of the loop and heads inland, eventually winding up in Haad Nopphara Thara as well.

Things are pretty quiet in the off season, but in high season Ao Nang is packed to the rafters. Although for families in particular, Ko Lanta is a far better destination, Ao Nang does provide a convenient base to visit some of the off-shore islands. Ao Nang is also one of the places where you can get a boat to the spectacular Railay Bay.

Accommodation-wise, along the beach is generally over-priced and lacklustre, but that's where a lot of people want to stay. Heading north on Moo 2 alongside the mountain, there's a wide variety of places to stay, from cheap guesthouses and boutique resorts. About a kilometre from the beach you'll find some quite decent bungalow outfits situated beneath the looming limestone cliffs that provide a great alternative to the 'Ao Nang scene' right on the beach. Heading west along the beach road, you'll find gaggles of accommodation -- but nothing particularly stellar and no real budget options. Moo 3 offers another good alternative to the beach, with some very decent luxury resort and mid-range bungalow outfits.

Orientation
The nearest post office is on 190 Uttarakit Road in Krabi Town -- kinda far away, which is why many of the 'finer' hotels offer postal services on site. Internet is widely available at one baht per minute, and overseas phone calls start at about 10 baht per minute. There are plenty of banks and ATMs along the beach road -- there are a couple of exchange booths near the Phra Nang Inn.

Text and/or map last updated on 11th August, 2009.
Further reading
 » Diving with a difference -- Reef conservation in Thailand

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Aonang Grand Inn
235 Moo 2 Ao Nang Beach
From: US$5.88 with HostelWorld


Baan Taveesri
Leela Vallay Ao Nang soi. 11, 262/9 Moo.2
From: US$7.74 with HostelWorld


Baan Taveesri
Leela Valley, Ao Nang soi. 11 262/9 Moo. 2, Ao Nang
From: US$8.46 with Hostelbookers


Long Beach Bungalows
155 Aonang Krabi
From: US$8.52 with HostelWorld


WaRiNa Place
386/7 Moo 2 Aonang Krabi
From: US$9.29 with HostelWorld


Pranang Flora House
420/14-15 Moo 2 ,Ao Nang, Muang Kraibi
From: US$10.06 with HostelWorld


Tip Anda Bungalows
79/45 Nopparat Thara Beach T.Aonang, Muang, Krabi
From: US$10.84 with HostelWorld


Aonang Goodwill
420/22 Moo 2 Aonang Muang Krabi
From: US$10.84 with HostelWorld


Aonang Cozy Place
420/16-17 Moo2, Aonang, Muang
From: US$12.13 with Hostelbookers


Krabi Phupranang Resort and Spa
223 Moo.5 Aonang Muang Krabi 81000
From: US$13.16 with HostelWorld


Aonang Baanlay Bungalow
Ao Nang, Phranang Bay
From: US$14.00 with Sawasdee


Aonang Mountain Paradise
26/11 Moo2 Aonang Beach Muang Krabi, Ao Nang
From: US$14.10 with Hostelbookers


Aonang Grand Inn
Ao Nang
From: US$15.00 with Sawasdee


Wannas Place
32/1 Moo 2, Ao Nang Krabi
From: US$15.48 with HostelWorld


Ao Nang Beach Resort
142 2 Ao Nang Ampur Muang
From: US$15.48 with HostelWorld

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Fresh off our Asia travel forum

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