Khao Lak is an excellent location for a relaxing beach stay just north of Phuket. Easily accessed, but by no means overrun with tourists, it has a friendly, peaceful atmosphere. Your stay at a resort or hotel here can be as slow-paced or busy as you wish, with plenty of day trip opportunities and beaches to relax on.
If you’re looking to explore more of the Andaman Coast, Khao Lak is an excellent base for day trips to nearby islands in the Similan and Surin archipelagoes. You can also head into Khao Lak National Park to embark on treks and swim beneath waterfalls.
Khao Lak town itself isn’t overly enticing, though here you’ll find an array of restaurants, bars, shops and tour operators. Plenty of beautiful stretches of beaches line the coastline, like Hat Khao Lak, Hat Bang Niang, Hat Pakarang and Hat Bang Sak to name a few. You could easily spend your days sitting on the sand and swimming in the ocean. Depending on where you stay, some resorts have stretches of private beach, too, which will make it hard to want to leave your accommodation! We can recommend some excellent options in the area.
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In 2004, a tsunami devastatingly crashed onto Thailand’s shores, and Khao Lak was hit the hardest. Despite the tragic circumstances, the area revived itself and infrastructure has been rebuilt. There is a tsunami museum to visit if you wish to learn more about this natural disaster.
In all, Khao Lak is a beautiful part of southern Thailand for a relaxing beach stay, particularly for families. If you are looking to incorporate a visit here on your next holiday, our experts can suggest the best resorts and hotels for you.
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