samui magazine

North Along the Andaman Coast to the Newest Resort Area

This is another beautiful place to visit. It can be a day trip, returning to sleep on Phuket, or one can easily find accommodation and stay overnight. Khao Lak is one of the up-and-coming satellite resorts that is growing rapidly to satisfy the demand of those wishing to get further away from Phuket.

To get to Khao Lak, where most of the accommodation is found, it takes only two hours from the south end of Phuket, and little more than an hour once you have crossed the Sarasin Bridge onto the mainland. There are many interesting distractions along the side roads to stretch this out. These include several waterfalls along the east side of the road, several of which are clearly sign-posted. At Tap Lamu there is a fishing and navy port from which many tour boats leave for the Similan Islands.

After leaving Phuket Island the drive is long and flat, till the road winds up over the mountain at the tiny Khao Lak National Park. After crossing the forest-engulfed peak, the road suddenly noses out to the edge of the mountain, giving panoramic ocean views of the coast stretching northwards. A small road-side restaurant clings to the side of the mountain here, offering with the best views of this entire drive.

This mountain marks the beginning of miles of quiet beach where many new bungalow resorts are springing up among the casaurina trees, making it very easy to find accommodation. About a dozen resorts, from small to medium in size and price, are clustered in the first few kilometres. As one drives further north, the road follows the coast but is usually a couple of kilometres inland. There are occasional signs along the road indicating more isolated bungalows and resorts hugging the coastline.

This coastal drive continues all the way to Ranong, a provincial town that borders Burma (Myanmar). The immigration post on the river there will usually allow both Thais and foreigners to take the short boat ride over to Victoria Point in Burma during daylight hours, returning the same day. Shopping for Burmese goods is popular, and there is a Thai-operated casino on the Burmese side also.