Khao Lak, Phang Nga, Thailand

Khao Lak is located in Phang Nga Province in southern Thailand, about 80 km north of Phuket International Airport and known for its beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, relaxed atmosphere, stunning scenery and vibrant marine life.

Getting there

Khao Lak is about 80 km north of Phuket Airport and being the adventurous me, I took buses there.

If you arrive at the international terminal, do the following:

Turn left after you exit the restricted area to the arrival hall.
Walk all the way to the end of the terminal building.
Exit the terminal building.

Walk along the covered walkway. You should arrive at the domestic terminal.
Walk along the right of the domestic terminal building.

You should see public buses parking in front of the terminal building.
Take Route P3 (THB100) and inform the bus attendant that you would like to alight at the police highway to change to a bus heading for Khao Lak.

Upon arrival on the highway, the driver/attendant should point to a bus stop across the road where you could transfer to a bus to Khao Lak.

After you alight from the bus, cross the road and wait for a bus that is heading to Takuapa. Warning: You may need to wait for more than an hour for the bus. Another warning: There may be a tout who would attempt to sell you bus tickets. Do not buy any tickets from him as the ticket would be bought on the bus.

When the bus arrives, look out for its route Phuket <=> Takuapa on top of its windscreen, flag it down and confirm with the bus attendant that the bus is going to Khao Lak. If it is correct, he would ask you to board the bus.
Board the bus, take a seat and he would come to you for the fare. Inform him that you would like to alight at Ban Niang Market and pay for the fare (THB130). He should issue you a bus ticket for that amount.
The bus ride could take about 2 hours. Once you see Khao Lak Centre on your left, you can get ready to alight as Ban Niang Market is about 1 km away. The attendant should call out upon arrival at the destination.

Once you alight, congratulations and welcome to Khao Lak!

I went there a few times for my adventures and below were some interesting places that I explored.

813 Tsunami Memorial Park
Ban Niang Market
Little Amazon / Khlong Sang-Ne / คลองสังเน่ห์
Takuapa Market
Takuapa Old Town

813 Tsunami Memorial Park

The 813 Tsunami Memorial Park commemorates the tragic events of 26 December 2004, when the Indian Ocean tsunami struck the region following a massive 9.1-9.3 undersea earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia and resulted in the lost of more than 200,000 lives.

the police boat and International Tsunami Museum

The centrepiece of the memorial park is the Police Boat 813, a 60-ton naval vessel that was swept 2 kilometres inland by the force of the tsunami.

Getting there

The memorial park is located opposite the Ban Bang Niang Market.

Ban Niang Market

Ban Niang Market is the de facto central of Khao Lak.

It is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 1000 to 2300 hours.

Most visitors would go there for food and drinks. The market sells accessories, bags, clothes, groceries and souvenirs among other products.

Little Amazon / Khlong Sang-Ne / คลองสังเน่ห์

Little Amazon, which resembles the Amazon rainforest, is a hidden gem that offers a unique and enchanting experience for nature lovers. It is a stretch on the Takuapa River that flows through a dense and lush mangrove forest, and renowned for its beautiful scenery, diverse wildlife and serene atmosphere.

Upon arrival, there should be boatmen waiting with their inflatable boats to provide boat tours (THB500).

During the boat tour, besides relaxing in the tranquil surroundings, you can also enjoy the symphony of sounds from the diverse ecosystem.

Your boatman will point and guide you to spot the wildlife. You may be able to meet kingfishers, macaque monkeys, monitor lizards, oriental pied hornbills, reticulated pythons and more.

Getting there

I took a bus (THB50) heading towards Takuapa from Bang Niang Market. If you take a public bus, you can inform the driver or conductor to let you know when to alight. (Little Amazon is about 15 minutes walk from the main road.

Takuapa Market

Takuapa Market is located near the Takuapa Bus Station. If you take a public bus towards Takuapa, the bus will likely stop at the station. Do confirm with the bus driver or conductor when you board the bus.

some of the products you can find in Takuapa Market

The market offers a wide range of products such as fresh and dried produce, meats, seafood, spices, vegetables, clothing, handicrafts and household items.

There is a food centre nearby which offers street food and local delicacies.

The best time to visit the market to soak in the bustling and energetic atmosphere is during the morning peak hours where it offers a genuine glimpse into the local way of life.

Getting there

You can take a bus from the main road after your visit to the Little Amazon. Just check with the bus driver or conductor if the bus goes to Takuapa Bus Station.

Takuapa Old Town

Takuapa Old Town is about 7 km from Takuapa Bus Station.

The charming town was once thriving in tin-mining and is known for its well-preserved Sino-Portuguese architecture, bustling markets and a unique blend of cultures influenced by the Chinese, Portuguese and Thai.

The narrow streets lined with colourful shophouses are a delight to explore and offer a glimpse into the glory of the past.