Phang Nga

Tha Nun Seaside

Tha Nun Seaside (ชายทะเลท่านุ่น) is located between the Sarasin and Thep Kasattri Bridges, connecting Phang-nga and Phuket provinces. From Highway No. 4, turn into Highway No. 402 and head toward Phuket. Near the Pak Phra Strait before reaching Phuket, there will be sand on both sides where turtles usually come to lay their eggs every year.

Koh Phra Thong

(เกาะพระทอง) is in Tambon Ko Phra Thong and a large island in the Andaman Sea, with white sandy beaches and beautiful nature in a serene atmosphere. It is a natural habitat of various kinds of fauna such as deer, boar, hornbill, lesser adjutant, etc. There are fishermen dwelling on the island and also private resorts for tourists.

To get there, a long-tailed boat for rent is available at Khura Buri Pier, taking about 1 hour. Please contact Ko Phra Thong Village Headman at Tel. 08 9599 6375.

Khao Lak Seaside

Khao Lak Seaside is located 32 kilometres from Amphoe Takua Pa and offers another popular seaside attraction. There is a wide sandy beach with rocks of different sizes. The atmosphere is relaxing and suitable for swimming. It is a nice place to admire the setting sun. It is also a location of many hotels and resorts with designs of accommodation and landscapes that blend harmoniously with the seaside ambience: serene and shady with pine trees and coconut groves on the beach. Its intact nature is gaining popularity among Thai as well as foreign visitors. Opposite the entrance to the Park is situated Chaopho Khao Lak Shrine (ศาลเจ้าพ่อเขาหลัก), which is much revered by villagers.

Hat Bang Sak

Hat Bang Sak is in Tambon Bang Muang on Phetchakasem Road, the Thai Mueang – Takua Pa route. The beach is 100 metres off the highway on the left between Km. 76 – 77. Hat Bang Sak offers a long stretch of white sandy beach running parallel to a line of shady pine trees. It is suitable for swimming. The locals as well as tourists usually come here to admire the setting sun. Accommodation and food shops are available on the beach.

Laem Pakarang

Laem Pakarang is between Km. 78 – 79 on the Takua Pa – Khao Lak Road. From Takua Pa, turn right for 5 kilometres to reach the cape where there is a sandy beach with scattered broken staghorn corals. Swimming is available among the shady atmosphere of the pine trees. It is a nice spot for viewing the setting sun. There is also nice accommodation with a relaxing atmosphere nearby to serve tourist’s choices.

Ko Kho Khao (เกาะคอเขา) is another popular marine attraction in the Andaman Sea. Most of the island’s topography features plains with shady pine and coconut trees and a white sandy beach stretching for several kilometres. The beach is suitable for swimming. Resorts, bungalows, and food shops are available on the island. To get to Ko Kho Khao, board a boat at Mu 2 Pier, Ban Nam Khem, Tambon Bang Muang, Amphoe Takua Pa. The trip takes about 15 minutes by a hired boat or ferry. There are also several other interesting tourist attractions on the island and nearby, such as:

Mueang Boran Ban Thung Tuek (เมืองโบราณบ้านทุ่งตึก) is located on a muddy sand area at Mu 3 Tambon Ko Kho Khao, Amphoe Takua Pa, between the end of Khlong Mueang Thong and that of Khlong Thung Tuek, where the mouth of the Takua Pa River is situated. The ancient town is called “Thung Tuek” due to the fact that there are remains of at least 3 ancient monuments believed to have been buildings – Tuek in Thai, or wihans, over the vast sandy ground of this area. Fragments of religious shrines and symbolic icons in Hinduism have been discovered. On the ground, there are surface finds such as potsherds of ceramic wares, Chinese ceramics, pottery, as well as other artefacts. According to archaeologists, Thung Tuek must have been a port town in ancient times.

Ko Pha

Ko Pha is a small island located at Mu 4 Tambon Ko Kho Khao, some 10 kilometres off the coast. Its crystal clear sea and abundant coral reefs, as well as white and clean sandy beach make it a serene place suitable for relaxation.

Ko Yao

Ko Yao (เกาะยาว) covers an area of approximately 137.6 square kilometres. Most of its dwellers are Thai Muslim. Ko Yao comprises 2 main islands; namely, Ko Yao Noi and Ko Yao Yai, surrounded by small islets. Interesting beaches and bays include:

Hat Pa Sai (หาดป่าทราย) is about 7 kilometres from the Ko Yao District Office which is located on Ko Yao Noi. It features a white sandy beach with shady trees, suitable for swimming. A scenic view of various islands of Krabi province can be seen.

Hat Tha Khao (หาดท่าเขา) is about 5 kilometres from the Ko Yao Noi District Office. The beach is dotted with pebbles of various patterns. Slightly off the shore, there are small islets that are accessible at low tide. These islets house forest trees and orchids.

Ao Ti Kut (อ่าวตีกุด) is on Ko Yao Yai and features a clean white beach. To the north, there is a cape with beautiful scenery. The shore is shady with pine trees.

Ao Khlong Son (อ่าวคลองสน) is on Ko Yao Yai and offers a clean white shady beach with pine trees. To the left, there are rocks and pebbles of beautiful colours. The inlet is suitable for swimming and diving to admire the coral reefs.

Ao Hin Kong (อ่าวหินกอง) is on Ko Yao Yai and features a shady beach where Khiam trees - Cotylelobium lanceolatum – are grown. It is a habitat of baby stingrays, not suitable for swimming. There are Muslim fishermen living here.

Ao Lan (อ่าวล้าน) is on Ko Yao Yai and offers a scenic beach suitable for swimming. To the north, there is a steep cliff. It is most conveniently accessible by boat.

Ao Sai (อ่าวทราย) is on Ko Yao Yai and offers a white powdery beach, suitable for swimming.

Ao Lo Pa Raet (อ่าวโละปาแรด) is on Ko Yao Yai and features a shady beach with coconut groves. The white powdery beach stretches for a long distance. To the north, there is a cape of beautiful rocks suitable for swimming.

Laem Nok Ok (แหลมนกออก) is on Ko Yao Yai and features a rocky beach with colourful pebbles, suitable for swimming.

In addition, homestay accommodation is available both on Ko Yao Yai and Ko Yao Noi. Visitors can enjoy while learning the folk way of living and daily activities such as fishing, clam catching, and biking along a nature trail. For more information, please contact the Ko Yao Noi Ecotourism Club, Bang Rong Pier, Tel. 0 7659 7244, or Khun Samroeng Rakhet, Tel. 08 1968 0877, or Ko Yao Noi Subdistrict Administration Organization, Tel. 0 7659 7122, or visit www.homestaykohyaonoi.com. Private run accommodation is also available.

To get there: Ko Yao Noi and Ko Yao Yai are accessible from Phuket, Phang-nga, and Krabi provinces. However, it is most convenient to get there from Phuket.

To Get to Ko Yao Noi
From Phuket: Boats leave Bang Rong Pier, Tambon Pa Khlok, Amphoe Thalang, to Ko Yao Noi Sanitary District Pier 7 times daily at 8.30 a.m., 9.30 a.m., 11.00 a.m., 12.30 a.m., 2.30 p.m., 4.00 p.m., and 5.00 p.m. Boats depart Ko Yao Noi for Bang Rong Pier 6 times daily at 7.00 a.m., 7.30 a.m., 10.00 a.m., 1.30 p.m., 3.00 p.m., and 4.00 p.m. The fare is 100 Baht / person / trip. The trip takes approximately 50 minutes. A charter long-tail boat is also available at 1,500 – 3,000 Baht. Speed boats of various sizes are available to be chartered at 6,000 – 8,000 Baht / trip.

From Krabi: Boats leave Tha Len Pier in Amphoe Mueang Krabi twice daily at 11.00 a.m. (to Mano Pier), and 1.00 p.m. (to Tha Khao Pier). Two boats leave Ko Yao Noi to Tha Len Pier daily at 7.30 a.m. (one from Tha Khao Pier and the other from Mano Pier). The trip takes 40 minutes and the fare is 100 Baht / trip. From Tha Len Pier, visitors may take a Song Thaeo to catch the bus at the Krabi Bus Terminal. The trip takes 1 hour and costs 40 Baht each.
From Phang-nga: A boat leaves the Customs Office Pier to Ko Yao Noi (Mano Pier or Sanitary District Pier – depending on the tide) once a day at 1.00 p.m. A boat departs Ko Yao Noi to the Customs Office Pier at 7.30 a.m. The trip takes approximately 1½ hours and the fare is 150 Baht. A charter boat for 10- 12 persons is available at approximately 5,000 Baht at the Customs Office Pier.

To Get to Ko Yao Yai

From Phuket: Two boats leave Thian Sin Pier on Si Suthat Road, Phuket, to Ko Yao Yai (Lo Chak Pier) at 10.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m., taking 1 hour. Another two boats leave Lo Chak Pier to Thian Sin Pier at 8.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. The fare is 100 Baht / trip.
From Ko Yao Noi: Board the boat at Mano Pier to Ban Chong Lat Pier or Khlong Hia Pier on Ko Yao Yai. The boats leave during 6.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m., taking 10 minutes. The fare is 20 Baht each.