The tourist centre of Khao Lak is one of Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations and is located on the western coast of the Malayan Peninsula overlooking the Andaman Sea within the region of Southern Thailand. Named after the beach that forms part of the Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park, Khao Lak is essentially a few small villages that lie along a beautiful coastline, which provides visitors with easy access to both land and sea based National Parks, waterfalls, elephant trekking, orchid farms and local towns. The hub of the coast revolves around Ban Bang La On, which lies close to Nang Thong Beach, and the less commercial area of Bang Niang, which lies a couple of kilometres to the north. The actual KhaoLak beach extends from the headland of Hin Chang to the north for several kilometres and is comprised of a lovely unspoilt stretch of sandy coastline which is backed by casuarina pines, that in turn give way to lush green palm groves, interspersed with lakes, rubber and coco plantations. The coastal lowland area rises inland to Lak Mountain and the Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park.
Khao Lak is one of the fastest growing resort and tourist destinations in Thailand, and is afforded easy access via the international airport of Phuket which lies approximately 80 kilometres to the south. Within 100 kilometres of Khao Lak, seven National Parks offer visitors an amazing variety of outdoor activities including walking or hiking through gorgeous mountainous rainforests - taking a jungle tour on the back of an elephant – exploring the local waterways by canoe or raft - swimming in the cool fresh waters of the many waterfalls - strolling along the blissful stretch of pristine coastline - or snorkelling and diving in some of the clearest and most bountiful waters in the world. Khao lak is Thailand’s main stepping off point for visitors wishing to explore the remote Similan and Surin Island groups which are considered to be home to some of the world’s premium coral reef diving that supports a huge variety of marine life. It is worth noting that within the Surin Islands one of the top ten ultimate dives can be found at Richlieu Rock. These two island groups are accessible only between the months of November and May due to possible extreme weather conditions. In addition Khao Lak is within easy distance of Thailand’s famous Phang Nga Bay which is known for its spectacular limestone scenery, diverse flora and fauna and its spectacular beaches!!
The small villages of Bang La On and Bang Niang provide visitors with a variety of tourist shops, bars and restaurants.
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