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Driving North to Khao Lak and Ranong
Following The
Long Andaman Coast from Phuket to Khao Lak and Ranong
Khao Lak is just one of many
places along the way
This is another beautiful place to drive oneself to. 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 satisify 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.
Accommodation in Khao Lak
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.
Ranong - end of this coastal drive
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.
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