After discovering the KHAO LAK coast, north of Phuket island, two years ago, I had strongly wanted to return there for a relaxing holiday. Unfortunately, it may not have been the best time to get there as the southwestern monsoon was slowly settling in.
The bright tropical waters of the Andaman had turned gray due to the poor forecast. Yet it has been a refreshing break from the city life of Bangkok.
May 16 - Departure from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport [BKK] to Phuket [HKT] aboard an A333 of THAI AIRWAYS (flying time: 1h).
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| TG flight route from BKK to HKT |
- National car rent from a brand new renovated airport to Khao Lak with a compact silver Nissan.
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| Road map to Khao Lak south |
The driving time is just a little more than an hour.
- Rest of the day spent at MORACEA Resort on a beach near the rainforest hill area of southern Khao Lak.
May 17-19 - At MORACEA Resort for 3 full days in a beautifully tended tropical park having a great number of pools of all shapes. Too bad, the weather was a bit wet.
Moracea Resort
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| Hillside bungalows |
- However, the facilities are not well maintained,
- and you need to be equipped with good shoes to be able to go on the trail.
- The entrance fee of THB200/per person is for all foreigners of any age, local residents included. When you know that Thais only pay THB20, it becomes a clear rip off, which is truly questionable in our times. Thailand is not the only country with such practices in southeast Asia. But there is no clear policy and this may change from one place to another. Yet, being a National Park, which ought to be a showcase for tourists, this policy is perceived as a blating discrimination.
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| Viewpoint |
May 19 - Departure for BANG SAK Beach in the northern part of Khao Lak area (about 35km away).
HAADSON Resort is a lovely beach resort set in a tropical setting by a lagoon and a long stretch of sandy beach on the Andaman. This is a returning trip to this exotic resort also laid in a beautiful park with a definite Thai atmosphere.
Haadson Resort, Khao Lak
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| The resort bungalows |
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| Lush tropical environment |
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| Lagoon view |
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| Bungalow balcony on the river |
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| Resort swimming pool |
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| The beauty of the lagoon |
BANG SAK Beach- The resort is facing a pristine beach on the Andaman. Khao Lak area is just a long stretch of sand with hardly anyone.
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| The beach by the resort |
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| Rainy season sunset over the ocean |
May 20 - Last day in Khao Lak with a quiet morning spent at the resort.
- Drive back to Phuket Airport.
- THAI AIRWAYS flight to BKK (1h10) aboard a brand new A350-900.
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| Roadmap from Bang Sak to HKT |
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| THAI A359 |
- End of this trip -
