The Khao Lak region in Thailand offers still untouched white sand, clear and warm water and no beach vendors or Jet Skis in sight.

Khao Lak Beach, Thailand - Sometimes you find a spot in the world so untouched, you don't want to tell anyone about it hoping it will remain undiscovered by hotel developers and hordes of tourists alike.

But you know this natural wonder of Khao Lak Beach in Thailand will soon likely be chocked with hotels and resorts and all amenities. If the Khao Lak region in Thailand's Phang-Nga province follows in the footsteps of the once so idyllic, but now tourist trampled, islands of Koh Samui or Phuket and Ko Samui, then in a some years time it will be a look alike.

All the more reason to savor my aloneness. Below the deck of our hillside bungalow, nestled in the rainforest of Thailand with white sand stretching out as far as I can see along Khao Lak beach.

Strolling Pakweeb Beach, the bathtub warm Andaman Sea washing over my toes, I pass a thatched Thai beach restaurant at the edge of the palms. Like our resort, it is constructed only of local materials and blends so naturally into its surroundings of Khao Lak, you almost don't see it is here. There are no other resorts, hotels, beach vendors or Jet Skis to be seen.

That's why we've chosen the Similana Resort, 12 kilometers north of Khao Lak, a happening, but not yet overrun, resort centre. In case swimming and lazy beach gazing begin to bore, there is so much to do in the surrounding virgin mountain wilderness of Thailand's rainforest and around the long stretches of unspoiled beaches and nearby islands of Khao Lak in Thailand.

Just inland from Khao Lak Beach is the 150 sq kilometer Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park, at least partly responsible for saving this area from overdevelopment.

A nature walk through the verdant wilderness reveals rare and endangered animals and many species of Thailand's flora and fauna, further on is the Chao Pho Khao Lak Shrine and several refreshing waterfalls hidden in the forests.

Another national park, Khao Sok, to the northeast of Khao Lak, makes a beautiful day or overnight trip. It is blanketed by the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world and punctuated by deep valleys and limestone mountains shooting straight up. Day trips typically feature an elephant trek in the Thai jungle, canoeing on the Sok River and swimming under a waterfall. Trekking, mountain biking and Jeep safaris are other possibilities.

Not so far from Khao Lak beach is the port where dive boats depart for one of the 9 small Similan islands, a Thai National Marine Park ranked as one of the world's top-10 dive sites.

Further north is Surin National Marine Park. This 5-island archipelago also features excellent diving and snorkeling. live aboard diving trips to these plus other islands in the Khao Lak region are also possible.

Closer to our base of Pakweeb Beach lays the Chong Fah waterfall only 5 kilometers off National Route 4, the main highway of the region. The waterfall cascade flows the whole year and it's nice and cool under the shade of the surrounding trees.

Day trips, from here, are possible to some of Thailand's most popular southern attractions, such as: day trips and sightseeing in Krabi & Ao Nang Beach; visiting the famous James Bond Island, Pan Yee Island's fishing village and the Suwan Kuha cave temple; exploring the limestone caves around Phang-Nga Bay by canoe; relaxing on Phuket and Patong Beach; elephant trekking and bamboo rafting in Khao Lak Park; canoeing in a mangrove forest; or speed boating to Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Lay. Golfers can swing their clubs at the Royal Navy and Thai Muang courses, fishers can dangle rods in a Thai mangrove forest or head out for some deep sea fishing, and lastly, shoppers will delight in day and night markets in around Takuapa and the many shopping malls in Phuket.

Yes, really plenty to do when in Khao Lak beach or just enjoy and relax with nothing to do in peaceful Khao Lak.

Getting to Khao Lak:
The closest airport is Phuket International.
The province of Phang-Nga, where Khao Lak is located, is north of the island of Phuket.
You can fly to Khao Lak with Bangkok Airways, or Thai Airways
Bangkok Airways Website at: http://bangkok air.com
Thai Airways Website at: http://www.thaiairways.com

Similana Resort is another 12 km north, and about 80 min. drive.
Most hotels provide airport pickup for a small fee.
You can also hire a taxi or a rental car for Khao Lak.

By bus from Bangkok, the journey takes 12 hours.

Accommodation
Similana Resort has 35 tree houses in the rainforest
and 12 hillside bungalows facing the sea
Hotel rooms and a double duplex are also available.
Prices range from 2,000 to 3,800 baht (July 2003) per night,
including breakfast, in high season.
Similana Resort Website at: http://www.similanaresort.com

More Info:
Smiling Albino - adventure holidays
Tourism Authority of Thailand in Phuket and Khao Lak