Thailand - Khao Lak [Andaman Coast] area
 

Just come across this...

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTo...vince.html#764

...so might be worth checking the situation out if you plan on booking accommodation along the Andaman coast.

Personally I think the area [plus Phuket] is overrated, over-touristed, and expensive, and not a true representation of Thailand.

Another...

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTo..._Province.html

Not sure whether this may have something to do with safety restrictions following the 2004 tsunami. A law was brought in after that supposedly preventing development wishing a certain distance of the coast - obviously it was ignored and the bribes were big enough to allow development to take place.

We were in KL the boxing day before the tsunami, staying at hut on the beach outside of town - visited last year and it was no longer there.

We didn't find KL the alluring laid back place it once was ( but where is??). Pleasant enough beaches but there are better in Thailand and the food had taken a turn towards the tourist bland.think it is on its way to becoming another overdeveloped Thai resort town.

Plenty of people love it though. Each to their own..

LL, stir the pot

Never been to Khao Lak. Looks nice but I would go low season as prices drop a lot. Phuket is now grossly overpriced and way too busy. The west coast from Krabi to Trang is very good though.

I'm interested in doing Khao Luang NP and Khanom in NST. Maybe next time.

Packngo [like the name]. When we went to Khao Lak, we stayed for a week in the main township called Bang La On.

The place we stayed was Walkers Inn, which if you're on a budget is well recommended...

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUs..._Province.html

Paid 600 baht a night for a big double ensuite with a balcony. Breakfast was extra but well worth it. And the restaurant menu is extensive and v.good vfm.

Andy, and ex-miner from Castleford who runs the place with his Thai family is a gem.

The other township a couple of miles further north is called Bang Niang, which is alright, but we prefer Banng La On, although it does have an excellent thrice weekly night market with lots of places to eat. The market had a fire v.recently so not sure if it's still working to capacity.