- Ko Similan or Ko Paet Is the largest island in this group of islands. It has a distinctive horseshoe-shaped bay. The average depth of the water is 60 feet. Underwater is full of rock formations and coral reefs in several shapes and forms such as deer, leaf, brain, and mushroom. The latter one is the most unspoiled coral found in the country. Its soft sandy beach is very beautiful and diving around here will let you see a lot of fishes and coral. To the north, lies a striking large rock formation with astonishing shapes such as boot and Donald Ducks head. The upper part of the beach is an ideal lookout point with a rock of a sailing boat shape.

Surin Island Day trip - Mu Ko Surin National Park is an archipelago in the Andaman Sea located approximately 70 kilometres off the western shore. It is next to the Thailand – Myanmar border, covering a total area of approximately 84,375 rai out of which about 20,594 rai is an on land area. The Park comprises 5 major islands; namely, Ko Surin Nuea, Ko Surin Tai, Ko Khai (Ko Torinla), Ko Klang (Ko Pachumba), and Ko Ri (Ko Satok). It was proclaimed a national park on 9 July, 1981, and includes islands with beautiful coral reefs in the shallows and various schools of fish of different colours. It offers ideal spots for snorkelling to admire coral reefs in the shallows, especially at Ko Torinla and Ko Pachumba. An ideal spot for scuba diving is the Richeliu Rock, 10 kilometres to the southwest of Ko Surin. This is a site of fertile undersea nature, habitat of various kinds of fish, colourful corals, and where whale shark, the kind Giant of the Sea, is frequently encountered. The most suitable period for a visit is between November and April whereas from May to October is the period of monsoons when there are heavy rainfalls and windy wavy sea.

...

Read more...

Khao Lak Seaside is located 32 kilometres from Amphoe Takua Pa and offers another popular seaside attraction. There is a wide sandy beach with rocks of different sizes. The atmosphere is relaxing and suitable for swimming. It is a nice place to admire the setting sun. It is also a location of many hotels and resorts with designs of accommodation and landscapes that blend harmoniously with the seaside ambience: serene and shady with pine trees and coconut groves on the beach. Its intact nature is gaining popularity among Thai as well as foreign visitors. Opposite the entrance to the Park is situated Chaopho Khao Lak Shrine which is much revered by villagers. Explore underwater

- Ko Similan or Ko Paet is the largest island in this group of islands. It has a distinctive horseshoe-shaped bay. The average depth of the water is 60 feet. Underwater is full of rock formations and coral reefs in several shapes and forms such as deer, leaf, brain, and mushroom. The latter one is the most unspoiled coral found in the country. Its soft sandy beach is very beautiful and diving around here will let you see a lot of fishes and coral. To the north, lies a striking large rock formation with astonishing shapes such as boot and Donald Ducks head. The upper part of the beach is an ideal lookout point with a rock of a sailing boat shape.

Surin Island Day trip - Mu Ko Surin National Park is an archipelago in the Andaman Sea located approximately 70 kilometres off the western shore. It is next to the Thailand – Myanmar border, covering a total area of approximately 84,375 rai out of which about 20,594 rai is an on land area. The Park comprises 5 major islands; namely, Ko Surin Nuea, Ko Surin Tai, Ko Khai (Ko Torinla), Ko Klang (Ko Pachumba), and Ko Ri (Ko Satok). It was proclaimed a national park on 9 July, 1981, and includes islands with beautiful coral reefs in the shallows and various schools of fish of different colours. It offers ideal spots for snorkelling to admire coral reefs in the shallows, especially at Ko Torinla and Ko Pachumba. An ideal spot for scuba diving is the Richeliu Rock, 10 kilometres to the southwest of Ko Surin. This is a site of fertile undersea nature, habitat of various kinds of fish, colourful corals, and where whale shark, the kind Giant of the Sea, is frequently encountered. The most suitable period for a visit is between November and April whereas from May to October is the period of monsoons when there are heavy rainfalls and windy wavy sea.

Read more...

More @ www.myhotelvideo.com Location: The resort is situated right by the sandy beach within a short distance of various tourist attractions, eg national parks, a golf course and the waterfalls in Phang Nga, Thap Lamu, as well as the main pier for boats to the Sililan Islands (the Marine National Parks), which are one of the world’s most reputable and protected diving destinations in Thailand. It is only 3 km to the centre of Khao Lak and thenearest links to the public transport network are only 200 m from the hotel. It is only 50 minutes away from Phuket International Airport. Facilities: This deluxe resort is surrounded by forest and tranquil beaches. This beach resort comprises a total of 200 rooms and facilities on offer to guests include a lobby area with a 24-hour reception and check-out service, a hotel safe and a currency exchange facility. There is a café, a hairdressing salon, a bar, a restaurant, conference facilities and WLAN/Internet access (for an additional fee). Guests may also take advantage of the room and laundry services (charges apply to both) and there is parking for those arriving by car. The younger guests will enjoy the children’s playground. Rooms: All the spacious rooms are beautifully furnished and decorated, with views of the lush green landscape. They all come with a private bathroom with a shower/bathtub as well as a hairdryer, a direct dial telephone, satellite/cable TV and a minibar. They are equipped with tea and coffee making facilities …

Source: myHotelVideo.com presents Khao Lak Merlin Resort in Khao Lak ...

Situated in Phang-Nga Province, Khao Lak is just an hour’s drive from Phuket. Sadly, this area was one of the worst hit spots of the 2004 tsunami, where its been estimated up to 10,000 locals and tourists died here. Almost all of the beachfront properties (and a large majority inland) were either completely flattened or partially destroyed. With the help of volunteers and aid groups, the community has slowly been rebuilding. Khao Lak has three main beaches. Khao Lak Beach, to the south, is more isolated and seems to cater more to the backpacker crowd (although there are some mid-priced options). Nang Thong Beach is the most popular with package holiday tourists and can get quite busy (it’s still beautiful though and no where near as crowded as most beaches in Phuket). Bang Niang Beach, to the north, largely consists of luxury resorts or mid-range hotels (although there are a few budget options as well). We stayed in Bang Niang, at the Ramada (a mid-priced option), during the December 08 Bangkok protests, and were able to get a room at more than half the price. The hotel itself was, in my opinion, way overpriced and pretentious – I would not recommend staying here – there are far cheaper options. Bang Niang, however, was stunning, relaxing and quiet. Walking north of Bang Niang Beach, past a river crossing, is the unspoilt Khuk Khak Beach. Nearly three kilometers long, and with only one or two small properties on the beachfront, this feels more like a deserted island. The only sign of life are the locals looking for sand crabs on the beach, or the occasional person passing by on a walk.

Source: Garlands and Geishas: Escape to Khao Lak, on the Andaman Coast

Khao Lak lies in the Takuapa district of Phang-nga Province, a seaside province with an extraordinary view, both on shore and underwater. Khao Lak is located about 50 kilometres north of Phuket Island on the mainland. It is an area, where the lowlands, that extend behind the coast, disappear and the rain forest covered mountains are reaching the sea shore. Khao Lak is becoming increasingly popular with overseas visitors who accepted that Khao Lak actually became the heaven for relaxation. The combination of long stretches of unspoiled beach, crystal clear blue sea and virgin mountain wilderness make this area particularly attractive to tourists looking for a peaceful vacation in the Land of Smiles. However, the most impressive activity to partake in whilst in Khao Lak is undoubtedly a trip to the Similan Islands or the Surin Islands for some snorkeling, diving and island trekking. Check out Khao Lak Hotels for the best hotel pricing.

Khao Lak – Similan Islands

Some people suggest November to February as the best time to come – when Khao Lak is its busiest. If you are a people watcher, it is also a fun time to just sip a beer and watch people walk by. Only an hour away by car from Phuket International Airport, Khao Lak is renowned for its tranquil surroundings and unspoilt tropical beaches the perfect ingredients for a holiday in paradise. Khao Lak is a tiny blip on the radar screen as you drive from Phuket Town north towards Takuapa . Restaurants dot the single main road through town and tend towards the casual , open-air kind of place with a wide-ranging menu covering all the standard foreigner favourites , classic Thai stir-fry dishes and plenty of fresh seafood .

Khao Lak is surrounded by rice fields and rubber, palm and coconut plantations. The interior is covered in magnificent...

Read more...