Phang Nga is often overlooked by tourists, who typically opt for organized tours that focus on Phang Nga Bay and neighboring Phuket. However, Phang Nga boasts a wealth of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. With careful planning, a 3-day, 2-night independent trip to Phang Nga promises an unforgettable experience.

To reach Phang Nga without a long car ride, you can fly to Phuket International Airport or Krabi Airport. For this trip, I chose to fly to Phuket and explore the Khao Lak area in Phang Nga's Kok Kloy district.

What are the attractions in Khao Lak? Let's go on a trip together.

The first point on the itinerary is the Khaopilai Wooden Bridge.

The Pi Lae wooden bridge is located in Kok Kloi sub-district. If you are coming from the Sairin Bridge, it takes less than 10 minutes by car to reach the bridge. The entrance to Pi Lae Beach will be on your left-hand side. If you are not careful, you might miss it. To be sure, set your GPS to "Pi Lae Wooden Bridge" and you won't get lost.

The Wooden Bridge of Pi Lae: A Transformation from Tin Ore Transportation to a Picturesque Tourist Destination

Originally, this wooden bridge served as a vital link for transporting tin ore from ships to the separation plant on the shore. However, with the depletion of tin ore reserves, the bridge lost its primary function. Yet, the wooden bridge of Pi Lae has found a new purpose, evolving into a popular photography spot for numerous photographers.

The image that introduced me to the bridge was a captivating twilight scene after sunset, exuding a serene and picturesque atmosphere. While I initially yearned to capture the bridge during the evening hours, time constraints led me to visit during the morning instead. Despite the change in timing, my expectations were far from disappointed.

The pristine beach stretched endlessly before my eyes, the azure sea adorned with white foamy waves crashing against the shore, their rhythmic roar a constant presence. Initially, I intended to spend a mere 10-15 minutes capturing the scene. However, upon setting foot on the soft sand, I realized that such a brief timeframe was insufficient to fully appreciate the ambiance of this remarkable location.

Near the wooden bridge of Pilay, fishermen can be seen catching "เคย", a high-quality ingredient for making shrimp paste. The 15 minutes I intended to spend here unknowingly turned into half an hour.

Continuing our journey to the next destination, the Khao Samet Nang Chi viewpoint, another place that is truly breathtaking when visited at the right time. The ideal time to visit Khao Samet Nang Chi is during the morning to witness the sunrise. However, due to time constraints, I had to visit in the afternoon instead.

Following my GPS for navigation, I found myself driving into a rubber plantation. The GPS signal was lost, forcing me to ask locals for directions. I couldn't help but think that if I had arrived earlier in the morning to catch the sunrise, I would have likely gotten lost.

Tourists will have to drive to the parking lot and then walk up to the top of the mountain, about 700 meters. 700 meters of flat ground would not be a problem for me, but this is 700 meters of steep incline, so I will need to use some help.

The ascent can be made using a hired vehicle for a fee of 60 baht per person, which covers both the ascent and descent. Additionally, a 30 baht site maintenance fee is required per person, bringing the total cost to 90 baht. However, for those who are physically able, the site maintenance fee is the only cost, at 30 baht.

The view from the top was breathtaking, even though it wasn't particularly spectacular. The towering mountains in front of me were like the protagonist in a play, while the surrounding hills, layered one upon another as far as the eye could see, played the supporting roles. This harmonious composition made the scene truly captivating.

The duration of your stay at the top is entirely up to you. You can soak in the atmosphere for as long as you like; there are no time constraints. When you're ready to leave, simply board the next available car. You only pay for the ride once, when you board the car, and you can disembark at any point.

There are hardly any shops in this area, so I'll have to postpone my lunch until later. To avoid wasting time looking for a restaurant along the way, I plan to have lunch at the next stop.

My next destination was a bamboo rafting activity at Khlong Lam Ruea Yai, also known locally as Khlong Wang Kiang Ku. For this bamboo rafting experience, I used the services of Komol Corner.

I have parked my car and contacted the raft company at this point. But before we go rafting, let's refuel. This place also offers food services. They have a la carte dishes and set menus available.

The point where I contacted about the bamboo raft will be the end point of the rafting trip. When you are ready to start rafting, a car will pick you up and take you to the starting point.

Before embarking on the raft, we were asked to sign a waiver in case of any unforeseen circumstances that might require an insurance claim. Although the water level wasn't particularly high during my visit, I opted to wear a life jacket for peace of mind.

During my visit, the water level was not too high, allowing the raft to drift leisurely. The water was clear and cool, and the air was filled with the chirping of crickets and cicadas. The lush greenery on both sides of the river was a feast for the eyes, and the occasional rapids provided a thrilling experience.

As we drifted along on the raft, I faintly heard a whimpering sound. I tried to locate the source, but to no avail. Moments later, the raftsman signaled, and with a resounding "thump," the source of the sound became clear. An uninvited four-legged guest leaped into the water and swiftly swam towards our raft, joining our group.

The water's depth determines its color. In deeper sections, the surface appears emerald green, while in shallower areas, the water is so clear that the rocks beneath are visible.

There are rest stops where you can play in the water.

The nearly 3-kilometer rafting journey took about an hour. I was immersed in the cool atmosphere, shaded by the large trees along the way. It was a great way to cleanse my lungs.

Upon disembarking from the raft, refreshments such as fruits and beverages are provided.

For those interested in bamboo rafting, please contact Komol Corner. Each raft can accommodate 2-3 people, depending on the size of the rafters. The price is 500 baht per raft. Rafting is available from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. For inquiries, please call 095-4101988.

To reach Komol Corner, look for Soi Namtok Wang Kieng Ku. The entrance to the soi is located between the Bangchak gas station and the Lam Kaen post office. Drive straight into the soi for approximately 2.5 kilometers. The road conditions are somewhat bumpy. Your destination will be on the right-hand side.

When asked if you get wet while rafting, the answer is not much (if you don't go swimming). The part that gets wet is the lower part of the body.

Can I bring a large camera to take pictures while rafting? The answer is yes, if the water level is not too high. I personally use a large camera to take pictures.

For those seeking a leisurely exploration of the Khao Lak area with a flexible schedule and limited time (1-2 hours), a bamboo raft ride along the Wang Kieng Canal offers an enticing option.

It's time to head straight to my accommodation. For the next two nights, I will be staying at Mai Khao Lak.

The concept of Mai Khao Lak is "Family Life," so it's no surprise that the resort prioritizes families and children.

The expansive area of Mai Khao Lak is divided into two zones: the original zone and the new zone. Due to its vastness, golf carts are available for transportation.

Lobby with an Open-Air Design

The lobby boasts an expansive open-air design, offering a spacious and airy atmosphere. However, my arrival coincided with the arrival of a large tour group from China, resulting in a significant wait for check-in.

My Deluxe Premium Suite is located in a building adjacent to the lobby. The ground floor houses the restaurant, while my room is on the upper floor.

Upon entering the room, the space is divided into three sections. The first section is the bathroom, with the shower on the left side and the wardrobe located within the shower area. It is recommended to draw the curtain for privacy when showering. The right side of the bathroom features a sink and toilet.

Next to the bathroom is a seating area with a large sofa, TV, refrigerator, and a large air conditioner.

The third section is the bedroom, which includes a small writing nook and an additional television. The bedroom has a door that leads to a balcony, where guests can enjoy the fresh air and scenic views. The hotel provides a set of chairs for guests to relax on the balcony.

The room is quite satisfactory, with well-defined sections and a relatively complete range of amenities.

The view from the balcony of the room overlooks the Villa type room behind the big tree, which is the Khao Lak Sea.

On the other side, you can see the building-type rooms like the one I stayed in, which should be the first zone built since the hotel was constructed.

However, the accommodations in this section are located right next to the swimming pool, which is quite large.

This zone appears to be newly constructed and features water play equipment, including a slider.

Evening atmosphere.

Green & Grill Restaurant

This evening, I am having dinner at the Talay Thai restaurant, which is located right on the beach. The Talay Thai restaurant serves Thai cuisine.

The restaurant offers both rice dishes and individual dishes. For dinner, I had stir-fried noodles with fresh shrimp and crab fried rice, both priced at 150 baht per dish. The portions were quite large.

We also ordered chicken satay as a snack, which cost 180 baht. The price was a bit steep.

Tonight, I will need to rest and recharge to prepare for tomorrow's diving trip.

A New Day Dawns: Diving and Exploring Moken Culture in the Surin Islands

The day began with a fresh start, as I embarked on a journey to explore the vibrant underwater world and immerse myself in the unique culture of the Moken people at the Surin Islands. Having opted for the services of LoveAndaman, I eagerly awaited their arrival at my hotel at 6:50 am. The morning demanded an early rise and a quick breakfast to ensure I was ready for the adventure ahead.

The Mangrove Restaurant is located on the ground floor of my accommodation building, right next to the elevator exit. The restaurant opens daily from 6:00 AM.

The dining room is quite spacious.

It also features a dedicated children's corner.

The food line is located in the center of the dining room.

The breakfast buffet was decent.

Rice porridge corner

Salad corner

Fruit corner

Bakery Corner

Overall, I found the food to be average.

Guests are welcome to enjoy their meals by the pool, especially during the pleasant mornings.

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Due to the vastness of Mai Khao Lak, the hotel has prepared multiple dining rooms to prevent guests from crowding into a single space. The Buffet dining room is one such space, specifically designated for guests staying in the new zone.

I had a rushed breakfast this morning, fearing I wouldn't be on time for the van pickup. While Love Andaman Pier offers snacks, I didn't want to take any chances and finished my breakfast at the hotel.

Located at a considerable distance from the main tourist hub and accommodation area in Khao Lak, Mai Khao Lak was the first stop for our minivan, which then proceeded to pick up other tourists along the way before arriving at Thap Lamu Pier.

Upon arrival at the port, please check in and register for travel insurance.

We then waited for the members to arrive. While we waited, we were served snacks.

The shop sells a variety of souvenirs and diving essentials, including diving suits, waterproof bags, and other interesting items.

Before boarding the boat, the guide will explain the day's itinerary, including the destinations and activities. Once everyone is ready, the journey will begin. However, before boarding, all visitors must leave their shoes at the pier.

If the sea is calm, it will take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to travel by boat each way. In the morning, I noticed that the sky was a bit cloudy, so I pretended to ask the guide if we would have clear skies when we arrived at the Surin Islands. The guide said that we probably would, because the day before it was very sunny. I felt relieved, but after the boat had been out for a while, it started to rain. Fortunately, it only rained for a short time, so the waves were not too high. I saw that some of the members on the boat were starting to feel seasick.

The journey to our first destination, Ao Bon Yai, took almost two hours. This stunning bay is home to the Moken village, a small community nestled amidst dense jungle overlooking emerald-green waters.

With only 20 minutes to explore the Moken village, I knew I had to make the most of every second. I quickly walked through the village, observing the daily life of the Moken people. The women, both young and old, sat under their houses selling souvenirs, while the men were mostly absent, likely out fishing or collecting sea cucumbers to sell.

The Moken people, a small ethnic group with a long history of living in harmony with the sea, originally roamed the Andaman Sea. Today, they have settled in the Ao Bon Bay. Notably, all Moken people share the same surname, "Glar Tarlay," which was bestowed upon them by the Queen Mother.

The rightmost boat is a "Kabaang" boat, a lifelong companion of the Moken people. It serves as both a fishing vessel and a dwelling. Uniquely, the "Kabaang" boat is constructed without the use of nails, showcasing the remarkable ingenuity of the Moken people.

The boat you see here is not a kabaang boat.

Women are responsible for making souvenirs to sell to tourists.

The majority of the items are wooden products, such as bracelets.

The children played tirelessly, oblivious to the passage of time.

It was time to move on. From the Moken village, we took a short boat ride to a spot where we could practice diving. As I don't know how to swim, a guide closely supervised me during the dive. They tried to take me to see beautiful coral reefs.

After some time snorkeling, it was time for lunch. This meal was a buffet provided by the park. I did not take any pictures to share, as there were many guests lining up to get their food.

Love Andaman will provide additional services such as fruit juices, snacks including sticky rice with custard, pumpkin cake, and small snacks.

After lunch, I had some time to spare, so I walked to the photo corner behind the park office. Let me tell you, the sand was white, the water was crystal clear, and the sky was perfect.

We then went diving at Nemo Paradise, where we saw a lot of clownfish. While we did see some clownfish at the first spot, it was only a few. At this spot, however, we saw many clownfish. Most of the clownfish were feeding around the sea anemones. However, I felt that the abundance of sea anemones at this spot was less than what I had seen while diving in the Chumphon area. There, the sea anemones were much more abundant, forming large clumps.

Our final stop was Pineapple Bay. I decided not to go diving here, assuming it would be similar to the previous spots. However, many of my fellow travelers who did dive there came back raving about its beauty and the incredible variety of fish they saw. Hearing that, I couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for not joining them.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the tour guides for their exceptional service. They diligently escorted me to all the locations with abundant fish and stunning coral reefs. They patiently assisted me in attempting to dive independently while closely monitoring my progress.

We concluded our diving trip at Pineapple Bay and then headed back to Thap Lamu Pier. The journey took about the same time as the trip there due to the considerable distance. As a result, our Surin Islands group was the last to arrive at the pier. Upon disembarking, we were treated to papaya salad, stir-fried noodles, and ice cream before departing. Unfortunately, the ice cream ran out before we could try it. I fondly remember the delicious ice cream from Love Andaman during my previous trip to Koh Mai Thon. It's important to note that Love Andaman does not provide towels, so tourists need to bring their own.

The van brought me back to my accommodation just before 6 pm, right as the sun was setting and the wind was calming down. I quickly showered and got ready to go out for dinner outside the hotel.

After showering, I searched for information about restaurants near Khao Lak. Every review recommended that I must eat at the "Kan Tong Su" restaurant. So I went there to try it.

The "People Must Fight" restaurant is located near Bang Sak Beach. I arrived at the restaurant around 7:30 pm, so I couldn't see the surrounding atmosphere.

Disappointed by the lack of seafood options at Rawai Beach the previous day, we decided to indulge in a seafood feast without restraint. We started with steamed razor clams, which were large, fresh, and had a sweet flavor. The accompanying dipping sauce was delicious. This dish cost 150 baht.

Next up was a plate of boiled cockles, with a mix of sizes. The large ones were enormous, while the small ones were about the size of a marble. The restaurant probably serves them based on the weight of the clams, as I don't remember if I ordered half a kilo or a whole kilo. The clams were very fresh, and this dish also cost 150 baht.

Salt-baked shrimp, a delicious dish, is a bit pricey at 450 baht.

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A large plate of grilled squid, enough for several people. This dish costs 250 baht.

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The meal concluded with a dish of deep-fried fish, a local variety whose name I cannot recall, weighing approximately 1 kilogram. The fish was perfectly crisp, coated in a savory sauce made with roasted chili paste and topped with cashew nuts. The flavor was predominantly sweet, thanks to the chili paste, and the dish was thoroughly enjoyable. This dish was completely devoured and cost 400 baht.

The review lived up to expectations. If you're staying near Khao Lak, give it a try. You might just fall in love with it like I did. The kitchen closes around 8:30 PM.

The next morning, I didn't have to rush like the day I traveled to the Surin Islands, so I had time to savor my breakfast.

Another must-visit spot when visiting Khao Klak is the Rainbow Waterfall.

Rainbow Waterfall, also known as Pak Wi Waterfall, is easily accessible from the main road. After driving through a rubber plantation for approximately 2 kilometers, you will reach the waterfall. The parking area is privately owned and charges a fee of 20 baht per vehicle.

From the parking lot, you can see a small stream flowing from Rainbow Waterfall. Walk across the bridge for about 150 meters and you will reach Rainbow Waterfall.

The trail is not challenging, it is flat and easy to walk. You will reach the destination before you get tired.

Besides Khao Lak, Phang Nga offers a variety of other intriguing tourist destinations. In Takua Pa district, for instance, you can explore the Little Amazon or travel back in time at the Takua Pa Old Market. If you're interested, you can check out my review for a glimpse of the atmosphere: https://th.readme.me/p/81

Phang Nga has much more to offer than just Phang Nga Bay. Plan a full trip to Phang Nga and discover its hidden gems.

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