Re-discovering Thailand's hidden treasure

Sapphire-blue ocean awaits in Khao Lak, Similan Islands

By Yun Suh-young

KHAO LAK, Thailand ― Khao Lak, a coastal region 83 kilometers north from Phuket International Airport, is bravely recovering from its scarred past.

The Khao Lak region, boasting of its sapphire-blue beaches, stretches 20 kilometers along the Andaman Sea coastline.

The beautiful scenery caught from any angle along the coastline, however, has a heartbreaking past.

It was the hardest-hit region in Thailand when the tsunami hit in 2004 and killed over 4,000 people and left thousands injured. Aside of locals, many of the deceased were Europeans and Scandinavians as the region has been and still is their favorite holiday destination.

View of the waters at Island 8 of the Similan Islands

Nearly a decade after the painful memory, the region seems to have fully recovered, drawing more tourists into the region than in the past.

Its rebound began around 2005 when hotels and other businesses began resuming operation. The tourism industry gradually started to pick up activity. In 2006, the region hosted 1 million travelers, but the numbers jumped to 1.1 million in 2007 and 1.3 million in 2008.

After the tsunami, regional authorities have strengthened the alert system. With an early-warning system applied to the coastline, they say the region is safer than ever before.

Of course, Khao Lak’s most important tourist magnet is its irresistible beaches and tranquil resorts.

The clear blue beaches are its source of pride and the quiet, secluded coastal resorts with relatively un-crowded beaches are perfect for family vacationers.

Its great natural environment with rainforests, mountains and jungles are also a source of attraction for nature-lovers.

Tourists ride on the elephant as part of the elephant trekking program at the Khao Lak National Park

Similan Islands

One of the biggest attractions of Khao Lak is the Similan Islands, a sought-after destination for snorkeling and scuba diving enthusiasts. It is known as one of the world’s top 10 diving destinations as voted by the Skin Diver Magazine.

There are nine islands grouped as the Similan Islands as the name ``similan’’ means ``nine.’’

The archipelago is situated 64 kilometers off the west coast of Khao Lak and set in the Andaman Sea. It opens only six months a year from November through April to preserve its environment from human pollution as it is part of a national park.

The Similan Islands is an hour and 20 minutes away from Thaplamu Pier in Khao Lak by speed boat.

The tour lasts about six hours for a round trip and includes visits to three islands chosen that day depending on the weather and sea conditions.

Tourists wave their hands while riding a raft at the whitewater rafting center at Phang Nga Ton Pariwat / Korea Times photos by Yun Suh-young

Snorkeling is possible at most of the islands. At a good snorkeling point, the visibility reaches down to 30 meters and divers can see all types of marine creatures from corals to small sharks.

But getting there may be uneasy for those who don’t like the wet experience of long boat rides. Those prone to seasickness should take the pills available at the pier.

Also, because the tour is all about snorkeling, there’s no point in bringing ordinary clothes on board. Just wear swim suits and bring a waterproof jacket and a beach towel for the boat ride as it is cold when riding the boat. Buy a waterproof cellphone case cover if you want to take pictures underwater but make sure it works beforehand.

The weather is unpredictable, be prepared for strong storms. But all this may not suit those who think moving around in wet swimming suits barefoot off and on the boat is cumbersome because they will also have to eat lunch outdoors in their wet swimsuits as well.

Those willing to compromise the inconvenience, go for it. Turquoise water and white sand beaches are worth the experience.

Abundant outdoor activities

The Khao Lak region, relatively less known to tourists than other regions in Thailand, is a great destination for outdoor activities in the wild.

The unsullied natural environment provides an arena for rafting and trekking.

Some of the most popular activities among tourists there are white water rafting, bamboo rafting and elephant trekking. There are several national parks that offer the programs.

The white water rafting center in Phang Nga Ton Pariwat offers the activity only twice a day at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. due to the water supply. The center opens the reservoir at the starting point of the river so that the tourists can enjoy rafting a faster water current.

The ride lasts about 40 to 45 minutes and up to an hour if the water current is less speedy. Up to six people can ride the boat which is steered by two oarsmen who will mischievously bump into rocks and other boats just to scare their passengers.

Those participating in the activity must prepare for a bumpy ride and wear swim suits underneath their clothing as it will get them soaked from head to toe.

For those who would rather glide through the river slowly enjoying the scenery and not get wet, bamboo rafting is an alternative.

Then there’s the elephant ride, another type of enjoyable outdoor activity that must be experienced before leaving Khao Lak.

The elephant trekking program is offered at several elephant camps in Khao Lak including the Khao Lak National Park.

Most of the elephant rides last an hour for a round trip. On a two-person carriage on top of the elephant, passengers can marvel at the green they’re walking through. On a bright and sunny day, the serene and breezy trekking path reminds us of a scene from a Paolo Coelho novel.

But the ride is definitely not speedy as the elephants will walk at their own pace and sometimes stop for excretion. For the Sai Rung Elephant Trekking program, the return point is the Sai Rung Waterfall where the elephants will stop for a drink and a shower and visitors can take a rest near the waterfall.

More on Khao Lak in the second article to follow next Friday.