Khao Lak

Major cards are accepted in almost all big restaurants, bars and hotels. Small hotels would prefer cash or credit cards over debit cards. Check before you order. Carry a sufficient amount of the Thai Baht with you as local market vendors may not accept other currencies.

Bang La On, which is the main township in the area has a number of money exchange service providers. Private exchange places may be open on Sundays but most banks remain closed. Check with yout hotel before you decide to relax and get your money exchanged 'later'.

A minimum of 1500 THB, like any other city in Thailand is a must for Khao Lak. Food and getting around are inexpensive if you take buses or walk. Markets in Khao Lak are inexpensive too. The major expenditure on this trip is going to be on your accomodation.

The major religion of Khao Lak is Buddhism

Khao Lak is more family friendly than other places in Thailand. Conventional practices like putting your hands together while greeting people is expected and accepted everywhere. Normal Thai customs like not touching anyone on the head and not pointing your feet towards anyone are followed here too.

Thai is spoken among the locals in Khao Lak. English is spoken by the employees of big hotels and resorts. You may find rudimentary english being spoken by street side vendors but never forget to carry a dictionary with you when anywhere in Thailand.

What is not a tourist destination was once just a string of villages on the west coast of Thailand. Khao Lak had long been popular with traders and merchants but slowly startes gaining popularity with the tourist crowd as well. The tsunami of 2004 was the most devastating incident for Khao Lak but it is once which Khao lak emerged from quite unscathed too. Rebuilding its infrastructure and tourist base again as it did, Khao Lak became one of the most popular destination for those looking to get away from the hullabaloo of major Thai cities.

Khao Lak isn't a place necessarily known for its booming party scene. It is more famous for its quiet ambience and family friendly atmosphere where people can relax in peace. There might be a few nightclubs at best here. Head over to other booming places in Thailand if you're expecting a club extravaganza. Khao Lak does have a few bars, one of the best ones being the Happy Snapper.

You won't find a row of shopping malls in Khao Lak like other cities but you will definitely find small shops which sell souvenirs and trinkets for the curious tourist. Visit the Bang Niang Night Market for a lazy stroll to see what local vendors have to offer. Carry your haggling skills with you as prices might be quoted more than needed.

The best time to visit Khao Lak is from November to February during the dry season. The island sees two seasons namely dry that overlaps with the summer season (November to April) and wet (May to October). Visitors often vacation in the dry months, also owing to the city’s celebration of Christmas and New Years, which makes these months relatively more expensive and crowded.

Two of the most popular activities during the dry season is snorkelling and diving. Tourists are most likely to experience some rainy days at the beginning and end of the dry season while the wet season is often sunny and warm.

Humidity in this island can rise in the wet months, with an average annual humidity if 82%. The warmest month of the year is February at an average temperature of 29 ℃, and January is the coldest at 28 ℃. October stands as the wettest month of the year, with an average precipitation of 352mm.

On the other hand, water sports are entirely shut down during the wet season; however, tourists can explore the wildlife and natural beauty of the region. An added advantage of the wet season is a massive slash in accommodation and travel expenses.
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Basic meals in Thai are served with hot, steaming rice. A majority of curries are based on seafood and some may include chicken or pork depending on availability. Meals are always light and freshly cooked. Street stalls are the best way to sample what Khao Lak has to offer with food being prepared fresh in front of your eyes.
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Khao Lak is accessible by road from other major destinations in Thailand. Being a string of villages it is not directly accessible by flight.
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The top things to do in Khao lak are Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park, Surin Islands, Similan Islands, Diving in Khao Lak, Nang Thong Beach, Snorkelling in Khao Lak. You can see all the places to visit in Khao lak here

The top places near to Khao lak are Phuket which is 84 km from Khao lak, Krabi which is located 99 km from Khao lak, Phi phi islands which is located 119 km from Khao lak, Surat thani which is located 126 km from Khao lak, Koh samui which is located 212 km from Khao lak