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Two
marine parks and a large waterfall provide diversions on the
fast road to the pristine jungle of Khao Sok National Park.
Before
leaving Phuket Island take the old road (west turn) to drop
by the Sirinath National Park Headquarters on Mai Kao beach
before crossing on the old Sarasin bridge and rejoining H402.
You may turn east and plan your own short tour to Phang
Nga and Krabi as an alternative to our tours which continue
north along the west coast on H4.
H4 is a fast main route to the district town (amphoe)
of Thai Muang (administritive district towns have government
offices, secondary schools and a hospital). Where H4 turns sharply
right at the the northern end of town, the road straight ahead
leads to Hat Thai Muang (hat means beach) adn Khao Lam Pi National
Park (4 kms. Bungalow accommodation is available), passing the
entrance to the Thai Muang Golf and Marina complex on the way.
The
park area contains tropical evergreen, mangrove, beach and swamp
forest. The long, empty beach is conserved for rare nesting
turtles (Nov - April). The park area includes the Khao Lam Pi
Waterfall 10 kms. north of Thai Muang on H4 (right turn on narrow
sealed road 2 kms.). The natural pools refresh in the cooler
jungle.
Further
north the road narrows and winds its way around the headland
(KM. 55 - 58) that is part of the Khao Lak - Lam Ru National
Park. Drop into the park HQ for information, bungalows and a
pleasant balcony restaurant. A second restaurant one kilometre
north overlooks Khao Lak Beach, where there are several comfortable
bungalow resorts.
Khao Lak Beach is the best place to stay for visitors
seeking a good level of comfort near Takua Pa and Khao Sok.
Guest houses at Khao Sok National Park are rustic by comparison,
and many close in the rainy season.
Overview
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