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DAY 1: PHUKET - KHAO SOK NATIONAL PARK
(175 kms.)
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. |
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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. |
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