Why Phang Nga is the Perfect Excursion From Phuket

An easy day-trip from Mai Khao Beach, Phang Nga is an authentic, colorful microcosm of Southern Thailand. Whether you eat your way through Khok Kloi Market, soak in local culture as you sun yourself on Khao Lak Beach, or simply enjoy the view from Samet Nangshe Lookout, another world waits just over the Sarasin Bridge.

Taste the Flavors of Khok Kloi

Khok Kloi Market is located just over 10 miles away from Mai Khao, but the culinary diversity you find there is worth the trip. Some of the foods are explicitly Southern Thai, from khao mok gai (Thai-style chicken biryani), to moo hong (pork belly stew in a brown sauce perfumed by cinnamon and star anise).

Classic Thai cuisine is on offer as well. Enjoy a sweet treat by purchasing gluay tod (fried bananas) or pa tong go (fried breadsticks), both of which are better with condensed milk served in small cups for just a few Thai baht. Another indispensable shot of sweetness? Cha yen, the Thai name for orange, creamy Thai iced tea.

Hit the Local-Favorite Beach in Khao Lak

Phuket has some of the best beaches in the world, but there's something special about the ones in Phang Nga's Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park. The beaches here boast as many pines as there are palms and plenty of rocky pools you can explore at low tide.

Copyright of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)

This is also a place where you can see fishermen trying their luck or practice your photography skills with colorful long-tail boats, whether they're moored or heading out to sea. Stay until sunset if you can, as it's just one hour back to Mai Khao.

Tip: Khao Lak is the most popular departure point for boat tours to the protected Similan Islands, if you're considering such a trip. Ask your Concierge for recommendations.

Savor the Sunrise at Samet Nangshe

Distance-wise, Samet Nangshe is a bit more of a trek than Khok Kloi, and a bit less of one than Khao Lak, as it's situated just 20 miles from Mai Khao. The experience, however, is far more dramatic. Once you reach the lookout, you have a postcard-perfect view of the islands of Phang Nga Bay.

While the best time to come here is sunrise, the view is beautiful 24 hours a day. It's best if you can stay a while, whether at one of the many cafes atop the lookout, or by continuing by boat to the islands (the most famous of which is Koh Khao Phing Kan, or James Bond Island, as it was featured in the 1974 movie, The Man with the Golden Gun.)

Copyright of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)

Will You Answer Phang Nga's Call?

Phang Nga is just a short drive from Phuket, but it feels like another world — in the best way possible. Making the decision to explore the province is easy. What's harder is choosing just one (or two) things to occupy your time. The only thing more delicious than Thai-style chicken biryani served steaming hot at Khok Kloi Market, after all, is the panoramic view from Samet Nangshe Lookout.

Where to Stay:

There is a reason Phuket, Thailand, is a bucket-list destination for vacationers around the world. Experience the legendary beaches and picturesque landscapes with your choice of two amazing Marriott Vacation Club^® resorts. Marriott’s Phuket Beach Club features gorgeous views of the surrounding water, lush greenery, and a variety of delicious restaurants. There’s also Marriott’s Mai Khao Beach – Phuket. The resort’s pools are surrounded by natural greenery with a location near the island’s cultural hotspots.