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Khao Lak Update from November 18th, 2006.Khao Lak Report:Warning! This is a big page with lots of photos - so be patient for the photos to load (please). I did a fast day trip up to Khao Lak to try to answer
many of the questions posed members of this board about the general area and
how things are progressing. Khao Lak Beach: People have asked about beach restaurants in the area of the Khao Lak Merlin and JO SEAFOOD is up and running in their remodeled facilities. Find them on the north end of Khao Lak Beach – just past the guard tower – go across the small bridge and you can’t miss it. The restaurant at the small resort just before JO is open also. Nang Thong Beach: The southern Nang Thong Beach area has changed a lot in the six weeks since I was last there – amazing! Most of the construction is finished (there is still some going on though – primarily a small hotel section for the Nang Thong Bay Resort). The BAAN KHAO LAK – I am delighted to say – is up and running! All the bungalows are open right now and the hotel section is to open next week. The owners reported that 71 guests were staying there. The buildings and the grounds look GREAT! The main restaurant there has been moved behind the lobby area – but there is still a small bar restaurant right on the beach front where the original was. There will also, shortly, be seating on the ROOF of the beach bar/restaurant – great views! People are still working on the grounds a bit – and the entry-way to the resort is not yet finished, but really – it looks great and is ready to go. Checking out this old favorite was the highlight of the trip!
The SUWAN PALM is 98% finished with some rebuilding in one of the commercial buildings in front – but the hotel itself is complete and a large grass area has been installed between the restaurant and the beach.
BUDGET RENT-A-CAR: The travel agency that works as an agent for Budget Rent-a-Car has now re-opened (PCCADVENTURE at pccadventure@hotmail.com). The shop is located midway on the road that connects Nang Thong Beach with the main road. Photo of his shop is on the update page. You can’t miss it really.
The north end of Nang Thong Beach is still all abuzz with construction. Bang Niang Beach: Still LOTS of construction – but really moving a long. AYARA VILLAS: Yes the pool is complete – see the photos. It is a smallish pool but very attractive and nicely designed. Not just your standard square box.
RAMADA PALM ANDAMAN BEACH RESORT: I couldn’t believe the progress they have made on this resort – it has to be Ramada management! I don’t recall their exact opening date – but it certainly looks like they only need a couple months to be up and running.
GECKO’s SPORTS BAR: Obviously open for business – as I peeked through the windows. What’s a thirsty man to do at 2:30 in the afternoon when things are closed . . .? Nice looking place – I was hoping for a cold brew and a deli sandwich – but no luck! So it was off to Jai’s for Garlic Fried Rice and a beer.
As reported earlier the Viking next door to GECKO’s is gone. Cape Pakarang: The PALM GALLERIA (PG) out on the cape is looking quite nice. Someone has asked about restaurants in the immediate area – so they wouldn’t have to always eat at the resort restaurants. Just 100 meters from the resort – with great views of the sea – sits a nice little Thai restaurant called the KEANG LAY. Just what the doctor ordered! Heading back towards the main road there is another small Thai restaurant about 900 meters from the PG – and another 100 meters brings you to the restaurant at a small Thai bungalow resort called the PAKARANG BUNGALOW. So . . . there is some choice in the area.
A Final Note There was optimism everywhere and a buzz of excitement
about the coming season. A big vanload of former “Khao Lak Lovers” had come
to see the Baan Khao Lak – they were staying in Patong (of all places!). We
can guess they will be back in Khao Lak next year!
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