HAD THONG LANG

Had Thong Lang or "Golden Deserted Beach" is exactly that. At present there is still no permanent settlers there, although recently a couple of huts have gone up, but are rarely inhabited. If you’re lucky enough to meet the irregular residents, they are very friendly and welcome visitors. It has a shallow coral bay with a coral reef that creates a beautiful lagoon in high tidal seasons, over the reef there is good snorkelling, but be careful not to damage the corals if you are going to cross the reef at low tide. It’s a great beach for a day visit if you’re looking for a bit of true desert island isolation.

It can be reached either by hiring a longtail boat from the nearby fishing village of Chaloklum, or by bike / taxi and a short walk. To access the beach on land, take the main (concrete) road from Mae Had to Chaloklum, about 300 metres up the road there is a left turn onto a dirt road with a small sign directing you to the beach. The dirt road is about 400 metes long and is fairly rough, especially during monsoon, but it can be negotiated on a moped if you’re used to one; stop at the top of the bay and walk down to the beach. Due to its Northerly location, neither sunset nor sunrise can be seen from this beach.