Koh Chang Nisa Cabana is the newest boutique resort at Koh Chang located on the south coast Bangbao. The resort is located on a wonderful hillside view of Bangbao Beach, a few minutes to Bangbao Fisherman Village and just 30 Minutes form Sapparot ferry pier.
Koh Chang Bang Bao Sea Hut is a new resort offering a unique holiday experience in beautiful Bang Bao Bay. Our luxurious wood-finished bungalows sit elegantly on a private pier over the water at the end of Bang Bao pier and combine stunning views with the amazing sensation of living over the sea itself. Come and let us give you a holiday that you will never forget.
Koh Chang Paradise Resort & Spa is nestled on Klong Prao Beach along coconut palms and lush tropical vegetation. The resort features a variety of excellent and affordable accommodation, large swimming pool and superb service.
Koh Chang Privilege Resort and Restaurant is located right on Haad Sai Kao Beach on Koh Chang Island. It offers travelers to Koh Chang a comfortable and cosy setting for their holiday on the island.
Keereeta is created from a melange of contempory asian architecture which inspirse comfort and relaxation. You can also take peasure in our herbal steam room.
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We invite you to experience the atmosphere of Keereeta Resort that will leave a lasting impression on you.
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The Similans are a group of nine small islands, with National Park status ( Mu Ko Similan National Marine Park ) under the care of the Royal Forestry Department, in the Andaman Sea some 40 km west of Khao Lak. They are renowned the world over for their natural beauty and incredible underwater sightseeing vistas at depths from two to thirty five meters.
Besides being blessed with some of the most picturesque white powdery sandy beaches one could ever imagine, with lush scenic flora inland, extremely huge smooth granite boulders have been seemingly carelessly scattered around in the course of evolution to create a truly stunning scene. These same smooth formations cacsade and plunge into the azure clear warm waters to form seamounts, rock reefs and dive-throughs, and the Islands’ reputation as a world-class dive site is well deserved.
Inland the islands are essentially relatively low lying formations with some thick forest, sheltering the Nicobar pigeon, the hairy-legged mountain land crab, crab-eating monkeys, dusky langurs, bats, lizards and squirrels.
The word ‘Similan’ is derived from the Malay word sembilan meaning nine. Each island has both a name and a number. The Thais sometimes refer to them as Ko Kao (or Nine Islands).
Counting in order from the north, they are: Ko Ba-Ngu (No. 9), Ko Similan (No. 8), Ko Payu (No. 7), Ko Miang Sam (No. 6), Ko Miang Song (No. 5), Ko Miang (No. 4), Ko Payan (No. 3), Ko Payang (No. 2) and Ko Hu Yong (No. 1).
Ko Similan is the largest island and is horseshoe shaped, partly encircling a small bay in the west. It has wonderful underwater scenery and relatively shallow water depth.
Ko Similan is good for hiking, and exhibits the largest granite outcrop in the Similan archipelago; this distinctive formation offers sweeping views from the top.
Ko Miang is the second largest island and the location of the Park HQ. It has beautiful beaches and colourful coral reefs. Princess Chulabhorn, the youngest daughter of HM King Bhumipol Adulyadej and HM Queen Sirikit, has a Palace on Ko Miang.
Ko Hu Yong is well known for its long stretch of white sandy beach, where sea turtles lay their eggs.
Ko Ba-Ngu is sometimes referred to as Skull Island due it’s skull-like appearance from a certain vantage point. It is renowned for its breathtaking underwater beauty on a multi-tired seabed.
There are at least twenty credited dive sites associated with the Similan chain.
The Similan Islands exhibit the greatest variety and sheer numbers of reef fish in Thailand and exhibit at least 200 species of hard coral. They provide a great deal of diversity for the diver. In particular there is a general marked underwater contrast between the western and eastern sides of the islands. The currents to the West have kept the huge, soft coral clad, granite boulders exposed, and free of sand, resulting in dramatic formations, peaks, canyons and overhangs to depths of 30m. These are quite exhilarating dives, and, for some, a guide is recommended to navigate the fan clad passages. On the Eastern coasts the boulders have been mainly buried as the fine sandy beaches slope down to reveal hard coral gardens.
The usual departure point for the Islands is from Thap Lamu pier, which is 10 km from Khao Lak. Proceed south on route 4 and take a right turn into the A4147 road, opposite Wat Lak Kan. Journey time to the Islands is about three hours. An alternative point is from the pier near Khura Buri (north of Khao Lak), which is also the main departure pier for the Surin Islands. One-day excursion and longer tours are available. However the daily boats are somewhat irregular, and the best way to visit the Similans is on a liveaboard boat. The liveaboards vary in style and comfort quite dramatically according to your budget. The higher end of the scale include private air-conditioned cabins, modern communications, video & CD sound systems, professional photography services and so forth.
The best time to visit is from December through to April.
Facilities and Accomodation are rather limited. The only accomodation available is in the form of simple Thai style bungalow guesthouses on Ko Miang (island No. 4), where the National Park headquarters are based. Camping is permitted. Advance booking is advised. Even though Ko Miang has a supply of fresh water, it is wise to come prepared with both food and water if you intend to stay the night. For information and reservations, contact the Similan National Park Offices at Moo 1, Tambon Lam Kaen, Thai Muang district, Phang-Nga (Tel: (076) 411913-4). Alternatively contact the National Park Division, Forestry Department - Tel: 5790529, 5794842.
Khao LamPi - Thai Muang National Park, established in 1986, covers an area of 72 sq km, and comprises of two distinct geographical regions :
Geologically, the Hat Thai Muang coastal plain sector consists of recent quaternary sediments, of mainly quartz and mica sands, derived from the weathering of the upland area, laying over older igneous rocks.
The main aspect of this section is a splendid 14km sandy beach lined with Casuarina trees, backed by patchy areas of swamp forest and subsequent Mangrove forest upto a half kilometer in depth. There are also several canals (’klongs ‘) which provide interesting longboat trips where one can observe crab-eating monkeys for example.
One of the primary goals of the Park is to protect the nesting sites of both the Leatherback and Olive Ridley species of turtle.
Female turtles come ashore to lay their eggs on moonlit nights between November and April, at which time the beach is patrolled by Park rangers. For conservation and protection purposes, most of the eggs are removed by staff to a nursery. Incubation takes 60 days, at which time the hatchlings are released naturally back into the sea.
The Park is well known for such turtle releasing events. Unfortunately despite everyone’s best efforts, the number of nesting adult females is still declining. Visitors are kindly requested to join Park staff in their patrols, where they are most welcome, if they wish to observe the turtles.
Tropical evergreen forests cover the hilly and fairly mountainous regions of Khao LamPi.
This section of the Park represents nearly 70% of the total combined area. Granite dome shaped mountains, from the Cretaceous period are quite typical. There are several tin deposits (in both regions of the overall Park) as tin extraction was once an important part of the economy of the area.
Two popular waterfalls within Khao Lampi are:
Nam Tok Lampi - this is a medium sized three level waterfall, flowing throughout the year (but more dramatic in the rainy season), close to km 32 marker on route no. 4. It is a popular local attraction and has a pool at it’s base, suitable for swimming.
Nam Tok Ton Phrai - a larger size fall with cascading water again throughout the year. At km 29 marker on route 4, follow a gravel road for 7km; therafter a further 1km on foot is required - this is a good hike in the dry season.
Flora includes Dipterocarpus sp., Anisoptera costata, Syzygium sp, Hopea odorata, Mimusops elengi, several species of palm and bamboo.
Common barking deer, langurs, wild pig, red jungle fowl, hill myna, and several reptiles, such as the reticulated python, and amphibians are examples of the fauna.
Thai massage has its roots in a spiritual tradition, and its purpose is to heal a person physically, emotionally and spiritually. It was originally developed by Buddhist monks in Thailand as a method of healing. The technique uses passive stretching and gentle pressure along the body’s energy lines to increase flexibility, relieve muscle and joint tension and balance the body’s energy systems. It is both deeply relaxing and energizing.
Thai massage is called Nuad Phaen Boran in Thai - which translates to Ancient Massage or Traditional Massage.
Traditionally, the massage takes place on a futon mat on the floor, and you wear loose fitting clothing. You start by laying on your back, and the therapist uses gentle compression and stretching techniques on your body. As it progresses, the therapist will literally use her whole body, including her feet, to move your body into various positions - it has been compared to yoga without any effort on your part.
A Thai massage works on the major meridians (energy lines or Nadis), which run throughout the human body. It aims to harmonize the body, to loosen blocks, and to recoup deficiencies along the energy lines. In contrast to traditional Chinese medicine, which uses acupuncture to manipulate the pressure points, the massage stimulates these same points with a healing touch. Therefore, the points suffer less stress, and life energy (Prana) is allowed to freely circulate.
With regard to the physical aspects of the massage, it starts at the feet and progresses up to the head. The client’s body will be moved, loosened and stretched. It combines techniques which include Trigger Point Treatments, Myofascial Techniques, Manual Therapy and others.
The combination of energetic and physical aspects is unique to Thai Massage, and so are its effects. It is regarded as a therapy for the body, speech (energy) and mind (heart).
A spa provides a time to relax, reflect, and revitalize. Although it is often regarded as a place for a bit of stress-relief pampering, or simply a temporary refuge from life’s worries, perhaps the real test of a spa is the quality of the overall experience and the end results delivered - a sense of well-being, the feeling of being revitalised, restoration of the delicate balance of mind, body and spirit, and even the feeling of a new lease of life.
Spas in Thailand go beyond the superficial pampering of look good beauty treatments along with feel good treatments. Holistic healing is central to the spa concept.
Although the spa concept may have been borrowed and imported to some extent, Thailand has done it better. The concept has been adopted, adapted, and refined with a distinctive Thai touch.
Thai spas really do have it all - in a perfect blend of Western leisure concepts and traditional Asian well-being therapies.
The quality of the Thai spa product offered is world-class and unsurpassed, particularly the level of service offered. The centuries-old tradition of gracious hospitality and service, and the friendly and caring nature and gentle ways of the Thai people, contribute greatly to the service and hospitality of a Thai Spa.
But the experience goes beyond the excellence of service. There is also a time-honoured healing tradition - based on herbal and holistic remedies, generations of folk wisdom, and centuries-old healing techniques (some of which reflect deep-rooted Buddhist influences). A key component in the ancient Thai tradition of natural healing is the healing power of indigenous herbs and plants, and many of the rejuvenating treatments offered in modern spas have evolved from these ancient recipes.
In Thailand, the majority of spa facilities are Hotel/Resort Spas, which provide professionally administered spa services, fitness and wellness components and spa cuisine menu choices. There are also Destination Spas, whose sole purpose is to provide guests with lifestyle improvement and health enhancement through professionally administered spa services, physical fitness, educational programming, and on-site accommodations. Medical Spas provide comprehensive medical and wellness care in an environment which integrates spa services, as well as conventional and complimentary therapies and treatments. There are also Day Spas which offer a variety of professionally administered spa services to clients on a day-use basis.
There are several quality massage and spa centres in Khao Lak. The following are a few examples but there are more:-
Reflexology
Reflexology is a natural healing art based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet (and hands and ears) that correspond to every part, gland and organ of the body. In particular reflexology is based on the premise that all nerve endings run to the feet. Through application of pressure on these different nerve endings, meridiens or energy lines, reflexology relieves tension, improves circulation and promotes the natural function of the related areas of the body.
The art and science of reflexology has been practised for thousands of years especially in China, India and Egypt. In the old days, mankind stimulated reflexes naturally by walking barefoot over rough ground and stones. In today’s modern world we have lost much of nature’s way of maintaining a balanced and healthy equilibrium. Reflexology helps to restore this balance and promote natural health and vitality. It has proven quite successful over time in relieving symptoms, easing pain and discomfort that have manifested themselves physically in the body - either as a result of stress, trauma or disease.
However, only in the past twenty years has international interest in reflexology been revived as an alternative therapy. Many of the spa resorts offer reflexology.
Also worth a visit is the quiet sandy beach of Pakarang, which is set back three kilometers from km marker 69 on highway 4. During the rainy season, a certain amount of dead coral gets washed up on the beach - hence it’s name. Nearby is Laem Pakarang (Coral Cape). This is also the site of a ship wreck.
