Why should you go there and how do you do it right?

Bang Niang Beach is a roughly 2 km long sandy beach in the heart of the Khao Lak area, about 80 km north of Phuket Airport. To the south lies Nang Thong Beach, and to the north, Khuk Khak Beach, separated by a small stream. This allows for long walks along the beach in both directions. The beach faces west towards the Andaman Sea, and the sun sets directly over the water.

What sets Khao Lak apart from its neighbors is what lies beyond. Bang Niang Road runs about a kilometer inland to Highway 4. Along this road and its side streets are Khao Lak's restaurants, bars, and tailor shops. At the end of the highway is the Bang Niang Market, open Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Directly opposite is Police Boat 813, the patrol boat that the 2004 tsunami washed from its moorings offshore to this spot, about a kilometer from the beach. Today it's a free memorial park. If you're looking for a beach you can walk to after dinner, this is my recommendation in Khao Lak.

It's also the ideal base if you're looking for accommodation. Resorts like La Vela Khao Lak, Casa de La Flora, and Chongfah are right on the beach, and many smaller accommodations are just steps away. Nang Thong is the longer, quieter beach and borders the shops and banks of Bang La On; Bang Niang, on the other hand, offers a bit more peace and quiet, but also a lively market and more activity after dark.