Ao Nang - Introduction
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Due to its central location in the Andaman Sea and to its fabulous topography and sporting opportunities, Ao Nang is, at the moment, arguably Thailand’s best all-round beach destination. It is predominately a family and sports destination. Whilst it lacks wild nightlife and young party travellers will bore quickly, it does have a few relaxed bars and two nightclubs.
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Many beach destinations get ruined when over-development and over-population result in an unsupportable excess of pollutants. But somewhere along the way there is an optimal state, where there are enough facilities, but a still ecologicaly-sustainable tourist population. Ao Nang is now at this stage and represents, for many people, an ideal compromise between a pristine but boring destination and a fun but polluted one. |
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The southern half of the beach is not yet bordered by a road, yet the town has a wide enough range of facilities, for example six Italian restaurants, to keep most visitors happily occupied for at least a couple of weeks.
Ao Nang is busy but hasn’t
lost that laid back, friendly small-town feel; it is developed but still
retains its original beauty and charm.
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Ao Nang is, along with Chiang Mai, one of Thailand’s two most exciting soft and extreme adventure sports destinations. The home of two of the best beaches on the planet, Railay, is fifteen minutes away by boat. The town’s location on the eastern coast of Phang Nga bay puts it within easy reach of all the fishing, diving and kayaking sites in the bay. A day-trip to Koh Phi Phi is a better way to visit the place than staying there.
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Ao Nang has numerous spas, beauty shops and massage parlours to offer
you a little bit of pampering. Thai full- body massages lasting an hour
cost around 250 Baht and, though you may feel that you have been pushed
and pulled in improbable directions, you will feel rejuvenated afterwards.
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Ao Nang has all standards of accommodation, from traditional wooden bungalows to luxury 5 star
spa resorts. |
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Ao Nang itself has two idyllic, unspoilt beaches, which are lapped by
clear, warm water. Other, pristine beaches are located on
a number of outlying islands which can be accessed cheaply and quickly from Ao Nang
by local longtail boats.
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Thai food is abundant in Ao Nang and is available 24 hours a day. Visit
a traditional Thai restaurant, eat at a local market or try one of the many
street vendors, who are based on every street
corner.
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The smell and taste of the Thai dishes is enhanced by a variety
of fresh, local ingredients, just don't forget to ask for non-spicy
(mai pet) if you have a delicate, Western palette.
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For those people
who need a break from Thai food, a whole host of Western options are
available in Ao Nang; these include traditional English food, Indian Food, Scandinavian
food, steaks, pizza and pasta (there are 6 Italian restaurants).
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Ao Nang offers a wide range of activities and attractions, including snorkelling, kayaking, island-hopping, climbing, diving, spa/massage/beauty, shopping,
white water rafting, hiking, kayaking, snorkelling, temple visits, fishing parks, elephant trekking,
cooking classes, massage classes, market exploration and fishing.
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Nopparat Thara beach is good for children and is only a few minutes away from Ao Nang |
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In addition there are numerous offshore islands, some of which are not too busy, even in high season. |
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For groups of four or more a pool villa is a good idea. Click on the image below for more:
For smaller groups, click here for hotels.
More Information
Click on a link:
Click here if you're interested in visiting Koh Lipe, or here for more information about Koh Phi Phi, or here for details of a the Dragonheart yacht.
Click here for a good selection of Thailand villas to rent.
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