Hat Pak Meng

Hat Pak Meng is a mainland beach in Sikao district, Trang province — not on Koh Ngai island itself, but the main pier and gateway for boats heading there. It sits about 39 kilometres from Trang town at the mouth of Khlong Pak Meng, a crescent-shaped stretch running roughly 5 kilometres with a natural pine-tree line for shade and a run of seafood restaurants and small hotels along the sand.

Pak Meng Pier, at the beach’s north end, reopened after renovation on 16 November 2021 and is the departure point for longtail boats to Koh Ngai, Koh Mook (Tham Morakot, the Emerald Cave), Koh Kradan and Koh Libong, plus day-trip packages combining several islands. Longtail boats run year-round; faster ferries join them during the November-April high season, while May-October low season is longtail-only. Travel agencies at the pier and in Trang town sell tickets and combination packages.

There’s no public restroom on the beach itself — restaurants along the shore let visitors use a toilet for about 5 THB or a shower for around 10 THB, standard practice at Thai beaches without municipal facilities. The water is shallow and calm even at high tide, good for families, but there’s no lifeguard. Weekends draw mostly Thai families rather than foreign tourists, who tend to pass through only en route to the islands.

Insider Tip: If you’re heading to Koh Ngai or Koh Mook and staying in Trang town, the passenger van from Bus Terminal 2 to Pak Meng runs regularly and costs around 200 THB — cheaper and simpler than arranging a private transfer to the pier.

Watch out: There’s no lifeguard and no marked swimming zone, so keep an eye on children even though the water looks tame close to shore.

Getting There

Hat Pak Meng is located at Sikao, Trang. View on Google Maps. Hat Chao Mai National Park and Rajamangala Beach are both a short drive away on the same stretch of Sikao coastline.

Tips for Visitors

• Bring reef-safe sunscreen to protect the marine environment.
• No public toilets on the beach — restaurants charge a small fee to use theirs.
• Shade can be limited outside the pine-tree line — consider bringing your own umbrella.
• Keep valuables locked in your accommodation, not on the beach.