Hat Thai Mueang

Hat Thai Mueang is the coastal section of Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park in Khao Lak, on Phang Nga’s Andaman coast. The park splits into two zones — this beach strip and the inland Lampi hills with their waterfalls — and one entrance ticket, roughly 100 THB for foreigners and considerably less for Thai nationals, covers both. It’s open daily 08:30-16:30.

The beach itself runs for several kilometres of dark, mineral-flecked sand backed by casuarina trees, quieter and less developed than the resort beaches closer to central Khao Lak. It’s one of Thailand’s known nesting grounds for leatherback and olive ridley turtles, with nesting concentrated November to February. Rangers patrol at night during the season and relocate eggs to a protected hatchery rather than leaving nests exposed on an open beach; the park runs a turtle-release festival each March once hatchlings are ready to go. A coral reef sits around 700 metres offshore in shallow water, drawing some snorkelling and diving interest outside the peak swell months.

Insider Tip: Visit early morning during nesting season — fresh tracks in the sand are the more reliable sign of turtle activity than trying to time an actual nesting, since rangers don’t run public viewing sessions.

Watch out: older write-ups of this beach describe it as free — it isn’t. The park charges its standard national park entrance fee, and the same ticket covers the beach and the waterfalls on a same-day visit.

Camping is allowed in the forest right behind the sand, with tents for rent and basic shower and toilet facilities on site. The park sits just off Highway 4 between Khao Lak and Phuket, easy to reach by car; there’s no dedicated public transport link, so most visitors arrive with a rental vehicle or as part of a Khao Lak day trip.