Temporary reuse of Khao Lak hub R2 image until Fah shoot (Bang Niang sits on the Khao Lak strip)
Khao LakBang Niang
บางเนียง
Beach village on the Khao Lak strip with the 813 tsunami memorial
- Best time
- Nov–Apr (dry season)
- From Phuket Airport
- ~1.5–2h north via Highway 4
- How long
- 3–7 days as a Khao Lak base
- Getting around
- Scooter, songthaew, hotel taxi
- Vibe
- Village beach + memorial stop
Updated October 2026
Plan your trip
Top sights & experiences
Things to do in Bang Niang
Where to stay in Bang Niang
Also nearby
Tours in Khao Lak
Takua Pa Street Food Tour from Khao Lak with Chef Wandee
Riverside Thai Cooking Half Day Class
Transfer from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak Hotel
Khao Lak Elephant Sanctuary Eco-Tour with Transfer
Khao Lak Mangrove Kayaking by Longtail Boat, Small Group
Transfer from Khao Lak Hotel to Phuket Airport
Half Day : Sok River + Monkey Temple + View Point
Local Reef Snorkelling and Deserted Beach
Similan Islands Catamaran Day Tour from Phuket or Khao Lak
Surin Islands Snorkelling Day Trip from Khao Lak
When to go
Bang Niang
Gulf coast · Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao
From June to September, Bang Niang is in its rainy season while the Gulf coast has its best months. Compare the two coasts
Nov–Feb Best beach and swim window on the Bang Niang sand; memorial visits pair easily with dry-season resort days.
Mar–Apr Still largely dry and busy with families. Heat rises; mornings and late afternoons are kinder on the open memorial park.
May–Oct Monsoon swell reduces reliable swim days. The 813 park and village cafés still work as low-commitment stops between rain.
About Bang Niang
Last updated October 2026
Overview
Bang Niang (บางเนียง) is a beach village on the Khao Lak strip in Phang Nga province, about 2 km north of Nang Thong. It has three parts: resorts, restaurants and shops along the side roads to the sea, a long beach at the end of them, and the memorial park around Police Boat 813 on Phet Kasem Road (Highway 4). Four evenings a week the Bang Niang Market sets up opposite the boat, which makes the village the liveliest part of the strip after dark.
Things to Do
Police Boat 813 was a Royal Thai Marine Police patrol boat anchored offshore on 26 December 2004. The tsunami carried it about 2 km inland, and it was left where it came to rest. The park around the hull also holds the Tsunami Memorial Sculpture. Entry is free, and the park is commonly listed as open about 08:30-18:00.
Bang Niang Market runs on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from about 14:00 to 22:00, according to the market’s own site. Clothes, souvenirs and fruit fill the front rows, with street kitchens grilling and frying at the back. It is hot and half set up in the early afternoon, so arrive after 17:00. The stalls take cash only.
Bang Niang Beach is a long, open stretch of sand, and you can walk south along it to Nang Thong Beach in under half an hour. Swimming is best from November to April. In the May-October monsoon the swell builds and some days are unsafe, so check the beach flags before going in.
For a longer coast day, scooter north to Cape Pakarang, or 30 km further to the Sunday walking street in Takua Pa old town. Similan Islands dive and snorkel trips pick up from hotels across this corridor while the national park is open; it closes through the monsoon, roughly mid-May to mid-October.
Where to Stay
Beachfront and near-beach resorts sit between the highway and the sand, while cheaper guesthouses and small hotels line the roads on the inland side. Bang Niang shares its booking pool with the rest of Khao Lak, so compare the two together. The top end is covered in our guide to luxury resorts in Khao Lak. Nights are quiet next to Phuket’s party strips, and most guests are families and returning European visitors.
Getting There
Phuket International Airport is the usual gateway, roughly 1.5 hours’ drive north on Highway 4, longer in traffic. A hotel transfer or airport taxi is the simplest option. Along the strip, songthaews (shared pickup taxis), taxis and rented scooters link Nang Thong, Bang Niang and Khuk Khak. The memorial park entrance is beside the highway: look for the “813” sign before the Bang Niang traffic lights.
Best Time to Visit
November to April gives the calmest sea and the Similan season. May to October brings lower rates and rougher water; the memorial park and the market work as all-weather stops between showers.
Practical Tips
ATMs and 7-Elevens sit on or near the highway, which matters on market days. Bring a hat and water for the 813 park, as much of it is unshaded. English is widely spoken in hotels, while market vendors prefer cash in small notes.
Insider Tip: On a market day, visit the 813 park around 16:00, when the sun is lower over the open ground, then cross the road as the food stalls get going after 17:00.