December is a great time of year to visit Khao Lak, Thailand if you're looking for clear blue skies and plenty of sunshine. Christmas Day can even be spent on the beach swimming!
In fact, sea temperatures at this time of the year are 27°C. The average temperature is a wonderful 28°C with highs of 32°C and lows which do not drop below 23°C so light clothing is possible and you can leave your coat at home. This is much better than the weather in most of Europe at this time of year.
With 8 hours of sunshine per day and only 8 wet days across the month, this is the perfect time of year to visit Khao Lak. It is unlikely you will experience much rain as it is the dry season and there is only 67mm across the month. Instead, sit back, relax and enjoy your sunny, winter break.
Families and couples looking for somewhere to stay in Khao Lak, Thailand should take a look at the Khao Lak Emerald Beach Resort & Spa. Enjoying a great location on a private golden sand beach, this complex features a selection of rooms and suites, with something suitable for all group sizes, budgets and tastes. Guests can choose from 47 sq.m. family rooms, including balcony with garden or lagoon view, 42 sq.m. deluxe rooms with living area, or 54 sq.m. Oceanfront villages, including private terrace. All rooms are equipped with minibar, safe, bathtub, satellite LCD TV, and A/C.
When it comes to accommodation, The Andamania Beach Resort is ideal for families and couples looking for somewhere to stay during their holiday in Khao Lak. Enjoying a wonderful beachfront location, this complex features a swimming pool, pool bar, internet, Thai massages and a game room. Located just one hour from the international airport, the Thai/Bali-style resort features private access to the sandy beach and Khuk Khak Bay. Each one of its 51 guest residences include A/C, minibar, private terrace, satellite TV, fridge, safe and bathtub. Available excursions include trekking, elephant riding, snorkelling, scuba, canoe, and golf.
Sunset Beach is located in Khao Lak Lamru National Park, among jungle trees and lush rainforest. Another great option is Nang Thong Beach, with its golden sands, casuarina trees and coconut palms. Stay here to be near the best facilities: restaurants, souvenirs shops, photo shops, pharmacies, bookstores, street vendors and diving schools.
Bang Niang Beach is located just north of Khao Lak, about 10 minutes' drive. The beach is not as centrally located as other beaches like Nang Thong, but is near some of the top resorts--La Flora, Ramada, Ayara, Sudala and more. While you're in the neighbourhood, be sure to check out the impressive tsunami museum.
If you're looking for a fast lunch or snack, the Old Takua Pa Sunday market is a great place to go. Found only a few kilometres north of Khao Lak, this market boasts a number of traditional Thai food stalls and is bordered by colourful buildings which make great backgrounds for photos.
A Thai/Western fusion favourite is Dao Thong (Opposite Bang Niang Market), serving dinner only, and mostly traditional dishes with the occasional attractive international flair. La Roma (Opposite the market) is an Italian pizza trattoria that stylishly mixes Thai with pizza. Another fusion experiment is Victoria Tandoori Night (Opposite Mukhdara Resort, Soi Bang Niang #1), specialising in Thai and Indian set menus with a takeaway option.
La On Village on Khao Lak is popular with the modern crowd. Try 9 Restaurant & Bar (Central La On), which serves three meals a day in a quiet and classy atmosphere. Or the wildly popular Muan Lai (Highway 4 between Khao Lak Beach and La On Village), a bright, yellow restaurant specialising in north-eastern Thai cuisinerilled meats adorned in sticky rice and spicy sauces.
There are several holidays in December, including the Trooping of the Colours--when Thai Royal Guards parade before members of the royal family. Thai Chinese celebrate Winter Solstice by eating dumplings and red beans to drive away evil spirits. In this month is also the King's Birthday, when everyone puts all their other tasks on hold to celebrate the King's birthday with parties and processions, as well as Constitution Day, commemorating the establishment of the constitutional monarchy in 1932.
A snorkelling excursion with Liquid Adventure is a great way to discover the underwater marine life without having to don a scuba suit. You'll find a huge selection of trips and itineraries on offer, each offering a different view of the resort's coastline.
A trip to Khao Lak isn't complete without a visit to the Khao Lak National Park, with its impressive collection of sea cliffs, mangrove forests, tall hills, estuaries, valleys and beaches. The area is absolutely thriving with wildlife, with drongos, gibbons, hornbills, tapirs, monkeys and black bears. The visitor centre features a restaurant, providing the perfect place to enjoy a spot of lunch.
Each year the baby sea turtles that were born in captivity are released at the Thai Muang Beach. This is a fantastic once-in-a-lifetime thing to see and is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the endangered species and what we need to do to save them.
