Thanks Arandora, much appreciated. Feeling better now, its all about the beach for us - don't do pools! And Khao Lak seems perfect for that. Think we will stick with this location definitely. Can you tell me more about the New year celebrations as we will definitely be there at this time (travelling 3rd-17th)? Sounds interesting.

Songkran is all about water - lots if it! In other places in Thailand it lasts a few days and has got out of hand with bans on alcohol imposed because of injuries and even fatalities during that time. In Khao Lak thigh it is just one day of fun, well less than a day really as it usually lasts from about 10am to 5pm. More to follow when I get home! .....

.... continued

You pick a spot (or visit several) along the highway, in Bang Niang popular spots are near the entrance to the market where visitors and locals alike meet armed with water pistols, buckets or any receptacle for throwing water not only over each other but mainly the passing mitrer cyclists and trucks who stop in the outside lane and engage in water fights then carry on through Khao Lak and sometimes back again for the other side. Obviously as the day goes on outside bars become favourite spots for internal as well as external wetting! Here are some pics from Songkran 2013 https:/… We didn't stay this year as Mrs.A. is not that keen on getting wet.

That sounds like so much fun!

Any thoughts on JW Marriott hotel as this one seems to be cheapest at the moment compared with the Beyond and La Flora. Howmany beach restaurants are close by say within 10mins waliking?

The position at the JWM next April is uncertain. These two links will give you the background and latest position

tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g297914-i10908-k…

and

tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g297914-i10908-k…

Whilst there are usually 4 to the right plus massage places, two the left and two outside the main entrance, although there will be 3 or 4 definitely open to the right there could be more set further back from the beach by then. We won't really know until the next High Season starts or more information is received from Khao Lak.

For what it's worth the Beyond and JWM are 5* resorts, the La Flora is 4*. The 4* Ramada next door to the La Flora is an excellent resort and the 4* Sands on Nang Thong Beach an increasingly popular more recently opened resort.

Thanks for all your info! Really helpful :)

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