Bang Niang Beach
A 2 km west-facing beach in the middle of Khao Lak, between Nang Thong and Khuk Khak, a short walk from Bang Niang Market and the Boat 813 memorial.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Open 24 hours daily
Check Monsoon Windows
Andaman coast beaches (Phuket, Krabi) have rough seas May–October. Koh Samui's beaches are roughest October–December, and Hua Hin's wettest months are September and October. Plan your beach trip around these windows for calm water and safe swimming.
Finding your way around Bang Niang Beach
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Getting there and around
- From Highway 4 (Phetkasem Road), turn west at the Bang Niang junction onto Bang Niang Road and follow it about 1 km to the beach. Bang Niang Market and the Police Boat 813 memorial face each other at the highway end.
- Phuket International Airport is about 80–85 km south, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes by taxi or resort transfer on Highway 4.
- The beach continues south into Nang Thong Beach and north into Khuk Khak Beach, each across a small creek, so you can walk between them along the sand.
Details
- Phone
- +66 76 487 446
Full opening hours
Tours that include Bang Niang Beach
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Bang Niang Beach.
Why go, and how to do it well
Bang Niang Beach is about 2 km of sand in the middle of the Khao Lak strip, roughly 80 km north of Phuket airport. Nang Thong Beach runs on to the south and Khuk Khak Beach to the north, each across a small creek, so you can walk the shoreline a long way in either direction. It faces west onto the Andaman Sea, and the sun goes down straight over the water.
What sets it apart from its neighbors is what's behind it. Bang Niang Road runs about 1 km inland to Highway 4, and that road and the lanes off it are where Khao Lak keeps its restaurants, bars and tailors. At the highway end is Bang Niang Market, which sets up on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, and directly across from it is Police Boat 813, the patrol boat the 2004 tsunami carried from its offshore anchorage to this spot about 1 km from the beach, now a free memorial park. If you want a beach you can reach from dinner on foot, this is the one I'd pick in Khao Lak.
It's also the obvious base if you're choosing where to sleep. Resorts such as La Vela Khao Lak, Casa de La Flora and Chongfah sit right on the sand, and plenty of smaller places are a lane or two back. Nang Thong is the longer, quieter beach and sits next to the shops and banks of Bang La On; Bang Niang trades some of that calm for the market and more going on after dark.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026
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Best rated within a 9-minute walk
Tours that include Bang Niang Beach
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Bang Niang Beach.
Around here, on foot
Well-rated places within a short walk of Bang Niang Beach, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Bang Niang Beach, round out your day in Khao Lak with contrasting stops nearby.
Bang Niang Beach, Moo 5, Khuekkhak Subdistrict, Takua Pa District, Phang Nga 82190, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore beaches nearby
All within 3.3 km of Bang Niang Beach.
Khao Lak Beach
Khuk Khak Beach
Nang Thong Beach
Tips for Visiting Beaches
Go Early for Empty Sand
Even the busiest beaches are nearly deserted before 9 AM. A sunrise walk is the best hour of the day on the sand, and you'll beat the heat for a morning swim.
Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Many Thai marine parks ban chemical sunscreens that damage coral. Bring reef-safe (mineral/zinc-based) sunscreen from home — it's harder to find and pricier in Thailand.
Bang Niang Beach: Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim at Bang Niang Beach?
Yes, from about November to April, when the Andaman Sea is usually calm. From May to October the southwest monsoon brings big surf and rip currents, and red flags go up along the Khao Lak beaches. Red means don't swim; yellow means swim with care.
What days is Bang Niang Market open?
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, from the afternoon into the evening. It's on Highway 4 at the top of Bang Niang Road, about 1 km from the beach, opposite the Police Boat 813 memorial.
Is Bang Niang a good area to stay in Khao Lak?
It's the best choice if you want to walk to restaurants and bars, because the market, Bang Niang Road and its side lanes are right behind the beach, and resorts such as La Vela Khao Lak, Casa de La Flora and Chongfah are on the sand. Nang Thong, next door, is longer and quieter and sits beside the shops of Bang La On.
How far is Bang Niang Beach from Phuket Airport?
About 80–85 km by road, which takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes. Khao Lak is on the mainland in Phang Nga province, not on Phuket.
What is the boat at Bang Niang?
Police Boat 813, a 60-ton police patrol boat that was anchored about a nautical mile offshore when the 2004 tsunami struck and was carried about 2 km, to a spot roughly 1 km from the beach. It now stands in a memorial park on Highway 4, opposite Bang Niang Market, and entry is free.
Is Bang Niang Beach good for sunset?
Yes. The beach faces west onto the Andaman Sea, so the sun sets over open water.
Is Bang Niang Beach worth visiting?
Bang Niang Beach holds a 4.0★ rating from 211 Google reviews — a strong rating for beaches in Khao Lak.
When is the best time to visit Bang Niang Beach?
The best months to visit Khao Lak are November – April (Similan season Oct 15 – May 15), with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – February (strong European family season) — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: May – October (rough seas, Similans closed).
Also popular in Khao Lak
Nai Mueang Restaurant
Khao Lak Land Discovery
Surin Islands (Mu Ko Surin National Park)
Memories Beach Bar
Similar Beaches across Thailand
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Railay Beach
Hua Hin Beach
