Bang Tao Beach Phuket
Bang tao bay (Ao Bang Thao) on Phuket’s northwest coast is a popular tourist destination on an 8km stretch of white sandy beach. The greater Bangtao area still maintains a mixed local village atmosphere of Buddhist, Chinese, and Moslem residents milling about daily markets. The beach area also retains a local flavour with simple Thai food stalls and vendors set among cosy guesthouses of Bang Tao.
The stunning beach at Bang Tao has also attracted international resorts such as Banyan Tree and Sheraton Grande Laguna and the Laguna Resorts area is now a centre of many chic boutique resorts, villas, spas, restaurants and designer stores. A new commercial cluster village (beyond the gates of Laguna resorts complex) offering boutique shopping and entertainment -- with day spas, antiques, decor and designer fashions alongside English pubs, global cafes, wine cellars and funky bars -- adds a cosmopolitan edge to the area.
Adjoining Laguna Phuket Golf Club’s 18-hole international standard course, Laguna Resorts has embarked on a successful residential estate with luxurious residences set among landscaped parklands and lagoons. Many other high-end developers have followed suit with an emerging luxury property market attracting many UK , European and Asian expat buyers to the region.
Layan Beach lies in a cove just north of Bang tao Beach and is the next hotspot on the island’s north-west coast. Like a hidden jewel, Layan beach basks in the tropical sun crowned by dramatic Katha Island just offshore. A sheltered canal and large lagoon at the southern end of peaceful Layan will emerge as a new marina and residential project in the near future providing the first yacht marina on the west coast of Phuket.
Just north of Layan, the emerald hills are speckled with new villa projects for a green alternative to seafront living. The coastline stretches north toward Naithon beach along a drive of untouched forest and cliff top scenery. The upmarket Trisara Resort and villas, offering six-star living, is a glamorous hideaway for many international celebrities. Bang tao – Naithon areas also have a good range of middle market and family accommodation close to the beaches. Small resorts can also be found among the rubber, pineapple, and palm plantations in the area for a quiet escape from the beach crowds in the busy season peak times of December to February.
The Bang Tao area has something for everyone. Beach lovers are in their element with plenty of sun loungers and beach vendors selling everything from fresh coconut juice to sarongs. Quieter beaches can also be found with few facilities.
