Transport around Khao Lak - 'mafia' monopoly like Phuket?

Before booking a Khao Lak holiday, I%26#39;m wondering about tranportation options around Khao Lak.

Are there tuk tuks, taxis and local buses? Are prices for tuk tuk/taxis more or less set (like the baht bus in Pattaya) or is there a mafia like hold on transportation in Khao Lak like there is in Phuket where it%26#39;s ';gouge the tourist for as much as you can'; and each time you step into a taxi/tuk tuk, you have to begin the negotiation game?

Is there a local bus/songthaew that plies up and down the Khao Lak area?

Expected prices to pay for transportation from the various beach resort areas to the main drag area where a variety of restaurants/shops are located?

Thanks.

Transport around Khao Lak - 'mafia' monopoly like Phuket?

I think perhaps you have the wrong perception about Khao Lak. One of reasons that people (like me) who go there fall in love with it and return is that it is not like your ';typical Thai resort'; and it is certainly NOT like Pattaya or Patong. It is a naturally beautiful area, recovering wonderfully well from the cruel ravages of the 2004 Tsunami.

It is, of course, rebuilding the tourist economy on which it heavily depends but not by biting the hands that feed it. Like anywhere in Thailand you have to negotiate taxi fares, that%26#39;s LOS. There are no tuk tuks, just songthaews, which plough up and down the highway as well as individual private hire, regular taxis and buses. Prices tend to be consistent, as you would expect.

The main area for restaurants, bars and shops (commonly referred to as Khao Lak or Khao Lak Town) is called Bang La On with the resorts on Nang Thong Beach and Sunset Beach.

The next largest town is Bang Niang with its beach of the same name which is a couple of miles up the road. Other resorts are about 10 minutes by taxi to the South as you approach from Phuket (e.g. the Khao Lak Merlin on Khao Lak South Beach) or 10 - 15 minutes to the North on Pakweeb Beach (e.g. Le Meridien, Sarojin or Similana)

A taxi to and from the resorts at either end is about 200-400 baht each way depending on time of day, cost per person obviously less if you get in a communal songthaew.

Have a look at this link for latest map Khao Lak to give you an idea of resort, beach and township locations:

http://khaolaklovers.com/KhaoLakMap.html

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