Thailand 2025: Kao Lak

On departing Chiang Mai with Asia Airlines, we were allowed use of their airside lounge, it was really nice to sit comfortably and have free tea, coffee, orange juice, popcorn and mini tartlets.  the flight from Chiang Mai to Phuket was about 90 minutes, then a one hour taxi to Kao Lak where our  villa awaited .... 

which had its own 25 ft pool, lounge with 2 tv, large comfy bedroom, tea and coffee, mini fridge, rain shower.  this was a very luxurious upgrade which was totally unexpected.

The resort had two sides facing The sea, separated by a lagoon with a bridge for access but at low tide we found we could walk across the lagoon bed.

There were pools on both sides, open air restaurants which offered a la carte lunch and dinner, buffet breakfast.  All the food was good, we mostly ate Thai food.

The sea was shallow and the beach sandy, a lot of people were surfing.

Our villa private pool, what a treat!

From our villa, a 5 minutes walk through pine woods took us to the elephant sanctuary.

During covid there was a large intake as the decline in tourism and labour (logging) meant the owners could not afford to keep their elephants,.  Some have been at the sanctuary a long time before covid though as they can live to 100, change hands as outlive owners, and eventually are not wanted.

They are gentle although some have behavioural problems like swaying due to previous confinement and poor treatment

There are two babies age 3 and 4 years old. We visited twice and the second time I fed one some milk.

We were uncertain of how the elephants feel about the  tourist intervention, they certainly enjoy being fed sugar cane.  Some people go with them to bathe, we didnt.  The number of visitors is limited and visits are early morning or evening. They are taken out into the forest at night to forage but stay in the compound with their mahout to sleep.

We took a trip into town on market day, some pics below.  We love a good market!  We got good, strong, mosquito repellent and some nuts and snacks.  There was a 7/11 shop and a cannabis shop, which is legal in Thailand in small amounts.

The. Boat below is for the royal family, when the 2004 Tsunami hit, it was washed inland 2km to this spot and has remained there with a memorial and museum built around it.

Kao Lak has small bars and restaurants and is very welcoming.  The market is mainly for tourists, we managed to buy beer cooler sleeves!

We had a few thunderstorms with torrential rain, The monsoon season is starting.  It has been 95% humidity and temperatures in the 30s but we have adapted quickly.  We slept a lot and I read 3 book!

It has been a wonderful trip and we have made some great memories.