Laem Pakarang spit

Coral strew beach

Eurasian Curlew, Eurasian Whimbrel and Ruddy Turnstone

Little Tern

Access

From Phang-nga or Phuket head north to pick up Highway 4 and head toward Khao Lak. Khao Lak itself is rather strung out along the main road, so keep an eye on the kilometre markers. Shortly after the Km 68 marker, an unnumbered road turns west, just past a 7-11 convenience store. Many signs at this junction advertise beach hotels such as the White Sand Beach, Apsaras and Sarugin. as well as a smaller sign indicating the "cape". Head down this road for 3.7 km to a tsunami shelter and a smaller road merging from the left. Continue right, along the beach, for a further 1.3 kilometres to arrive at a small parking area. From here it's a few hundred metres walk out to the end of the spit.

Accommodation and Facilities

At the beach, near the spit, there are very limited facilities consisting of some temporary kiosks selling food and drink; likely only functioning in the high season. Inland are a few hotels, but probably the best option is to stay in Khao Lak which has abundant choice in lodging and eating. Further afield, about 30 kilometres to the north, is the town of Takua Pa.

Birding

Laem Pakarang Spit

Waders and terns are the main attraction of the area. Of the terns, Little Tern is the most regular, but other possibilities include Roseate Tern, Black-naped Tern, Greater Crested Tern and Lesser Crested Tern. Of the waders, both Greater Sand Plover and Tibetan Sand Plover are usual. Grey-tailed Tattler and Terek Sandpiper are the more regular of the less common visitors. Almost any wader could be potentially turn up. Pacific Reef Egret can usually be found. The odd rarity including Chinese Egret, White-faced Plover, Beach Stone-curlew and Crab-plover is recorded from time to time.

Surrounding Areas

All the surrounding habitat has been altered and developed for agriculture or human use. As a consequence only common resident species can be expected. In addition to coastal scrub and a few casuarina trees, many coconut plantations and a number of agricultural fields and gardens are found. Some open areas of irrigation water are also found south of the entrance road.