The dry season
December to March is the dry season here: clear skies over Phang Nga Bay, the best light for boat tours from November to February, and the busiest weeks on the piers.
Pa Khlok
District
Phuket's quiet north-east corner: Muslim fishing villages, farms and mangroves, a forest waterfall, and the piers for Ko Yao and Phang Nga Bay.
Pa Khlok in photographs
Pa Khlok. Pa Khlok. Pa Khlok.
- Nature
- Forest, a waterfall and mangroves
- Quiet
- Villages, no resort town
- Access
- Piers for Ko Yao and Phang Nga Bay
- Views
- The bay's limestone islands
- Children
- Elephants and gibbons, by booking
- Food
- Seafood by the falls and the piers
About Pa Khlok
Pa Khlok is a subdistrict of Thalang on Phuket's north-east coast, facing Phang Nga Bay. Its 38 km² have been one municipality since 2012, with nine villages, among them Bang Rong, Ao Po, Yamu and the island of Ko Naka, and about 18,000 residents. Thep Krasatti lies to the west, along the forested ridges of Khao Phra Thaeo, and Si Sunthon to the south; everything else is sea.
The west of the subdistrict is forest. The protected hills of Khao Phra Thaeo hold Bang Pae Waterfall, the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project and an elephant sanctuary; below them, the flat land is rubber, pineapple and coconut farms with village roads between them.
The coast is mangrove, mudflat and quiet bays. Bang Rong, a Muslim fishing village more than two centuries old, replanted its mangroves about twenty years ago and now welcomes visitors with community-run tours; its pier sends speedboats to Ko Yao Noi and Ko Yao Yai. Further south, Ao Po Grand Marina berths yachts of every size and is where many Phang Nga Bay tours begin.
Cape Yamu, the southern tip, has a luxury resort and private villas looking at the bay's limestone islands, and Naka Yai, ten minutes offshore, has a single resort. There is no resort town and no nightlife: Pa Khlok is for nature, boats and quiet.
What is good about Pa Khlok
Forest on one side, mangroves on the other
The Khao Phra Thaeo hills, with Bang Pae Waterfall and its stream, fill the west; Bang Rong's replanted mangrove forest, where you can kayak, lines the east.
Village life, not a resort
Fishing villages, farms and a few luxury hideaways: no beach strip, no bars, little traffic outside the roads to the piers.
The island's gateway to the east
Speedboats leave Bang Rong for Ko Yao Noi and Ko Yao Yai every hour from 08:00 to 17:00, and Ao Po Grand Marina is a starting point for Phang Nga Bay tours (2026).
Limestone islands from Cape Yamu
From the southern headland, the view runs across Phang Nga Bay to its karst islands, the reason a luxury resort and private villas were built there.
Animals without rides or shows
An elephant sanctuary that gave up riding, and a gibbon rescue centre with one-hour learning sessions: both are visited by booking.
Seafood where it is landed
Simple seafood restaurants near Bang Pae Waterfall and around the piers serve the local catch; the resort restaurants at Cape Yamu are the dressier choice.
Things to do at Pa Khlok
Pa Khlok. Pa Khlok. Pa Khlok.
Nature
Bang Pae Waterfall
A short forest walk from the car park follows a stream where Thai families come to cool off. National-park fee 200 THB for foreigners, 20 THB for Thais; open 08:00 to 16:30.
Nature
The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project
Since 1992 the centre has rescued gibbons and returned them to Phuket's forest. Visits are one-hour booked sessions at 10:30, 12:30 or 14:00; on days without bookings it is closed.
Family
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
Watch rescued elephants roam and bathe on a booked morning or afternoon programme, or from a canopy walkway; programmes start at 1,900 THB (2026).
Culture
Wat Sophon Wanaram
Pa Khlok's village temple, in the southern Thai style around a courtyard: an ordination hall of 1890 with three century-old Buddha images and a wooden sermon hall. Free.
Nature
Kayak the Bang Rong mangroves
Rent a kayak by the village's floating restaurant and paddle the channels of the mangrove forest the community replanted.
Culture
A day with Bang Rong village
The community runs its own tours: rubber tapping, a pineapple farm, coconuts, painting a pateh bag and releasing egg-carrying crabs. Book with the village ahead.
Boat trips
Speedboat to Ko Yao
From Bang Rong pier, boats cross to Ko Yao Yai and Ko Yao Noi every hour from 08:00 to 17:00, in 30 to 45 minutes, for about 300 to 400 THB (2026).
Boat trips
Phang Nga Bay from Ao Po
Speedboat tours to the bay's limestone islands leave Ao Po Grand Marina; a day takes 6 to 8 hours, group tours cost 1,500 to 2,500 THB (2026). The bay is sheltered enough for most of the year.
Food and drink
Seafood after the waterfall
Two seafood restaurants near Bang Pae Waterfall, and the small places at Bang Rong pier, cook the local catch.
Food and drink
Dinner over the bay at Cape Yamu
The resort on Cape Yamu has an Italian restaurant and a health-food kitchen facing Phang Nga Bay's limestone islands; book ahead.
A day at Pa Khlok
Walk to Bang Pae Waterfall when the gate opens and the stream is quiet. Bang Pae Waterfall
Join the sanctuary's booked morning programme next door to watch the elephants roam and bathe. Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
Lunch at a seafood restaurant near the falls or by Bang Rong pier.
Paddle Bang Rong's mangrove channels, or take the 14:00 session at the gibbon centre. Gibbon Rehabilitation Project
Watch the light fade over the limestone islands from Cape Yamu or the marina at Ao Po.
Dine at the resort on Cape Yamu, or drive 30 to 45 minutes to Phuket Town for more choice.
Places in Pa Khlok
Our picks
Bang Pae Waterfall
WaterfallA waterfall in the protected Khao Phra Thaeo forest on the island's east side, reached by a forest path from the car park.
Gibbon Rehabilitation Project
AttractionA project that has rescued, rehabilitated and returned gibbons to Phuket's forest since 1992, next to the Bang Pae waterfall car park.
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
AttractionA sanctuary for elephants retired after decades of work, opened in 2016 by Montri Todtane on the site of his own former elephant-riding business.
Wat Sophon Wanaram
Buddhist templeA village temple in Pa Khlok laid out in the southern Thai way around a central courtyard.
Restaurants
Bang Pae Seafood
Seafood restaurant · Bang RongA seafood restaurant on the north-east coast at Pa Khlok, near Bang Pae, a favourite of Thai families and expats despite being hard to find.
Bang Rong Community Seafood Restaurant
Floating restaurant · Bang RongThe seafood restaurant of the Bang Rong community at Bang Rong pier in Pa Khlok, on the north-east coast, where the zone pages place the village's floating restaurant.
Peang Prai
RestaurantA family-run Thai restaurant in the forest at the entrance to Bang Pae waterfall in Pa Khlok, listed in the MICHELIN Guide.
Port of Call
Restaurant · Ao PoThe bar and restaurant of Ao Po Grand Marina in Pa Khlok, on the north-east coast, one of the marina's places to eat while waiting for a boat.
Rabbit Hole
RestaurantA café in large green grounds at Pa Khlok, Thalang, with a petting zoo.
Tasak Seafood
Seafood restaurantA family seafood restaurant on the terrace of the owners' house by the mangroves at Tha Sak, Pa Khlok, on the east coast.
Cafés
ourmolt coffee roaster
CaféA coffee shop and roastery down a small lane in Pa Khlok, open at weekends only, with mid-century furniture, posters, board games and quiet corners; parking nearby.
Marinas
Ao Po Grand Marina
Marina · Ao PoA marina at Ao Po on Phuket's north-east coast, about 30 minutes' drive from the airport, with speedboats to Koh Yao Noi and Koh Naka Yai.
Bang Rong Pier
Pier · Bang RongA pier on Phuket's north-east coast, about 20 minutes' drive from the airport: the main departure point for speedboats to Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai.
- The zone
- A place, as the list numbers it
Homes and places on the map
Buddhist temple
Waterfall
Attraction
Attraction
Seafood restaurant
Floating restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
Seafood restaurant
Restaurant
Marina
Pier
Homes in Pa Khlok
Village houses and family homes on the farmland, newer housing estates along the main road, and luxury pool villas on Cape Yamu and near Ao Po. Few condos and few short-stay hotels; most people who live here have a car.
Pa Khlok through the year
The monsoon months
From April to November the council counts the rains. The forest is at its greenest and the east coast stays sheltered, so boats to Ko Yao and bay tours still run on most days.
Pa Khlok with children
Pa Khlok suits families who like animals and forest more than beaches: an elephant sanctuary, gibbons, a waterfall stream and village tours, with the west coast's beaches a drive away.
- The elephant sanctuary and the gibbon centre take visitors by booking only; plan the day around their sessions.
- Bang Pae's stream is where Thai families picnic and play in the water.
- There is no swimming beach in the subdistrict; the shore is mangrove, mudflat and piers.
- International schools and the big private hospitals are a drive away, in Kathu and Phuket Town.
Getting to Pa Khlok and parking
- From the airport, by car
- 20–35 min
- From Patong, with the traffic
- 45–60 min
- From Phuket Town
- 30–45 min
Pa Khlok is in the north-east of the island, about 25 minutes from the airport and 30 to 45 minutes from Phuket Town by car. No Smart Bus route serves it, so most people drive, ride or take a taxi.
- By car. The main way around: Highway 4027 links the Heroines Monument with Pa Khlok, and village roads lead off it to Bang Rong, Ao Po and Cape Yamu.
- Grab and taxis. Taxis and ride apps reach the piers and the marina; Bang Rong pier is about 25 to 30 minutes from the airport.
- By scooter. Quiet village roads, but long distances to the shops and beaches of the west coast.
- By boat. Speedboats link Bang Rong and Ao Po with Ko Yao Noi, Ko Yao Yai and Ko Naka; tours to Phang Nga Bay start at Ao Po Grand Marina.
Parking. Bang Pae Waterfall has its own car park; the piers and the marina are reached by car or taxi.
Who will love Pa Khlok, and who will not
Will love it
- Anyone who wants villages, forest and bay views far from the west-coast crowds.
- Island hoppers on their way to Ko Yao or Phang Nga Bay.
- Families who like animals: elephants, gibbons and a waterfall stream.
- Travellers who want a secluded resort on Cape Yamu or on Naka Yai.
- Residents who want a house with land, close to the airport.
Will not
- Beach lovers: the shore is mangrove and mudflat; swimming beaches are on the west coast.
- Nightlife seekers: there are no bars to speak of; Patong is about an hour away.
- A first visit without a car: everything here is spread out and the Smart Bus does not come.
Tips for Pa Khlok
Book the animals first
The elephant sanctuary runs booked morning and afternoon programmes, and the gibbon centre opens only for booked sessions; reserve before you drive out.
Waterfall hours and fee
Bang Pae is open 08:00 to 16:30; foreign visitors pay the 200 THB national-park fee, Thais 20 THB.
Watch the tide
Bang Rong's shore is tidal: the islet of Ko Phae can be reached only at low tide, and kayaking is easier on a rising tide.
Dress for the village
Bang Rong is a Muslim fishing village: cover shoulders and knees when you walk through it.
The last boat
Speedboats from Bang Rong to Ko Yao run hourly until about 17:00 (2026); later crossings are private longtail hire.
Best months for the bay
November to February brings the clearest skies over Phang Nga Bay, but its sheltered water allows tours most of the year.
You need wheels
No Smart Bus route reaches Pa Khlok; rent a car or scooter, or agree a return time with your taxi.
Hospitals are a drive away
The big private hospitals are in Phuket Town, 30 to 45 minutes by car.
Questions about Pa Khlok
Where is Pa Khlok?
In the north-east of Phuket, in Thalang district: a 38 km² subdistrict on Phang Nga Bay with nine villages, including Bang Rong, Ao Po, Cape Yamu and the island of Ko Naka.
Are there beaches to swim at in Pa Khlok?
Not really. The coast is mangrove, mudflat, bays and piers. For swimming, the west coast beaches are a 30 to 45 minute drive.
How do I get from Phuket to Ko Yao Noi or Ko Yao Yai?
Most people take a speedboat from Bang Rong pier: hourly from 08:00 to 17:00, 30 to 45 minutes, about 300 to 400 THB (2026). Boats also leave from Ao Po Grand Marina.
Where do Phang Nga Bay tours start?
Many speedboat tours leave from Ao Po Grand Marina in Pa Khlok, others from Royal Phuket Marina in Ko Kaeo. Both are 45 to 60 minutes from Patong by road.
How much is Bang Pae Waterfall?
200 THB for foreign visitors and 20 THB for Thais, the national-park fee. It is open daily from 08:00 to 16:30.
Can I see the gibbons at the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project?
Yes, by booking a one-hour learning session at 10:30, 12:30 or 14:00. On days without bookings the centre is closed.
Is Phuket Elephant Sanctuary ethical?
It was opened in 2016 by a former camp owner who gave up rides: visitors watch the elephants roam and bathe on booked programmes. Programmes start at 1,900 THB (2026).
How far is Pa Khlok from the airport?
About 20 to 35 minutes by car, depending on which village; Cape Yamu and Ao Po are about 25 minutes away.
How much is rent in Pa Khlok?
Houses of two to four bedrooms were listed at about 25,000 to 60,000 THB a month in October 2026; sea-view villas at Cape Yamu cost far more.