Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Taste
INTERNATIONAL-THAI
$$
( 08 7886 6401; tapas 160-225B)
The best of a new breed of urban-meets-surf eateries along
the beach. Dine indoors or alfresco on meal-sized salads, perfectly cooked filet mignon or
a variety of Thai-Mediterranean starters and mains. Service is outstanding and there's an
enticing attached gallery selling Tibetan, Nepali and local jewellery and art.
The Catch
BEACH CLUB
( 0 7631 6567;
www.catchbeachclub.com
; Hat Surin; beach club access per day 1500B; 10.30am-10.30pm;
)
Slip on your breeziest linen to dine at this draped, cabana-style eatery right on the
beach. It's part of Twin Palms, even though it's not attached, and has all the same classy
attributes as the hotel in both ambience and cuisine.
Information
There is an ATM at Surin Plaza, just east of the beach on Rte 4025. Internet access is
available at most hotels for 1B per minute.
Getting There & Away
A regular
sŏrng·tăa·ou
from Phuket Town's Th Ranong to Hat Surin costs 40B per person,
and túk-túk or
sŏrng·tăa·ou
charters cost 600B.
posite the entrance to Twin Palms. Vehicles can be rented from 1400B per day.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Ao Bang Thao
Almost as large and even more beautiful than Ao Patong, the stunning, 8km-long white-
sand sweep of Ao Bang Thao is the glue that binds the region's disparate elements. The
southern half is home to a sprinkling of three-star bungalow resorts. Further inland you'll
find an old fishing village laced with canals along with a number of upstart villa subdivi-
sions. Don't be alarmed if you see a herd of water buffalo grazing just 100m from a gi-
gantic construction site. That's how fast Bang Thao has changed.
