Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 0 7521 3260;
www.dnp.go.th
; camping with own tent 30B, with tent hire 200B, cabins 800B)
Simple cabins
sleep up to six people and have fans. You can also camp under the casuarinas. There's a
restaurant and a small shop here, too.
HOTEL
$$$
Anantara Sikao
( 0 7520 5888;
www.sikao.anantara.com
;
Hat Cheng Leng; r from 5100B; )
Set on the northern
edge of Hat Chang Leng, Anantara's glamorous yet hip vibe has refreshed these old bones
(it was once an Amari Resort). Deluxe oceanfront rooms have wood floors, floating desks,
flat-screen TVs and amazing views of Pak Meng's signature karsts.
There are impressive timber columns and Balinese wood furnishings in the lobby, and
the view from the Acqua restaurant is jaw dropping. Take the free shuttle to its guests-
only beach club on seductive Ko Kradan.
Getting There & Away
Regular air-conditioned minivans from Th Kha Klang in Trang run to Hat Pak Meng
(60B, 45 minutes) and Chao Mai (80B, one hour). Or you can charter a taxi from Trang
for around 800B.
The Chao Mai National Park headquarters is about 1km off Rte 403, down a clearly
signposted track.
There are several daily boats from Pak Meng to Ko Ngai (450B) at noon; they depart
Ko Ngai at 8.30am. A long-tail charter is 1500B.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Trang Islands
The mythical Trang Islands feel like the lost fragments of the Andaman's iconic limestone
that have tumbled into the sea. Most have pure white-sand beaches home to roving sea
gypsies.
Ko Ngai
The long, blonde, wind-swept beach along the developed east coast of Ko Ngai (often
called Ko Hai) extends into blue water with a sandy bottom (perfect for children) that
ends at a reef drop-off with excellent snorkelling. Coral and clear waters actually encircle
