Khanom is the ultimate destination for relaxation. This quiet, beachside town is located in the Nakhon Si Thammarat province on the Gulf of Thailand. Its enticing neighbors, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui, lure the crowds and tourists away from this sleepy coastal area, making it the perfect place to unwind.
Short introduction
Khanom is a little town and a district of about 30.000 people. It sits right on the Gulf of Thailand coast. Since the houses are spread all over the place among rice fields and palm plantations, the town feels more like a village. There is only the crossroad in the center (known to everyone as siyek, the Thai word for crossroad) which looks somehow urban. The locals are mostly into agriculture and fishing. If you drive around you will see rubber trees plantation, coconut trees, rice paddies, oil palm trees. Part of Khanom district is Ban Peng, a little village where almost 100% of the population is into the fishing business, the village is set on the Khanom river banks, a place where you can admire the beautiful colorful fishing boats going up and down to and from the sea.
Why Khanom
Overlooked by tourists who flock to the jungle islands nearby, this pristine region, simply called Khanom, is a worthy choice for those seeking a serene beach setting unmarred by enterprising corporations. The waters are free of jet skis to protect the local pink dolphins, making the region quiet and undisturbed. Tours whisk visitors off to view the dolphins in their natural environment.
The beach area is long and comprises two beaches: the main, long Hat Nadan and the smaller and more remote Hat Nai Plao beyond. Beyond Hat Nai Plao is very quiet Hat Thong Yi at the end of the road, which is well worth a journey for its castaway feel. This area is also home to a variety of pristine geological features, including waterfalls and caves.
This spot is considered one of the most beautiful places in Thailand to escape to nature, serenity and relaxation. Here you will find fine white sand, coconut trees, clear water and hot and sunny days, perfect for swimming or lounging on the beach. There are not a lot of “attractions” in Khanom, the main draw of this destination is that it is quiet, peaceful and offers you a chance to relax in solitude.
How to reach Khanom
Khanom is located between three airports, Nakhon si Thammarat and Surat Thani on the mainland plus Samui Airport on the island of Koh Samui. You can take a bus from the mainland airports, or take a 45 minute speedboat from Samui. There are hundreds of different options for flights to these airports from many cities all over Southeast Asia, including Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Phuket, Singapore and Krabi.
What can you do on your stay in Khanom?
Here’s a quick Khanom fun attractions:
- Take a hike through the jungle and swim in one of the waterfalls.
- Head to the Wednesday morning market in the town and see a full range of veggies, fish, fruits and other local produce.
- One of the most amazing features of Khanom is the pink dolphins, which are a rare breed. You can see these remarkable creates from the old ferry pier or from the electric plant pier around dusk or dawn. Also, some resorts offer dolphin-spotting day tours.
- Check out the beautiful views from Dat Fa Mountain.
- Marvel at the Samet Chun Waterfall, one of the largest waterfalls in the area.
- Venture into the amazing caves along the main road between Don Sak and Khanom.
- Simply relax on the beach and forget about all of your cares.
Where to Stay
Aava Resort & Spa
Aava Resort & Spa is a modern hotel situated directly on 9km-long white sand Nadan Beach in Khanom, a quiet, uncommercialised location on the mainland not far from Suratthani, the launch point for the islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. The resort is owned by a Finnish family who have combined elegant, minimalist design with spectacular Thai hospitality, leaving an incredible fusion of the two cultures. As you can expect from its Scandinavian origins, design here is effortlessly stylish. Clean, minimalist, with simple slope-roofed villas, arrow-straight wooden walkways and louche four-poster sun-loungers, all softened with pretty pebble gardens and architectural plants. Step inside the hotel’s swish entrance and you’ll be greeted with sleek décor, elegant furnishings and monotone hues.
Aava Resort & Spa comprises of just 28 modern style bungalows and villas, each with a daybed that can be converted into an extra bed for a child. The 28 bungalows and villas have clean-lined furnishings, outdoor spaces (either a small terrace out front or a deck leading to the swimming pool) as well as large airy bathrooms with designer sinks, monsoon showers and bathtubs.
For romantic fine dining, eat at the award-winning Aalto restaurant, which specialises in fusion Asian and European food. Last but not least, at Aava Resort & Spa you can pamper yourself at the Aava Spa which is built to respect ancient Thai tradition of architecture as well as to deliver spa services that reflect the essence of Thai traditional therapeutic treatments.
