Mai Khao Holidays

Mass tourism has yet to find its feet in Mai Khao. There are parts of this 11-kilometre ribbon of white sand where it’s possible to find yourself with just the palm trees for company. That’s not going to change any time soon, either. The beach is part of the Sirinat National Park, so it’s protected from any future development.

Despite the splendid isolation of the coast, you can still find things to do in Mai Khao. There’s a stylish shopping centre, called Turtle Village, where you can buy high-end souvenirs, jewellery and silk. Plus, there’s a Buddhist temple. It’s not as flashy as a lot of the others you’ll find in Thailand, but the ordination hall and monks’ dormitories are still worth a visit.

The dining scene in Mai Khao tends to centre on the area’s luxury hotels. If you want to eat out, though, you can head to the northern end of the beach, near Sarasin Bridge. The eateries here are made from bamboo and have thatched roofs, and they serve Thai-style seafood dishes like sand crab and prawns with bitter beans.