Khao Lak: Hat Thai Mueang Turtle Releasing Festival
The stunning beaches in the Thai Mueang area of Phang Nga are important nesting sites for turtles and every year the town hosts a popular ten day Turtle Festival. Young turtle hatchlings are released into the sea by locals and visitors during a ten day celebration known as ‘Prapanee Ploi Tao’. This is a fantastic opportunity to experience Turtle Conservation in action. Read on to find out everything you need to know about attending the Thai Mueang Annual Turtle Releasing Festival.
THAILAND: KHAO LAK
Situated in the Khao Lampi Hat Thai Mueang National Park, Hat Thai Mueang Beach is an expansive, 13km long award winning beach with a seafront road running parallel to it.
The beach itself is tranquil with clear water and a great place to take in a glorious sunset. Behind the beach rows of fir trees keep the beach cool and well shaded.
As well as being an idyllic relaxation spot, from November to February, during the 'dry' season, turtles venture onto the sands to nest and lay eggs. Nature lovers come to watch the turtles bury their eggs by moonlight.
In March every year Hat Thai Mueang hosts a ten day Turtle Festival known as ‘Prapanee Ploi Tao’ where locals and visitors celebrate everything turtle related and release young turtle hatchlings into the Andaman Sea.
From 1st - 10th March each year, the sleepy town of Thai Mueang comes alive with a unique celebration. The action takes place along the beachfront road with a lively street parade, market and information booths and exhibits.
This significant event focuses on raising awareness about turtle conservation and promoting environmental protection within the local community.
Turtles raised in Phang Nga Coastal Fisheries Research & Development Centre are released into the Andaman Sea by festival participants.
A colourful street parade starts the celebration on 1st March and is followed by the Turtle Releasing Ceremony as the sun sets.
Phang Nga Coastal Fisheries Development Centre - Thai Mueang
From lively beach clean-ups to spirited art competitions and engaging turtle-themed games, attendees of all ages are invited to partake in activities designed to encourage environmental consciousness.
Throughout the event, workshops and seminars, led by esteemed marine biologists and passionate conservationists, offer invaluable insights into turtle conservation, marine ecosystems, and the imperative need for environmental preservation.
Beyond the Turtle Releasing Ceremony, the festival features various activities to engage the community and promote environmental responsibility within the local community.
A turtle made from flips flops and other materials washed up on the beaches.
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These elements contribute to the festive atmosphere while promoting environmental awareness and fostering a sense of community responsibility.
Attendees can also browse local handicraft stalls, savour delicious food from local vendors, and enjoy entertaining performances by local school children.
The Turtle Festival offers a unique opportunity to celebrate marine life, support conservation efforts, and learn about the vital role we play in protecting our planet.
After the Turtle Releasing Ceremony, the festivities continue with live music performances and a bustling night market.
Hat Thai Mueang Beach has been awarded a 5 Star Certification from The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment due to the longevity and abundance of its ecosystem.
Find out more about visiting the Khao Lampi Hat Thai Mueang National Park in our Blog here.
This National Park is located between Phuket and Khao Lak and is stunning. There are no crowds here making it a great destination for anyone wanting to enjoy nature peacefully.
Khao Lampi Hat Thai Mueang National Park is open 08.00 to 16.30 every day.
The Headquarters / Visitors Centre area has a camping area, several park accommodations with shower/toilet facilities just across the road from the beach with a stunning sea view.
The entrance fee to the park is THB 100 for adults and 100 THB 50 for children. Your ticket permits you to also visit the must-see Lampi Waterfall and Ton Prai Waterfall on the same day.
Where To Stay In Thai Mueang
Thai Mueang is a small, quiet Thai town along an undeveloped strip of tropical coastline.
It is a tranquil escape away from the hustle and bustle of Phuket or Khao Lak. There's no fancy bars here, it is a place to relax and enjoy nature.
The Khao Lampi Hat Thai Mueang National Park has bungalows available for overnight stays and a beach side campsite.
We stayed at the Thai Mueang Resort which was conveniently located just a five minute walk away from the centre of the Turtle Festival. The Thai Mueang Resort offers basic affordable accommodation and has everything you need for an overnight stay.
Another option close to the beach is Garden Bungalow House which is family run and has a choice of different styles of rooms.
Approximately 3km away from the beach in the town, Thai Mueang Boutique Hotel and Maki Nap are also great options.
Where To Eat In Thai Mueang
Thai Mueang is a small and undeveloped town, there's no fancy restaurants here and most of the restaurants and Thai Kitchens are aimed at the local community rather than tourists. Also remember that most places will close quite early as it is a quiet town.
Michelin Guide P'Sao Restaurant on the beach road has been serving delicious meals for over 40 years. It is a family restaurant where the recipes have been handed down from the founder to her younger sister. Diners can enjoy the view with a cooling sea breeze. Southern-style dishes are served with colourful street art adorning the walls.
George Pizza has a great seafront location to watch the sunset and enjoy a freshly baked pizza from a real oven. The staff are very friendly and speak English and the varied menu is in English.
If you are craving a cheese toastie there's a 7-11 in the main town area.
The best place for breakfast options is a small coffee shop on the beach road which serves coffee and fresh cakes and pastries. There's cozy seating areas indoors and outdoors and the top level has a great view of the beach with incredilble sunsets. This is also a quiet place to work from.
Check out our Blog bringing you The Best waterfalls In Khao Lak here.
Where To Stay In Khao Lak
With a series of small villages stretched over 20 km of beautiful coastline it can seem daunting to choose where to stay.
Broadly speaking the three main areas of Khao Lak are Bang La On, Bang Niang, and Khuk Khak.
Bang La On is the most developed area with many resorts and tourist facilities.
Bang Niang is a bit more laid-back and North of Bang La On.
Khuk Khak is the most rural of the three villages, North of Ban Bang Niang.
On Khao Lak South Beach you will find the Lam Kaen area which is the original Khao Lak village, south of the Khao Lak mountain.
For a quiet getaway choose Ban Bang Niang, Khuk Khak or Lam Kaen.
Further North there are 3 more areas considered to be within the Khao Lak region.
Right after Khuk Khak you will enter Pakarang, mainly a fishing village with some resorts and the popular Pakarang Cape and Pakarang Beach.
The villages of Pak Weep and Bang Sak are just beyond Pakarang and have the most secluded beaches. THey are are much smaller than Ban La On, Bang Niang or Khuk Khak, but they offer a more authentic Thai experience. Stay in Pak Weep or Bang Sak if you like it quiet and don’t mind spending most of your time at a luxurious resort.
We stayed at The Khao Lak Merlin Resort which was absolutely amazing. The Khao Lak Merlin Resort is an award wining natural eco resort where the rainforest meets the sea.
The resort is set in an enchanting rainforest and no trees were removed during building.
There is an abundance of wildlife here including birds, water monitors and slow loris. Guided nature walks place place within the hotel grounds early morning and at night for a chance to glimpse stunning birds and the nocturnal Slow Loris.
Our kids loved the Khao Lak Merlin Resort as it is set right on the beach so there's the option of pool or beach. There's a small games room for kids with a pool table, dart board and board games.
The Stamp Ralley was fun family activity and we learned more about the plants and wildlife in the gardens.
Find out more about this leading eco-resort and check availability here.
We were extremely lucky to see four Slow Loris on a night walk and we had a tree frog visit our room!
There's lots of space here and no stampede for sunbeds.
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