A hidden gem on the Andaman coast is set to become the next big thing for international travellers. Hat Yao beach, situated in the Trang province, is being dubbed the next Maya Bay – the picture-postcard beach made famous by Leonardo DiCaprio in the 2000 movie “The Beach”.
The Tourism Council of Trang believes that Hat Yao beach has all the ingredients to become a major tourist attraction in the South. It cited the towering limestone karts of Ao Po Bay, Hat Yong Ling beach, the caverns of Tham Chao Khun, and the opportunity to spot dugongs and turtles as the reasons why the beach has the potential to be a must-visit destination.
Ao Po Bay’s sandy stretches run beneath a shark fin-shaped mountain, which can easily rival the beauty of Maya Bay in neighbouring Krabi province, according to the TCT.
Adventure travellers can enjoy rock climbing on the limestone karst cliffs or sailing underneath them. Additionally, the beach offers kayaking through the mangrove forest to Tham Chao Khun. The cave is home to spectacular stalactite formations and a colony of bats. Ao Po Bay’s underwater meadows of seagrass also make it a playground for dugongs and turtles.
The TCT President, Pitakpong Chaikot, announced plans to develop tourism in the area in collaboration with Hat Chao Mai National Park. The Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning has been allocated a budget to study, design and develop local tourist attractions.
The TCT would also work with local hospitality operators and community enterprises to promote tourism activities in the area. Tour operators would also be permitted to station themselves at Trang Airport, 50 minutes away by car, to promote attractions around Hat Yao beach.
Trang tourism agencies are also hosting Chinese tourism representatives to drum up demand from what was Thailand’s largest overseas travel market before Covid. Indonesian tour operators visited Trang at the end of last year, according to the TCT chief.
In addition, the area’s reasonably priced food and accommodation would also be attractive to tourists. TCT President, Pitakpong Chaikot, said that the TCT is committed to making the area a popular tourist destination.
“Hat Yao beach is among the most beautiful beaches in the South.”
It seems like Hat Yao beach is well on its way to becoming the next big thing in the world of international travel. With its stunning natural beauty, diverse range of activities, and attractive prices, it won’t be long before travellers from all over the world flock to this hidden paradise.
Hat Yao Beach’s main challenge, or perhaps advantage, is it’s far more remote than Maya Bay. Maya Bay and the Phi Phi Islands are just an hour away by boat from either Phuket or Krabi. Whereas Trang, with infrequent flights to its airport and only passenger vans delivering tourists to the area, is a harder sell.
Then again, it’s only 2 hours drive south of Krabi. And Maya Bay is getting very over-listed these days, so…
PHOTO: Nation Thailand
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
