We discovered Khanom and the area around Nakhon Si Thammarat on one of the crossings from Koh Samui towards Don Sak. The area is one of the most beautiful spots in the world, as there are still untouched nature and deserted beaches.

Khanom is located in the northern district of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, bordering Surat Thani to the south. Most of the coastline is part of Hat Khanom National Park - Mo Kho Thale Tai. The beaches are lined with slate mountain ranges and palm trees.

Inland, the mountain range of Nakhon Si Thammarat towers above. The place is picturesquely located on a small river, a bit off the beach. On the beaches some hotels and small restaurants have settled.

So far, Khanom is only a little touristy developed. At the two main stands Nadan Beach and the Naiplao Beach are some hotels, bungalows and restaurants. We stayed at the Tongnian Beach at Needa Rock Resort. They have some Stone Bungelows and Family Houses as well as a 2 storey main building with standard rooms. The resort is at a beatiful beach area and we loved staying there a lot!

Khanom does not have its own airport. The nearest airport is Surat Thani. Arrivals from Overseas and Germany take place via Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok. From there you can travel to Khanom by car or bus. Also you can take a train or plane from Bangkok to Surat Thani.

Arrival from Bangkok:

• The arrival from Bangkok by plane is limited possible (to Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat [both airports are about 100 km away] or via Koh Samui [continue by ferry to Don Sak]).
• Khanom is about 700 km from Bangkok. A drive by car takes about 9 - 9.5 hours. From Bangkok there is a main route via Chumphon to Khanom.
• Arriving from Bangkok by land is easy as there are buses to Khanom from the Southern Bus Terminal. Ticket counters are located at Gate 8 in Level 1 at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.
• The Sri Suthep Tour and Subphaisan Tour bus will take you from the Southern Bus Terminal to Khanom. Travel times: Departure Bangkok-Khanom daily at 20.00 and 20.10. One-way fare 535 THB per person, journey time approximately 9 hours

• Khanom is not directly connected to Thailand's rail network. Train connections are via Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat and are the friendliest way to get to Khanom. There are fast and express trains. The fare costs around 520 baht and takes about 8 h 30 - 11 h 30. The train starts at Hua Lamphong Station in Bangkok.      
  
• Travel times: Departure Bangkok-Surat Thani: from 8.05 clock / several times a day and in the sleeping car

• You can also rent a car at the airport in Bangkok. Here are the usual lenders to choose from (AVIS, Budget, Europcar, Sixt and Hertz). Depending on the season, the prices vary greatly and often smaller vehicles are fully booked in the main season. The best way is to book the car already in your homecountry.
  
  •         Highway # 35 south and then change to Highway # 4
  •         Highway # 4 via Chumphon to Khanom.

Arrival from Koh Samui / Koh Phangan / Koh Tao:
Here it is advisable to book a ticket in one of the small travel agencies that are found everywhere in the tourist centers. The travel price includes a pick-up service directly from the hotel. With the mini bus we continue to the pier and from there by boat / ferry to Surat Thani (Koh Samui & Koh Phangan) or to Chumphon (Koh Tao). From the pier, take a bus or minibus or hotel shuttle to Khanom.

Arrival from mainland Tailand (for example Krabi, Khao Lak, Pattaya):

Again, you can book the pick-up service directly from the hotel again. With the mini bus it goes on to the respective bus station and from there with the VIP bus up to the "bus station" in Khanom.

Transfer to the hotel in Khanom and transportation within the city:
Within Khanom there are numerous ways to get around.

1.     The cheap baht buses go to several destinations
2.     With the motorcycle taxi, taximeter or TukTuk you can get directly to the hotel or a place of interest
3.     You can also rent a car or a scooter

Already at the entrance to Khanom, the roundabout with the pink dolphin falls to attention. The place is known for these rare animals. On site, various dolphin tours are offered and with a little luck, you can also see one of these animals. Mostly the excursions are combined tours with snorkeling and cave sightseeing. If you like nature, this is just right for you.

caves:
Temple Cave Wat Thamm Phra with many Buddhist relics
Near the ferry pier (between Don Sak and Khanom) are Tham Khao Wang Thong and Khao Crot Cave

Waterfalls:
Nan Phai, Hin Lad and Thanoi as well as Klang Thong

Market:
On Wednesdays and Saturdays in the village of Khanom there is a market with fruit and food, as well as textiles.

Temple:
In the provincial capital Nakhon Si Thammarat is one of the most famous and oldest temples in Thailand. The Wat Phra Mahathat Woramaha Viharn has a huge 74 m high white chedi in the center of the complex. Around the complex is a covered gallery with many Buddhist relics and statues and a museum. The temple can be reached by taxi or public bus from Khanom.

The Wat Kradang-Nga temple is the county's oldest Buddhist temple and was founded as early as the Ayutthaya period.

The only two touristy beaches are Nadan Beach and Naiplao Beach. The beaches are almost deserted - but just fantastic.

From Khanom to Sichon you will find miles of beautiful natural beaches, some of the finest white sand, sometimes completely covered with various shells and corals.