Bang Tao Beach / Laguna - Phuket
Over the last 20 years Bang Tao has undergone a tremendous transformation from a deserted tin mine with old, rusty dredges to the most luxurious resort area in Phuket.
Bang Tao Beach is set in a shallow bay - halfway between the airport and Patong Beach. The six kilometer long sand beach was deserted during the early years of tourism in Phuket. Few thought it would be possible to attract tourists to what was then old tin mines. The environment was completely destroyed by the 1980s - a huge wasteland left to die by the mining industry.
In 1984, while searching for a plot to build a family holiday home in Phuket, the Singaporean Ho Kwon Ping discovered a disused tin mine in Phuket, written off by the UN as acidic wasteland. Seeing the potential, Ho established Thai Wah Resort Development and bought the 550-acre site for almost 200 million dollars.
A limited number of exclusive and luxurious resorts have been developed along the Bang Tao Bay. The Banyan Tree, Dusit Laguna, Laguna Beach Club, Sheraton Grande Laguna, Allamanda and a few others comprise the Laguna Area at Bang Tao Beach. The facilities are first class and they offer their international guests the best of everything, although at a premium price.
The beach is generally clean and excellent for swimming, sailing and
windsurfing from November to April, but can be subject to dangerous
riptides and undertows at other times of year.
Among other activities available to guests are horseback riding, a number of spas, a water park, a great golf course and a number of activities for children.
In addition to the expensive hotels, there are more reasonably priced accommodations around Bang Tao Bay, including some guesthouses and bungalows - especially a kilometer or two away from the beach.
There are countless number of new real estate projects popping up all along Bang Tao Beach and to the inland (Layan area). Most of these projects cater for foreigners.
