East from Bophut and located astride the road to Big Buddha, Bang Rak has developed substantially in recent years. From being little more than clusters of small bars and shops next to the ferry piers, which gave the village its purpose, Bang Rak has become a long, linear strip that practically meets-up with Big Buddha. The strip now includes many small hotels, both new and renovated, and added more inviting restaurants, such as the excellent Oceans 11, to the seedy collection of hostess bars that have continued a steady growth in number over the years. But as the village spreads itself eastwards, Bang Rak risks losing more of its individualism and identity to Big Buddha.
The inland part of the village has long been something of a dormitory town for workers in Chaweng and the neighbouring resort towns, whilst the coastal strip has traditionally catered to the transient community visiting Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao and those spending their last night before an early flight home from the nearby airport.
Known to many as Big Buddha beach, Bang Rak possesses a pleasant enough, golden sand beach. While the sand may not be as powdery as Chaweng, the western part of the bay, with its uncrowded palm fringed shoreline, is an attractive proposition for many. The eastern part underneath the airport’s flightpath, seems to have been occupied by fishing families, up to and a bit beyond the new pier.
Bang Rak
East from Bophut and located astride the road to Big Buddha, Bang Rak has developed substantially in recent years. From being little more than clusters of small bars and shops next to the ferry piers, which gave the village its purpose, Bang Rak has become a long, linear strip that practically meets-up with Big Buddha. The strip now includes many small hotels, both new and renovated, and added more inviting restaurants, such as the excellent Oceans 11, to the seedy collection of hostess bars that have continued a steady growth in number over the years. But as the village spreads itself eastwards, Bang Rak risks losing more of its individualism and identity to Big Buddha.
The inland part of the village has long been something of a dormitory town for workers in Chaweng and the neighbouring resort towns, whilst the coastal strip has traditionally catered to the transient community visiting Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao and those spending their last night before an early flight home from the nearby airport.
Known to many as Big Buddha beach, Bang Rak possesses a pleasant enough, golden sand beach. While the sand may not be as powdery as Chaweng, the western part of the bay, with its uncrowded palm fringed shoreline, is an attractive proposition for many. The eastern part underneath the airport’s flightpath, seems to have been occupied by fishing families, up to and a bit beyond the new pier.