Many kilometers of the Andaman coastline are casually referred to, and have become known as, Khao Lak. The central hub is however at the village of Ban Bang La On (close to Nang Thong Beach). The "original" Khao Lak beach (sometimes known as KaoLak beach) is actually some five kilometers further south, after the headland where the National Park HQ offices are situated.

In addition to the central hub at Ban La On (Nang Thong), there is the less commercial area of Bang Niang village, a couple of kilometers north.

Today, Khao Lak is characterized by kilometers of lovely unspoiled beach coastline, (running north, past the headland, from the original Khao Lak beach), against a lush jungle backdrop, with highway route 4 threading its way effectively in parallel to the coast.
 is on the Andaman Sea just 80 Kilometers North from Phuket International Airport. It locates on Km 56-57 heading to Takuapa town.

There are many beaches all the way from Phuket to Takuapa such as Thai Muang Beach, Bang niang Beach, Khao lak Beach and Bang sak Beach. But Khao Lak beach is the most popular beach for many tourists because the beach is clean and long with golden sand where most of the resorts are located.

Khao lak is well known for tourists who love to stay in a remotely area because the beach is very quiet and no bars or entertainment close to the beach. Tourists can also get to Similan and Surin Islands by chartered boats leave from Thap Lamu Pier in Thai Muang District (30 minutes from Khao lak beach) and take about 3 hours to reach the islands.

Khao Lak (เขาหลัก) is a resort town in Phang Nga province on the western Andaman Sea coastline of southern Thailand, about 100 km north of Phuket Town. When the disastrous tsunami of 2004 struck South Asia, Khao Lak was the hardest-hit area in Thailand with over 4000 fatalities. It has since made an impressive recovery despite many hardships along the way, and is once again a popular tourist destination. Khao Lak mainly caters to families and those looking for R&R - party people prefer Phuket.