The next beach towards west, Noppharat Thara Beach, has a different mood. The east side is developing into a tourist resort that's not very much different from Ao Nang Beach. The west side can seem almost deserted. And the part in the middle has lovely local style restaurants with prices almost as low as anywhere else in Thailand outside tourist traps and central Bangkok. Meals start at 50 baht with a relaxing atmosphere and seaview.
 |
| Chicken with cashew nuts 60 baht and Thai iced tea 30 baht |
There's kind of a circular road (road number 4203 and Khlong Hang Rd from the mosque to the beach) following Noppharat Thara Beach and going about one kilometer inland. Along the inland part of road 4203 there are some decent family run budget accommodation options and more cheap local style restaurants. There are many hotels in the price range of 700 - 800 baht near the FamilyMart I marked on the map.
Nemo2 Resort, Aireen Hotel and Loma Place are almost new. Pornthep Mansion and J Boutique Hotel across the road, renamed to Pornthep Hotel 2, are older but well maintained. I have stayed in all of these places except Loma Place, and since Loma Place has excellent reviews (and it was always full) I can recommend them all. Some photos and a map are included below.
 |
| Nemo2 Resort |
 |
| Nemo2 Resort |
 |
| Pornthep Hotel 2 |
These places are located less than one kilometer from the west side of Noppharat Thara Beach and about three kilometers from Ao Nang Beach. If you don't enjoy walking too much, you can rent a motorbike for 200 baht per day or take the local songthaew (shared taxi, a white pickup) for 20 baht per trip. If you travel with a bigger group, a tuktuk won't be too expensive.
