🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Pak Meng sits in Sikao district, about 35–40 km from Trang town, roughly a 40–45 minute drive along Highways 4046 and 4162 (Trang–Sikao–Pak Meng). Its signature is a crescent-shaped stretch of sand lined with sea pines, looking out at Khao Meng (which people also call Koh Meng) standing out in the water. Pak Meng isn't a clear-water island beach; it's a mainland base that pulls the pier, the restaurants, and the lodging together in one place. Most people use it as a jumping-off point for the islands and come back to sleep by the beach.
Pak Meng Beach — what it's actually like
Pak Meng is a long curve of sand running alongside the road, shaded by sea pines the whole way. One side is the Andaman, the other is a line of restaurants, shops, and places to stay. It's an easy stroll in the morning or evening. The sand is fairly fine and a pale brown, and at low tide the beach opens up wide and turns muddy in places. The water runs a cloudy green, which is just how the mainland sea is here, rather than the clear blue you get out at Koh Kradan or Koh Mook.
To be straight with you, plenty of people don't come to Pak Meng to swim, since the water isn't clear and the beachfront is where the longtail boats park. They come for seafood by the water, time under the casuarinas, and the boats out to the islands. If you want clear water to swim in, take a boat out to Koh Kradan, Koh Cheuk, or the Emerald Cave, which sit about 40 minutes to an hour from Pak Meng pier depending on the boat.
On the tides
The tide swing on this coast is big. At low tide the beach opens up wide and the water pulls a long way out, and some boats have to wait for the right moment. Before you plan a boat trip or photos by the beach, check that day's tide table so your timing lines up better.
Want more out of Trang? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Chang Lang Beach — a long, quiet stretch under the pines
About 5–6 km south of Pak Meng is Chang Lang Beach, a long stretch that's clearly quieter and more natural than Pak Meng. It's home to the Hat Chao Mai National Park headquarters, which looks after nearly 20 km of coastline and several islands across the Trang sea. Chang Lang has a long line of sea pines, a campground, and park bungalows, and it suits anyone after a calm atmosphere, fewer people, and more nature than the convenience of Pak Meng.
- Hat Chao Mai National Park HQ — sits right on Chang Lang Beach, with a campground and park bungalows you book through the national park system. Good if you want to fall asleep to the waves on the cheap.
- Hat Yao (Hat Yong Ling–Hat Yao) — past Chang Lang the white sand keeps going in a long, continuous run that hasn't been fully discovered yet, good for a quiet stop to take photos and walk.
- Nature activities — this area has mangroves, nature trails, and is home to the dugongs around Koh Libong. If you're lucky you might spot birds and sea life along the flats.
Park entry fee
Chang Lang and the beaches inside Hat Chao Mai National Park charge a park entry fee for visitors (tens of baht for Thai adults, less for children), collected only at the points that have a checkpoint, while a general stroll along Pak Meng is free. Carry a little cash just in case.
Pak Meng pier — where boats leave for the islands
Pak Meng pier is the gateway to Trang's Andaman sea. It's the launch point for boats to the province's famous islands, and it connects out to farther islands like Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe depending on the season. Most Trang sea tours leave from here, so it helps to know the main routes when you're planning.
- Trang join-in sea tours (big boat) — the popular route is Emerald Cave–Koh Kradan–Koh Cheuk–Koh Waen, leaving in the morning and back by evening. For Thai visitors who turn up at the pier themselves, prices start around 890 THB per person, including lunch, drinking water, fruit, and a guide.
- Private charter (longtail boat) — great for a group or if you want to set your own route. Around 3,990 THB for 1–4 people and around 4,990 THB for 5–8, and you can choose to stop at Koh Kradan and the Emerald Cave as you like.
- Boat to Koh Mook–Emerald Cave — the Emerald Cave is the highlight, where you swim through a passage to find a hidden beach inside, the light reflecting off the water in an emerald green. Almost every tour stops here.
- Operating season — most Trang sea tours run roughly 1 October to 31 August each year. Through the heaviest of the monsoon around September many operators stop because of the strong swell.
Booking a tour worth the money
Tour prices vary by whether a vehicle picks you up at your hotel or you make your own way to the pier. If you're already staying near Pak Meng and turn up at the pier yourself, it's cheaper. Check clearly whether the park fee, lunch, and snorkel gear are included, and ask how many stops the route makes, since some operators show a low price but stop at only a few spots.
Pak Meng–Chang Lang restaurants locals actually eat at
One of Pak Meng's draws is fresh seafood by the water at prices you can stomach. There are simple places under the casuarinas and resort spots with a nice view. We've picked out the ones with a real name and steady reviews, with an emphasis on fresh seafood.
Tontoey Seafood
A seafood place on Pak Meng Beach you'll often hear about when visiting Trang. The seafood is fresh, and the standouts are the steamed blue crab, grouper steamed in soy sauce, garlic-fried prawns, and stir-fried pak liang with egg, a southern Thai local green. You can eat looking out at the sea, and the prices are mid-range and fair for how fresh it is.
Koh Pu Koh Pla
A popular seafood spot around Pak Meng–Sikao that locals and visitors talk up for freshness and bold southern flavours. The picks are crab fried in curry powder, seafood tom yum, and stir-fried squid. Good for a group ordering a few dishes to share.
Acqua – Anantara Si Kao
The beachfront restaurant at the Anantara Si Kao resort on Chang Lang Beach, with a nice atmosphere and an open sea view. Good for a special meal or an easygoing dinner watching the sunset. Prices run higher than the usual beachfront places, since you're paying for the setting and the view.
Khrua Ladawan
A Thai–seafood place around Sikao–Pak Meng that locals drop by, bold and properly southern. The sour curry, yellow curry, and fish dishes are made full-on, the prices are local, and it suits anyone after homestyle flavours over a tourist spot.
Ban Suan Kan Sung
A roadside garden spot focused on made-to-order dishes and seafood, shaded and easy to sit at, good for a lunch stop on the way to or from Pak Meng. The prices are friendly.
Suanson
A chilled spot under the sea pines by the beach, focused on snacks, drinks, and simple food. Good for catching the sea breeze in the afternoon while you wait for sunset.
WHITE LAY BAY (Pakmeng Guesthouse)
A cafe tucked into a guesthouse on Pak Meng Beach, with a wide view of the sand and the sun going down in the evening. Good for sipping a coffee or a cold drink and watching the sunset without fighting for a spot.
B.I.T Cafe and Bar
A cafe-bar around Pak Meng that's good for a long sit from evening into the night, with coffee, drinks, and snacks. An easygoing change of pace from the seafood places.
Grilled seafood stalls–beachfront snacks at Pak Meng
In the evening the Pak Meng beachfront has grilled seafood stalls with grilled squid, shellfish, prawns, and snacks at easy prices. An easy place to grab a bite while you stroll and wait for sunset.
Where to stay at Pak Meng–Chang Lang
Lodging here ranges from easygoing beachfront resorts to upmarket ones on Chang Lang. Pick based on whether you want to sleep right by the beach on a budget, or pay up for the setting and the view.
Beachfront resorts at Pak Meng
There are plenty of beachfront resorts and guesthouses at Pak Meng to choose from, with prices starting around 500–1,200 THB per night, an easy walk to the beach, the restaurants, and the pier. Good for anyone heading out to the islands and coming back to sleep.
Upmarket resorts on Chang Lang
The Chang Lang side has higher-end resorts like Anantara Si Kao, with an open sea view, calm and quiet, good for couples or anyone wanting a proper rest. Prices run a fair bit higher than the Pak Meng side.
Chang Lang park campground
The Hat Chao Mai National Park HQ on Chang Lang Beach has a campground and bungalows you book through the national park system. Good for budget campers who want to fall asleep to the waves.
Where to watch the sunset at Pak Meng
Pak Meng's advantage is that it faces the sea to the west, so the sun drops straight into the water and you watch the sky shift through orange, pink, and purple, with the silhouette of Khao Meng and the longtail boats out front. You don't have to go anywhere far, just find a good seat under the casuarinas. The sun sets around 6:15–6:45 pm depending on the season.
- The sea pines along Pak Meng — sit under the casuarinas in front of the beach and watch the sun set behind Khao Meng, the classic spot most people photograph. Get there about half an hour before sundown to catch the sky at its best.
- Beach-view cafes — places like WHITE LAY BAY and the beachfront cafes give you a seat to sip a drink and watch the sunset in comfort, without fighting for a spot.
- Chang Lang Beach — the Chang Lang side has fewer people, and you can sit on the sand and watch the sunset quietly, calmer than Pak Meng.
- Pak Meng pier walkway — walk out onto the pier in the evening for an open sea view, with the boats coming and going as a nice foreground.
Plan for the rainy season
The Trang sea has its monsoon around May to October, with overcast skies often and a strong swell around September when many island tours stop running, so the sunset may not be clear every day. The clearest skies and the best sea for boats are November to April. If you come in the rainy season, keep a backup plan and check the forecast first.
Sample trip: Pak Meng–Chang Lang
If you've got 2 days and 1 night, here's a rough plan that works: use Pak Meng as your base, spend one day on a boat trip out to the islands, and the other chilling by the beach with a stop at Chang Lang. Adjust the timing to the tide table and the boat schedule.
Boat out to the islands
Chill by the beach–stop at Chang Lang
Getting to Pak Meng–Chang Lang
- From Trang town — drive or rent a car along Highways 4046 and 4162 (Trang–Sikao–Pak Meng), about 35–40 km, around 40–45 minutes.
- Car or motorbike rental — the most convenient option here, since public transport out to the beach is limited. Rent in town or at Trang airport.
- Charter car–taxi — if you're not driving, you can charter a car from town for a round trip to Pak Meng. Agree on the price before you set off.
- Boat out to the islands — use Pak Meng pier as your base for boats to Koh Kradan, Koh Mook, the Emerald Cave, and Koh Cheuk.
Plan a full Trang trip with the beaches, islands, and places to stay
See the Trang travel guide →