Thap Lamu Andaman Resort — a budget base by Thap Lamu Pier for the Similan Islands
If your trip is built around an early-morning speedboat to the Similan or Surin Islands, staying near Thap Lamu Pier beats driving down from Khao Lak before sunrise. Thap Lamu Andaman Resort (listed on some platforms as OYO 843) is a small budget 2-star stay of around 21 rooms in the Thap Lamu area of Lam Kaen, roughly 1 km from the pier. Rooms are simple, with AC, TV, free Wi-Fi and parking. From approx. THB 700/night.
Thap Lamu Andaman Resort is a small stay of around 21 rooms in the Thap Lamu area of Lam Kaen, Thai Mueang district, Phang Nga Province. Its one clear selling point is the location: it's only about 1 km from Thap Lamu Pier, the main pier where speedboats and dive tours leave for the Similan and Surin Islands. For anyone who has to check in with a tour before dawn, sleeping near the pier is the whole reason to choose this place.
Rooms are simple, as you'd expect from a budget stay — air conditioning, a TV, 24-hour hot water, free Wi-Fi throughout, and parking. The common rooms are singles or doubles of around 25 sqm, and there's a Family Suite that sleeps more. Don't expect a pool, a big restaurant or a sea view: this isn't a beach resort, it's a transit stay for one night before a boat or after a day on the islands.
"Booked it purely because it's near Thap Lamu Pier — under ten minutes to the boat in the morning, far easier than coming from Khao Lak. The room is basic but clean enough to sleep."
The area around the property is the Thap Lamu community, with enough local food shops and convenience stores to grab a simple meal. There's no breakfast on site, so if your boat leaves very early it's worth buying something the night before or asking your tour whether breakfast is served on board. Khao Lak beach is about 10 minutes away by car if you want to head out for a walk or a wider choice of restaurants in the evening.
To be honest, public review data for this place is thin — it's a small property and most guests stay just one transit night. The reviews that do exist tend to say the same thing: they like the location near the pier and the low price, but stress that it's a basic stay, with some wear in places, and service that's budget-level rather than a staffed hotel with someone always at the desk.
In short, Thap Lamu Andaman Resort is best for travellers who need an affordable bed near Thap Lamu Pier to catch a boat to the Similans or Surins, or budget travellers using Thap Lamu as a one-night base. Rates start from approx. THB 700/night in low season, rising through the dive season (roughly November–April). If you want a pool, a pretty beachfront room or a resort feel, this isn't the answer — but if the goal is to be near the boat and pay little, it does that job.
A tip from reading the reviews: tell the property your real check-in time in advance, as a small stay like this doesn't always have someone at the desk around the clock. In the dive season book ahead, since rooms are few and Similan-bound travellers tend to snap up the stays nearest the pier. And confirm your meeting point with the dive tour clearly the night before.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Very close to Thap Lamu Pier — handy for boats to the Similans/Surins
- ✓ Budget rates, good for travellers watching their spend
- ✓ Free Wi-Fi and parking
- ✓ Only about 10 minutes by car from Khao Lak beach
- ! No pool and not a beachfront stay
- ! No breakfast — you eat out in the Thap Lamu area
- ! A basic property with some wear in places
- ✓ Works well as a one-night base before or after a boat trip
- ✓ Rooms clean enough for the price, with AC and hot water
- ✓ In the Thap Lamu community, easy to find a simple meal
- ✓ Quiet — restful before a dive day
- ! Small property; the desk isn't always staffed, so flag your check-in time ahead
- ! Limited facilities — no full-service hotel amenities
- ! Public reviews are still few, so it's hard to compare
- 💡If you want a pool, a pretty beachfront room or a resort feel — this is a budget stay with none of those → look at Khaolak Merlin Resort or La Flora Khao Lak in this roundup instead.
- 💡If you're not here to catch a boat at Thap Lamu — the location is a quiet community, away from Khao Lak's nightlife and wider dining → a stay around Bang Niang or Khao Lak beach is more convenient.
- 💡If you're coming in the dive season (Nov–Apr) — rooms are few and Similan-bound travellers book the stays near the pier → reserve ahead and flag your real check-in time.