Khanom Things to Do - 13 Tips and Highlights

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The small town of Khanom is still a hidden gem in southern Thailand. Away from the famous islands of Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, and Koh Tao, Khanom is located on the mainland along the east coast, offering peace and relaxation. You won’t encounter many tourists here. However, that doesn’t mean it’s boring. There are plenty of attractions in Khanom to discover during your trip.

Our Experiences and Things to Do for Khanom

To help you make the most of your trip to Khanom, we thoroughly explored the town and its surroundings. In this article, you’ll find our tips for Khanom’s attractions, amazing viewpoints, beaches, and even a nearly free fish spa. Let our experiences inspire you to enjoy this truly beautiful and peaceful place.

Accommodation in Khanom – Our Hotel Tip

In an idyllic location directly on the quiet beach of Khanom lies the Hotel Villa AoKhanom Beachfront. This quiet and cozy hotel offers modernly furnished rooms. Nothing is missing. Guests are provided with air conditioning, a safe, a minibar, a television, and a private balcony. Some rooms also come with stairs or direct pool access.

Additionally, there is a large swimming pool and a garden area. The restaurant and bar offer delicious food and drinks. In the morning, guests can enjoy either an à la carte breakfast or a buffet. The staff on-site is fantastic and assists with any questions. Enjoy the serene atmosphere and the view of the beach and the sea. An absolutely recommended hotel in Khanom.

You can find more great beach hotels in Khanom here. We’ve also written a detailed article about the Khanom beach hotels.

1. Khanom Beaches

Along the coast of Khanom, there are many beaches, one following the next. That’s why the beaches are also the number one attraction in Khanom. The northern section of the kilometer-long beach is called Kho Khao Beach. Not the most beautiful section, but there are a few beach bars here. Then come the Khanom Beach and the Na Dan Beach, which merge into one another without a clear boundary.

A little further south is Nai Phlao Beach, which, alongside Khanom Beach, is the most famous beach in the area. Other sections of the beach include Tong Yee Beach, located shortly after the Khanom – Sichon Road Viewpoint (see point 6). The last beach considered part of Khanom would be Phlai Dam Beach. Beyond that, everything south belongs to the Sichon region.

Khanom truly has a picturesque coastline and peaceful beaches, which is something very rare to see in Thailand given the quality. Everything here is still very unspoiled, and if you love beaches, you will definitely get your money’s worth. While there are already some Khanom hotels along the beach, there are also many open spaces where there’s not a person in sight.

2. Blue Terrace Cafe and Bar

Near the Khanom Hill Resort, at Nai Phlao Beach, a road leads uphill into the inland. On this hill lies the Blue Terrace Cafe. It is not just a cafe but also a restaurant/bar, beautifully and stylishly designed. During our visit around noon, we were the only visitors.

In our opinion, a visit is absolutely worth it! You can enjoy the view, there are plenty of photo opportunities, good coffee, and delicious food. The Blue Terrace Cafe is definitely designed for many more visitors, as there are almost endless seating options spread across multiple floors.

A relaxing spot you can combine with a visit to the Naern Thae Wada Khanom Viewpoint (see the next section). The only downside is that the road up is a bit steep, but it wasn’t a problem with our own car. Parking is available on-site, and it’s open daily from 8.00 AM to 6.30 PM.

3. Naern Thae Wada Khanom Viewpoint

A bit further up the hill near the Blue Terrace Cafe, you’ll find the Naern Thae Wada Khanom Viewpoint. A beautiful vantage point overlooking Khanom’s coastline, with views of the beach, numerous palm trees, and mountains. Open daily from 7.00 AM to 6.00 PM for an entrance fee of 30 Baht.

If you enjoy viewpoints, this is definitely worth a visit! There are multiple stations offering different vantage points. The entire area is well-developed, with plenty of photo opportunities, and there’s even a small, charming café where you can grab a bite to eat. Parking is free on-site.

The name Naern Thae Wada roughly translates to “Seat of the Angels,” which seems fitting given its design. High up in the mountains, the angels sit and gaze down at Khanom. You can take unforgettable photos here and shouldn’t miss this highlight among Khanom’s attractions. By the way, you can cross a bridge to another section of the Naern Thae Wada Khanom Viewpoint, offering a different perspective. Take your time exploring everything and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. The area around Khanom is perfect for slowing down and unwinding.

4. Maldives Khanom

The Maldives Khanom doesn’t really have anything to do with a trip to the Maldives. It is often confused with the Yotaka Khanom Resort because of its paradise-like style. However, we would rather describe the Maldives Khanom as a kind of café or restaurant.

On the premises, you’ll find a small turquoise lake with bridges and huts, as well as palm trees and walking paths. You can also grab a bite to eat or go pedal boating. It’s a somewhat artificial place, but it is popular among many Thais for great photo opportunities. The entrance fee is 30 Baht per person, which includes a 20 Baht drink voucher. As with many places in Khanom, there are usually few visitors here. If you’re looking for an alternative to the beaches, this is worth a visit.

5. Khanom – Sichon Road

The picturesque coastal road from Khanom to Sichon is a highlight for many visitors in the province of Nakhon Si Thammarat. It winds up and down the hills, offers many scenic views, and is easy to drive on, whether by car or scooter.

There is a specific spot on the road where you can see these winding curves perfectly, and many people stop here. Especially local Thais take a lot of photos at this spot. So if you’re driving along the coast heading south, you can also make a stop here.

6. Khanom – Sichon Road Viewpoint

The Khanom – Sichon Road Viewpoint is located on the route between the two small towns of Khanom and Sichon, right along the coast. You can’t miss it while driving. There’s a dedicated parking area by the road, and it’s usually quite busy. You’ll recognize it by the large elephant statue and the two small shelters that provide shade.

The viewpoint itself offers views of the sea and coastline. In our opinion, it’s a spot where you can make a brief stop, but it’s not a must-see. There’s also a wooden photo frame on-site, featuring a Thai inscription that roughly translates to “southern ocean.” There’s no entrance fee, so you can take a short break here if you’re heading south toward Sichon.

7. Samet Chun Waterfall

Just 3 kilometers inland from the beach lies the Samet Chun Waterfall. While it can get a bit more crowded on weekends, it’s usually very quiet during the week. Although the waterfall is not one of the largest in Thailand, like the 7-tiered Erawan Waterfall, it’s definitely worth a visit.

There is a worn path leading to the waterfall, but we recommend walking the last 20 minutes after the dirt road on foot. Once you’ve taken the easy trail through the lush jungle, you’ll reach a plateau with a fantastic view.

There, you’ll find a kind of natural infinity pool where you can cool off and enjoy the solitude and tranquility. The best time to visit is during the rainy season between September and October, when the water flow is at its peak. If you venture further into the jungle, you can also discover several cascades of the waterfall.

8. Khanom City Pillar Shrine

Like many Thai cities, Khanom also has a shrine for its city pillars, better known as the City Pillar Shrine. It is a landmark and simultaneously a cultural as well as a religious center. Many locals come here to pay their respects. The city pillars you can see in the shrine are a symbol of protection for the city.

If you happen to pass by, feel free to take a look at the City Pillar Shrine of Khanom. However, if you have to go out of your way to visit, it’s not necessarily one of Khanom’s must-see attractions.

9. Wat Kradang Nga

There aren’t many temples in the area, which makes Wat Kradang Nga one of the main attractions in Khanom. It was most likely built during the Ayutthaya period, though not in its current form. The atmosphere here is very peaceful and quiet. Locals come to pray and pay respect to Buddha. Tourists are rarely seen.

You can visit the temple daily from sunrise to sunset free of charge, though donations are always appreciated. By the way, its name, Kradang Nga, comes from a tree that grows in the temple’s surroundings. A small excursion into Thai culture and Buddhism in Khanom.

10. Rubber Tree Tunnel

A slightly different kind of Khanom attraction. It is located on the way to Don Sak, where ferries to islands like Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand depart. The Rubber Tree Tunnel is a natural attraction where rubber is harvested from the trees. You can see this from the many collection containers attached to the trees.

Over the years, they have grown in such a way that they form an avenue or tunnel. A particularly beautiful photo spot when the sun shines through the dense branches. In our opinion, it’s a nice stopover on the way to the Khao Wang Thong Cave or the Suan Ta San Fish Spa (see next points).

11. Khao Wang Thong Cave

A visit to the Khao Wang Thong Cave in Khanom is a highlight for many. Even the path to the cave rewards you with a stunning view over Khanom, where on a clear day you can even see Koh Samui in the distance. The viewpoint alone makes the trip worthwhile. To get there, you need to climb 300 steps, which are quite manageable.

Inside the cave, a tunnel takes you about 50 meters deep, and you need to climb through 8 different levels. After that, you’ll reach the large chambers. You may have to do some climbing or crawling, so make sure to wear appropriate clothing for this small cave adventure.

Once inside the Khao Wang Thong Cave, you can see fantastic stalactites and stalagmites that make the chambers truly impressive. The Diamond Room is a particular highlight, with its walls shimmering beautifully in the light. Plan at least an hour for your visit to explore the cave at your leisure.

12. Suan Ta San – Fish Spa

A little further down the road is the Suan Ta San – Fish Spa. A small facility you can visit for an entrance fee of 20 Baht per person. On-site, there are small shops for drinks and snacks, a restaurant, swings, picnic areas, and a natural fish spa. Wooden walkways are built along the water, where visitors can sit. The fish come up and nibble off dead skin cells from your feet. It feels strange at first but doesn’t hurt at all.

While at vacation spots you may have to spend hundreds of Baht for a fish spa where you dip your feet into a small tank, this one is affordable and natural. If you’ve always wanted to try something like this, Suan Ta San is the perfect place, and we highly recommend a visit. It’s open daily from 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM.

13. Bang Nod Market Walking Street

Every Saturday from around 3.00 PM, the Bang Nod Market Walking Street takes place in Khanom. Since Khanom is still quite untouristy, don’t expect large souvenir stands or anything like that. However, if you’re looking for Thai food and enjoy trying different dishes, then this is the right place for you. You’ll find some handmade products, seafood caught off the coast, fruits, vegetables, and many other delicacies.

Sometimes, there is also live music or performances of traditional Thai dances. Since there isn’t much to experience in Khanom in the evening, the market visit is a great way to end the day and, of course, to grab a bite to eat locally.

Bonus Tip: Pink Dolphin Boat Tour

One of the most popular Khanom attractions is the pink dolphins. Of course, it’s not a traditional tourist attraction, but it’s definitely a must-do. On a boat tour from Khanom, you can observe the rare pink dolphins as they live in the Gulf of Thailand. Naturally, you’ll need a bit of luck to spot them on the tour, but the local guides have experience knowing where they’re often found.

The best time to start a tour to see the pink dolphins is early in the morning. They’re often found in small groups, and you can watch them in their natural habitat. A truly unique experience. During the tour, you’ll also learn many facts about local marine life and conservation efforts for the dolphins. We can absolutely recommend such a boat tour since pink dolphins are a rare sight elsewhere.

Khanom: Tours and Tickets

Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Khanom in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Khanom.

How to Get to Khanom

Getting to Khanom is a bit more challenging, at least if you don’t have your own vehicle. You can fly to the nearest major cities, Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat, from many Thai cities, including Bangkok. Check out the best prices and schedules on Skyscanner.

If you don’t want to fly, you can travel by train or bus to Surat Thani. From Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat, you’ll usually continue with a private transfer. A full minivan costs around €40-50 and takes you directly to your destination. You can book this in advance, for example, via 12go.asia.

With your own vehicle, as mentioned earlier, it’s even easier. The road network is well-developed, and you can reach Khanom in 1.5 to 2 hours from Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat. Google Maps will show you the way and worked perfectly for us.

Have you been to Khanom before? Do you have more tips on Khanom things to do? Feel free to share your feedback in the comments.

Photos: Photo 9 (Samet Chun Waterfall): Stefffino/shutterstock.com, Photo 13 (Khao Wang Thong Cave): SomprasongWittayanupakorn/shutterstock.com