Yesterday, the news that I must continue with intravenous injections for the rest of the week was not welcome, but while inconvenient, it's better than a hospital admission. I just have to see how it goes.
Today, we have another journey in front of us to the furthest point of this tour. There is a concern that I will not be near one of the main hospitals, but my medication is routine. Finally, we understand the urgency and make an earlier start, reducing pressures on the day. Katoon calls the restaurant to see if a takeaway breakfast can be arranged to save time. Meanwhile, we have enough leftovers we can eat in the room, including some birthday cake.
There is just one more thing to do before we depart, and that's to decide where I can go for my injection. We already know that our destination near Khao Lak has clinics and hospital branches, but these are expensive. Otherwise, we would need to travel miles. Amidst the dilemma there is a third option. Not far away from our accommodation tonight is a naval hospital, and Katoon wonders if they accept civilian patients, and surprisingly, they do. The problem seems to be solved for now.
The journey today should be completed around midday. We leave Ban Saeng Chan at 9:30 AM and head for the restaurant to collect a breakfast/come packed lunch. The standalone building is a wonder in itself, a huge structure with gardens and terraces with spectacular views. By contrast, the view from Ban Saeng Chan is less impressive. I won't miss it for the price of 1500 baht per night. After dropping off the keys, we're on our way.
Checking the route to Phang Nga gives us a couple of options, and the one we choose is the northerly route known for its gorgeous scenery, and there is a convenient stop on the way.
Route 401 heads west from Ban Ta Khun and into Phanom district through the Khlong Phanom National Park. It is one of Thailand's most scenic routes, hemmed in by jagged limestone peaks that stretch for miles. Here at the western edge of the district is the popular Khao Sok National Park. The park entrance is 1 kilometre off to the north of the 401. The area between the junction and the office supports the tourist infrastructure for visitors to the park. Guesthouses, restaurants, boutiques, and tour offices dominate the area. For a second time we explore this road without sampling the hospitality: we need to press on.
The 401 continues across the provincial border, Surat Thani giving way to Phang Nga. So fascinating is this drive that even after many years, I still remember it. From the border, the road twists and turns as it descends from the mountains forming the spine of the Andaman Range. Finally, the 401 connects with Highway 4 heading south into Khao Lak. Khao Lak is still a poor neighbour compared with Phuket; the only thing that prevents it from expanding dramatically is the lack of an airport. Yet enough tourists make it here on group tours to flood luxury beachside resorts. Such domination comes at a price. There are very few beaches that are open to the public. We witness this firsthand while trying to find a place to stop and consume our packed lunch. A great example is Khuekkhak Beach. However, the most popular part of Khao Lak is to the south of the town, around Khao Lak and Bang Niang Beaches. This area is nearly as busy as anything in Phuket, and we limit ourselves to a drive-through. It's time for the drip injection again as we head south out of Khao Lak into the Tai Mueang district.
Leaving the arrangement to Katoon, I see she finds her way to the naval base and to the hospital there. As we find out, this hospital provides a local service to the community but is manned by navy personnel. Arriving here, we realise the limitations of the facilities, but one thing it has over 'big brothers' is the lack of a queue, and that means a lot. I still need to register, of course, but I'm soon in the treatment room. The whole process takes an hour and a half, and that alone has dramatically cut the visit time. With this job out of the way, we both feel a sense of relief and the promise of more settled days ahead. Reflecting on how we managed to come up with this facility, I'm amazed at the way things worked out. It wasn't long ago we were driving through Khao Lak past the international clinics charging foreigners and insurance companies a small fortune. All I can say is that I salute the Navy for charging me just 140 baht despite the directive that foreigners should pay more. This interpretation by hospitals is inconsistent, noting that at Ban Ta Khun Hospital they didn't miss a trick.
At 3:00 PM there's still the question of checking in at our accommodation, and there is always the chance of disappointment. What I've come up with is a small bungalow resort in the Thai Mueang district, which couldn't be more different from Khao Lak. There is no tourist infrastructure here, just the way I've been used to things for many years. What stands out about Good Nine Resort is that it's new, and the grounds are yet to be developed, but it's the room itself that matters to me. I step inside bungalow 5 with eyes trained like a hawk to search out anything that could cause an issue. With suitable table space, sensibly placed power sockets, a practically laid out shower room/toilet, and a kettle with coffee and snacks, I'm almost disappointed that I failed to find any issues on first inspection. Ooop! I forgot to check the Wi-Fi, but WOW, that's fine too. About the only thing I can think of is the absence of a dressing table and storage. Now, at last, we can consume that packed lunch.
With two of the most essential matters attended to, we can finally put our feet up. In fact, Katoon, who rarely takes an afternoon break, is soon asleep, and who can blame her with what she's been through recently?
Finally, at dusk we decide to head out to find food. This means taking the car out, which is convenient with this type of accommodation, with the car right outside the door. We head back towards the intersection where there are eateries, but Katoon turns left and continues driving. I'm a bit confused as I check the map, but soon I realise she's heading for the port of Thap Lamu, where there are more dining options and where we can stock up with food for tomorrow too. With nothing else to do here this time of night, we head back to the resort for a quiet night. In the process I have better understood where we found ourselves after dark.
The importance of Thap Lamu had so far not been appreciated. If we had arrived in daylight, we would have explored the port area and seen the Thung Maphrao Estuary. This is an important point for embarkation to the Similan Islands. On the way here we passed the Navy hospital and the camp that exists because of the port. Things have fallen into place so quickly, and we already have ideas of what attractions this district supports.

Source: Visit