This beach has been declared a national park, but the public still have unrestricted access to all except the northern tip. Indeed, there are countless restaurants and even some resorts lining this beach. There would be an uproar if access were to be restricted, for this once-deserted stretch of fine sand, fringed with giant casuarina trees, is where Thai residents come to picnic and ‘get away from it all’. In recent years, the scale of commercial activity has, however, been scaled back with long stretches of beach devoid of sun loungers, umbrellas and vendors.