43 miles from Patong Bay
When entering the estuary, keep well clear of the coral patch on the northwest side of Laem Ao Kham. The point has a light flashing every 4 seconds, but night entry is not recommended unless essential.
Pass well north of Laem Ao Kham on a heading due east towards a red buoy. This marks the beginning of a buoyed channel which turns south following the deep water close to the east coast of the headland.
Pass the Royal Thai Navy jetty (forbidden to yachts) to anchor in 6-9 metres in front of the village of Ban Thap Lamu or across the passage with the other yachts. There’s good holding in mud, with strong tidal currents in the passage running north and south.
[read more]The village has a seafood restaurant called ‘The Navy Wives Club’ on the end of a public jetty and shops with all of the basic Thai necessities. Opposite the restaurant the fuel price of the day is displayed on a whiteboard and fuel is pumped to the concrete jetty. Thailand’s biggest fleet of fishing boats uses Thap Lamu as its base and fresh fish can be purchased on the dock.
The river running south is deep for several miles and with its secluded coves and small beaches is well worth the effort.
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