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Thailand Lao Liang

Thailand is considered to be one of the most beautiful and exciting climbing destination in the world. While there, one place you should not miss is the climber’s paradise of Koh Lao Liang.

* LAO LIANG IS CLOSED: Climbing on Lao liang is forbidden. This is an order by the Koh Petra national park. There are rangers on the island at all time to protect it from being climbed. You can still go to Lao Liang for snorkelling if you bring your own gear, food, water et cetera. You will then just have to pay the national park, currently 400 baht. There is no resort on the island anymore. * 

 
 

Paradise island Lao Liang

For close to thirty years Thailand has been the tropical sport climbing destination of choice. Lao Liang, developed by Rock & Sun about 12 years ago, is a must visit destination for any sport climber. It is a climbing paradise consisting of classic three dimensional climbing on pocketed limestone walls, tufas, flow-stone formations and caves.

This idyllic small island resort is less than two kilometres in length, consisting of a long sandy beach and an impressive sea cliff. Not surprisingly, most of the climbs on Koh Lao Liang begin straight from the golden sandy beach, while some require a knee-deep belay from the ocean, with the rope in a rucksack or on a kayak. It is not uncommon to spot dolphins, sea eagles, kingfishers, turtles or flying fish while gazing down from belay ledges on multi pitch routes or during boat trips between the islands. The accommodation is in the form of double room frame tents pitched under tree cover and never more than 25m from the beach with power, lighting and fans – most people would describe this as glamping rather than camping! The catering is excellent and is full board buffet style for all meals. There is a bar on the beach with lounging areas and hammocks nearby. The bar operates an honesty system during the day and bar staff serve cocktails, beers and soft drinks in the evening (you won’t need your wallet until it’s time to settle your bar bill at the end of your stay).

The island has been developed as a climbing destination within the past 10 years. Being about 16km from the mainland, it has an off the beaten track, exclusive feel to it. So no polish and no crowds! There are rarely more than 20 climbers staying at any one time and there is an abundance of routes from grade 4 to 7C. The climbing is in the sun until 11am, making this the perfect place to relax in the morning and climb in the afternoon. Mornings usually consist of reading a book in the sun, swimming, snorkelling, kayaking or fishing. After lunch, you’ll be climbing some of the best routes in Thailand. With the majority of the climbing being less than two minutes walking distance from your tent, a full days climbing can be had even when starting after mid-day.

Rock Climbing on Lao Liang

  • Grades from F4 to F7C
  • About 70 pitches
  • Climb straight off the beach
  • Sport climbing
  • Single pitch
  • Multi-pitch

 

When to go to Lao Liang

Koh Lao Liang is currently CLOSED: Climbing on Lao liang is forbidden.

How to Get to Lao Liang

There are several ways to get to Lao Liang, all of which start in Trang. There are 3 locations in Trang from which a minivan can take you to the Had Sam Ran pier, from where the longtail boat leaves to the island. The three pick up locations in Trang are: Trang airport, Trang bus station and SriTrang hotel, which is very near to Trang’s railway station. Make your own way to one of these locations and you will be picked up sometime between 10am and 12 (timings depend on other travellers arriving on the same day as you). After a 30 – 40 minute drive you will arrive at Had Sam Ran pier. The Longtail boat leaves sometime between 11am and 1pm. After about an hour on the boat, you will arrive on Koh Lao Liang, where lunch is ready to be served.

Please remember that the cost of the transfers to/from the island is NOT INCLUDED in the package price. When sharing with other people, the minivan costs 300 Baht/person/1 way, and the long tail boat costs 500 Baht/person/1 way. There is only one boat a day. If you want to go by boat in the afternoon, a private boat needs to be arranged, against 3000 Baht/boat. On departure day, the boat aims to leave the island around lunchtime.

Things to keep in mind

Please remember that you are on a small island that is about 16 kilometres offshore. This has a few important consequences:

Be extra aware of safety while climbing. Look at your potential fall before you commit to a ‘low-percentage’-move. If you don’t think the fall will be clean, don’t commit to the move. A climbing accident on this island can be a disaster because you are at least 3 hours travelling away from an international hospital.
Please do not waste water. Keep your showers short and if you see a leaking tap or toilet, please inform a staff member so it can be fixed. All fresh water is being delivered by a water boat that only comes a few times a week.