Thailand is divided into 76 provinces ( changwat ) (including the special administrative area of Bangkok). Phang Nga is a southerly province on the coast of the Andaman Sea. It includes many of the islands in Phang Nga Bay and covers an area of approx 4,100 sq km. It is sub-divided into 8 districts ( amphoe ).

The long coastal strip which is now casually and generally called Khao Lak is mainly in Amphoe Takua Pa, but also partly in Amphoe Thai Muang, and the 'original KhaoLak beach' is in the latter. Despite the generalisation of the name for the several kilometer long beach area, Khao Lak means Lak mountain, which is one of the hilly peaks within the Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park. This Park actually stretches into Amphoe Thai Muang, Amphoe Kapong, Amphoe Takua Pa and even Amphoe Muang.