Bangtao (also known as Cherngtalay or Choeng Thale) is a study in contrasts. You can find luxurious resorts and villas along its 6-km-long beach just a few minutes' walk away from the town centre, where many villagers still make their living the same way their ancestors did – by fishing, farming, and rubber-tapping.
One of Asia's largest resort complexes, Laguna Phuket takes up a huge area in the middle of Bangtao Beach. The northern tip of Bangtao is untouched by development, which means that you might be able to enjoy the whole sandy shore to yourself.