Khao Lak (Thai: เขาหลัก) is a seaside resort in Thailand, located 80 km north of Phuket International Airport in Takua Pa district, Phang Nga province and popular as a departure point for liveaboard scuba diving trips to the Similan Islands.
The pristine coastline is synonymous with beauty. Nearby rubber and palm plantations dot the coastal region and most nearby inland areas. The major national Highway 4 runs north and south and mostly parallel to the coastline. Khao Lak is a thriving tourist destination for backpackers, up-scale tourists, adventure tourists and seasoned scuba enthusiasts. Local peoples are mostly Thai often with some Chinese ancestry. The diversity of ethnic groups and cultural influences within and surrounding Khao Lak makes this region rich in agricultural, fishing and dry good products. Tourism is Khao Lak's revenue generating entity, becoming Thailand's most popular jumping-off point for the world renowned Similan Islands.
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Economy
The local economy in the town is based on the tourist hotels, local shops and restaurants, and the diving trade. Most of the foreign tourists are European, many from Scandinavia, Germany and the United Kingdom. The wider area produces some rubber and palm oil; there is also a small amount of subsistence agriculture.
Following the tsunami of December 2004 (see below) the local economy was ruined as it was in nearly all coastal towns hit by the devastating wave. It is estimated that 60 percent of the resorts were mid-construction, with nearly 4,000 rooms already available. Most coastal resorts were either heavily damaged or completely demolished, resulting in a great loss of life and major blow to the local tourist economy. At the time of the tsunami, Khao Lak was Thailand's fastest growing tourist destination.
December 2007 has marked the third anniversary of the tsunami and Khao Lak's economy has nearly bounced back. Most of the coastal resorts have completed their reconstruction or repairs and the tourism has flourished. In some respects its better than pre-tsunami days. Nearly all volunteers have moved on to other parts of the world to render aid as Khao Lak locals pick up the remaining pieces, pulling their community back together. Seaside and inland resorts are indicating full bookings during high seasonal months of November to March. Though some prices have risen to reasonable and pre-tsunami rates, Khao Lak is still a bargain compared to other regions of Thailand and Southeast Asia. Where Phuket is a destination for most, Khao Lak is experiencing the traveler that wants more secluded beaches, quiet nights and family oriented activities. Hotels and bungalows range from $15USD to $700USD per night depending on your budget. However, this does not mean Khao Lak is exempt from scams, such as Thai tailor scam. Inexpensive bungalows generally feature meager amenities, whereas the 5-Star resorts such as Le Meridien, Ramada or Sarojin Resorts boast first-class amenities. There seems to be something for everyone's budget.resort khaolak
2004 earthquake and tsunamis
Khao Lak was one of the areas of Thailand hardest hit by the tsunami resulting from the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. Many people died including many foreign tourists. The final death toll was over 4000, with local unofficial estimates topping 10,000 due to the lack of accurate censuses and the mere fact that the Burmese population was not recognized as residents. This conflict between the official death toll and the actual loss of life will forever be debated.[citation needed]
Most of the coastal landscape, i.e., beaches, resorts and vegetation, was completely stripped back by the power of the tsunami. Some replanting programmes have been initiated and a great deal has been accomplished in the rejuvenation of surrounding foliage. Studies suggesting that coastal vegetation may have helped buffer the effects of the waves have ensured that replanting and maintenance of the coastal vegetation have become a priority in the reconstruction of the landscape.
Among the casualties were Bhumi Jensen, grandson of the King of Thailand, Dr Ketsiri Kueseng, the Thai UNESCO-L’ORÉAL 2005 Fellow[1] [2], well-known Finnish musician and TV-host Aki Sirkesalo and his family, Imre von Polgar, the former guitarist for Swedish band The Watermelon men, and supermodel Petra Němcová's fiance Simon Atlee. Almost four years old at the time, a young girl was swept away at Khao Lak and remains the subject of a media-covered intensive search despite being formally identified in August 2005 as a victim.
A memorial to the tsunami victims was being planned there, but has been suspended due to questionable accounting practices.[citation needed]
Administration
The district Takua Pa is subdivided into 8 subdistricts (tambon), which are further subdivided into 51 villages (muban). Takua Pa itself has town (thesaban mueang) status and covers the complete tambon Takua Pa. There are 6 tambon administrative organizations TAO - tambon Takua Pa is administrated by the town council, and Tam Tua by a neighboring TAO. Khao Lak is a village within the Khuekkhak subdistrict.
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References
External links
- Khao Lak travel guide from Wikitravel
- A detailed map of the Khao Lak area
- A detailed map showing Khao Lak at the time of the 2004 tsunami
- Open Street Map-project covering Khao Lak and the Phang Nga province.
- Similan Island Information
- Khaolak Information
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