Khao Lak

The coastal area collectively known as Khao Lak was one of Thailand's hottest new resort destinations prior to the 2004 tsunami. Unfortunately, Khao Lak bore the full brunt of the tsunami, which devastated most of the resorts along the coast, killing thousands of Thais and international tourists. Very few resorts were not completely destroyed. The extent of the destruction also makes Khao Lak the region's greatest success story—only two years after the catastrophe, Khao Lak was amazingly back on its feet. Today, aside from a few abandoned buildings, there's no physical evidence of the damage that occurred. But the tsunami has not been forgotten by the locals, many of whom lost friends and family.