Introduction
Human settlement in Phang Nga Province, Thailand
Not to be confused with Kaolack.
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Khao Lak
เขาหลัก (Thai)CoastKhao Lak–Lam Ru National ParkKhao LakKhao Lak in ThailandCoordinates: 8°41′20″N 98°15′00″E / 8.68889°N 98.25000°E / 8.68889; 98.25000LocationTakua Pa and Thai Mueang, Phang Nga, ThailandOffshore water bodiesAndaman SeaEtymologyMain MountainDimensions • Length20 kilometres (12 mi)
Khao Lak (Thai: เขาหลัก, pronounced [kʰǎw làk]) is a small village in Phang Nga Province, Thailand, located south of Lak Mountain. Tour operators like to use the popular name to refer to a series of nearby villages, now primarily tourist-oriented, mainly in the Takua Pa District of Phang Nga Province, Thailand.
The name "Khao Lak" literally translates to 'Main Mountain'. This was one of the peaks used by ancient seafarers as a landmark to guide them into the safe harbor at Thap Lamu. Lak Mountain is one of the main peaks in the hilly, mountainous region (maximum height 1,050 meters (3,440 ft) in Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park.
The tiny village of Ban Khao Lak, the original beach, Hat Khao Lak, and the bay of Khao Lak (Ao Khao Lak) all lie within the Lam Kaen Sub-district of Thai Mueang District. However, the name Khao Lak has now grown to enclose many other villages in the area, mostly on the northern side of the mountain in the Khuk Khak Sub-district of Takua Pa District.
History
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The lush area around Khao Lak was once called Takola. Artifacts dating back to 1,400 years show evidence it was a significant coastal town and trading post of the ancient Maritime Silk Route.
In 1987, over nine huts were found inside cashew nut trees of Khao Lak Resort, where species of Thai wildlife are a common sight. Khao Lak was mentioned for the first time in 1988 in the second edition of Traveller Handbuch Thailand by Stefan Loose Verlag.
2004 tsunami[edit]
Main article: Effect of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake on Thailand
Tsunami inundation at Khao Lak; the resort area is in the middle
People trying to survive the tsunami in Khao Lak
Waves crashing into a hotel in Khao Lak
Khao Lak was the coastal area of Thailand hardest hit by the tsunami resulting from the 26 December 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. Many people died including many foreign tourists. The final death toll was over 4,000, with local unofficial estimates topping 10,000 due to the lack of accurate government censuses and the fact that much of the migrant Burmese population was not documented nor recognized as legal residents.
Most of the coastal landscape was destroyed by 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.
The force of the tsunami washed Patrol Boat 813 (Tor 813) almost 1.25 kilometres (0.78 miles) inland from Bang Niang Beach. It was on patrol, guarding Poom Jensen, a grandson of the king, as he was jet skiing in front of La Flora Resort. Despite rescue efforts, he could not be saved. His mother, Princess Ubol Ratana, and sister survived by fleeing to an upper story of La Flora. Patrol Boat 813 remains at the spot where it was deposited by the tsunami and has been preserved as a museum ship.
Patrol Boat 813 on display in Khao Lak, where it was washed inland during the tsunami
Others among the casualties were well-known Finnish musician and TV host Aki Sirkesalo and his family, and Imre von Polgar, guitarist for the Swedish rock band, The Watermelon Men. Almost four years old at the time, a young girl was swept away at Khao Lak and remained the subject of a media-covered intensive search despite being formally identified in August 2005 as a victim. Jane Holland, the elder daughter of film director and actor Richard Attenborough, perished in the tsunami with several members of her family. Finnish politician Sauli Niinistö and his adult son survived by clinging to a power pole.
Since the 2004 tsunami, an early-warning system has been installed along the affected coastline. In April 2012, it received its most recent test following an earthquake off the coast of Sumatra. Audible warning sirens alerted the local population to the possibility of a tsunami roughly two hours before estimated landfall, allowing the populace to move to higher ground inland.
The 2012 film The Impossible is based on the experiences of María Belón and her family, who survived the 2004 tsunami, and was also filmed in Khao Lak.
