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30-685: Access to the Similan Islands is primarily through Tab Lamu Port, located just south of Khao Lak in Phang Nga Province. The park headquarters is situated in Tab Lamu, a small fishing village approximately 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) from Bang La On in Khao Lak. Regular boat services to the islands operate from the middle of October to the middle of May, with trips taking around three hours on standard boats and approximately 70 minutes by speedboat. During

60-471: A departure point for diving trips to the Similan Islands . Distances to Other Thai Cities Bangkok: Bangkok , the capital city of Thailand, is roughly 760 kilometers north of Khao Lak. Travel options include flights to Phuket followed by a road journey, or direct buses and trains to nearby areas with connecting transportation to Khao Lak. Phuket : Being only 60 kilometers south of Khao Lak, Phuket

90-419: A source of income. Rubber plantations provide raw materials for various products, and palm oil plantations are also an important economic factor. Additionally, fruit plantations, especially for exotic fruits like mangosteen , rambutan , and durian , have become established. Today, tourism has become the main source of income for the region, significantly shaping Khao Lak's economic landscape. However, during

120-450: A victim. Jane Holland (née Attenborough) the elder daughter of the film director and actor Richard Attenborough perished in the tsunami with several members of her family. Former President of Finland 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

150-435: Is Vulnerable when it is not critically endangered or Endangered but is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future, as defined by any of the following criteria (A to E): A) Population reduction in the form of either of the following: B) Extent of occurrence estimated to be less than 20,000 km or area of occupancy estimated to be less than 2,000 km , and estimates indicating any two of

180-572: Is a small village in Phang Nga province, located South of the main mountain. Tour operators like to use the popular name as location for a series of other villages, now tourist-oriented, mainly in the Takua Pa District of Phang Nga Province , Thailand . The name "Khao Lak" literally translated means 'Main Mountain'. This was one of the peaks used by ancient sea farers as a landmark to guide them into

210-591: Is easily accessible by road. Regular bus services and taxis connect these two popular tourist destinations. Samui: The island of Samui is located approximately 300 kilometers northeast of Khao Lak. Travel between these locations typically involves a combination of road and ferry travel, or a flight from or to Samui Airport. Krabi: Krabi is around 150 kilometers to the southeast of Khao Lak. Regular bus services, taxis, and private car hires are available for this journey. Beach boundaries are fluid, and vary with local prejudices, official government pronouncements, and

240-516: Is in place to support a turtle hatching protection program and to aid in reef conservation efforts. Notably, Island number 3 is privately owned by a member of the Thai royal family. Although fishing activities are officially prohibited in both Similan and Surin National Parks to protect marine life and habitats, observations suggest that fishing boats frequently operate in and around these parks. Divers in

270-501: Is mostly warm all year round with temperatures averaging around 28 °C to 32 °C. In the dry season it is not uncommon for Khao Lak to go without rain for around six weeks at a time. This is the main tourist season when the weather is more settled. During this time the wind generally comes from the East, meaning the town is sheltered by its position on the Western side of the mountains near

300-561: The Covid pandemic , there was an increased focus on agriculture. This emphasis has helped stabilize the economy in a time of uncertainty and showcases the diversity and adaptability of the economic sectors in Khao Lak. 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, which are one of

330-562: The Khuk Khak Sub-district ( tambon ) of the Takua Pa District ( amphoe ) of Phang Nga Province. The Takua Pa District is divided into eight sub-districts. The village of Ban Khao Lak does not fall within the Khuk Khak sub-district, the area commonly thought of as "Khao Lak". The weather in Khao Lak can be separated into two distinct seasons. The dry season between November and April, and the monsoon season from May to October. Khao Lak

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360-405: The area often report encountering fishing nets entangled in the reefs and illegal fishing traps. Recent years have seen an increase in the discovery of such illegal fishing equipment, particularly in areas outside the most frequented dive sites. These traps have been found to contain a variety of marine life, including trevallies, batfish, barracuda , golden pilot jacks, and triggerfish . Notably,

390-712: The area, mostly on the Northern side of the mountain in the Khukkhak sub-district of Takuapa district. Khao Lak is a series of villages, now tourist-oriented, mainly in the Takua Pa District and partly in the Thai Mueang District of Phang Nga Province, Thailand. It is located on the Andaman Sea coastline, approximately 60 kilometers north of Phuket. The region is known for its tranquil beaches, lush tropical landscapes, and as

420-768: The circumstances that are threatening its survival and reproduction improve. Vulnerability is mainly caused by habitat loss or destruction of the species' home. Vulnerable habitat or species are monitored and can become increasingly threatened. Some species listed as "vulnerable" may be common in captivity , an example being the military macaw . In 2012 there were 5,196 animals and 6,789 plants classified as vulnerable, compared with 2,815 and 3,222, respectively, in 1998. Practices such as cryoconservation of animal genetic resources have been enforced in efforts to conserve vulnerable breeds of livestock specifically. The International Union for Conservation of Nature uses several criteria to enter species in this category. A taxon

450-412: The coast of Sumatra. Audible warning sirens alerted the local population to the possibility of a tsunami roughly 2 hours before estimated landfall, allowing the populace to move to higher ground inland. The 2012 film The Impossible is based on the true story of the family of María Belón , who survived the 2004 tsunami, and was also filmed in Khao Lak. The Khao Lak region falls almost entirely within

480-510: The coast. In the monsoon season however the wind changes direction and comes from the West where it reflects off of the mountains and causes strong winds, waves and storm like conditions in the area. Vulnerable species A vulnerable species is a species which has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as being threatened with extinction unless

510-551: The diving season, liveaboard dive boats frequent the Similan Islands. These boats, departing from Tab Lamu, Ko Lanta , Phuket , and Ranong , offer multi-day stays in the Similan National Marine Park. The Similan Islands Park has experienced significant visitor traffic, making it one of Thailand's most overcrowded national parks. Data reported by the Department of National Parks (DNP) indicates that since October 2017,

540-567: 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 beached Thai navy boat 813 (Tor 813) almost 1.25 kilometres (0.78 miles) inland from Bang Niang Beach. It was on patrol, guarding Bhumi 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. The area in which

570-505: The islands have been removed. The islands are at 8°39′09″N 97°38′27″E  /  8.65250°N 97.64083°E  / 8.65250; 97.64083 The park is an archipelago consisting of 11 islands, occupying an area of 87,500 rai ~ 140 square kilometres (54 sq mi) with a land area of about 26 square kilometres (10 sq mi). For convenience, the Thai Department of National Parks (DNP) has assigned numbers to

600-476: The islands. From north to south, they are: The Similans lie 70 kilometres off the coast of Phang Nga Province . "Similan" is a Yawi word meaning 'nine'. Ko Bon and Tachai were added to the national park in 1998. Ko Similan : Ko Similan is the largest island. The sea in the area has an average depth of 60 feet. Underwater it is full of rock formations and coral reefs in several shapes and forms, resembling such things as deer, leaves, brains, and mushrooms. Above

630-491: The marketing efforts of local resorts. It is generally accepted that Khao Lak beaches include (from south to north): Taken together, these beaches stretch for some 25 kilometres (16 miles) along the Andaman Sea. All beaches are public, as are all beaches in Thailand. Since the tsunami, Khao Lak's infrastructure and economy have bounced back. Coastal resorts have been reconstructed or repaired, and new ones have been built or are in

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660-425: The most beautiful areas of forest 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 . 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

690-513: The park has received 883,438 visitors. The peak season, from mid-October to mid-May, typically sees five to six thousand visitors per day. The high visitor numbers have led to environmental degradation , prompting increased regulatory measures. Annually, the park is closed during the rainy season, from 16 May to 15 October. Specifically, the island of Ko Tachai has been indefinitely closed to tourists since 15 October 2016 to facilitate environmental recovery. Following its re-opening on 15 October 2018,

720-457: The park implemented a daily visitor limit of 3,850 to mitigate environmental impact. This measure represents a reduction from the previous average of about 7,000 visitors per day. In 2017, the park attracted approximately 912,000 tourists. The introduction of these restrictions has elicited responses from tour operators, who express concerns over potential job losses. Additionally, as part of the rehabilitation efforts, all overnight accommodations on

750-574: The patrol boat lies has been renovated and includes a museum dedicated to the events of 26 December. 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

780-479: The process of being built. In 2016, there were reportedly 7,822 hotel rooms at 104 registered accommodations. Occupancy rates range from 70 to 90 percent during the high season period (November–March). Over time, the economy in the Khao Lak region has evolved and changed. In the past, the tin mining played a significant role as an economic sector. Today, other industries have come to the forefront. Shrimp farms contribute to food production, while fishing continues to be

810-507: The regions around Ko Bon and Ko Tachai have been identified as having a higher prevalence of these fishing traps. The archipelago has been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports a population of Vulnerable pale-capped pigeons . 8°39′09″N 97°38′27″E  /  8.65250°N 97.64083°E  / 8.65250; 97.64083 Cave dive sites: Khao Lak Khao Lak ( Thai : เขาหลัก , pronounced [kʰǎw làk] )

840-560: The safe harbor at Thaplamu. Lak mountain is one of the main peaks in the hilly small 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) actually all lie in the Lam Kaen sub-district of Thai Mueang District. However the name Khao Lak has now grown to enclose many other villages in

870-557: The water are found many diverse species such as the Nicobar pigeon, mangrove monitor lizards, flying fox and more. Ko Huyong : Ko Huyong has the longest and widest beach in the park. However, the park prohibits any tourists from landing on the island as the beach is a place where turtles come to lay their eggs. Within the Similan and Surin National Parks, specific islands, namely Islands 1, 2, and 3, are restricted from public access. This measure

900-482: 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

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