Khao Lak (Thai: เขาหลัก)
...is a resort beach in Thailand, located 100 km north of Phuket in Takua Pa district, Phang Nga province and popular as a departure point for liveaboard scuba diving trips.

2004 earthquake and tsunamis
Khao Lak was the area 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. 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, however very little has changed in the past two years. 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.

Photos
I only spent one full day here, but it was long enough to walk along the beach a few times and snap some sunset photos. The tourists haven't returned in number, so the place still has an uneasy empty feel to it.