This first stop was Khao Lak. My main objective here was to arrange a dive trip to the Similan islands, but I also intended to enjoy the beaches for a day or two. Kaho Lak was hit pretty hard by the tsunami of 2004, and since then, most of the development has been up-market and geographically spread out along the long beach. This makes for a strange and not particularly friendly/sociable travelers' atmosphere. I also got the feeling that the town had the "I'm going to squeeze as much money out of each tourist as possible" mentality, which I hate and am learning to sniff out very quickly when it get to a new place. I think that this mentality is fostered through a combination of rapid/haphazard tourism development and disrespectful tourists. My suspicion was confirmed when I checked into a dorm room, paid 150 baht (roughly $5US), was informed that my bed would receive fresh linens once they had finished drying in the sun (oh goody), and then told later that night that I wouldn't be getting fresh sheets as they are only changed once every 5 days (regardless of the number of customers who had stayed in them.....yuck!!!). Those who know my tendencies toward general cleanliness can probably guess how I felt about this new piece of information. Shall we just say that an interesting conversation ensued. I really dislike it when people involved with the tourism industry take travelers for a ride, but I try not let it spoil my mood.
In any event, I enjoyed one day on the beach in Khao Lak before heading off on a dive trip.
-Julia
Khao Lak beach
Tsunami evacuation signs are all over Southern Thailand
Khao Lak town
Tsunami height in Khao Lak, 5 meters.
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