Located less than 20 miles away from Takuap is an old tin mining village in the southern portion of Thailand called Khao Lak. Khao Lak, previously known as Takola, is a group of villages that were once a thriving part of the ancient Maritime Silk Route, which flourished between the 2nd and 15th centuries.

Facts about Khao Lak: 

• The name Khao Lak means “Main Mountain” in the Thai language because of its location on the hilly side of Lak Mountain. Lak Mountain is part of the Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park, which also encompasses the surrounding beaches and landmark forests.
• The beautiful forest areas surrounding Khao Lak are well-known homes to many different species of Thai wildlife.
• Khao Lak’s economy depends mostly on tourism these days, especially after huts were discovered inside cashew nut trees in the Khao Lak Resort in 1987. 
• Khao Lak was severely damaged by the tsunami that ravaged the area on December 26, 2004. Unofficial estimates have determined that the total number of deaths was well over 10,000. Included in the deaths were a number of tourists that were in the area when the catastrophe took place. 
• Khao Lak has bounced back in an impressive manner, with the damaged resorts being repaired and new accommodations being built. Recent statistics show there are almost 8,000 rooms available with an occupancy of 70 to 90 percent during the months of November through March. 

Because of its impressive forests, beautiful scenery and amazing beaches, Khao Lak is definitely one of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia.