Khao Lak is an idyllic small town about an hour north of Phuket. Completely off the beaten track, it was one of the last major destinations to start developing in Thailand. Hence, it has its own unique character and beautiful beaches, and is known in the scuba diving circles as a world-class diving destination. Khao Lak is the gateway to the Similan Islands and all the natural wonders they hold on land and underwater. In addition, there’s the nearby Khao Sok National Park, and the International Tsunami Museum.