The International Tsunami Museum is a well thought-out informative place to learn all about tsunamis in general – how these natural phenomena are created – and about the tragedy that occurred in Khao Lak on 26 December 2004. Settled in a two-storey house located along Phetkasem Road (the large main coastal road that links Phuket to Ranong) in Bang Niang, the International Tsunami Museum was created by the Department of Psychology in Western Washington University in association with the local authority.

Khao Lak’s International Tsunami Museum not only shows the devastating effects of the waves formed following the 9.1 earthquake off the coasts of Indonesia, it clearly explains the warning signs that, if known at that time, would have spared the life of many people in the province of Phang Nga. Right next to the museum, the remains of the Thai navy boat 813, shows how powerful was the wave that hit the coast in Khao Lak: this large steel vessel was carried almost two kilometres inland!

A visit to the the International Tsunami Museum helps to put things in perspective and contribute to help the local community as most of the benefits– entrance fee (100 baht) and merchandising – are donated to the victims of this catastrophe.