Comparative Destination Vulnerability Assessment for Khao Lak, Patong Beach and Phi Phi Don

The report assesses the differential vulnerability and recovery of Khao Lak, Patong Beach, and Phi Phi Don after the 2004 tsunami. It finds that Patong's established history and strong business associations led to the swiftest recovery, while Khao Lak's status as a new destination and Phi Phi Don's governance and infrastructure challenges slowed their progress. The study highlights that reinforced concrete structures and diversified livelihoods increased resilience, whereas poor local governance, limited credit access for small businesses, and inadequate waste management increased vulnerability. It recommends improving micro-credit access, strengthening public-private coordination, and enhancing disaster preparedness training.

• Patong Beach exhibited the highest resilience and fastest recovery due to its long developmental history, strong financial base, and a powerful tourism association that facilitated access to national and local support.
• Khao Lak was the most vulnerable of the three destinations, sustaining the greatest losses with over 90% of its infrastructure and rooms destroyed, and a slower recovery due to limited financial reserves and a high dependency on a narrow European market.
• Phi Phi Don experienced severe damage (approximately 70% of rooms lost) and a recovery slowed by delays in building codes and a concentration of power among five dominant landowner families.
• Geophysical factors significantly influenced the level of destruction: Khao Lak's shallow near-shore slope and flat terrain led to extreme run-up heights and deep inundation, while Patong's steeper coastal morphology and high density of concrete buildings limited wave penetration.
• Building materials were a critical determinant of survival; reinforced concrete structures on deep piles were the most resilient, while wooden structures were almost entirely destroyed and became hazardous debris.
• Access to financial capital was a primary driver of recovery rates, with micro and small enterprises struggling due to a lack of credit history, land deeds for collateral, and complex application processes.
• Livelihood diversification increased resilience, as business owners with multiple income sources or ventures in different locations could better absorb shocks.
• Local governance weaknesses, including corruption, lack of capacity, and a lack of transparency, hindered the implementation of development plans and the equitable distribution of aid.
• Environmental degradation, particularly inadequate wastewater and solid waste management in Patong and Phi Phi, threatens the long-term sustainability of the tourism product.
• Burmese migrant workers were the most marginalized group, facing social exclusion, lack of legal protections, and systemic abuse by authorities, which increased their vulnerability.
• The Tsunami Early Warning System, while a positive step, is undermined by poor maintenance, irregular training, and a lack of community trust in its reliability.
• The Royal Thai Government's recovery initiatives, such as the Andaman Tourism Recovery Plan (ATRP), were often compromised by a preference for established hubs like Phuket over more devastated areas like Khao Lak.

APA

Calgaro, E., Naruchaikusol, S., & Pongponrat, K. (2009). Comparative Destination Vulnerability Assessment for Khao Lak, Patong Beach and Phi Phi Don. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-ProjectReport-Calgaro-ComparativeDestinationVulnerabilityAssessment-2009.pdf

Chicago

Calgaro, Emma, Sopon Naruchaikusol, and Kannapa Pongponrat. Comparative Destination Vulnerability Assessment for Khao Lak, Patong Beach and Phi Phi Don. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2009. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-ProjectReport-Calgaro-ComparativeDestinationVulnerabilityAssessment-2009.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Calgaro |first1=Emma |last2=Naruchaikusol |first2=Sopon |last3=Pongponrat |first3=Kannapa |title=Comparative Destination Vulnerability Assessment for Khao Lak, Patong Beach and Phi Phi Don |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=2009 |url=https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-ProjectReport-Calgaro-ComparativeDestinationVulnerabilityAssessment-2009.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{calgaro2009comparative, author = {Calgaro, Emma and Naruchaikusol, Sopon and Pongponrat, Kannapa}, title = {{Comparative Destination Vulnerability Assessment for Khao Lak, Patong Beach and Phi Phi Don}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2009}, url = {https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-ProjectReport-Calgaro-ComparativeDestinationVulnerabilityAssessment-2009.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }