On December 26th, 2004, a giant tsunami hit countries surrounding the Indian Ocean. Many of these countries’ economies revolved around tourism, and as such the beaches were full of tourists from all around the world the day that the waves came in higher and higher. In Thailand, the western coast along the Andaman Sea was most affected, with at least 8,346 people dead and many more missing. Tourist beaches were hit hardest by the tsunami. This natural disaster has had many economic impacts in Thailand because its main industry (tourism) was severely affected.