Ao Nang, Thailand

This resort town of 13,993 people is dominated by tourist trappings, not local life. The main street is packed with restaurants, bars, and shops catering to visitors, while the actual beach is overrun by long-tail boats ferrying people to nearby islands. Wastewater treatment is a persistent headache, with the local authority admitting the existing plant can only handle a fraction of the town's output. If you're after an authentic Thai experience, Ao Nang is not it - this is a place designed for vacationers, not residents.