Tital wave hit's phuket

[wisetraveller]

You may be right TC, but hopefully this won't be the case.

It is worth bearing in mind that Sept 11 has not stopped people going to New York. (I was there myself post-Sept 11). Two years after the Bali bombing they are busy again. In fact the ozzies are flocking to Bali in droves despite a current Australian government travel warning for Bali. So much so that our Foreign Minister Alexander Downer got annoyed and said "don't say you haven't been warned". To put this in context - 88 Aussies dies in the Bali bombing and the Australian Embassy in Jakarta was bombed a few months ago.

People can be pretty resileant and I hope that most people would realise that a tsunami like that happens once in a hundred years.

here's hoping

WiseTraveller

[Snick]

I would hope that things will be back to normal in Phuket by the end of 2005. I think most people realize that this was a once in a century natural disaster. And much less likely to re-occur than the Bali bombing which could happen again (unfortunately).

Phi Phi and the other affected sites might take a little longer to get rebuilt.

I plan on going back in March - assuming things are ok.

[Guest]

I will be there before then.... no way I stay away from the best place on earth

this is so incredible I still don't know what to think or do about it. and what about the economy and all our friends who depend on tourists to make a living. some of our models there have never even left the south in their whole lives and could have a hard time in BKK or Pattaya.

Phi Phi destroyed...... who would have ever thought?

[Guest]

Did you get any reports on Chalong Bay, where May's sister and brother-in-law live?

[rxpharm]

I would encourage anyone who has any interest to help out affected areas to donate something to the Red Cross.  I have, and specified it to be directed to Thailand.  Even though it has not been affected the worst, they still need help.

It doesn't have to be a big amount - whatever you can afford, and the Red Cross is one of the most reliable aid agencies.

[wisetraveller]

Everything I have heard on media, in response to the question "what can I do?" is DONATE CASH. According to everyone like RED CROSS, etc, short of going there yourself as a volunteer worker sending cash is the most useful action.

cheers

WT

[Guest]

if you are in the kingdom you can donate blood as it is needed

[wisetraveller]

This is worth reading. We have often shared stories of bar rip-offs, and lbs stealing mobile phones, etc. But there is, for all that, something wonderful about the Thai spirit. It is illustrated in this article from the Sydney Morning Herald 30/12/04:

"Those who lost so much give all to their foreign guests
By Connie Levett in Phuket
December 30, 2004

A Swedish woman and her daughter, survivors of the tsunami, were walking barefoot along a street in Phuket on Monday when a Thai woman stopped them.

"She took off her shoes and insisted I take them," the tourist said. "I tried to tell her I was all right, I was fortunate, I had not lost my family, but she insisted I take them. And then she bought a pair of shoes for my daughter. I tried to pay her but she would not take the money, even though I am sure she had much less than me."

There has been much talk of looting in the immediate aftermath of this disaster.

But the many anonymous acts of kindness, large and small, should also be recorded.

The Thai people, dealing with the worst natural disaster in their history, have overwhelmingly reached out, volunteered their services as translators, emergency workers, information officers, giving their time and often scant resources.

One Australian survivor spoke of a small Thai man on a water tower who saved several people by snatching them as they swept by him out to sea. With impossible strength, and at great personal risk, he dragged them from the torrent and certain death.

In the early hours of Monday, as survivors struggled into packed corridors at Wachira Hospital in Phuket Town, young Thais with language skills were immediately at hand, to explain the long lists in the hospital forecourt, shepherding dazed tourists and ensuring they had food and drink, which ordinary Thais were carrying in through the gate on foot.

Around midnight, a truck carrying a satellite dish with banks of free phones arrived so people could phone home.

On Tuesday in Khao Lak, Phang Nga Province, one of the worst hit areas, the roads swarmed with emergency service workers. And volunteers.

Phuket Town City Hall, a beautiful two-storey mansion with wide verandas, was the first makeshift camp for survivors with no clothes or place to stay.

As 1000 survivors from the Phi Phi Islands arrived, a line of 40 Thais stretched across the lawn, each holding up a country sign. "The tourists come to us and if they have a passport we can get them straight out of here," said Boonchai Sompolpong who was holding the Australia/New Zealand sign.

He runs tours for first-time tourists to Phuket and here he was, helping them leave as quickly as possible.

A Western diplomat said: "The Thais have been brilliant and we are in their debt.""