alanmorison

Important local history will disappear with the sale of the land on which the Tsunami Volunteer Centre stands outside Khao Lak. About 6000 volunteers from across Thailand and the world came to help after the big wave of 2004.

And they collectively helped to invent the concept of ''voluntourism.''

More at http://phuketwan.com/property/tsunami-volunteer-centre-sale/

Gerd, I am salivating.

Do I have to choose between apples and pears, or can I go straight for the lamb?

What is the rule about doggie bags?

PHUKET will become a special economic zone and the island will be given fairer funding from now on, a senior minister in the new national government said today.

Speaking at a specially called meeting on the island, Foreign Minister Kasit Pirom said that Phuket could expect to benefit when the new Government announced its policies on Monday and Tuesday.

Details at http://phuketwan.com/tourism/phuket-specia...e-budget-boost/

Key facts about the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami

The Boxing Day, or Asian tsunami was triggered by an earthquake off the coast of the Island of Sumatra, Indonesia.

The Indian Ocean or the Sumatran-Andaman earthquake, hit just before 1pm NZ time on December 26, 2004.

The magnitude 9.3 quake occurred along the Indian and Eurasian plates and caused a 1,200km section of the earth's crust to surge upward, displacing a large body of water.

In deep water waves travel quickly, but remain low. On reaching shallower water waves move slower but at a greater higher.

The tsunami reached speeds of up to 800km/h and heights of up to 30 metres.

The Nicobar and Andaman Islands were the first coastlines to be hit, less than 10 minutes after the quake. Banda Aceh was hit shortly after.

The tsunami reached Thailand and Sri Lanka after two hours, and Somalia after 7 hours.

The wave spread around the world, with tidal fluctuations being recorded as far away as Iceland and the Eastern United States.

Indonesia suffered the greatest number of casualties, with an estimated loss of nearly 168,000 people, and more that half a million left homeless.

Sri Lanka, India and Thailand also suffered heavy loss of life and destruction.

Casualties occurred in 12 countries and are estimated at around 230,000 with nearly 1.7 million people displaced.

55 countries lost people to the tsunami, many of them tourists. Germany and Sweden suffered the greatest loss of lives among countries not directly hit. 56 New Zealanders died and 276 Australians.

Forensic work was used to attempt to identify many of the victims. DNA testing was also used in authenticating parents claiming lost infants.

The international response to the disaster was unprecedented with over $20m in aid being pledged.

-- Agencies 2008-12-26

I can't say anything about the ''facts'' quoted here but 23 or 24 Australians died in Thailand, not 276. The wave hit Phuket first and took 20 minutes longer to reach Phang Nga. The tally of Burmese laborers and families killed in Thailand may never be known. The tsunami may have risen to vast heights elsewhere, but here the watermark in the raised foyer of the Sofitel Magic Lagoon (soon to reopen as the Rixos Premium) showed it came through Phang Nga at 9.2 metres. The DNA of ''fathers'' is never used because fatherhood can be difficult to establish conclusively. A lot more reliable information is available on the many links at http://phuketwan.com/tourism/tsunami-missi...s-waiting-hear/ We reported the tsunami in Thailand accurately, and we are still reporting the aftermath.

Phuket officials report fakes in Patong now, Christmas Day. More vendors are becoming shy of accepting 1000 baht notes.

Details at http://phuketwan.com/tourism/phuket-fakes-...rs-avoid-notes/

A box jellyfish sighting and capture has been confirmed on Phuket's northern east coast, and a diver has told what it is like to survive a sting. Panic should be avoided. But box jellyfish are in Phuket waters.

Full report on the latest capture and sightings:

http://phuketwan.com/tourism/phuket-jellyf...re-diver-stung/

NO COCAINE for Christmas. Police warned today that they will be checking after-hours parties on Phuket from tonight on, looking for drugs.

Phuket Police Commander Apirak Hongtong told Phuketwan that during the holiday season there was ''a lot of cocaine use'' among foreigners.

His comment came as a British man was lined up with other alleged criminals in a presentation for media outside the Phuket Police Station in Phuket City today.

Check the Photo Album at http://phuketwan.com/tourism/phuket-arrest...cocaine-charge/

Phuket airport is always going to look busy at this time of year . . . it's the peak season. Even 30 percent down, there is quite a lot of traffic. Once you get out on the island, though, it is evident that fewer people are about. Resorts are telling staff to take holidays - in the high season! March is likely to be catastrophic.

Property 2009: Bill's List Holds Hope

An iconic list of coming hotels indicates a 50 percent increase in supply to Phuket's international star-branded resort market within three years. Is that more hope than one island can handle?

THERE are 30 resorts on Bill's ''Build It and They Will Come'' list, which has recently become Phuket's most significant talisman for better times.

Bill Barnett's list is a reflection of the confidence in the healing powers of Brand Phuket, with its heady mix of great weather, beaches and coral, tuk-tuk rip-offs and exotic nightlife.

With passenger numbers through Phuket airport predicted to plunge by 30 percent in December alone and forward bookings indicating even worse to come, every skerrick of hope is being grasped.

Full report at http://phuketwan.com/property/phuket-property-bills-l

The airport passenger flight figures published on phuketwan today show a very dramatic decline in numbers, with airport officials tipping that December will be 30 percent down on 2007. This is why your footsteps echo in Patong these days. The decline set in mid-year and accelerated with the first and second airport blockades. These figures, up to December 18, are a far more accurate guide that the accommodation figures, which always run months behind and never accurately reflect the situation. For example, the increasing amount of villa accommodation goes unrecorded. They really need an overhaul. The airport flight stats, on the other hand, record bums on seats coming and going, although without the benefit of nationalities. The decline is likely to continue because tour operators in Europe will have to be persuaded all over again to recommend Phuket. They want their customers happy.

Always keen, like Gerd, to find a good new place to eat.

But for me, value for money is always a big factor. 1500 baht . . .

I could eat for 10 days on that.

To have a big breakout, over Christmas and New Year, it would be good to know which places offer 'The best value Sunday brunch on Phuket.'

Is there anything in the 'Eat as much as you can for 500 baht' range?

At least three on that list have already opened: Anantara, Dewa and Courtyard Patong. While the short-term outlook is grim -- an abyss from March until next high season at least, thanks to the airports blockade -- the Phuket brand now has a lot going for it. Calculations based on filling all the rooms may be a little hopeful. It will depend more likely on the number required to break even, or make a small profit, within a specific time frame, or for the deeper pockets, make a good start and make money later. Remember that compared to other destinations worldwide, the Andaman has a lot of attributes. You just have to hope the coral reefs and the beaches don't lost their allure in the process. Who says 'Stop?' And when? That's always going to be the biggest issue.

There are some fascinating points in this discussion. Phuket has come through the tin mining era and the rubber plantations. Both these have left their marks, but not in the same kind of way as tourism. There are two Phukets, the coast and the rest. Development around the coast is proceeding rapidly, and bringing tourists at a fast pace, with as many negatives as positives. The hinterland is less desirable but smart developers are opening it up to the tourism workforce, and to locals who are prospering and prefer to own a home. The point is that tourism is a far more permanent wave of prosperity than tin mining or rubber plantations. Some serious issues need to be sorted before too much more time passes. As for the attitudes of Thais, most of those I encounter around Phuket City are delightful. But then, I don't go to Patong often. As for phuketwan's reporting of the Andaman and its issues . . . we are journalists, not judges. Anyone who reads our stories is better informed.

Gerd, where else have you been to say this is the best Sunday brunch on the island?

To say it's the best means comparing it with a lot of others.

Isn't 1500 baht a little rich for lunch? Do you expect the prices will come down?

Many other people there? I don't see many in the photos.

See who made Phuket's newest beach club and lounge opening. It's called Stereo Lab, at Surin beach. Then there's the Courtyard Resort in Patong, which finally spread its doors wide at the weekend. And the D GALLERY christened a showing by an artist who treats nudity with care.

That was our big weekend at www.phuketwan.com Check out the big photo albums for all three events.

P

And all PAD wants is an ethical government.

I don't see how you can say "That is 4 deaths now as a direct result of the PAD clowns" without looking at who was driving the vehicles that resulted in the deaths. Those guys falling asleep at the wheel seems a little more direct to me.

That's a reasonable point. And the Hong Kong resident turned out to be a Canadian passport holder, so his death should not be counted twice. Nevertheless, these deaths are quite unnecessary and do have a connection with the protest.

A PASSENGER died while trying to board an emergency relief flight at Phuket International Airport last night.

It is believed the passenger, a 71-year-old man from Australia, suffered a heart attack while waiting to take his seat on a special Qantas flight.

The man, reportedly suffering from chronic illness, had been forced to endure a 12-hour bus ride from Bangkok to make a connection with the special flight.

-- Fuller report and more details as they come to hand at www.phuketwan.com

AMAZING scenes took place as the first aircraft in Phuket's artificial coral reef went to the bottom of Bang Tao Bay today.

Workers in hard-hats jumped onto the half-submerged aircraft as it was being lowered and knocked holes in the wings, and the tail as well.

http://phuketwan.com/article/tourism/phuke...-photo-special/

ONE of Phuket's largest and most successful resorts has asked its staff to take accrued leave this high season, a move likely to be repeated at many smaller resorts.

Concern about booking levels at the huge Hilton Arcadia Phuket Resort and Spa for January and February has led to a memo being issued suggesting the action.

And remember, this is happening in November, usually the first of a run of revenue-generating high-season months.

That's an indication that 2009 will be even worse than feared, without the cash cushion of a prosperous high season.

-- All the latest on Phuket's economy at www.phuketwan.com

Tourism is not the biggest industry in Thailand. Visitors may like to think it is, though. What's happening is that the world is slipping into recession, country by country. People may be tempted to abandon their discretionary spending on holidays and travel, so the tourism industry in Thailand will suffer, along with tourism industries everywhere else. Some destinations will do better than others, even within Thailand. But in 2009, millions of people will be thrown out of work around the world, so less money for holidays . . . all this has absolutely nothing to do with the hospitality of Thais, which is culturally ingrained and not likely to change. As a holiday destination, Thailand will continue to compare well with other destinations, in good times or bad. All this nonsense about Thais not smiling as much is . . . well, nonsense.

Hmm . . .Grandpops.

Judging by the time that has elapsed, the only person responding to your perceptive analysis is . . . you.

Everybody else is keeping up with what's making real news at phuketwan.

Don't take me wrong!

Nothing against a Thai brewmaster!!! But a foreigner will never be able to cook a real Thai dish and a Thai cannot brew beer, just my opinion, sorry.

Gerd

So your race dictates your cooking ability, eh? Err . . . an Australian wrote what is popularly accepted to be the best book on Thai cooking.

Sorry, but that kind of mindset went out the door long ago.

Phuket is pleasantly relaxed everywhere, thaiwanderer, and usually much, much better than mediocre. Most of us like Phuket uncomplicated and unpretentious. If you want sandal-wearers barred, you'd better stick to Bangkok.

The Oktoberfest failed because of the name. It's like calling your bar 'Come and Have A Drink Here Every December.'

I am afraid German ingenuity does not work every time.

Once a year is as often as most people really care to fall about full, and the Oktoberfest was pitched at a small segment of the foreign population.

I could have told them that.

This place is totally different.

A large venue that aims at Thais primarily and also caters for farang has a chance.

And while I love a good sausage, Thai food is a little bit more popular here.

Well I guess you want to close it before it opens, right?

I fail to see why there is such negativity about a project that has been well planned and looks the kind of venue that the island needs.

As for location, it's right where the customers are . . . between Central, HomeWorks and Tesco-Lotus, along from Big C. Er, people do shop a little, you know.

It's well placed for people coming from Patong, coming from Rawai and the south, coming from the North, and especially for the largest population centre, Phuket City.

I don't think they will have any problems making it work, provided they get good acts.

The concentration is on the food, not the beer. And they have proved with Dairy Hut that they do that well.

I am not part of their marketing team, but I'd be surprised if they didn't have minivans to cater for groups.

Inside, it looks terrific. Outside, there's space for hundreds of vehicles.

None of the criticisms so far stand up to scrutiny.

Lots of parking out the back . . . a huge space for several hundred cars and motorcycles.

These people are professionals. There are 180 full-time staff . . . including musicians.

I don't think comparisons with the Oktober Fest are appropriate. . . The boutique brewery is a small part of the Bypass Road operation, although I guess it's as good a name as any.

And the boat . . . well, these people also own the Dairy Hut in Samkong and there's a cow out the front.

I wouldn't want to speak too soon but a lot of money has been spent on a first-class venue. The performers will be mostly Thai to begin with but that's likely to broaden quickly.

Nothing second-rate about this operation. Sure, it has a lot to prove . . . but they seem to have everything in place to succeed.

(Thanks for the explanation, Todd!)