Support Phuket! Read This

[baht&sold]

Here's a message I sent to the approx 5000 baht&sold newsletter clients we have.

If you agree, perhaps you would be so kind as to pass a similar thought along

to your colleagues.

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Dear All,

I'm certain you're all aware of the devasting tsunami which struck

all around the Asian rim including Phuket & region.

We were thinking, what could we do as individuals to help?

Well, for starters, of course we're still going to Phuket as planned

in mid January.

The past 2 days, I've read increasing accounts of people cancelling

upcoming holiday plans for Phuket. The fact is, there are many

places to stay, the clean up is underway and the warmth & hospitality

of the local Thai & Expatriate community remain intact.

Their livelihoods and businesses depend on our continued visits.

So, to conclude, the #1 thing we can do? Go ahead with our

travel plans to the region and encourage our colleagues to do the same.

Of course, our hearts go to those coping with their loss and ongoing

aftermath of this tragedy. Let's not prolong their ordeal and let's assist

the local economy by supporting and visiting the region as soon as is

viable.

Last note, our January 'Thailand Connect' magazine has some articles

featuring Krabi/Ao Nang beach activities. This was in place well in

advance obviously and perhaps it's better this way, to remind us of

how beautiful the region really is and will certainly be again.

Thank you for your kind support

and wishing us all better days ahead in 2005

Sincerely,

Daniel

[baht&sold]

First response (took about 1 minute) pls see below and if anyone needs to contact someone in the Uk, pls pm and I'll pass along the gent's email for follow-up.

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Thank you for your email. On behalf of The Business Club and the many members of the business community in the UK who, like me, have warm associations with Thailand, offer our sincere condolences and support ot all who have suffered in this awful disaster.

If anyone over there would like us to get in contact by telephone or otherwise with friend or relatives in the UK please let us know and it will be done.

Best wishes,

Mike Sloyan

The Business Club

2nd Floor

3 Brindleyplace

Birmingham

B1 2JB

United Kingdom

Tel: 44 (0) 8444 844 744

Fax: 44 (0) 8444 844 748

[Bizz]

I for one have no intention of canceling my travel plans for thailand and will be there 1st January

[udon]

Good idea, this disaster wouldn't put me off going to Phuket.

I've never been to Phuket but will now, maybe just for a week

The locals really need our support, food hawkers, BGs etc......

[sonthaya]

Just for your information, a flight left Copenhagen to day with 165 tourist,out of the 180 initialy planned, I don't think people is going to let natural disasters or terrorisme change the way they spend their life.

I'm confident Phuket will get its fair share of tourists again this year.

[lbd2005]

I am leaving for Koh Samui tomorrow.

Good post mate.

[Laughing Gravy]

I am leaving for Koh Samui tomorrow.

Good post mate.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Whilst I agree with the post whole heartedly, I am due to fly out from BKK on the 30th with my brother and his g/f who are due in this morning. However, their flight has been delayed from the UK and he is due on wednesday evening. Our hotel was directly on Patong beach and I assume has been damaged. I have tried to contact the hotel but to no avail.

I have tried to contact other hotekls but they all seem booked with holiday makers and people from other hotels and other Islands. So it may not be practical to go as planned but cancel.

Has anyobne got any suggestions were I can take my brother and his g/f who have planned a beach holiday to visit me for a whole year.

[SunbeltAsia]

Gary.

Koh Samui and Pattaya have not been affected and may be a better choice right now.

I applaud Daniel and feel it is a great letter on the surface. However this was in the paper today that TAT is telling tourists to stay awayfor the next two weeks to month.

Tourists told to drop trips to affected beach sites

Published on December 28, 2004

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has advised incoming tourists with hotel reservations in tsunami-hit destinations to cancel their trips.

The message was aimed at visitors from Scandinavia, South Korea and Russia in particular, because they usually fly directly to Phuket and reserve hotels by the beach.

“The situation is chaotic as tourists with advance bookings for the disaster-hit destinations cannot get into the country,” said Pornsiri Manoharn, TAT deputy governor for international markets, adding that the notification would be in effect for two weeks to one month.

To assist tourists, the TAT and the Thai Hotels Association have prepared more than 1,200 rooms in Bangkok and Pattaya to accommodate foreign tourists who were injured or left without lodgings because of the damage to hotels by the series of tidal waves that hit the southern provinces on Sunday morning.

Thai Airways International, Nok Air, Orient Thai and Phuket Air will provide special flights

to transport the tourists from Phuket, Krabi and Hat Yai to Bangkok.

“All expenses involved will be shouldered by the [tourism] ministry,” Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop said after consulting Tourism Minister Sontaya Kunplome and TAT Governor Juthamas Siriwan yesterday.

The Phuket Police Station is now serving as a tourism command centre.

Tourists can also contact special counters located at the airports in Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Ranong and Hat Yai.

Suwat, Sonthaya and Juthamas flew to Phuket yesterday. They declined to disclose any estimates of the cost of the damage.

Prakit Chinamourphong, vice president of the Thai Hotels Association, said the association would prepare about 1,000 rooms for those tourists evacuated from the many islands in the South.

Some hotels in Bangkok such as SC Park have allocated 40 free rooms for stranded overseas tourists.

Rama Garden is offering 75 per cent discounts off its normal rates through until Thursday. The rate includes breakfast.

Prakit said that at least 1,000 rooms were needed for tourists at the moment.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation

[naka]

Yes, it's a nice gesture but many long term Phuket expats I have

spoken to are on their

way to Bangkok/Pattaya etc. due to lack of power, water, communications

plus the general chaos and fear of waterbourne disease.