A Tourist Conundrum

[ScarySpouce]

I feel rather selfish considering what others are going through right now, please forgive me if this comes across glib.

I am due to come over on holiday from the UK on Thursday (6th Jan), I have been given the option by the travel agent to either cancel the trip (as advised by ABTA and FCO) or continue my holiday (bearing in mind that my insurance will not meet any cover for anything that happens as a consequence of the disaster).

I feel that my money could help Thai's to get their life back together, however, a lack of being insured does play on my mind.

I have watched, read and listened to various news coverage of the disaster for 7 days now and have heard contradictive reports to the Thai Government have not got their act together to they have.

I would welcome your views and comments.........Should I stay or should I go?

[PvtDick]

Depends on where you're booked to visit. If it's a hotel that wasn't affected, I don't see what the problem would be.

[Darknight]

See the pinned topic on the various areas of thailand and present this to your travel company. Otherwise take another travel company if they don't want to insure you.

[ScarySpouce]

Depends on where you're booked to visit.  If it's a hotel that wasn't affected, I don't see what the problem would be.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thank you for your responses. The area is Pamwa Bay, which for browsing around the hotel is not really effected.

As for the Insurance Company it is an existing policy that I have and enquiring with other insurances companies, it would seem that all are very much the same. If I knew of the situation before travel then I wouldn't be insured for anything that happens or occurs as a result of the disaster.

I suppose in short, what it means is that if I broke my leg triping up they would pay the medical bill BUT if I broke my leg triping up on debris as a result of the disaster, then I wouldn't

[SunbeltAsia]

http://www.theage.com.au/news/Asia-tsunami...4345036378.html

Phuket still on holiday radar

By Mark Russell

January 2, 2005

Australians are refusing to cancel holidays to Thailand's tsunami-devastated southern beach resort island of Phuket because they want to do what they can to help the locals struggling to cope with the loss of thousands of lives.

Big airlines and travel agents said Australian holidaymakers were determined to ignore Federal Government warnings about travel to the island, despite the increasing risk of typhoid, cholera, malaria and dengue.

Thai Airways International spokeswoman Sue Marr said many Australians were "######-bent" on getting to Phuket.

She was not surprised at the attitude of what she called the "diehards" because many regularly travelled to Phuket, had friends on the island and desperately wanted to support the locals.

She said that, although some Australians had cancelled trips to Thailand, most people still wanted to travel there this month.

The founder of Lonely Planet guides, Tony Wheeler, said he hoped tourists would not stay away too long from devastated areas such as Phuket because the livelihoods of thousands of locals depended on tourism. "I think people should be going back sooner rather than later."

Many of the tsunami-hit countries had areas that were unaffected but were now struggling because tourists were staying away, he said.

He urged people thinking of cancelling their trips to search the internet for the latest information on their destination, instead of accepting the Federal Government's travel warnings. "People who are on the spot are saying things are OK but the Government's saying no," Mr Wheeler said.

"The Government makes these sweeping statements and it's almost like 'Don't go to Asia'."

Qantas spokesman Michael Sharp said the airline's holidays branch had contacted hundreds of customers booked for Phuket to alert them to the Government's warning and ask if they wanted to cancel and get a refund or change their plans.

He said many had decided to travel to other destinations but some still planned to go to Phuket.

He said there had been more than 100 cancellations in the past week for flights to Thailand and Indonesia. "I expect a lot of people travelling in January will be waiting to see how the picture unfolds and deciding if they want to cancel completely and obtain a refund or change their travel plans," Mr Sharp said.

Flight Centre spokesman Haydn Long said several Australians had called wanting to go to Phuket to search for relatives and friends or to simply help.

"It's certainly not a lot of calls but there have been a few," he said.

Mr Long said people were still interested in travelling to Thailand, with coastal resorts such as Koh Samui and Pattaya almost full.

Cancellations for trips to Phuket and the other disaster zones were minimal.

"They tended to be very early on, in the first couple of days, but the overwhelming majority are looking to postpone or switch," Mr Long said.

"Christmas holidays come once a year and they want to get away somewhere."

Centre for Asia-Pacific Aviation managing director Peter Harbison said Australians were intrepid travellers and the tsunami disaster would not stop them.

"Most Australians have made their plans to travel for this summer season anyway and, except for a few cancellations in the obvious hotspots, I would think most people are committed to travelling and will go ahead with their plans," he said.

"There's a high level of understanding in Australia of what the risks are when travelling.

"It's a risky world but Australians are pretty peripatetic."

STA Travel spokeswoman Lisa Goldsmith said the travel agency had received more than 300 calls from worried holidaymakers since the disaster and many had opted to travel to other areas.

Qantas, Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines, Gulf Air, Cathay Pacific, STA Travel and Flight Centre will waive cancellation fees and offer refunds for trips booked to the disaster zones until January 31, and this date is likely to be extended.

Flight Centre's 24-hour help line is 1300 131 600. CGU Insurance has advised its customers affected by the disaster to contact its emergency line on (02) 9223 5533.

[cdnvic]

I don't think you'd have any problems. By the time you arrive most of the wreckage will be cleared from any place you would want to go, and I'm certain the locals need every bit of business they can get

Nice of you to approach it in such a respectful manner.

If you still worry about Phuket, try changing your itinerary and tour the northern areas which may lack the beaches, but are beautiful for other reasons.

Have a great holiday however/wherever you choose to spend it.

cv

[Richard W]

Big airlines and travel agents said Australian holidaymakers were determined to ignore Federal Government warnings about travel to the island, despite the increasing risk of typhoid, cholera, malaria and dengue.

These are the real issues, not tripping on debris. Can you afford the medical costs of contracting these? Can epidemics get going before you return?

Have you tried asking if the tour operator will insure you? Someone is going to lose by your trip being cancelled. If that body would rather lose the money than bear the risk, you shouldn't go. The problem with my argument is that communication isn't always possible.

[cdnvic]

Big airlines and travel agents said Australian holidaymakers were determined to ignore Federal Government warnings about travel to the island, despite the increasing risk of typhoid, cholera, malaria and dengue.

These are the real issues, not tripping on debris. Can you afford the medical costs of contracting these? Can epidemics get going before you return?

Have you tried asking if the tour operator will insure you? Someone is going to lose by your trip being cancelled. If that body would rather lose the money than bear the risk, you shouldn't go. The problem with my argument is that communication isn't always possible.

A quick trip to the clinic to get the proper vaccinations will remove most of these worries (overblown though they are). Malaria is around all the time, but there's prophalactic medicines around if you want to be extra safe.

Phuket has enough trouble without alot of panicky ill-informed people going off about something they don't know about because they "read it somewhere".

cv

[Richard W]

Big airlines and travel agents said Australian holidaymakers were determined to ignore Federal Government warnings about travel to the island, despite the increasing risk of typhoid, cholera, malaria and dengue.

These are the real issues, not tripping on debris. Can you afford the medical costs of contracting these? Can epidemics get going before you return?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A quick trip to the clinic to get the proper vaccinations will remove most of these worries (overblown though they are). Malaria is around all the time, but there's prophalactic medicines around if you want to be extra safe.

Phuket has enough trouble without alot of panicky ill-informed people going off about something they don't know about because they "read it somewhere".

cv

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So does anyone know who the panicky ill-informed person is who writes in the UK FCO Advice to Travellers to Thailand:

Still Current at: 3 January 2005 

Updated: 2 January 2005 

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Natural Disasters Section.   We are now advising against all but essential travel to resorts and towns along Thailand’s west coast, in particular Phuket, Krabi and Khao Lak, affected by the tsunami on 26 December.

There has been considerable damage to the underlying health care in affected areas. Flooding, stagnant water, disruption of sewer lines, and poor quality sanitation conditions are conducive to development of disease. Those in affected areas are advised to purchase bottled water, as local water sources may be contaminated. For further information health, check the Department of Health’s website at: www.dh.gov.uk

Diarrhoea is now spreading in Sri Lanka, but I think we all expect it to be much worse in Sri Lanka, India and Indonesia.

Perhaps the answer is to be prepared to abandon the package and head for other parts of Thailand when and if disease strikes. The problem is that I suspect catering staff might be infectious before reports of the outbreak of disease hit the press. Where would such an outbreak be reported? I presume one couldn't rely on the Bangkok Post as reporting such an outbreak might be seen as unpatriotic.

A more helpful reply would be to point to evidence that HMG's worries are misplaced. If anyone has evidence, let's see it. (I may be pleasantly surprised and see that it has been posted today.)

Edited January 3, 2005 by Richard W

[Richard W]

I am due to come over on holiday from the UK on Thursday (6th Jan), I have been given the option by the travel agent to either cancel the trip (as advised by ABTA and FCO) or continue my holiday (bearing in mind that my insurance will not meet any cover for anything that happens as a consequence of the disaster).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As for the Insurance Company it is an existing policy that I have and enquiring with other insurances companies, it would seem that all are very much the same. If I knew of the situation before travel then I wouldn't be insured for anything that happens or occurs as a result of the disaster.

I suppose in short, what it means is that if I broke my leg triping up they would pay the medical bill BUT if I broke my leg triping up on debris as a result of the disaster, then I wouldn't

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am sorry if this reply is too late - I fear it must be for the benefit of others and for Phuket. (I have no personal reason to benefit Phuket.)

I fished out my annual multi-trip insurance policy (via NatWest) today and I can't see how it wouldn't cover me and my family on a trip to Phuket. The apparently relevant exclusion is:

a) We will not pay for any loss under this policy in connection with or caused in anyway by:

1) War or hostilities, acts of terrorism, civil unrest or travel to a destination where the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have advised against "all travel".  This exclusion shall not apply in respect of cancellation and curtailment claims submitted following Foreign and Commnwealth Office advice against 'all travel' to your intended destination;

Foreign and Commonwealth advice against travel is of two types:

• against all travel
  
• against all but essential travel
  

The current advice against travel to Phuket is advice against all but essential travel, not against all travel, eg. as for Baghdad.

Therefore this exclusion does not apply! (Someone please correct me if I am wrong!)

You may worry that by going to Phuket you would

taking part in any insured pursuit against local warning or advice.

However, we now the following local advice:

From a e-mail...

http://www.image-asia.com/post_tsunami_hot...each_status.htm

General Phuket status

The situation is back to a very acceptable 'normal', although there are of course some areas where work continues on the clean-up process.

•  All beaches are open and clean; umbrellas and tourists are back on the beaches.

•  Tours to Phang Nga Bay have resumed.

•  All-day tours have resumed. Operators are staying away from Tongsai bay on Phi Phi island for the moment.

•  Few, if any, uninjured tourists are leaving of their own accord.

*** Phuket has no shortages of food or water! Electricity, communications, transport etc are all functioning normally.

*** Hygiene and sanitary conditions: There is no evidence of any danger or concern about disease. Informed opinion is that there is no danger.

•  TAT Governor K.Juthamas Siriwan said there was no official warning

•  None of the foreign embassies have any information about unsafe sanitary conditions

•  Red Cross also have no knowledge of any reason to worry

Official statement: Mr Watchara Apornsiri, Director of the Phuket Royal Irrigation Project and a Phuket native, has stated that the sea water at Phuket's beaches is clean, uncontaminated and safe for swimming. The tsunami appears to have had a "cleansing" effect and many beaches look like they did 20 years ago.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My opinion, for what it's worth, is that you should read your policy carefully. If I had a holiday booked departing on 6 January 2005 and been offered cancellation, I would now choose to go and go in the belief that I am insured provided I behave prudently (which is a an insurance requirement anyway). Be warned that I have no legal training and my advice may therefore be worth what you pay for it, i.e. nothing.

Would anyone care to comment on the validity of my belief?

Why has no one reported that the Patong sewage works are now working?

And can comeone tell me why my quotes aren't working properly!

Edited January 5, 2005 by RDN

[cdnvic]

And can comeone tell me why my quotes aren't working properly!

It's just having spaces where there shouldn't be. Explained fully here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=22318

cv

[RDN]

And can someone tell me why my quotes aren't working properly!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's just having spaces where there shouldn't be. Explained fully here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=22318

cv

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry CV, but I don't believe your quoted post is correct. In the example you give, the reason that the quotes don't work is because there is a missing "close quote" code - [/.quote] - (please ignore the dot in the code - I put it there to stop the code messing up this post).

But really, quotes are easy and you can have lots of nested quotes - i.e. quotes within quotes. But they must match:

Ignore the dots in these examples:

example 1 [.quote] blah blah [.quote]blah blah [./quote] [./quote] - this works

example 2 [.quote] blah blah [.quote]blah blah [./quote] - this doesn't work (missing final closing quote code) and screws up ALL codes in the post

I found this quite surprising:

example 3 [.color=blue] blah blah [.quote] blah blah [/.quote] [/.color] - this works

example 4 [.color=blue] blah blah [.quote] blah blah [/.color] [/.quote] - this works even though the quotes are not correctly nested

I think there is a limit to the number or the way quotes are nested, but haven't been able to nail it down yet. If I do, I'll let you know

But one important point to note is that if you have screwed up just one quote code, all of the codes will not work - so you need to check all the codes, not just the first one that is wrong.

[RDN]

...And can comeone tell me why my quotes aren't working properly!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You messed up the quotes when you "bolded" the last line in your last quote in that post And you had one too few "starting quote" codes. Mai bpen rai I think it now looks how you meant.

[astral]

Come and spend your money, in the local economy, not large foreign run hotels and restaurants. It will help the people here, who depend on tourists for a living.

[Richard W]

...And can comeone tell me why my quotes aren't working properly!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You messed up the quotes when you "bolded" the last line in your last quote in that post And you had one too few "starting quote" codes. Mai bpen rai I think it now looks how you meant.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for fixing it, and fixing it correctly. But it looks as though I'm going to have to write myself a syntax checker with diagnostics. .

However, are there no comments on the real issues, those that may be deterring prudent tourists? .

Edited January 5, 2005 by Richard W

[RDN]

....are there no comments on the real issues, those that may be deterring prudent tourists?  .

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sure! I've got comments, but my brain aches after fixing your quotes!

I agree whole heartedly with Astral - buy from the locals, go to the restaurants and food stalls, get some kao pad gai kai dow (chicken fried rice with a fried egg on top) or a Thai omelette. I think the food stalls on Karon beach even do a British breakfast!

That reminds me - I went there a couple of days ago and there weren't any food stalls at the north end of the beach. I hope the owners are OK - does anybody know? Has anyone seen them back in business there (between the beach and the little lake with the concrete "boat" they built for Loy Kratong). I really like those people - in fact the guy who sells beef burgers in north Karon (up from Karon Circle in the road first left) he's often at the place where I get food and always says hello (because I buy his burgers, too). I think I'll check it again tomorrow.

Nothing more to say really except the "debris" will all be gone soon - if it hasn't already - so don't worry about tripping over anything. Come here and spend your money!

[RDN]

Oh dear, the food stalls are still not there at Karon - but neither are there many tourists. But the burger seller is back.

Oh well, I don't mind having the whole beach to myself...

But it's a bit lonely

[katymc]

Oh dear, the food stalls are still not there at Karon - but neither are there many tourists. But the burger seller is back.

Oh well, I don't mind having the whole beach to myself...

But it's a bit lonely

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How are the shops and bars opposite the Karon Beach Resort - esp Euro-Cafe with Jo-Jo and staff?

KatyMc

[RDN]

How are the shops and bars opposite the Karon Beach Resort - esp Euro-Cafe with Jo-Jo and staff?

KatyMc

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Don't know. According to this web site ( http://www.phuket.com/karonbeach/ ) it says: "Karon Beach Resort suffered the most with severe damage to 24 ground floor rooms. The hotel will be closed for 2 1/2 months, for repairs, renovations and upgrading for facilities. Opening, mid-March 2005".

But this does not mean the shops and bars opposite were damaged. You can get the phone number of the Euro Cafe here: http://www.phuketgazette.com/guide/phuket_...68_ref_2968.asp

[phuketrichard]

They will open just in time for the low season,, by then occupancy will be ziltch.

[katymc]

How are the shops and bars opposite the Karon Beach Resort - esp Euro-Cafe with Jo-Jo and staff?

KatyMc

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Don't know. According to this web site ( http://www.phuket.com/karonbeach/ ) it says: "Karon Beach Resort suffered the most with severe damage to 24 ground floor rooms. The hotel will be closed for 2 1/2 months, for repairs, renovations and upgrading for facilities. Opening, mid-March 2005".

But this does not mean the shops and bars opposite were damaged. You can get the phone number of the Euro Cafe here: http://www.phuketgazette.com/guide/phuket_...68_ref_2968.asp

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for this RDN, I will try your suggestion

katymc