General Phuket Status

[SunbeltAsia]

From a e-mail...

Hotel room status information chart provided by East West Siam as of Jan 5th.

http://www.image-asia.com/Phuket%20Hotel4jan05-B.htm

Even though 77% of the rooms are available in Phuket and 90% of the rooms are available in Krabi. These hotels have occupancies that are < 20%. No new clients have come to Phuket. They will soon face a very serious financial issue for people in Phuket.

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. [QUOTE]The tsunami appears to have had a "cleansing" effect and many beaches look like they did 20 years ago.

THE BEACHES

Northern beach resorts from Maiton to Bangtao have all suffered some damage, to varying degrees. Generally beaches have all been cleared and most resort areas are operating to one degree or another.

Surin Beach suffered almost no damage. Hotels, restaurants, bars and the beach are all operating. The beach looks stunning.

Today Laem Sing beach was decked out with loungers and umbrellas. Business as usual - but cleaner.

Kamala Beach was one of the worst hit areas on Phuket. We understand the beach has now been cleared, but the town still has some way to go as of today. People are working hard on the clean-up operation, but some time before restaurants, bars etc are anywhere near normal. Worth noting that Kamala hotels and guest houses in the lower slopes of the hills behind are undamaged.

Patong Beach along the beach road and the small roads leading off were badly affected. Clean-up operation is well underway, but it will be some time before many of the bars and restaurants open again. HOWEVER, behind the beach road, and in the main entertainment area, things are either back to normal or very close (see latest photos of Patong at night on 3 Jan). And Patong Beach looks pristine in a way most cannot remember!

Karon Beach suffered minor damage along the seafront, a bit more severe at the southern end. This long, long stretch of sand is now pristine and uncrowded.

Kata Beach suffered some fairly heavy damage at the southern and northern ends, but all has been cleared up and those places damaged are under repair. Just back from the beach the restaurants, shops, bars and resorts are all untouched. The beach is clean.

Kata Noi Beach, like Karon, escaped serious damage and it's business as usual.

On Ao Sane Beach, Ao Sane Bungalows were badly damaged. We are informed that the yachties moored in Nai Harn Bay have pitched in and are helping rebuild. Even so, they held their annual New Year's Eve BBQ party with 40 people. Further along, at Jungle Beach we understand Baan Krating's 30 bungalows are still all operational

Nai Harn Beach lost a lot of the small restaurants behind the beach, although we have seen photographs of people eating so it looks as though some are back in business already. The beach itself has been cleaned up and looks superb - with a whole fleet of cruising yachts anchored there this morning.

Rawai, Chalong, Cape Panwa, Ao Yon were all only slightly affected and its business as usual...

ISLANDS OFF PHUKET

Koh yao Noi was quite badly affected based on reports we received. However, this update came in today: "Everything is back to almost normal here. Island Resort is open again and the others are all functioning."

http://www.ewsiam.com/update.html

Tour Operator & Travel Agent Update – 12:15 Jan. 04, 2005

- Phuket's Status

- The situation is nearly back to normal, with the clean up process continuing in some areas

- All beaches are open and clean

- Tours within Phuket and to Phang Nga have resumed.

- Most uninjured tourists are continuing to stay in Phuket

- There is no shortage of food, water or electricity.

- Communication & transportation have resumed their normal status.

- There is no evidence of any hygiene or sanitary concerns.

- Mr Watchara Apornsiri, Director of the Phuket Royal Irrigation Project, has stated that the water at

- Phuket's beaches is clean and safe for swimming.

- Northern Beaches - Accommodations from Maiton to Bangtao received some damage, varying in degrees. Most beaches have been cleared, and most accommodations have resume operation.

- Surin Beach – There is almost no damage. All businesses are operating as usual.

- Laem Sing Beach - All businesses are operating as usual.

- Kamala Beach – Severely damaged. Clean up operation is being undertaken.

- Patong Beach - Clean up operation is still being undertaken. Behind the beach road and in the main entertainment areas are nearly back to normal.

- Karon Beach – Experienced minor damage along the seafront and the southern end.

- Kata Beach – It experienced some damage at the southern and the northern ends. All has been cleared and are being refurbished. Businesses behind the beach were not damaged.

- Kata Noi Beach - Experienced minor damage. All businesses are operating as usual.

- Ao Sane Beach – Experienced some damage and will require some time for refurbishment.

- Nai Harn Beach – Many small restaurants behind the beach was lost during the tsunami, but many have reopened. The beach has been cleaned and cleared. Many yachts have anchored in the area.

- Rawai, Chalong, Cape Panwa, Ao Yon Beaches - Experienced minor damage. All businesses are operating as usual.

- Khao Lak's Status

- All major resorts are closed until further notice.

- Koh Lanta's Status

- Pimalai Resort – Experienced minor damage but is now operating as usual.

- The Southwest Coast – The beach is cleared. Beachfront restaurants and businesses received minor damage.

- The Northwest Coast - The beach is cleared. Beachfront restaurants and businesses received some damage, and are under refurbishment

- Twin Bay Resort, Kaw Kwang Beach Bungalow, Costa Lanta, Twin Lotus Resort & Spa, Anda Lanta (Waterfall Bay), Lanta Garden Home, Same Same but Different received serious damage

- Seven hotels that are located further down experienced some damage and will resume normal operation within 1 to 2 weeks. Other accommodations are operating as usual.

- Krabi's Status

- Ao Nang – The beach is cleared, and diving trips have resumed. Hotels and usinesses are operating as usual.

- North of Ao Nang - The beach is cleared. Hotels and businesses are operating as usual.

- Railay Beach - The beach is cleared. Sand and Sea Resort was due to re-open on January 1, 2005. Other accommodations are operating as usual. Boat have resumed a more regular schedule. There is no flooding and the power supply is functioning.

- Phi Phi's Status

- Tongsai Bay – The village experienced most damage. The higher areas are in better conditions; however, it is not advisable to return at this time

- Laem Tong Beach – The beach is clear. Day trips and snorkeling have resumed in Phi Phi Le, also known as the Maya Bay. Holiday Inn Resort Phi Phi Island, Phi Phi Island Village and Phi Phi Natural Resort are now operating. Phi Phi Erewan Palms had some damage in its public areas.

[pliftkl]

I don't mean to ask what might sound like a callous question given the human suffering, but how are the Phuket dive sites? I know, for example, that the wrecked car ferry was in bad shape even before the tsunami. Did it survive the shockwave?

[phuketrichard]

Hi

Living here in kamala, I must agree that I have not seen the ebach this clean and scenic in 20 years. It is stunning. No tourists, no umbrellas, no chairs or anything cluttering the view.

The beach road is still without electirc and the main raod still has no city water. There are a few small bars and noddle stands open and 7/11 and one othe mini mart.

all the hotels on the beach are closed and will be for a long time but Kamala bay garden resort which is set back from the beach is open.

I see no one in the water here in kamala and for me i will not be going back in for at least another week. To much garbage flowing in thru the canals that had trash and bodies in it.

I do hear that karon beach is excellent.

[The_Moog]

The tsunami appears to have had a "cleansing" effect and many beaches look like they did 20 years ago.

Certainly uncontaminated with tourists now.........I realize that this man is a water specialist and he was talking about the water, but people should be very careful before giving such daft sound-bites .... they are just inviting people to quote them out of context.

[baht&sold]

Thanks for the current update.

We're getting ALOT of reaction to a similar message we sent to 5000 or so through our newsletter email. Some are absolutely outraged (at us). Even some whom live in Bangkok for example and STILL only rely on the satellite news for info. Yet some are appreciative to hear current reports (some). My underlying point was, if we can donate AND also help the local Thais get back on their feet by visiting, wouldn't be such a bad thing (??)

Well, here's a few replies:

_________________________________

To: ThailandConnect/Baht&Sold

Sent: Wednesday, January 05, 2005 3:57 AM

Subject: What's really going on?

I'm trying to find out what is really going on in Ao Nang, Raleigh, etc. The news over here (Toronto) leads one to believe that Phi Phi and Krabi were completely destroyed. But your email indicates that is not really the case.

As I am VERY familiar with overly-sensational news coverage of "tragedies" (everyone knows of the SARS "crisis" in Toronto except for us Torontonians) - I can't say I'm very surprised.

Can you tell me is Ao Nang okay? Krabi? Is there a news source that DOESN'T milk tragedy for the sake of sales? Because I can't find anything here but end-of-the-world scenarios, and I do not want to believe that beautiful Ao Nang and Krabi City, along with all the fabulous people that live there, no longer exist.

_______________________________

To: ThailandConnect/Baht&Sold

Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2005 8:20 PM

Subject: Re: Phuket

I appreciate your letter that you are trying to save the tourism...

I am working in the Pang Nga area relief and really please use your

letters to raise help... nobody cares about tourism right now.

things are still bad

_______________________________

To: ThailandConnect/Baht&Sold

Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2005 7:03 PM

Subject: Re: Phuket

hi daniel

i am assuming this info and pictures are accurate, and if that's the case then the situation is actually worse - at least as far as the australian media is concerned. Because not only have they been implying that Phuket is devastated, but they have been making very "catty" comments about the tourists staying on there or travelling there since.

The clear implication is that these people are incredibly self-indulgent and insensitive to the plight of the local people. I have seen comments implying this is a few reports and in a recent newspaper article (not written by an australian journalist but in an australian paper) were words similar to "and meanwhile western tourists lounged on the beach while just metres away mothers scrabbled through rubble looking for food for their desperate families (and this was about patong beach!!). utter nonsense and combined with the rest could really have a significant impact by "shaming" people to stay away. i have forwarded your email to a number of others as per your suggestion.

__________________________

To: ThailandConnect/Baht&Sold

Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2005 5:59 AM

Subject: Regarding (deleted)

With regard to these so-called "Post" Tsunami Phuket ........................this is a bad joke !....................right ?. You don't know what "Post" means ! ?. I don't know what this BS is about...............but certainly..........I feel who ever put these info on your website should be kicked up the (deleted).

_________________________

(This, from a Bangkok Expat)

To: ThailandConnect/Baht&Sold

Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2005 11:06 AM

Subject: RE: Phuket

Daniel,

While I share your concerns here the reality is that 150,000+ people did lose their lives. Millions of people are homeless now. Those people need charity. Europeans and Americans are donating now precisely because of the images of wreckage.

If the BBC and CNN showed normality the donations would stop.

In the bigger scheme of things if a few hotels go bust in a relatively well off country but millions more in charity money is raised and donated to those that need it because of some selective camera shots then I will not lose sleep.

Not meant as a dig, just an opposing opinion.

_______________________________

To: ThailandConnect/Baht&Sold

Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2005 9:00 AM

Subject: Re: Phuket

Hi Daniel

Just want to say that I appreciate your report.

I have just finished my 7 days / 24 hours a day work, in Bangkok (Don Muang) airport, where I - as a volunteer, took care of all (wounded, traumatic affected or healthy) Danish, Norwegian/Swedish people coming in from the affected areas.

I have more or less got the same feedback as you present on your website/emails during these last 7 days.

It's good to know that there are other "farangs' who are spending their time being positive (and helfpul).

______________________________

To: ThailandConnect/Baht&Sold

Sent: Wednesday, January 05, 2005 5:24 AM

Subject: Re: (deleted)

Daniel

Very interesting. A lot to take in at a glance My immediate gut reaction is one of "Selfishness" Talking about Phuket and Thailand and the people abandoning the resorts as the people depend on "us". It appears to me that you are more concerned about whatever you do to make a living. Maybe your line of work relys on tourists I dont know.Are you Thai? If not I dont think you are qualified to speak on their behalf. Let me see a report such as yours written by a Thai and not Johnny foreigner.The Thais are more than capable of looking after themselves.They have and Will survive without the likes of you and me over running their beautiful country with bus loads of tourists.The most of them not having a clue where they are in the world, all they know is its a bit further than Spain.

As for the BBC and CNN reports. I have not seen CNN reports so I cannot comment.The BBC I have .I can honestly say they together with the other UK independant channels reported fairly on events in Asia and I mean not just Phuket but all the other countries effected by this. Quality papers have reported whats happened and whats occurring NOW .Frankly Phuket has a small part in this play. I am not sure what you are trying to proove by showing lovely pictures of people enjoying themselves on holiday. I have donated my money to the disaster fund I hope its put to good causes. Dont worry about tourists coming to Thailand . They will return. I have my views about the type of person who now visits Thailand but I will save that for further debate.

I am sure you are a little suprised about this reply and no doubt will tell me about your form with Thailand. Before you do that have a thought for the souls in Sri lanka India Indonisia and the other places effected by this. I get the impression your media coverage is not up to scratch .Do you have any idea on the situation outside Thailand ? I hope so.The world does not revolve around you and Phuket my friend.

______________________________

To: ThailandConnect/Baht&Sold

Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2005 1:52 AM

Subject: Re: Phuket

I am sitting in 2 C weather here at my office on Burrard St. Vancouver, looking out at English Bay. What a beautiful day out.

The Tsunami has made me want to head back there even more to help out.

I just got off the phone with a friend who was trying to cancel her next

month trip to Phuket and instead head to Vietman. She is now 100% heading to Phuket.

_______________________________

Edited January 5, 2005 by bahtandsold