Khao Lak - Before And After The Tsunami

[george]

BEFORE AND AFTER ...

JANUARY 13, 2004. A satellite picture over Khao Lak, Thailand

DECEMBER 29, 2004 Satellite picture taken 3 days after the disaster

Photos: SPACE IMAGING/CRISP-SINGAPORE/REUTERS

[britmaveric]

Wow- thats certainly puts things in perspective! Kao Lak is a mess and obviously the hardest hit spot in Thailand from those SAT images.

[cdnvic]

Is that beach normally covered at high tide, or is it just gone?

cv

[britmaveric]

I'd say gone- don't think high tide would come that far up. Anyone confirm this?

[Crash999]

I'd say gone- don't think high tide would come that far up.    Anyone confirm this?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You can see where high tide reaches by looking at the 'before' photo and noting where the color of the sand changes from bright yellow to a darker shade. Seems like the beach was normally a gentle slope and has been mostly wiped out.

[Darknight]

this is the Pankarang Resort nort of Khao lak

and this is a higher up pic of blue village resort khao lak

Here is a wide view, the blue village resort is just above the middle of the picture.

[The_Eye_Of_Sauron]

The hotels can be rebuilt, the tourists can come back...

but no Thai will work in Khao Lak.

- and hotels don't function without staff.

[britmaveric]

The hotels can be rebuilt, the tourists can come back...

but no Thai will work in Khao Lak.

- and hotels don't function without staff.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Prob take more dosh, but Thais will work again I'm afraid!

[johnnymoretti]

The hotels can be rebuilt, the tourists can come back...

but no Thai will work in Khao Lak.

- and hotels don't function without staff.

I couldn't help but notice this old post.

Well, I now make Khao Lak my home. And right now I can look out the window and see a plethora of hotels rebuilt. And guess what? They are staffed...well-staffed, with Thais. In fact, they offer better pay packages than Phuket to lure them up. And I also see tourists. And the volunteer backpackers are gone. Its business as usual and growing fast!

If you (re)build it, they will come.

And they have.

[seonai]

geez it makes me want to cry looking at these photos - I went up to Khao Lak a few months after the tsunami and couldn't believe what I saw... matchsticks...