Phuket Doing O.k.?

[bangkokian]

I was a bit confused to hear an acquaintance--who has settled in Phuket for over 20 years--say that the situation in Phuket is hopeless right now. Is the biz side of things still so bad. I know that the rain and flood in the South must have affected tourism somewhat, but thought that it's not all that bad anymore.

Please shed some light if you can.

Thanks

[jimbob]

Hi there,

Tourism has been touch and go. The majority of business owners who have suffered have been in directly tourist related businesses (tour operators, hotels etc).

However Land prices have risen by around 20%, property carries on selling now at pre-tsunami levels, developments are still being planned, marinas are thriving. Anything property related has weathered the storm pretty well.

If the weather improves then December should be ok for tourism as many people will be here for tsunami annivesary. Depending on good weather and good media coverage things should improve in tourism.

[sonthaya]

All flights from Scandinavia is fully booked, and operating normally,I think Phuket will see a good high season.

[kasi]

There seems to be a little lull in business this week. But many friends who have tourist businesses saw a november that was better than last year.

I think this high season will very good. Bookings are very high already.

Maybe if it quits raining(we need the water though) things will pick up.

[bangkokian]

Good to hear that things are picking up. I am hearing news about the possibility of another Tsunami--How much of an issue is this?

Thanks

[sriracha john]

If the weather improves then December should be ok for tourism as many people will be here for tsunami annivesary.

Thai tsunami anniversary draws flak

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's bid to bring thousands of tsunami survivors and their families to a "song and dance" memorial service has drawn far fewer people than expected and triggered criticism that the event is in bad taste.

The week-long anniversary/New Year event which begins on December 26 has drawn flak from diplomats and the media, who say it puts too much emphasis on reviving tourism in Thailand's tourist mecca, Phuket island, and neighbouring provinces.

Bangkok Post columnist Boonsong Kositchotethana said the "song-and dance" events, which include a fireworks festival and a New Year's Eve countdown party, "simply reflects the insensitivity if not downright bad taste".

"The wise men in the Thaksin Shinawatra administration, who came up with this half-baked plan, should be reminded, once again, that the planned fanfare shows great disrespect to the 5,395 people who died and 2,906 others who went missing in the affected areas in Thailand," he wrote in a recent column.

The idea for the event was first broached by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in September during a cabinet meeting in the tsunami-hit Phang Nga province.

"We want to promote tourism in the three provinces," he told reporters. "On December 26, we will have memorial services and stone-laying ceremonies for a monument. Then from December 27, there will only be fun, entertainment and music."

But after protests from some foreign diplomats and the local media, the government said the $6.5 million ceremony would be held to thank the international community for helping Thailand cope with tsunami's aftermath.

Immediate family members of those killed or survivors of the tsunami will receive a free round-trip ticket to Thailand, airport pick-up and two nights accommodation to attend one of seven morning services to be held on December 26, officials said.

The simultaneous ceremonies will include wreath-layings and a minute of silence on seven beaches, including Phi Phi, Phuket and Phang Nga, where most of Thailand's deaths occurred.   

A variety of tourist events will kick off on December 27 and continue to January 3. They include the "Andamans Cup" yacht race, a seafood fair, a beach volleyball tournament, and an Oscars-like awards night for Thailand's film industry.

On New Years Eve, Thaksin will attend "Andaman New Year Countdown" to be televised live from Phuket's Patong Beach.

The memorial/festivities have baffled Bangkok-based diplomats who said it may only make survivors angry and upset.

"They are going to be aggrieved and they are going to fall apart," a Western consular officer told Reuters. "It is not going to work."

Only 1,200 visitors from 40 countries who were injured or lost family members in the tsunami have accepted the government's invitation, far below the 10,000 Thailand had expected.

Foreign Ministry official Vitavas Srivihok said invitations had been extended to scores of heads of states and other dignitaries, including former U.S Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton. But only 60 Bangkok-based diplomats from 40 embassies have agreed to attend.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

seems like not so "many" people are coming for the event...

[kasi]

Good to hear that things are picking up.  I am hearing news about the possibility of another Tsunami--How much of an issue is this? 

Thanks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Last time a tsunami hit the area was about 150 years ago. You probably have better odds of being struck by lightning! Or attacked by great white shark in Patong.

[Welsh John]

"We want to promote tourism in the three provinces," he told reporters. "On December 26, we will have memorial services and stone-laying ceremonies for a monument. Then from December 27, there will only be fun, entertainment and music."

"Oh & dont forget we have limited the opening times"

[jimbob]

If the weather improves then December should be ok for tourism as many people will be here for tsunami annivesary.

Thai tsunami anniversary draws flak

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's bid to bring thousands of tsunami survivors and their families to a "song and dance" memorial service has drawn far fewer people than expected and triggered criticism that the event is in bad taste.

The week-long anniversary/New Year event which begins on December 26 has drawn flak from diplomats and the media, who say it puts too much emphasis on reviving tourism in Thailand's tourist mecca, Phuket island, and neighbouring provinces.

Bangkok Post columnist Boonsong Kositchotethana said the "song-and dance" events, which include a fireworks festival and a New Year's Eve countdown party, "simply reflects the insensitivity if not downright bad taste".

"The wise men in the Thaksin Shinawatra administration, who came up with this half-baked plan, should be reminded, once again, that the planned fanfare shows great disrespect to the 5,395 people who died and 2,906 others who went missing in the affected areas in Thailand," he wrote in a recent column.

The idea for the event was first broached by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in September during a cabinet meeting in the tsunami-hit Phang Nga province.

"We want to promote tourism in the three provinces," he told reporters. "On December 26, we will have memorial services and stone-laying ceremonies for a monument. Then from December 27, there will only be fun, entertainment and music."

But after protests from some foreign diplomats and the local media, the government said the $6.5 million ceremony would be held to thank the international community for helping Thailand cope with tsunami's aftermath.

Immediate family members of those killed or survivors of the tsunami will receive a free round-trip ticket to Thailand, airport pick-up and two nights accommodation to attend one of seven morning services to be held on December 26, officials said.

The simultaneous ceremonies will include wreath-layings and a minute of silence on seven beaches, including Phi Phi, Phuket and Phang Nga, where most of Thailand's deaths occurred.   

A variety of tourist events will kick off on December 27 and continue to January 3. They include the "Andamans Cup" yacht race, a seafood fair, a beach volleyball tournament, and an Oscars-like awards night for Thailand's film industry.

On New Years Eve, Thaksin will attend "Andaman New Year Countdown" to be televised live from Phuket's Patong Beach.

The memorial/festivities have baffled Bangkok-based diplomats who said it may only make survivors angry and upset.

"They are going to be aggrieved and they are going to fall apart," a Western consular officer told Reuters. "It is not going to work."

Only 1,200 visitors from 40 countries who were injured or lost family members in the tsunami have accepted the government's invitation, far below the 10,000 Thailand had expected.

Foreign Ministry official Vitavas Srivihok said invitations had been extended to scores of heads of states and other dignitaries, including former U.S Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton. But only 60 Bangkok-based diplomats from 40 embassies have agreed to attend.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

seems like not so "many" people are coming for the event...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have heard the major hotels in Patong are pretty well booked up and I believe Laguna Phuket wil be fully booked for December.

I mean the international media will have to stay somewhere when they come back and re-trash the island. I am sure they will try to latch onto the hotel bookings as a way of showing the ongoing despair and tragedy of Phuket etc etc ad nauseum.

Most Phuket residents will be out in force telling BBC, Sky and CNN exactly what they think of them.

[khall64au]

As far as I can see, Phuket is doing fine considering the massive amounts of negative media. People do have short memories. Overall, the tourist numbers are less- as to be expected- but that makes it a more pleasant place to live and visit. I would say tourism levels are now quite sustainable - although the business sector may disagree.

[sriracha john]

Good to hear that things are picking up.  I am hearing news about the possibility of another Tsunami--How much of an issue is this? 

Thanks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Last time a tsunami hit the area was about 150 years ago. You probably have better odds of being struck by lightning! Or attacked by great white shark in Patong.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

AHHH... that's the wondrous amazement of the unpredictable and unscheduled style of Mother Nature. Just as easily as it may be tomorrow that the next tsunami hits....

[bangkokian]

Thanks for all the useful info here. Good to hear that Phuket is no longer overcrowded. Seismic activity is increasing all over the world, and there are reports that life has not re-occupied the around the crevace and faultlines that led to the Tsunami, signaling that there might be another one on the way. But I was wondering how prepared is Phuket compared to Japan, should another tsunami strike.

[cmsmania]

I went to Patong last Monday night around nine couldn't find a parking spot.

[kasi]

Good to hear that things are picking up.  I am hearing news about the possibility of another Tsunami--How much of an issue is this? 

Thanks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Last time a tsunami hit the area was about 150 years ago. You probably have better odds of being struck by lightning! Or attacked by great white shark in Patong.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

AHHH... that's the wondrous amazement of the unpredictable and unscheduled style of Mother Nature. Just as easily as it may be tomorrow that the next tsunami hits....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I guess we should all cash in our chips now and head for the hills and play ostrich.

[sriracha john]

Good to hear that things are picking up.  I am hearing news about the possibility of another Tsunami--How much of an issue is this? 

Thanks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Last time a tsunami hit the area was about 150 years ago. You probably have better odds of being struck by lightning! Or attacked by great white shark in Patong.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

AHHH... that's the wondrous amazement of the unpredictable and unscheduled style of Mother Nature. Just as easily as it may be tomorrow that the next tsunami hits....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I guess we should all cash in our chips now and head for the hills and play ostrich.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

or...

conversely...

just be realistic and know that the occurence of a tsunami has no relationship whatsoever to the timing of the previous occurence.

[sonthaya]

Good to hear that things are picking up.  I am hearing news about the possibility of another Tsunami--How much of an issue is this? 

Thanks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Last time a tsunami hit the area was about 150 years ago. You probably have better odds of being struck by lightning! Or attacked by great white shark in Patong.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

AHHH... that's the wondrous amazement of the unpredictable and unscheduled style of Mother Nature. Just as easily as it may be tomorrow that the next tsunami hits....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I guess we should all cash in our chips now and head for the hills and play ostrich.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

or...

conversely...

just be realistic and know that the occurence of a tsunami has no relationship whatsoever to the timing of the previous occurence.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's life and you will have to take it as it comes, it could happen tomorrow or in 200 years from now, live your life and don't worry too much about things you can't change.

[sriracha john]

Good to hear that things are picking up.  I am hearing news about the possibility of another Tsunami--How much of an issue is this? 

Thanks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Last time a tsunami hit the area was about 150 years ago. You probably have better odds of being struck by lightning! Or attacked by great white shark in Patong.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

AHHH... that's the wondrous amazement of the unpredictable and unscheduled style of Mother Nature. Just as easily as it may be tomorrow that the next tsunami hits....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I guess we should all cash in our chips now and head for the hills and play ostrich.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

or...

conversely...

just be realistic and know that the occurence of a tsunami has no relationship whatsoever to the timing of the previous occurence.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's life and you will have to take it as it comes, it could happen tomorrow or in 200 years from now, live your life and don't worry too much about things you can't change.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree whole-heartedly... was just trying to put a bit of realism to pie-in-the-sky optimists that think because we "already" had a tsunami, we'll be good to go for another couple of centuries.

Hopefully we will be, but realistically... there's no way to know.

Mother Nature has a penchant for being very unfair sometimes...

and she certainly doesn't do her work according to a time card.

[kasi]

Good to hear that things are picking up.  I am hearing news about the possibility of another Tsunami--How much of an issue is this? 

Thanks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Last time a tsunami hit the area was about 150 years ago. You probably have better odds of being struck by lightning! Or attacked by great white shark in Patong.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

AHHH... that's the wondrous amazement of the unpredictable and unscheduled style of Mother Nature. Just as easily as it may be tomorrow that the next tsunami hits....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I guess we should all cash in our chips now and head for the hills and play ostrich.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

or...

conversely...

just be realistic and know that the occurence of a tsunami has no relationship whatsoever to the timing of the previous occurence.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's life and you will have to take it as it comes, it could happen tomorrow or in 200 years from now, live your life and don't worry too much about things you can't change.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree whole-heartedly... was just trying to put a bit of realism to pie-in-the-sky optimists that think because we "already" had a tsunami, we'll be good to go for another couple of centuries.

Hopefully we will be, but realistically... there's no way to know.

Mother Nature has a penchant for being very unfair sometimes...

and she certainly doesn't do her work according to a time card.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But if you are a gambler you believe in laws of averages and probabilities.

A hideous and more destructive tsunami could hit tomorrow. A meteorite could squash you 10 seconds from now. Neither are very probable.

At the craps table there are 36 ways for a seven to come up on a pair of dice. Which is the better bet? To bet against a seven being rolled? Or to bet a Tsunami will hit again very soon?

Ever notice how casino's seem to always make money?

I don't think it's question of fairness. It's more of an element of luck.

I saw the first wave coming in last year. I had no idea what it was. But as luck would have it I was in a position to get out of the way which I did. It was just dumb luck I wasn't out in the water swimming when those waves hit. I don't think "fair" had anything to do with it. If I win or loose at a casino "fair" has nothing to do with it.

My favorite Clint Eastwood line from the "Unforgiven" after the "kid" has just murdered a man.

The "kid rationalizes that he dead guy "had it coming". Eastwoods' character replies: "We all have it coming kid".

We all have it coming!