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9 Jan, 2005: Thailand post-tsunami update |
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Statistics on hotel room status have been provided by East West Siam
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Phuket's premier website, www.phuket.com has comprehensive information, including downloadable photographs, on the current status of Phuket and surrounding areas, including step-by-step images of the clean-up and many, many messages of support from visitors.
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Photos courtesy of Phuket.com / Andaman Graphics |
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| STOP PRESS: UK GOVT TRAVEL ADVISORY AMENDED 9 JANUARY [Extract] "We advise against non-essential travel to these most badly affected areas, which include in particular Khao Lak and the Phi Phi islands. In other places, including Phuket island, some hotels and other facilities remain in good order." [NOTE]: French Government advisory paints a more accurate picture than UK. CLICK |
By 12.00 noon GMT on Friday 7 January, the UK government warning against travel to the tourist resorts of Phuket and Krabi in southern Thailand was lifted. The UK was the first to take this enlightened step, reportedly at the instigation of Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. Then, for reasons the UK Foreign Office has yet to reveal, the earlier warning - referring to severely disrupted infrastructure and public services in Phuket and Krabi - was reinstated on the UK government website. In this warning the UK government states as fact things which are simply not true.
This has left France and Norway leading the way in lifting misleading travel warnings that continue to have serious negative impact on southern Thailand 's recovery from the effects of the December 26 tsunami.
Updated travel warnings that reflect the true position are as follows:
Updated French travel advisory [Uncertified translation to English]
The tidal wave of December 26 caused major destruction along the southwest coast of Thailand (provinces of Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Trang, Satun and Ranong). Nevertheless, the situation [in different areas] varies: the island of Phi Phi and the resort of Khao Lak were devastated.
However, on the island of Phuket , damage was very localized and limited to certain beaches. Daily life and the ordinary activities continue normally across most of the island. Many hotels, restaurants, dive centres, etc are operating as usual. The situation is the same in Krabi .
There is no more risk of appearance of infectious diseases . It is therefore completely possible to travel to this area. While access to the areas more seriously affected (Phi Phi and Khao Lak) is not prohibited, travel is not allowed for the purpose of carrying out research.
[for original French language version, go to French Foreign Affairs website]
http://www.france.diplomatie.fr/voyageurs/etrangers/avis/conseils/fiches/fiche.asp?onglet=1&pays=THAILANDE
Updated Norway travel advisory [Source: Associated Press, Oslo, January 7, 2005 ]
Norway's foreign ministry on Friday lifted an advisory against travel to Thailand and Sri Lanka ..."The travel advisory for Thailand and Sri Lanka is lifted immediately," the ministry said in a brief statement.
Comments on the current state of Phuket, Krabi & Koh Lanta
Robert England, former head of UN in Thailand: "I have now retired from the UN in Bangkok and we are spending the winter months in our holiday home in Phuket. We have been helping the British Embassy cope, and I was a part of a UN assessment mission to Krabi and Trang, which revealed that the damage was highly selective and moderate in many places. I now agree that a major danger is that tourists will stay away and further undercut the livelihoods of many here."
Peter Davison, Manager International Services, Phuket International Hospital: "I have just read the recent travel warning issued by the Australian Government. In the context of public services and infrastructure it is misleading.
Phuket International Hospital - and to the best of my knowledge other hospitals in Phuket - are operating normally. Last Sunday we had a memorial service, after which we returned the hospital to normal operations. We are operating at around 85% capacity, which is standard for this time of year. We have adequate supplies and have not admitted or seen any patients who have contracted serious communicable disease (as referred to in the travel warnings) as a result of the disaster.
In my opinion the health risk in Phuket is no different than before the disaster and the Thai Ministry of Public Health has the situation well under control in Phuket."
Jeroen Deknatel, Managing Director, Fantasea Divers - Ocean Rover Cruises: "To those of you who saw Ocean Rover in the CBS News report about coral damage: do not believe what they are telling you! We are furious at CBS... Footage was arranged in a 'before & after' method that is not consistent with the real situation. All the beautiful 'before' footage shown by CBS was actually filmed AFTER the tsunami."
Snippets
The executive committee of the Association of the French Tour operators (CETO) has decided to resume, from January 16, departures to the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Phuket and Southern India.
Kuoni Scandinavia /Apollo charters flights have resumed to Thailand , but have been diverted to Bangkok for the time being. They plan to fly back to Phuket 10 Feb. The product managers of several tour operators are coming to Phuket to check the destination.
My Travel (Scandinavian Tour Operator) will resume flights to Phuket from 1 February
TUI NORDIC (Scandinavian Tour Operator) expects to resume flights to Phuket from early February.
Sue Armstrong-Ultmann, Director Media & Marketing, Baan Rim Pa Group: With a staff of around 160, all who have families to support, it is imperative that we get back to normal so that we can pay their salaries and they can continue to live a normal life. (Baan Rim Pa group of restaurants sustained minor damage from the Tsunami. Two out of the three restaurants are already operating normally. www.baanrimpa.com)
President Pacific Asia Travel Association: “Now more than ever, Indian Ocean countries want you to come visit. … it will also be a sign of support and solidarity, giving new hope and confidence...”
Executive Director, Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA): “…less than 1 percent of TICA members in Phuket, Phang- Nga and Krabi suffered major loss, and less than 2 percent suffered minor damage…”
President, The Dive Operators Club of Thailand: “There is absolutely no truth to rumours of heavy devastation, and loss of marine life.”
Full version of quotations above, more statements and many new photos, relating to this topic can be found at:
http://www.image-asia.com/phuket_krabi_9_Jan_MORE_DETAIL.htm
Many thanks for your support. Just by reading and spreading the word, you are helping.
Grenville Fordham
http://www.image-asia.com/phuket_krabi_9_Jan.htm
To browse up-to-date photos, maps, and other information, please click on the links at the top of this page.
If you have photographs and/or updates on beaches, resorts and other tourist facilities, please email them to gren@image-asia.com
If you have photographs and/or updates on beaches, resorts and other tourist facilities, please email them to gren@image-asia.com
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