One Month after The Tsunami
It’s heart-warming to see the international relief effort that has been put in place. I am sure the various NGO’s will put all donations to good use. However, many of the countries affected by the tsunami rely heavily on tourism to keep their economies healthy. This is particularly true in Thailand. The west coast, which was hit by the waves, is a popular destination for tourists from around the world. Phuket, the largest island off Thailand’s west coast is the best known and most popular destination in that area.
The situation in Thailand is nothing like the pictures you may have seen on TV, showing villages in Indonesia that were leveled entirely by the sea. Thailand’s west coast is quite mountainous, which kept the effects of the waves limited to the immediate beach or oceanfront area in most places. In some areas, with steep cliffs over 10 feet above sea level, there was no damage at all.
What this region needs most is for the economy to keep rolling. With many tourists canceling or postponing their trips, many business owners face difficulties meeting their obligations with financial institutions. The tourism authority of Thailand (TAT) reports that 80% of the hotels in Phuket are fully operational. Of the popular tourist destinations, only Khao Lak and Phi Phi suffered extensive damage.
I’m sure your local travel agent will be able to offer you some excellent last minute deals for vacations to Thailand. Weather-wise, February is an excellent month to visit. Now might be an excellent opportunity for a nice tropical vacation. It’ll probably be the only chance you’ll ever get to visit Phuket in the high season (November through February) without being overrun by hordes of tourists.
As is often the case with Nature, when something is destroyed, something else is created. Tourism officials report that the natural environment around Thailands west coast was minimally affected. In fact, some areas noticeably improved as if the waves cleansed the underwater environment. The water quality at dives sites around Phuket and the Similans and Surin islands reportedly resembles what it used to be 20 years ago, before mass tourism discovered the area.
The last newsletter detailing the events in Thailand was very informative. Thank you for giving me a glimpse of what is happening in your locale. Even though your area was not locally affected by the devastation, I know your heart is heavy, and your soul pained by what has happened. I still remember our own recent tragedy of what is called the 9-11 disaster or terrorism at New York City World Trade center. I personally did not know anyone who died, but the remainder of that week, my coworkers and I and family were living a surreal existence. Our thoughts were dominated by the tragedy, and unfairness of life. Now, years later, it still hurts to think of it. I know that you, your families and team have been in shock, and are still and will continue to be for a long time, hurting over your national tragedy. They say with time, all things heal. The pain lessens, but the memories remain. I will pray for your hearts, and healing. Perhaps, if anything good can come out of any tragedy, a closer bond with our neighbors, and a tighter hold on the precious time we have on earth will result in more caring and respect for each other, no matter how distant that neighbor may be.
Comment by Bruce D. Meyer — Saturday, 29 January 2005 @ 13:12
It is easy to forget that people and businesses one interacts with seamlessly over the internet and whose products one used every day, might be in the areas effected (either physically or financially) by the tsunami. I am sure that I for one have been insulated from the true horrors and hardships of the event even though through the media it has touched all of us.
Your words about the tsunami in the latest newsletter have prompted this unusual step, for me, of sending back a reply.
I visited Thailand 15 years ago on my honeymoon and we had a magical time. Last year we decided to revisit our honeymoon for our 15th anniversary but had wavered in the fear that the visit would be for selfish reasons and would be seen as uncaring. This could not be further from the truth, but you never know.
Your newsletter has sealed our return this June. Thank you.
PS. Not directly relevant I know, but your are to be congratulated on producing probably the most useful and productive program (Edit Pad Pro) for programmers like me, I have yet encountered.
Comment by Rip Bucks — Monday, 31 January 2005 @ 12:54