The OTHER SIDE of the story from Phuket, Thailand
Don't believe everything you see on TV - most resorts and beaches in Southern Thailand are operational.

For photo library (from 26-31 Dec 2004) go to:
http://www.image-asia.com/post_tsunami_photo_gallery.htm

For beach & hotel status go to:
http://www.image-asia.com/post_tsunami_hotel_beach_status.htm

While there is no diminishing the tragedy that has hit the whole Indian Ocean region following last Sunday's earthquake and Tsunami - and all at IMAGE asia offer their heartfelt condolences to everyone who has suffered - there is concern that international news agencies' reporting of the consequences is less than balanced.

The majority of hotels, beaches and tourist facilities in Phuket, Krabi and Koh Lanta are operating normally.

Yet, as always with media coverage of tragic events, images and words focus on the devastion, loss of life and damage.

Because of the disproportionately high number of foreign tourists in Phuket and other Thai holiday destinations compared with other affected countries, international media coverage has also been disproportionate to the extent of damage in Thailand compared with elsewhere.

All the time urgent and immediate relief efforts go on, international news services focus on the grisly aspects of the disaster. Reporters tell the world the story of devastation; cameras capture the rubble and the bodies. They tell of total destruction here - a gross distortion of the truth.

And while doing so, they destroy the livelihood of the survivors in the coming months. Thousands upon thousands of Thai nationals earn their living from tourism. Once the immediate impact is over, survivors face not only the grief of their losses, but many will face unemployment with no income to sustain their families.

Certain areas of Southern Thailand, such as Kao Lak and Phi Phi Island, were very badly affected, but it is increasingly clear that many parts of Phuket and Krabi provinces remain almost untouched - some areas completely unaffected! - and countless resorts are operating at, or near, normal levels.

Hard to believe too is that - while many small speedboats and local 'longtail' boats moored near or on beaches suffered loss and damage - not a single yacht was lost out of the many, many sailing yachts moored in marinas and bays around Phuket for the holiday season!

Many tourists who escaped injury or loss, and whose accommodation remains intact, have decided to stay on. As each day passes more and more can be seen swimming, sunbathing, dining out, drinking and making the most of the rest of their holiday. Much of Patong Beach's entertainment area was cleared and operating in time for their New Year's Eve celebrations.

Yet cancellations are on the horizon. Cancellations of the tourism income that local families desperately need to begin rebuilding their lives and their businesses. While it is understandable that some may prefer not to continue with their holiday plans in Thailand, on behalf of all those who derive their livelihood from tourism, we ask them to pause for thought... to take a look at the images we have posted on this website, check out the status of hotels and beaches here and on other sites before you make your decision.

The Thais have achieved well-deserved acclaim for their hospitality and the warmth of their welcome for visitors. In the present situation, that welcome will be especially warm and hospitable for those who decide to continue with their travel plans.

Please pass on this message to anyone you think may be interested in the 'other story'.

To browse up-to-date photos 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