a quasi 3 settimane di distanza dai tragici eventi naturali del 26 dicembre 2004, riteniamo opportuno inviarvi un nuovo aggiornamento sulle condizioni della costa thailandese affacciata al mare delle Andamane.
Un primo fattore che desideriamo porre alla vostra attenzione è che al momento attuale non si è ancora placata l'ondata di cancellazioni ingiustificate che si sta abbattendo non solo verso le aree colpite dallo tsunami ma che più in generale riguardano tutte le destinazioni turistiche thailandesi.
Abbiamo già avuto modo nei giorni scorsi di segnalarvi che a parte delimitate e specifiche aree, le strutture ed i servizi turistici in Thailandia sono in normali e perfette condizioni.
Questo trend di cancellazioni non può quindi che essere imputato alla disinformazione ed al modo generalizzato nel quale le notizie sul dopo tsunami sono state rese pubbliche sia dai media che anche purtroppo dagli organi governativi di vari paesi. Notizie troppo allarmistiche e non rappresentative delle reali condizioni dei vari luoghi.
Terminata la prima emergenza relativa ai paventati ma mai confermati rischi di epidemie nelle aree colpite, così come comunicato dalla Organizzazione Mondiale della Sanità in data 8 Jan 2005, al momento le principali ragioni poste dai viaggiatori per giustificare le loro cancellazioni sono di ordine morale. La maggior parte teme di trovare in loco condizioni di sofferenza e di precarietà, non idonee al clima di divertimento ricercato nella vacanza.
Riteniamo sia inutile ribadire a Voi che questi timori sono completamente infondati e per nulla attinenti alla realtà dei fatti, e non solo nelle aree non colpite dal maremoto.
La Thailandia è un Paese che si estende per circa 514.000 Kmq (estensione pari ai 5/3 dell'Italia) ed è suddivisa in aree nettamente separate sia dal punto di vista geografico che dal punto di vista culturale e sociale.
In tutte le aree e province del Paese estranee ai fatti in oggetto, quelli del 26 dicembre sono apparsi come eventi lontani, seguiti con la giusta attenzione ed apprensione attraverso i media così come in ogni altra parte del mondo
Terminato lo sgomento creato dall'impatto con la notizia, il  comportamento dei locali e dei turisti internazionali della stragrande maggioranza delle località turistiche thailandesi (ivi comprese molte destinazioni sul mare delle Andamane) è rientrato rapidamente alla normalità ed oggi queste località sono animate, divertenti ed interessanti come lo sono sempre state in passato.
Desideriamo aggiungere anche una breve e semplice analisi su quelli che potranno essere gli effetti economici sul turismo thailandese nel breve e medio termine, con particolare riferimento alla salvaguardia dei posti di lavoro, nel caso in cui le attuali cancellazioni non giungeranno ad una rapida inversione di tendenza.
Questa analisi per la Thailandia risulta facilitata dal confronto con la situazione innescatasi a causa della Sars nel corso del 2003.

• il blocco dovuto alla Sars si verificò quasi al termine dell'alta stagione turistica (metà marzo ndr). Molti hotels ed altre correlate attività commerciali poterono almeno parzialmente fare fronte all'emergenza con gli utili accumulati durante i mesi immediatamente precedenti. Dall'inizio dell'emergenza fino all'inizio dell'alta stagione seguente trascorsero pochi mesi. Lo tsunami si è invece abbattuto all'inizio delle festività natalizie, privando gli hotels degli introiti dell'altissima e della seguente alta stagione. Le attività commerciali relate al turismo si ritrovano di conseguenza ad essere private delle entrate più sostanziose dell'anno e, cosa altrettanto importante, dovranno attendere per un periodo di tempo più lungo prima di poter usufruire di un nuovo periodo di alta stagione. Se come infatti paventato ed erroneamente consigliato all'opinione pubblica, il blocco turistico si perpetuerà per alcuni mesi, l'alta stagionalità climatica sul mare delle andamane sarà nel frattempo giunta al termine e lo stato di precarietà delle attività turistiche si perpetuerà verosimilmente fino al prossimo Natale.

• Diversamente dal caso della Sars, molte strutture ricettive delle aree coinvolte hanno dovuto sostenere ingenti spese per i lavori di riparazione.
  Il problema non è quindi limitato alle mancate entrate ma viene esteso alle forti uscite.

A causa degli effetti della Sars, in Thailandia persero il lavoro diverse  decine di migliaia di addetti al settore turistico e crediamo sia importante focalizzare l'attenzione sul fatto che molte famiglie trovano la loro sussistenza grazie agli introiti derivanti dall'occupazione di un solo membro in questo settore.

Alla luce dei fattori precedentemente analizzati, crediamo non sarà difficile immaginare che l'mpatto economico e sociale che rischia di essere innescato dagli effetti dello tsunami sarà di proporzioni esponenzialmente maggiori rispetto al caso della Sars.

In conseguenza dei fatti esposti, è nostro preciso intento inviare un appello a tutte le parti interessate per una sensibilizzazione sull'argomento e per la promozione di un turismo solidale verso queste destinazioni. Il nostro appello è inoltre incentrato sui tempi: è infatti fondamentale una pronta e rapida ripresa del turismo, nei tempi più brevi possibili!
Il nostro appello viene esteso anche ai principali Tour Operators italiani che al momento attuale stanno sensibilizzando l'opinione pubblica in modo forse selettivo e discriminante, sulla base delle località turistiche dove i loro investimenti sono più ingenti. Gradiamo infatti sottolineare che non solo le Maldive hanno velocemente recuperato dalle conseguenze dei tragici fatti e che l'isola di Phuket è sostanzialmente in una situazione ad esse analoga.
Phuket e altre aree thailandesi sul mare delle Andamane trovano nel turismo la loro fonte di sostentamento di gran lunga principale. La ferma volontà della popolazione locale è quella di trovare una risoluzione stabile e duratura al problema attuale. L'unica soluzione possibile in tal senso è quella di riavviare da subito l'attività turistica, che permetta fonti di guadagno tramite le quali si potrà avere un sostentamento diretto senza la necessità di aiuti esterni, aiuti che hanno per giunta una durata limitata nel tempo.

La voce di Phuket che si innalza in modo perentorio è "We don't need donations, we need tourists!"

Nella prossima sezione abbiamo ritenuto opportuno raccogliere i comunicati ufficiali rilasciati da alcuni significativi hotels delle zone più colpite per un consulto e comparazione più immediati.
Questi comunicati sono stati principalmente reperiti attraverso i siti internet delle varie strutture.
Consigliamo il lettore di consultare gli stessi siti internet, per i quali verranno forniti i relativi links in calce, dove sono consultabili anche diverse immagini fotografiche delle strutture stesse e delle principali spiagge della provincia di Phuket e di Krabi.

"Katakaron"
Presso il sito ufficiale dell'organizzazione "Katakaron", associazione che raccoglie le rappresentanze di un folto numero di hotels di queste 4 popolari spiagge, sono consultabili immagini delle località, dell'arenile e delle correlate strutture: http://www.katakaron.com/

Katathani Thani e Katathani Bhuri
le seguenti informazioni sono un aggiornamento dei comunicati e immagini già resi disponibili in data 29 Dec 04 e sono consultabili, assieme ad un vasto repertorio fotografico, alla pagina:
http://www.katathani.com/Thani/photo-gallery.html
Katathani Phuket Beach Resort following the earthquake off Indonesia on Sunday, 26 December 2004
The hotel is now functioning normally with all  amenities in place. Our restaurants are all open and serving our extensive range of excellent cuisine. Our gardens are unaffected and our swimming pools have been cleaned and are now open as is our spa. The Kata Noi beach which the Katathani rests on is as beautiful as ever and the surrounding areas to the hotel are functioning normally as is Phuket Town. Patong is also quickly coming back to normal.
Guests are welcomed to the hotel with immediate effect and will enjoy the relaxed atmosphere associated with Katathani and receive our normal high standards of service.
Management and staff were deeply proud to receive the attached letter at the bottom of the page from our valued guests who were in-house at the time of the Tsunami.

Katathani Post Tsunami Questions and Answers Document

Q: Have guestrooms been adversely affected?
A:  Most guestrooms are totally unaffected. A number of ground floor rooms have water damage to soft furnishing. These rooms will remain unoccupied until new furnishings have been sourced.

Q: Are hotel facilities affected?
A:  All facilities are now back to normal including restaurants, pool bars, swimming pools, spa, fitness center, shops, clinic, hairdresser's, conference rooms and reception.

Q: Have swimming pool functionality been affected?
A:  Swimming pools were initially affected by sea water. They have since been emptied, cleaned and treated and are now functioning normally.

Q: Is there any debris or adverse affect to the beach?
A:  All debris has been cleared from the beach. The beach probably looks as good as it ever done because there are no venders' chairs or umbrellas. The beach looks totally natural and very beautiful.

Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa
Un documento in formato pdf relativo agli effetti dello tsunami e con una vasta testimonianza fotografica è scaricabile a questo indirizzo
http://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/content/HKTHIHI/media/pdf/HKTHIHI_tsunami_update.pdf
Di seguito le parti salienti del comunicato:
Greetings from Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa!
We wish to advise that Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa has been fully operational since the tragic events of December 26, 2004. All facilities and activities are open and available for guests' use.
All 685 rooms and suites, and five meeting rooms that were part of the resort's recently completed multimillion dollar renovation and refurbishment project remained unscathed. Although the waves brought water into the resort's roadside restaurant, and the shops along the beach road received limited damage, these facilities are situated approximately 200 metres from the resort's main wing on a property which spans over 75 acres.
The rest of the resort's facilities and activities remain available to guests and everything at Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa is operating at the usual high standard. All of the resort's restaurants are fully operational.
Although The Spa, part of the resort's extensive renovations which will feature 15 spectacular treatment suites offering a vast array of rejuvenating Asian and Western treatments, is only scheduled to open early 2005, spa treatments are currently still being made available to guests.
Phuket International Airport is open and scheduled airlines continue to fly to the island. Roads around the island have been cleared of debris from the floods, and are open to traffic, while roadside shops are in the process of being cleaned up. Fresh fruit, vegetables and water are easily accessible.
On the island's west coast, Karon Beach, where the Hilton is situated, and the adjacent Kata Beach, were largely sheltered from the worst of the waves and most of the facilities in this area are almost back to normal. Tourists and locals alike have returned to Karon Beach since December 29. This public beach, which stretches 3km, was returned to its original pristine condition in a volunteer community beach clean-up.
Key attractions and activities for visitors such as: Phuket Fantasea, golf courses, elephant camps, scuba diving, mountain climbing, the Butterfly Garden, Chalong temple, Dino Park Mini Golf, and ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) Tours remain open and are running as normal. We would be happy to discuss any concerns you might have in person.
For further information on the status of facilities around Phuket Island, please visit the Tourist Authority of Thailand website, www.tourismthailand.org

Tropical Garden Resort & Serene Hotel
Presso la pagina del sito
http://www.tropicalphuketresort.com/newyear.htm
E' reperibile un comunicato ufficiale e diverse immagini fotografiche delle due strutture e della spiaggia di Kata, dove entrambe le strutture si affacciano.
Di seguito le parti salienti del comunicato:
Sawasdee krub!
On behalf of the Hotel Management wishing you a "Happy New Year 2005"
With reference to the above top news that being highlight on every TV channels and news papers regarding the unexpected damages that happened in the various Asian Countries and on Phuket Island itself, I would rather updates you with the latest situation of the Tropical Garden Resort and Serene Resort as to ensures you that all of the clients that stay with us are safe and comfortable in all aspect.
Just to provide you with a clear picture, both of our property not being affected at all by the Tsunami Wave that happened on Sunday 26 December 2004. The latest report on survival research resulting one of Serene Resort hotel guest were missing upon going to Phi Phi Island trip and a few who were spending their time at the beach being effected by the slight bruise.
As most of our contacted travel agents being informed earlier that our resorts are in the high location at Kata Beach area, we would clarify to all visitors that we were safe from the recent disaster.
Also kindly note that our Restaurants and other F&B outlets are operating as normal and our guests being enjoying their meal during the period of their stay.
Others such as water, electric supply and the standard of service are operating as normal as well as we did not receive any negative guest comments during this period.
Finally, please contact me if more information is required and also please be ensured that both of our properties are well operating and well organized.
Sincerely yours, Thanakorn Prasertsri
Hotel Manager
E-mail: hotelmanager@tropicalphuketresort.com
Monday 27 December 2004

Le Meridien Group
Il comunicato ufficiale è reperibile alla pagina
http://www.lemeridien.com/southeastasia.html
SOUTH EAST ASIA TSUNAMI - LE MERIDIEN OFFICIAL STATEMENT
January 4, 2004, (SINGAPORE): The management and staff at Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts extend their condolences to all those throughout the coastal areas of South East Asia, extending to countries across the Indian Ocean, who have lost family and friends following the earthquake and subsequent tsunami on December 26, 2004.
Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort and Le Meridien Khao Lak Beach & Spa Resort are the only two Le Meridien properties in Thailand to be substantially affected by this tragedy. We have made arrangements to provide assistance to our staff members and their families living in the affected coastal areas around Phuket and Khao Lak. A relief fund for staff and their families affected by this tragedy has been established from London, and contributions are flowing in.
We have ascertained damage to Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort and Le Meridien Khao Lak Beach & Spa Resort will require substantial repairs. Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort and Le Meridien Khao Lak Beach & Spa Resort anticipate re-opening no earlier than April and November 2005 respectively. The hotel teams are working to ensure the safe and rapid restoration of these properties.
Current reservations for the two hotels have been re-directed to either Le Royal Meridien Phuket Yacht Club or to other hotels.
Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort and Le Meridien Khao Lak Beach & Spa Resort will offer guests and tour operators either a waiver of cancellation penalty or a switch of pre-paid deposit to credit note for existing reservations with arrival dates up to March 31 for Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort and up to October 31, 2005 for Le Meridien Khao Lak Beach & Spa Resort.
Le Royal Meridien Phuket Yacht Club sustained no damage to the property and all guests are accounted for. The hotel is fully operational.
Up-to-date information on the status of our hotels will continue to be posted on www.lemeridien.com.
Our worldwide call centres and sales teams are advising customers regarding the status of our hotels in the region, to ensure that everything within our control is done to inform, help and advise people as best we can.
Anyone wishing to obtain details of their family and friends can obtain the emergency helpline numbers from Le Meridien reservations centres. The following numbers issued by Foreign Office as follows:-
UK - 020 7008 0000
Thailand - 00 (66) 7639 6433
Singapore - (65) 6332 0000
France - International calls 00(33) 145 5034 60 (Le Quai d'Orsay Office in Paris) and Toll Free from France only 0800 174 174
Germany: 00 (49) 30 5000 1000
Spain: 00 (34) 9137 91627 /28
Italy: 00 (39) 0636911
Russia: 00 (66) 9 699 0919 (Russian Embassy in Thailand)
Information can also be obtained from major tour operators. Guests due to travel to the affected areas should also contact their tour operator or travel agent and NOT the emergency helpline numbers.

Phuket - spiaggia di Patong

Come è noto, la spiaggia di Patong ha subito in modo piuttosto violento gli effetti dello tsunami.
E' comunque importante specificare che tutte le strutture poste lungo la parallela alla strada lungomare, o comunque situate in lontananza di quest'ultima, non hanno subito conseguenze e diamo per scontata la loro totale efficienza. Quale aggiornamento sulle generali condizioni della destinazione Patong, segnaliamo che è già da alcuni giorni stato riaperto il lungomare anche se al momento il traffico è limitato per non ostacolare i lavori di riparazione di alcuni edifici. Diverse attività commerciali del lungomare sono state spostate più all'interno.
E' invece già rientrata nella normalità la situazione sulla Bangla Road, laterale del lungomare nota ai turisti internazionali quale la via dei divertimenti mondani.
Ottima la situazione dell'arenile di Patong. La mareggiata ha portato in superficie sabbia proveniente dai fondali e che ha ricoperto la sabbia prima presente. La nuova sabbia è più bianca e più bella della precedente. E' già stato avviato anche un progetto per il miglioramento delle condizioni ecologiche dell'arenile di Patong. Il precedente numero di lettini e ombrelloni presenti sulla spiaggia (oltre 7000) sarà da ora limitato o poco più di 1000 unità. Sarà probabilmente modificato anche il traffico dei taxi collettivi (tuk tuk) limitandone l'accesso e le aree di parcheggio sul lungomare. Maggiori informazioni al riguardo saranno rese note appena disponibili.
Di seguito analizziamo le condizioni delle strutture alberghiere in vicinanza del mare, alcune delle quali tra le più seriamente danneggiate.

Amari Coral Beach Resort
Il comunicato uffiiale sullo stato dell'Amari Beach Resort è contenuto in questa pagina:
http://www.amari.com/tsunami.htm
Relativamente alle altre strutture della nota catena, alla home page www.amari.com si legge quanto segue:
The Amari Coral Beach Resort has sustained some damage in the tsunami caused by the earthquake on 26th December and will be closed until 1st August.
For more information and regular updates including how you canmake a donation to assist the victims of this tragedy in Southern Thailand, please visit http://www.amari.com/tsunami.htm
If you have an existing reservation at the the Amari Coral Beach Resort, before 1st August, we regret that this will be cancelled. If you would like to reschedule your arrangements to stay at another of our properties then please email reservations@amari.com and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
Whilst our hotel in Phuket is temporarily closed, only small pockets of Phuket are damaged and the infrastructure of the majority of the island is completely unaffected. You can best help the victims of the tsunami in Phuket and show them your support, by continuing to come on holiday to Thailand and stay at the hotels which are still open on the island. Our staff will of course be continued to be paid whilst the hotel is closed, however, many other people working in jobs which support the tourist industry will loose their livelihood if tourists stop visiting Phuket.
All our other properties in Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Koh Chang, Samui and Trang are completely unaffected.

Diamond Cliff
http://www.diamondcliff.com/phuket.htm
December 31th, 2004.
Dear All,
Warm greetings from Diamond Cliff Resort & Spa, Phuket, Thailand.
I would like to take this opportunity to convey our appreciation to all of you who extended deep concern to our safety because of the affects of the Tsunami Waves on Sunday 26 th December 2004.
As you aware by the name of the hotel " Diamond Cliff Resort & Spa", therefore all of us, especially hotel guests are in safe condition because our hotel buildings and major facilities those have security checked by Japanese and UK travel agents are situated in the hillside overlooking Andaman Sea.
The only parts of our hotel that ware hit by Tsunami are Franco Roma Italian Restaurant and Diamond Hut Chinese Seafood Restaurant with swimming pool but kindly NOTE that services for the mentioned restaurants are now back to normal because we can arrange other two places inside the hotel to serve our guests.
Our hotel still operates and provides our best services for guestrooms, restaurants, spa complex, and others facilities as usual from the 26 th December until now and onwards, especially at the moment, a lot of news reporters from major television channels and newspaper staffs are staying at our hotel such as NHK from Japan, BBC News from United Kingdom, ABC News from Australia, KABC TV from USA, and other reporter from Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Czech, Greece, etc.
We expect that the slightly affected facilities and service in our hotel will be recovered by 10 th January 2005.
Hopefully that you are now clarified with the current situation and be assured that the hotel conditions are all in good working order.
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have further queries.
Thank you again and Best wishes for this coming NEW YEAR 2005
Yours faithfully,
Mr. Virat Atthabhirak
General Manager
 

ogni comunicato può essere reperito presso la home page del Laguna Phuket alla pagina:
http://www.lagunaphuket.com/
Laguna Phuket Survives Tsunami
Laguna Phuket was spared the more serious damage reported from other areas of Phuket island as it was protected from the Tsunami's full force by the headland to its South. Nevertheless, a wave surge swept the beaches and inundated a few ground floor rooms and some of the resort's beachfront restaurants and pools.
Casualties were considerably light. The hotel's beach areas are already operational, the lagoons have been cleared of debris and our ferry transportation network will be operational within a week. Of the five hotels at Laguna Phuket, Banyan Tree Phuket and Allamanda Laguna Phuket were unscathed apart from damage to a small beachfront restaurant operated by Banyan Tree which was reopened within 3 days of the disaster. The Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket has only six rooms out of order, and Laguna Beach Resort has 14. The Dusit Laguna Resort suffered the worst and is working to repair the 24 beachfront rooms which were flooded within 30 days. So less than 50 rooms from Laguna Phuket's total inventory of 1100 rooms have been affected. We are still very much open for business.
Staff and guests alike have been marvellous throughout the crisis, and we thank them for their considerable support. With operations at Laguna Phuket returning to normal, we are turning our attention to various outreach programmes to help affected locals and their families in our immediate area, and other areas harder hit , with a clothing and supply collection, and donation boxes for a Phuket Tsunami Recovery Fund being placed in our hotels and other businesses, and throughout the community.

Phuket Tsunami Recovery Fund
Laguna Phuket has established the Phuket Tsunami Recovery Fund as a channel for our supporters and contributors to provide direct assistance to local Tsunami victims. The fund is managed by Laguna Resorts & Hotels' own organisational network and 100 per cent of donations will be distributed to Laguna's most needy neighbouring communities to help rebuild lives. To make donations and for further information click here. We thank you for your kind and most generous support.
 

Phuket - Spiaggia di Mai Khao (nord dell'isola, nei pressi dell'aeroporto)

JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa
Alla pagina: http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/HKTJW  si legge:
The JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa is now fully operational with all restaurants and facilities open and our associates at the resort are looking forward to welcoming guests back to the resort.
Things on Phuket are returning to normal at a remarkable rate after Boxing Day's tsunami hit the coast. Much of the island's administrative and emergency services were untouched by the devastation and it is likely that this is one of the chief reasons why the island has been able to bounce back so quickly from this terrible ordeal. All major roads are still open and water and electricity supplies - except in a few small areas where damage was heaviest - are continuous and strong.
No other Marriott International Resorts in the region were affected.

Maritime Park and Spa Resort - Best Tourist Accommodation, South (town), TAT award year 2000

Krabi, Thailand -
We at Maritime Park and Spa Resort and Pakasai Resort would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your concern sent via email, phone calls asking if we are all right. Your concern is very much appreciated and give us the strength to support those who are the victims and also to look forward to the bright future.
Both properties are very fine, no damage caused to the resort or to guests of the resort.
Maritime Park and Spa Resort on the river bank of Krabi and 20 kilometers to the nearest beach, has participate in supporting the Krabi Government by setting its own conference building as the Rescue and Return center for the Tsunami victims. We have more than 300 tourists registered at the center and most of them are sent home by support of Thai Airways, Bangkok Air and Phuket Air. For those who are still looking for their loved one, the DNA Center located at the resort organized by the Thai Forensic Police together with the coordination by Humanitarian Aid from various countries has identified and found many missing person.
The resort continues to welcome guests at its full operation and facilities as normal. Please help providing information about the DNA center to those who still looking for their family, as this might help them a lot.
Pakasai Resort, setting on the hilly side of Ao Nang beach area makes it very safe from the tidal wave. The full operation and facilities of the resort continue to comfort its guests, especially the newly opened Adora Spa has been fully booked for services and therapies. The tour desk for sea excursion is opened for those who like to take a short trip to islands nearby during the bright and sunshine day. We are currently facing huge cancellation at Pakasai Resort, and would appreciate support from our partners in every way. We also like to spare a moment to extend our sympathies to travel industrial friends and to families of those who lost their lives and were severe damaged by the result of tidal waves.
For further information on this, please contact Umaporn Sriraksa - Executive Assistant Manager
Maritime Park and Spa Resort
Pakasai Resort
Tel : + 66 75 620 028 ext 7300
Fax : + 66 75 620 071
Email : umaporn@maritimeparkandspa.com or umaporn@pakasai.com

Krabi - Spiaggia di Khlong Muang (a nord di Ao Nang)

Update on the situation at Rayavadee
Rayavadee joins with our friends, colleagues and partners in expressing our sadness and shock at the devastation resulting from the earthquake in Indonesia . Our heartfelt sympathy and condolences go to all those who have been touched by the disaster.
We are grateful to report that Rayavadee suffered no loss of life and only minor damage to the property. This was largely thanks to Rayavadee's safe and sheltered location and the natural protection that the landscape offers it from the sea.
Our beaches and the natural beauty of the landscape remain unaltered. Some of the gardens near to the shore that were damaged by sea water are being replanted. The Guest Pavilions, Raya Dining restaurant, the Grotto, Spa and Boutique as well as our Meetings and Sports facilities are all unaffected. However, in order to complete the ongoing cleanup operations and general maintenance, the resort is presently closed and will open again on February 6, 2005 .
Two of our beachside restaurants, Krua Phranang and Raitalay Terrace, were damaged by water and are being fully refurbished. Minor repairs to our swimming pool will go ahead at the same time. All are scheduled for completion by March 6, 2005 .
 

Krabi - Phi Phi Island
Come noto, le famose isole Phi Phi hanno subito in modo alquanto tragico e violento l'impatto del maremoto. Come già sottolineato però, non tutta l'isola di PP Don, ricca di strutture ricettive, ha subito danni irreparabili. Mentre diamo per scontata la forzata chiusura di tutte le strutture poste sulle spiagge di Thongsai e Lodalam, riteniamo doveroso annunciare che le spiagge esterne poste a occidente di Loabao e Laem Tong sono già da ora in ottime condizioni

Krabi - Ko Lanta

Pimalai Resort
Comunicato ufficiale alla pagina: http://www.pimalai.com/newsreleased.html
News from the Island of Lanta - Koh Lanta, Thailand
January 6th, 2005
I manage for some years now, a superb hotel on the island of Lanta. Thailand is my adopted country - 11 years now - and I am fond off the Thai people who are very friendly, tolerant and always eager to give a helping hand.
Despite the reports you may have seen or heard, Koh Lanta has remained about intact. A quick survey of the island a few days ago showed that our island had beneficiated of a great amount of luck, and that WE are about all up and running our own business. The damages resulting from the Tsunami are very little on our island and with no comparison whatsoever with what you may have seen on TV. We have drinking water, food, electricity, communication systems. The road infrastructure and the ferries running from the mainland to Koh Lanta are intact. Krabi airport is also operational and flights are landing and taking off daily.
Our resort and it private beach are also in an almost perfect state. As many other local businesses on Koh Lanta and mainland Krabi, we had an unquestionable luck and the damages sustained on the occasion were very minimum. About all of the resort facilities are operational; the few damages are now being repaired and we expect these to be completed by the end of this month; even our own resort boats are running in/out from the mainland right to our beach floating jetty.
All throughout this past hard week, clients have been really well taking care off by our Thai team and rest assured that everything is done to make their stay as much enjoyable as possible.
All throughout these past days I have thought at telling you how I feel about all this, The Kingdom of Thailand has badly suffered, but thanks to a great dose of luck, the province of Krabi where is located the island of Lanta has not been wiped out from the map of Thailand. In true words, after the tragedy that have touched several countries of South East Asia, what we are all really worried about is the economical tidal wave that we are now facing... I am not worried and embarrassed at all - as you can now hear it from the people of these devastated countries - to say that the only way to help these people is simply to keep on traveling and spending holidays in their lands. I do not intend to preach at all for the hotel I am managing, but essentially for the South East Asian countries who have been the victims from the Tsunami: the worst consequences of these tragedy would be that this Asian region - which mostly lives thanks to tourism - be shunned away by holiday makers. The Indian ocean/Andaman sea people are courageous, hard workers and generous. The best way to help them, besides all the helpful donations from the very first days, will be to give them the means to rebuild their villages, their homes, their boats. They do not askfor charity. I allow myself to speak on their behalf, and just say they simply ask for people from around the world to come back and spend a few sunny holidays on their lands; rest assured that they will take care of getting themselves and their country back on their feet - and very fast!
Kind Regards,
Franck de Lestapis
General Manager
Pimalai Resort & Spa
generalmanager@pimalai.com

Trang
Come già comunicato, questa splendida provincia delle andamane è stata interessata molto marginalmente dal fenomeno e già dal giorno 28 dicembre le località e strutture turistiche erano in perfette condizioni. Come già sopra riportato in riferimento alle strutture della catena Amari, l'Amari Trang Beach Resort non ha subito il minimo danno dallo tsunami.

Per concludere, è nostro dovere informarvi che contrariamente a quanto comunicato dai media, l'aeroporto di Bangkok e la viabilità stradale in tutto il Paese sono perfettamente efficienti e mai si sono verificate situazioni di disagio, congestione del traffico stradale o aeroportuale e che le operazioni sono sempre risultate nella totale normalità.