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Visitors will be surprised at just how much progress has been made
since the tsunami. Many hotels have already been restored or rebuilt
especially in the main beach areas like Kata
Beach, Karon
Beach and Patong
Beach.
(See phuket-photos.com)
Communications and infrastructure around the island are perfectly
normal as the wave affected parts of the coastline and did not reach
more than 500 metres inland in Phuket Island.
What's the situation now?
It's a great time to visit Phuket with hotels offering value
packages with added extras like Spa treatments and candlelit dinners
just make your stay a little special…
You can take trips to the islands on un-crowded ferries, laze on
pristine white sand beaches and get great discounts when you go
shopping. In Patong, street vendors and markets have returned to
the beach road and international chains like Starbucks have re-opened.
Some hotels like the Holiday
Inn Phuket remain closed for renovation, but a glance at the
hotel status will show you just how many hotels are operating normally.
What about nightlife? Patong's legendary nightlife, slightly
subdued, still pulsates, restaurants are open for business, Banana
disco is still pumping – although a little quieter than usual
for high season.
Is it Safe?
Yes. Official tests have proved that the sea is clearer
than in the last 20 years (but you will see this for yourself on
a snorkeling or diving trip.) The streets are clean and there is
no threat of disease.
Just relax on the beach with an iced coconut and stop worrying.
Are local tours operating?
Dive trips
have resumed. Divers report that the coral received minor damage
and in the offshore sites the underwater coral gardens are more
vibrant than ever. Fishermen report large schools of fish not seen
for a few years.
You can still play a round of golf at one of Phuket's five
courses, charter a sailing boat for the day to the islands, or go
elephant trekking in the cool forested hills.
Should I feel guilty visiting a tsunami hit area?
Not at all. Your visit will help the local people enormously. Tourism
and the local economy has been badly affected, yet people still
need to pay school fees, everyday bills and get on with their lives.
You will be having a great holiday and helping enormously by
contributing directly to those who need it.
Can I help?
Yes by enjoying Phuket as much as possible. Take a tour,
buy an iced coconut, enjoy a meal at a local restaurant. If you
want to help directly you can contact the following organisations.
HandsonThailand.org
and Hiphiphi.com
Can I bring something to help?
Just yourself, a smile and your tourist income, which will help
filter through the local economy.
Official Facts
If you need a few official facts to make your decision, here's
a few:
- Phuket was declared safe to travel by all major governments
including the US, France, UK and Germany in early January 2006.
- Scandinavian Charter flights resumed in February 2006 and
direct flights are heavily booked.
- Phuket
now offers the best deals ever!
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