Photos of incinerators paint an even less complete and accurate a picture of Khao Lak today as recent media attention on the rape and murder of a Welsh tourist January 2nd displays a lawless island. Yes, there are only fourteen tourist police on the 200 square kilometer island on the east coast island of Ko Samui. But that doesn't mean that I'd stay away because of widespread security fears.
The truth is usually more complex. And it's not fixed in time.
(And it's all stuff you don't read in the tourist brochures.)
If there is ONE thing that blogs can do is to provide a perspective of what is happening from people in the field in real-time. In evolving countries and regions like Thailand's Andaman Coast even one-month-ago information is out-dated. A flurry of construction took place in December here in Khao Lak in preparation for the Princess' visit on the tsunami anniversary - and it shows.
A new friend last night was convinced because of his September visit to Phi Phi that the beaches are still being cleaned up. I was just there a week ago and asked him to describe exactly which beach had debris. That's not there anymore, I say from first-hand knowledge.
Brian Benz of Sofware Soapbox writes in his post, Tsunami Revisited
Via Scoble, stories on those who went back to Thailand one year after the Tsunami. Remember, as I've said before, only half of the beach and resort part of the country was hit by the Tsunami, there are many untouched areas like Koh Samui that need visitors and support...
My comment:
Koh Samui [on Thailand's other coast] is doing just fine. Khao Lak is base to world-class diving and has fine beaches. I've travelled to many places around the world and consider Phi Phi to be one of the most spectacular beaches with its towering lush limestone cliffs. Having just spent nine days on Phi Phi and now been on Khao Lak for four (and plan on another week), I speak from first-hand fresh experience.
They are both absolutely ready and open and eager for business. The second killer wave, as many have told me, is economic. What good is a new rebuilt house or business if it's repossessed - in one year's time?
These areas do not export goods - they are economically dependent on inbound travel. Sorry to get on my soapbox, but I see the effects here in terms of human faces - Pa the restaurant owner, Nong the bar owner, and Nui the divemaster. Steering people away from the Andaman coast isn't helping their situation one iota.
p.s. The photo is of the girls at Sri Guest House in Nang Thong Beach where I'm staying in Khao Lak.
p.p.s. I'll be working a few days extra on training folks to monitor blogs, forums and media mentions in order to clear up misperceptions and evangelize the area. Perhaps, if there is interest see about starting a Khao Lak blog too.
Ok, OK! Sorry, I wanted to encourage people to come to to Thailand in General. I didn't mean to tell them to keep away from any specific area, though reading back on my post, I can see that I said that...
Since right after the Tsunami, I posted a couple of posts encouraging people NOT to stay away in general:
http://bbenz.typepad.com/softwaresoapbox/2005/01/memories_of_sou.html
http://bbenz.typepad.com/softwaresoapbox/2005/09/visit_posttsuna.html
Coincidentally, the last one is about Khao Lak....
I too have been to Phi Phi, way way WAY back in 1998. I remember that it was a little overcrowded at the time, and preferred to stay at the nearby islands just off Krabi. Can't remember the name of the place specifically, but it had a sunset and sunrise beach, an inland salt water "lake" fed by the ocean that you had to climb down a trecherous path to, and a bug cave full of linghams. Back in those days a hut on the beach was $1 US per night....was that Khao Lak?
Anyway, I'll post a retraction today....
Posted by: Brian Benz | Jan 13, 2006 at 03:18 PM
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