news from phuket

My parents returned from their week surveying the Tsunami damage in Phuket. They found the week challenging. Not only were the sights devastating, but the conversations with local people were depressing. Generally, the Thai government has done little with post-trauma counseling and though there are many foreign aid workers in the area assisting clean-up, few of these people speak any Thai. Therefore, when my parents arrived, their fluency in the Thai language prompted numerous tear-filled conversations with people who had not yet had opportunity to vocalize their grief.

Though there is still some clean-up to do and much grief counselling needed, many hotels/resorts/guesthouses are up and running in Phuket. However, most are presently empty. In order to attract tourists, prices have often been cut in half. As the majority of the people living in Phuket depend on tourism for their livelihood, the best way to help them is to VISIT PHUKET! The beaches are unsurpassable, the hotels amazing, the service stellar. And besides having a relaxing holiday, you will leave knowing that you have employed someone for one extra day.