I have just spent a few days at Phuket and am happy to report that the situation is getting back to normal.Many western tourists are starting to return to the island but they need the rest of the world to accompany them as people have NO jobs , people were laid off in January.The hotel I stayed at had 90 rooms occupied out of a total of 980, the following day 140 rooms full.
I went to PHI PHI Island to see the damage and was shocked.A thriving resort which would have hosted thousands of people was totally destroyed.A narrow strip between the two beaches on the Island, where there were houses and hotels were completely flattened, even a deep rooted palm tree was lying on its side.
The Tsunami was two fold the first smaller wave hit the Island from the west , the second bigger wave hit the Island from the east , the net result being total destruction.
People are there trying to help by trying to restore electricity and plumbing and the normal everyday things that we take for granted.
The people from Phuket asked me to ask my friends to visit Phuket as they need employment not donations that go to N.G.O'S and is distributed by well minded organisations.
Having said that nothing , but absolutely will take away the joy of life that the people of Thailand have.It is not for nothing it is known as the "LAND OF SMILES"